Latest news with #oftheCity
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Petersburg's resilience and growth: A look at the city's economic future
The Brief Despite facing significant challenges, St. Petersburg's economy is strong. The city is experiencing growth with new jobs, businesses and investments in neighborhood development. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch recently delivered a State of the City's Economic outlook, highlighting the city's progress and future plans. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite facing significant challenges, including two hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Rays withdrawing from a new ballpark plan, St. Petersburg's economy is strong. The city is experiencing growth with new jobs, businesses and investments in neighborhood development. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch recently delivered a State of the City's Economic outlook, highlighting the city's progress and future plans. READ: Three St. Pete students heading to Japan for city's summer exchange program Local perspective St. Petersburg has emerged as one of the most desirable places to live. Since 2020, more than 8,000 people have moved to St. Petersburg, contributing to the demand for downtown living, as evidenced by the construction cranes dotting the skyline. The influx of new residents has spurred business growth, with companies like Foot Locker moving their headquarters to St. Petersburg, even as others like HSN and QVC have left. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What they're saying "They love what we're doing with innovation, tech, you name it. So yeah, that word is getting out, and it's part of why we're getting folks coming down here with higher incomes. It skews the housing market. Therefore, we have to put more into a truly affordable housing," said Welch. While the mayor remains tight-lipped about other companies considering relocation to St. Petersburg, he acknowledged significant interest. "I'll just say there's a lot of interest. We met with a well-known group of folks this week, so it's continuing," said Mayor Welch. Dig deeper The city's popularity brings challenges, including concerns over gentrification, overpriced rents for business spaces, housing affordability, and infrastructure demands. MORE: Corey Avenue businesses celebrate reopening after withstanding back-to-back hurricanes "The density is happening where it needs to happen adjacent to transportation, so the jobs, housing, transportation triad is working together, and it leaves your more traditional neighborhoods, Lakewood, Kenwood, relatively unaffected," said Welch. The devastation and disruptions caused by future hurricanes threatens that progress. Job growth dropped off some after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That's why the city plans to invest half a billion dollars in resilience projects over the next five years. With the Rays pulling out of the stadium development deal, Mayor Welch sees an opportunity for St. Petersburg to forge its own economic path. The city remains committed to providing the Rays a home through 2028, with ongoing repairs and potential developments in the future, he said. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: New Aurora mayor's inauguration matches his agenda, personality
Much like his predecessor, new Aurora Mayor John Laesch chose to focus on diversity and unity at his big night on Tuesday. A large – and yes, diverse – crowd of about 1,100 nearly filled the Paramount Theatre at the inauguration of Aurora's 60th mayor. 'I was surprised,' Laesch told me early Wednesday morning as he waited to go into his first meeting in his new job leading the state's second largest city. The new mayor was humbled and grateful so many people showed up to celebrate his hard-fought win over two-term incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin. But was he excited? I put that question to Laesch for a reason: A week earlier he'd informed me 'I don't get excited' when asked about what he was feeling as he prepared to take on such a challenging role. While the huge crowd 'invigorated me,' Laesch said he was upset by a political move at the City Council meeting earlier that day. And he told me his elation was also 'suppressed' by 'the enormity of what is ahead,' referring to slashing the budget to deal with the city's 'serious debt' that he admitted to the audience will already require raising property taxes. All of which must be done, of course, while trying to maintain the momentum that has put this once crime-riddled city on the map as an entertainment destination. It was the Debbie Downer part of his acceptance speech, for sure, but 'I want people to know what to expect,' in his quest to 'pull back the PR machine' and the flurry of ribbon-cuttings to figure out ways to make Aurora 'a more solvent place,' said Laesch. Unlike Irvin, whose initial inauguration in 2016 – and pretty much every State of the City address that followed – was filled with pomp and circumstance and the energy level of an old-fashioned tent revival, Laesch went more low-key (and less expensive). It was a mood matched by Aurora Director of Communications (and evening emcee) Clayton Muhammad who, as Laesch correctly pointed out, always does a 'masterful' job of quickly reading the