Latest news with #ConanGallaty
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
After Rays stadium deal fallout, what's next for Tropicana Field?
Now that the Tampa Bay Rays have pulled out of a deal to build a new stadium and redevelop its surrounding acreage in honor of the historically Black community that preceded it, what's next for Tropicana Field? It's the question that has gone asked but not answered for nearly two decades. Join the Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, on Tuesday for a free community conversation in the latest Spotlight Tampa Bay event, Beyond Baseball: New Perspectives and Possibilities for St. Pete's 86 Most Contemplated Acres. Longtime residents, local leaders and place-making experts will participate in a panel discussion reimagining the future of the Trop's land and its effect on St. Petersburg's future. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg's Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. 'We have a rare moment to pause, listen and dream big together,' said Conan Gallaty, chairman and CEO of the Tampa Bay Times. 'Let's imagine what this space can become for everyone in St. Petersburg. By uniting residents, experts and local leaders, the Tampa Bay Times is convening thoughtful ideas of what will benefit our community for generations.' Featured panelists include Mozell Davis, a St. Petersburg resident and longtime educator; Peter Kageyama, author of 'For the Love of Cities'; Erica Hall, a member of the Sierra Club's board of directors; Jillian Bandes, an executive board member at Urban Land Institute Tampa Bay; and Dr. Elizabeth Strom, associate professor at the University of South Florida. The conversation will be moderated by Colleen Wright, who covers the city of St. Petersburg as a reporter for the Times. The event begins with an exhibition of St. Petersburg through the ages from 5 to 6 p.m. Participating organizations include Zulu Painter, Pinellas County Schools, Reimagine 175, Saturday Morning Shoppe, RaceWithoutIsm Inc., Sofia Forte's Catering, the Pinellas County Urban League, The Innovation District and the Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development and the Times. 'The environments in which we live, work, play and grow help shape our health,' said Dr. Kanika Tomalin, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. 'Right now, we have a tremendous opportunity to reimagine this vital part of our city in a way that honors historic promises and catalyzes a healthier, more equitable future for our city's residents.' The panel discussion, including questions from the audience, will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees should register ahead of time at Admission and parking are free.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How can Tampa Bay continue to build with a changing climate in mind?
TAMPA — Over the last five years, Tampa Bay has seen a surge in population growth. And naturally, that uptick has spurred a wave of new development. From Water Street in downtown Tampa to Gasworx in Ybor City and the Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg, more apartments, condos, retail and commercial development is on the way. But as strengthening storms, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change continue to impact Tampa Bay and beyond, how can our community continue to grow in a way that safeguards our future? The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with Tampa Electric, will host a free community conversation on responsible, sustainable development in our region at the upcoming event, Spotlight Tampa Bay: Sustainability in Growth. The forum will take place at Feeding Tampa Bay, 3624 Causeway Blvd., in Tampa, on May 7 at 5 p.m. 'The Tampa Bay Times is proud to host this conversation on sustainability and innovation, connecting thought leaders with the community,' said Conan Gallaty, chairperson and CEO of Times Publishing Co. 'Through civic dialogue, we bring journalism to life, ensuring that growth reflects our region's shared values.' Local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on the need for innovations in development and construction as Tampa Bay's landscape continues to evolve. Visitors are encouraged to come early to enjoy an interactive resource center with displays from local organizations, including Tampa Electric's energy conservation team, the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Friends of Tampa Union Station, City of Tampa's Green Team, USF Urban and Regional Planning Program, ULI Tampa Bay and Plan Hillsborough. Enjoy tastings from the catering team at Feeding Tampa Bay and meet the business reporters behind the headlines. At 6 p.m., the panel discussion moderated by Tampa Bay Times Real Estate Reporter Rebecca Liebson will begin. Panelists include Kartik Goyani, vice president of operations at Metro Development Group; Melissa Zornitta, executive director of Plan Hillsborough; Taylor Ralph, president and founder of REAL Building Consultants LLC; Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Companies; and Abbye Feeley, administrator for development and economic opportunity at the city of Tampa. 'Tampa Electric is pleased to support this free forum for the community to discuss innovations that shape and enhance the future of our region,' said Stephanie Smith, vice president of State and Regional Affairs at Tampa Electric in a statement. 'Our energy solutions are crucial to Tampa Bay's development. By partnering with the community we serve, we are not simply fueling the future of sustainable growth but actively collaborating to shape it.' Attendees should register ahead of time at Admission and parking are free.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa Bay Times won't return to its historic building damaged by hurricane
After 100 years of phones ringing and journalists buzzing through the halls of the building at 490 First Ave. S in downtown St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times is relocating out of its historic home. Conan Gallaty, chairperson and CEO of Times Publishing Co., announced the update to staff Thursday at a company-wide meeting. The employees of the Times, including its reporters, editors, photojournalists, executives and advertising staff have all been working from home and other remote locations since Hurricane Milton sent a crane crashing through multiple floors in October, leaving behind concrete rubble and a gaping hole that remains open to the elements. Since then, the offices have been uninhabitable because of structural and mold concerns. Despite the destruction, the future of the Times' headquarters was still unclear until this week as the company navigated the obligations of its lease. The Times was one tenant in the building, along with a defense contractor, a law firm and a juice shop. 'The destruction of our historic home is a terrible loss,' Gallaty said. 'For a century, those halls and offices were filled with the best local reporters, photographers and editors in the country. However, this certainty allows us to plan our next chapter. Our great journalism will continue, driven by a resilient and adaptable team.' Gallaty declined to say how ending the lease would impact the news organization's finances. The company offered buyouts last summer to reduce its staff by 20%, caused largely by uncertainty in the news media industry that has persisted since the internet disrupted its advertising model. But Gallaty said leaders are looking for a new space. Whether the company will be able to retrieve the contents of the destroyed newsroom, including copies of its 14 Pulitzer Prizes, remains unclear. For most of the last six months, the building owner has not allowed tenants into the building. A spokesperson for Lincoln Property, which manages the property, did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment. Neither did Robert Mason, an Atlanta-based real estate investor who is listed on business records for the LLC that owns the building. The owners have not indicated publicly if they plan to restore the former home of the Times or tear it down. The crane that plunged 550 feet on the night of Milton's landfall was part of a massive construction project across the street erecting the highest tower in the city, called The Residences at 400 Central. Shortly after Milton, a Times investigation revealed that Florida has no laws on crane safety. In fact, state lawmakers have barred local government from passing crane regulations themselves, at the urging of construction lobbyists.
