St Pete Catalyst • 11th July 2025

Demolition to start on the old Howard Frankland Bridge

The Howard Frankland Bridge, which connects St. Petersburg to Tampa, has long been a fixture over Tampa Bay. Its very first span ceased operations Wednesday and will be demolished. 
The bridge opened in January 1960 and was the vision of businessman Howard Frankland, who served on the Florida State Road Board (now known as the Florida Department of Transportation, or FDOT). 
For 30 years, it had a single span that carried traffic in both directions. 
In 1990, the Florida Department of Transporta...

St Pete Catalyst • 9th July 2025

Veteran gets her own house with help from Bucs champion

For its 2025 Veterans Build Home project, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside has partnered with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl champion Martin Gramatica and the Gramatica Family Foundation.
Gramatica and his teenage son, Gaston, spent time Wednesday helping the Habitat team work on a St. Petersburg home-in-progress. 
Priscilla Reed, who served 10 years in the Army, will be its recipient. 
Habitat started to build the 1,296 sq. ft. home for Reed in March. It should be complete by August or...

St Pete Catalyst • 8th July 2025

Florida Association of Counties names Rene Flowers president-elect

Pinellas County commissioner Rene Flowers became the Florida Association of Counties’ president-elect June 27. The president-elect is the second senior official of the association, under the president.  
A St. Petersburg native, Flowers represents District 7 (the St. Pete area). 
The Florida Association of Counties (FAC), based in Tallahassee, is a statewide organization that serves all of Florida. County commissioners throughout the state represent their specific counties within the association...

St Pete Catalyst • 7th July 2025

USF St. Pete debuts week-long middle school camp

Camp Bullseye, a week-long summer camp for middle school students, commenced Monday morning at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus. 
Campers will stay on the campus in dorms for the duration of the week and learn about marine science, entrepreneurship, digital marketing and journalism, and get a taste of college life. 
“This is a tremendous opportunity for you to think about your future,” St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told the arriving students. The camp, a partnership between...

St Pete Catalyst • 6th July 2025

‘Grown up’ Chuck E. Cheese gaming arcade opens in St. Pete

Chuck E. Cheese, the nationally recognized children’s arcade and restaurant chain, has launched a new concept, Chuck’s Arcade. It’s targeted towards adults and teenagers – the individuals who grew up with the Chuck E. brand.  
Ten locations have opened in malls and hotels around the country, including one in St. Petersburg’s Tyrone Square Mall (6901 22nd Avenue N.). 
It was previously known as the Fun Spot Arcade, also owned by CEC Entertainment, LLC, Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company. 
“We didn’...

St Pete Catalyst • 2nd July 2025

AI drone manufacturer opens a Tampa facility

XTEND Reality Inc., a company that makes advanced drone systems for military and law enforcement use, has opened a new facility in Tampa. 
The 10,000 sq. ft. space, located at the Crossroads Industrial Center (5247 Crossroads Park Drive), will serve as the company’s U.S. headquarters as well as a manufacturing site. 
Founded by Israeli businessmen Aviv Shapira, Matteo Shapira and Rubi Liani, the organization already has a presence in Israel, Singapore and Eastern Europe. 
XTEND hosted a grand op...

St Pete Catalyst • 30th June 2025

USF research center to be named for Darryl Rouson

The University of South Florida will name its mental health research center after Florida state senator Darryl Rouson, after months of speculation. 
Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the center’s name after signing a Rouson-sponsored bill, 1620: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders, into law June 25 at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute building in Tampa. 
The bill was designed to update the Florida Mental Health Act by implementing recommendations from the state...

St Pete Catalyst • 28th June 2025

Tampa native creates innovative 3D printing process

Nick Diaco, a Tampa native, has spearheaded an innovative project that improves 3D printing technology. 
3D printing is a manufacturing process where objects or items are made from a digital model. This computer model is sent to a 3D printer, which then builds the desired object from materials such as plastic or metal. 
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate student, the 27-year-old has focused his research on resin 3D printing, which is commonly used in the medical and jewelry i...

St Pete Catalyst • 27th June 2025

Bay area AI startup receives $1.3M in pre-seed round

Iteright, a Tampa Bay area-based startup, recently received $1.3 million in a pre-seed round led by New World Angels’ Innovation Fund. 
A pre-seed round helps startup companies get initial funding to bring their products and services to life. 
Over 30 investors took part in the round. 
The company, founded by Alex Brodsky, has developed an innovative artificial intelligence platform that helps guide business executives through investment decisions.  
A “growth management system,” Itright provide...

St Pete Catalyst • 26th June 2025

Homeless: The Studio Public House is losing its lease

The Studio Public House, a popular British restaurant in the Grand Central District, is being forced to close this summer. 
Owner Mike Crippin said that his landlord – the building’s owner – is planning on selling the 2950 Central Ave. building for redevelopment. 
Crippin contacted his landlord late last year to renew his lease for the next five years. 
“In late January, he sent me back all the numbers by email. I agreed. I liked him. I verbally agreed because we communicate by text and email an...