The summer is usually St. Pete’s slow season, but this July was jam-packed with Downtown St. Pete news. Along with the updates below, an expansion of the Museum of History was announced, plans move forward for the old Police HQ, a senior housing development is coming to the Tyrone area, and a fire broke out at a popular downtown restaurant, which prompted a temporary relocation.

As many of you are aware, we write a column every month called Downtown Developments for Green Bench Monthly, a local community magazine. In the column, we highlight everything coming soon to Downtown St. Pete, including new restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. We also reveal new tower renderings, announce townhome projects, and much more. A few months ago, we started publishing that column right here on St. Pete Rising, in addition to Green Bench Monthly!

Want the news first? Be sure to follow us! Most of what we discuss in Downtown Developments has already been posted to either our website, newsletter, Facebook, or Instagram. With Downtown Developments, you’ll never miss the latest Downtown St. Pete news.

The Pinball Arcade Museum is now open at 2313 Central Avenue in The Grand Central District. Keep the nostalgia alive inside the 2,000 square foot space filled with around 60 pinball and arcade machines from the ’80’s and ’90’s. You don’t need to carry around a pocket full of quarters or tokens either — all machines are set to Free Play. Instead, a $15 admission fee gives gamers an all-day pass to the arcade. Best of all, The Pinball Arcade Museum is a nonprofit organization that benefits local charities.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar is coming soon to 670 Central Avenue (formerly the offices of Peregrine Construction Group). The fast-casual burger joint was founded in Austin, TX in 2010 with a focus on fresh ingredients, antibiotic and hormone-free beef ground in-house, thick shakes, and hand-cut fries. Hopdoddy is also known for having an extensive beer menu featuring many local craft beers. The restaurant is currently in permitting and expected to debut by early 2020.

Sunshine Kitty Catfe, Tampa Bay's first and only cat cafe, is coming soon to 1663 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District. Once their doors open this fall, Sunshine Kitty will be a place where friends meet to celebrate a birthday, grab a small bite to eat, to work on a homework assignment, or just to relax...surrounded by cats of course! And if you develop a strong bond with a cat (or cats), you can adopt them. Sunshine Kitty Catfe has partnered with local animal shelter Friends of Strays.

A 36-story tower has been proposed for the heart of Downtown St. St Pete. After sitting vacant for over a decade, the grass lot at the corner of 1st Avenue North and 2nd Street North, across from the popular Jannus block, may finally see some activity. The $117 million project, called Ascent St. Petersburg, is designed around a luxury apartment tower, which will feature 354 rental units and an adjacent 172-key hotel. The entire project will be complimented by nearly 8,300 square feet of ground-level retail space and will contain a total of 508 parking spaces. Site plan review documents were submitted to the City in early June.

Poppo's Taqueria is now open at 1033 Central Avenue. Poppo’s makes everything from scratch and uses ingredients that are all whole, fresh, local (when available) and organic (when it makes sense). Their motto is “No compromise”. The menu is simple, offering build-your-own tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or bowls. Protein selections include ancho chicken, carnitas, morita steak, and tempeh. There are around twelve different fillings including pico de gallo, jalapeño relish, and honey-lime slaw.

Burlington Townhomes are coming soon to the northwest corner of Burlington Avenue and 8th Street North, only four blocks from Central Avenue. Each three-story unit will have a two-car garage and a small private yard for your pup. Construction on the 24-unit project began earlier this year. The homes will range in size from 1,729 to 1,941 square feet and pricing will likely start in the mid-$500’s.