audience and matching the mood of the moment, which in this case was certainly celebratory but had the 'authenticity' and 'matter of factness' the new mayor deemed necessary. That being said, the evening was certainly entertaining, with musical performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoati and Paramount School of the Arts. And it had moments of high energy, not to mention stirring words that did indeed focus on unity and diversity, starting with Laesch's father Jim, a one-time missionary who, before giving the invocation, spoke about his family's experience working in a village in Liberia, where John Laesch was born and raised until 13, and where the emphasis was on all voices being heard for the good of the community. Then there was Ald. Dan Barreiro, 1st Ward, who used a significant chunk of his acceptance speech to praise the opponents who ran against him; new Ald. Jonathan Nunez, 4th Ward, who focused on the words 'pride' and 'responsibility' when recalling the legacy of his Hispanic family, who arrived in Aurora in 1917; new Ald. Javier Banuelos, 7th Ward, who ran for public office as a way of 'giving back' to those who were 'here for me' when his daughter died of cancer two years ago; new Ald. Keith Larson, at-large, who moved to Aurora from Geneva because of the city's diversity and did what more should do – instead of complaining about how things are run, get involved to make a difference. And I have to mention Abigail M. Dior, an Auroran who represented the Liberian Embassy, and had the timing of a stand-up comedian as she described how she first heard about a 'man named John' from Liberia who was running for mayor of the state's second largest city, and her subsequent grilling of him to make sure he truly was from that tiny West African nation. Like I said, there was plenty of diversity on display, much of it on stage when members of Laesch's large volunteer campaign team surrounded him as he took the oath of office and then delivered his inauguration speech that focused on the positives going forward as well as the negatives. While the new mayor may come across as cool and calm, he got plenty emotional when he stood at the podium to thank Aurora for putting him in this tough but important job. And included in his many thanks were words of praise for former mayors, including Irvin, for all the work they did in 'bringing downtown back to life.' There's no question plenty of angst still remains, at City Hall and in the neighborhoods, about the next four years under a mayor with a different personality and a different agenda. But Laesch, who says his number one priority is to get the city's financial house in order, insists he's ready to listen. And so, I just had to ask: If 'excited' doesn't describe Aurora's new mayor as he takes office, what words fit? 'Calm,' he replied. 'And ready.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Las Vegas mayor teases new casino for Symphony Park
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Stopped mid-dog walk, Symphony Park neighbors are asking if Las Vegas' newest casino is coming next door, what is Circa 2? Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley hyped the new developments and projects in the Symphony Park neighborhood during her State of the City address Wednesday night. 'These projects, along with the new medical office building, plans for a new art museum envisioned by Elaine Wynn and her team,' she said. 'And a casino developed by Derek Stevens on the northeast corner of Symphony Park, are all in our future.' According to Symphony Park's master plan site map, the new project is titled 'Circa 2 Casino & Resort' and is located a few yards behind the existing Circa Parking Garage, otherwise known as the Garage Mahal. Clark County records show the 6.42-acre property was purchased in July 2017 by PQ Holdings LLC; it is currently zoned as a planned development. The parcel appeared to be busy with workers driving onto the Tre Builder's site and walking into a modular building. The topic of activity and the mayor's announcement turned dog walkers' heads and caused a buzz at the Parc-Haven dog park at Symphony Park. 'I think the area is great, I am from New York, and I'm used to the foot traffic,' Kai Brown, a Symphony Park resident, said. 'I thought [Circa 2] was a residential property, so I don't think a casino is great.' Parris Golden, a Symphony Park resident, said she liked how the area was quiet for her to walk her dog and said a new casino in the neighborhood would be a game changer. 'It would make me want to move, it would change the whole dynamic of the area,' Golden said. 'Ultimately, that would be a deciding factor.' A new resident, Miss. Moody, said the series of new projects is what spurred her to buy an apartment on The Cello's fourth floor. 'It wasn't until this came along that I was interested,' Moody said. Lala Gee, a Symphony Park resident, picked up her dog Benji and said she found the news to be encouraging for the neighborhood. 'Wow, that's exciting to hear, I think that's awesome,' Gee said. 'I think casinos are very good for this community. It brings a lot of people to the neighborhood.' Gee said she believes 'Circa 2' might bring in more restaurants and fine dining to the densely residential community. 'I believe it brings two different companies,' she said. 'On one side, it's like outgoing, love to see new things and love to travel. This side over here is like, mellow, like to stay in the house.' 8 News Now reached out to Derek Stevens, owner of Circa Resort & Casino, and a company spokesperson regarding the property. A company spokesperson said Circa did not have a comment at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
