St. Pete approves bonds to fund new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and Gas Plant District development

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St. Pete approves bonds to fund new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and Gas Plant District development

Despite uncertainty surrounding the future of Major League Baseball in St. Petersburg, the City Council has voted to move forward with plans for a new $1.3 billion stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays and the redevelopment of the adjacent 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District.

During a meeting on Thursday, the City Council narrowly approved the issuance of $287.5 million in tax-exempt bonds with a 4-3 vote. These bonds will contribute to the $600 million in public funding for the stadium, along with $142 million allocated for infrastructure improvements in the reimagined district.

Council members Sandra Figgs-Sanders, Copley Gerdes, Brandi Gabbard, and Gina Driscoll voted in favor of the bond issuance, while Richie Floyd, Lisset Hanewicz, and John Muhammad opposed it.

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Malai Indian Cuisine takes over Tropez space in downtown St. Pete

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Malai Indian Cuisine takes over Tropez space in downtown St. Pete

The family behind the popular Taste of Punjab Indian restaurant in Largo has expanded to downtown St. Petersburg with a new restaurant serving traditional Indian dishes.

A few days ago, owners Rajinder Singh (also head chef) and Inderjit Kaur quietly opened Malai Indian Cuisine at 437 Central Avenue. The space was formerly home to Tropez which closed earlier this year.

“We love Largo, but we have so many customers asking us to bring our Indian food to St. Pete and this is the perfect space,” the owners said to St. Pete Rising.

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St. Pete's biggest annual St. Patrick's Day party Paddy Fest is back this March

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St. Pete's biggest annual St. Patrick's Day party Paddy Fest is back this March

Paddy Fest St. Pete is returning to Williams Park in downtown St. Pete on Saturday, March 15th, 2025 for the 3rd year in a row with loads of Irish food, drinks, music, and family fun festivities.

The Irish festival will feature a day full of entertainment from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm with the local bagpipers Rising Young Pipers, St. Pete Irish Dancers, leprechaun wrestling, and much more. 

Paddy Fest St. Pete is put on by local entrepreneurs Kat Van Dora and Pete Boland from PMB Events, co-owners of Mary Margaret’s, who aim to make the event one St. Pete’s most impactful family-friendly events, having raised over $25,000 for its charity partners since its inception.

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A new chapter: The Book Rescuers opens massive used bookstore in Largo with over 100,000 books

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A new chapter: The Book Rescuers opens massive used bookstore in Largo with over 100,000 books

An encyclopedia of Greek mythology, recordings of wars from the frontlines, and children's books dating back to the 70s and beyond line the wooden shelves inside The Book Rescuers’ new 14,000-square-foot warehouse.

Husband and wife duo George and Sarah Brooks, who save over 10 tons (20,000 pounds) of books per week from the landfill, have relocated their massive book collection and store to 8325 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

The Book Rescuers, which is now open, is nearly quadruple the size of their previous 3,600-square-foot warehouse in Pinellas Park and features over 100,000 books.

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Authentic Mexican taqueria Jimmy's Tacos to open in the Grand Central District

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Authentic Mexican taqueria Jimmy's Tacos to open in the Grand Central District

Jimmy’s Tacos, an authentic Mexican eatery that was started by Jimmy Nunez over 35 years ago in Los Angeles, is expanding to St. Pete.

The family owned and operated restaurant, which relocated to Ybor City a few years ago, will join St. Pete’s Grand Central District at 2536 Central Avenue, currently home to The Foundry vintage furniture store which will stay open until the end of May.

Jimmy’s Tacos is expected to open in August.

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