28-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
South Fulton mayor won't seek re-election amid spending scrutiny
South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau announced Tuesday that he won't seek re-election and will use next week's State of the City address to bid farewell. Why it matters: Kamau, whose term expires at the end of the year, is the second person to serve as mayor for the city, which incorporated in 2017 and has a population of about 108,000 people. His tenure has been marked with controversy, including a 2023 arrest on burglary charges and allegations of making lavish purchases and taking international trips on the city's dime. Driving the news: The mayor confirmed his plans during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, WSB reports. His announcement comes days after Bill Edwards, the city's first mayor who in 2021 lost his re-election bid to Kamau, said he will run for the office. Two other people, Councilmember Carmalitha Gumbs and Kelvin Davis, are also running for mayor. Catch up quick: Kamau, who goes by Mayor Kobi, has faced scrutiny from South Fulton City Councilmembers over allegations that he misused his city-issued purchasing card to make roughly $26,000 in purchases. Councilmember Helen Willis questioned Kamau's spending on a trip to Africa, a TV production studio in his City Hall office, and other purchases. The City Council in February voted to restrict his access to City Hall and stripped him of most of his power and spending authority. Yes, and: In 2023, while mayor, Kamau was arrested on burglary and trespassing charges at a home in Fairburn.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Duggan talks 2-party 'death grip' on Michigan, predicts 'nastiest' campaign cycle in 2026
Mayor Mike Duggan was in typical Mike-mode Monday morning as the featured speaker at the Detroit Free Press Breakfast Club, touting Detroit's dramatic recovery over the last decade during his tenure as the city's chief executive, while also trumpeting his choice to move on — and hopefully up — as an independent candidate for Michigan governor, citing the two-party "death grip" that has paralyzed politics across the nation. The annual speaker series saw Duggan pour praise over business leaders, politicians and community members who factored into Detroit's recovery to repopulate the city, invest in businesses, eliminate blight and abandoned buildings and more since he took over in 2014 as the city was emerging from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Duggan, in his final year as Detroit's mayor, says he is shifting away from the two-party system due to the 'Us vs. Them' politics he sees in Lansing and other places, an issue he says he attempted to eliminate in Detroit. The three-term mayor sent shockwaves across the state when he announced his run as an independent, despite expectations he would stick with the party that helped him build a name for himself, under the tutelage of long-time Wayne County Executive Edward McNamara. More: Top takeaways from Mayor Mike Duggan's final State of the City address 'I actually think you've had a two-party death grip on this country for so long that the parties think they own you, that you have no other choice,' Duggan said. 'The working people of this country don't feel the Democrats relate to them. The only thing that unites Democrats is they hate Republicans in general, and they hate Donald Trump specifically. That's basically been their problem." But Duggan pointed to the fact that 60% of children in the fourth grade don't read at a grade level across Michigan as a top concern, which "nobody is talking about," also how the state is bleeding residents, particularly younger people it needs to grow emerging economic sectors. "I finally felt like the politics in Lansing reminds me a lot of the politics in Detroit in 2013. These elected officials are so obsessed with who's in control and how to attack the other person," Duggan said. Suspicions loomed over Duggan pursuing a gubernatorial run in previous elections, even drawing a collective "No" from the audience at a public event ahead of the 2018 gubernatorial election. He previously said he had no plans for a run, until now. Award-winning Free Press Columnist Carol Cain asked Duggan about his chosen party. "I feel like the Democratic Party left me. I joined the Democratic Party in the 1980s; who was on the side of the working people; who leveled the playing field to get everybody an opportunity; and I just watched as what has happened. And the working people of this country feel like the Democrats don't relate," Duggan said. "They voted for (President) Donald Trump, knowing he wasn't in their economic interest. But they were so angry at the real disrespect." Speaking to the Democratic party's abandonment, Duggan said attack ads already are in the works against him. The Democratic Governor's Association, which supports Democratic governors and candidates, is planning an apparent $3-million smear campaign against him, Duggan said, hiring a firm to send Freedom of Information Act requests to his office "to get dirt on me." Those requests include records for renovations to his city hall office, which has not been renovated, he said. Another is for his travel expenses, which he says he "never charged taxpayers" for during his tenure, and another he says was for all emails he sent with swear words. "I'm not making this up. And I thought 'The Democratic governors are researching whether I swear?' I thought, 'Have you met (Governor) Gretchen Whitmer?'" Duggan said, drawing laughter from the audience. "She's raised her vocabulary to an art form. They're not asking, 'What's his record on neighborhoods or housing?'" City lawyers are going through at least 11 years of his emails, coming in at least a couple times a week for the past month, Duggan Spokesman John Roach told the Free Press. "You are going to see the nastiest (campaign) cycle in 2026," Duggan said. "I'm going to run an ad that says, 'If you're tired of this politics, I'm going to give you a different choice: Let's educate the kids in the schools. Let's keep our young people in town. And let's build together on the reasonable people in both parties. And if you want something different, I'm going to be there as your choice.'" Besides updating attendees on his gubernatorial journey, Duggan looked back at the city's growth through his tenure, even addressing an accomplishment of his past that Free Press Executive Editor Jim Schaefer raised in an opening speech after digging through old newspaper articles. While Duggan has taken over headlines from his days as a deputy Wayne County executive, a Wayne County prosecutor, CEO of the Detroit Medical Center, then mayor of Detroit, he also previously won a state championship as a debater for Detroit Catholic Central High School, according to an article from Feb. 16, 1976, Schaefer said. "The Free Press was a sponsor of this event, which was in 1976 in its 59th year, and the winners each got an engraved watch from the newspaper. So, I'll bet you didn't know that story about Mike Duggan. But I wonder if he still has that watch?" Schaefer said. In response to Duggan's description of the media, Duggan humorously said "Jim Schaefer's research was deficient. I don't know about that Free Press watch. But I have my Detroit News engraved Merriam Webster dictionary for winning the eighth grade spelling bee." The state championship may not have been the immediate qualifier to securing his future roles, but his administration championed efforts to bring Ford Field and the Detroit Lions to downtown, turned on the city's streetlights, invested in parks and neighborhoods, dropped homicide rates and built out public spaces in downtown and beyond. "It seems like for decades, everything was taken away from us," Duggan said. "I was at the first game at the Pontiac Silverdome. I was so angry they could call them the Detroit Lions when they played in Pontiac ... when I was running the DMC in 2011 and 2012, I was watching what was happening across America, you came out of the Great Recession, something I had seen — young people were pouring back into central cities, wanting to live around other people, and the and cities were booming across the country." Duggan said he felt Detroit's recovery was not far off, though, despite the division among politicians, unions and the suburbs. He added that even though he was "dismissed" as a candidate in a majority Black city, Detroiters still elected him. He credits federal judge's Gerald Rosen and Steve Rhodes for paving the path out of bankruptcy, along with more collaboration in the city. "You got really strong candidates for mayor (and) council, and nobody is running an 'us versus them campaign.' It's all about unity," Duggan said. Despite downtown grabbing most of the attention of the city's revitalization, Duggan credited Matt Cullen, founding chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, for championing efforts to create a destination attracting people of different backgrounds from all over the metro area, and even from out of state. "The city of Detroit never had a unifying place where people of all races would go. You look at the restaurants, the music, the churches; we have always been a segregated community. (But) You go down to the Detroit riverfront on a weekend, and you see what we've got," Duggan said. "The young people that we have to attract; every city has to attract. They want destinations where they want to spend their time, they want to live. And we've created that." Duggan and Cain also touched on the history of Detroit hosting major events, including the 2006 Super Bowl, the 2024 NFL draft, the Grand Prix, and in 2027 the city will host the NCAA Final Four at Ford Field, highlighting the importance of how much they have helped change the city's image, despite national rhetoric previously throwing Detroit under the bus for its financially mismanaged past. "We'll get a Super Bowl Back," Duggan said, pointing to Visit Detroit's President and CEO Claude Molinari, who helped organize the NFL draft. "We're going to keep pushing opportunities." Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@ Follow her: @DanaAfana. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mike Duggan talks political path at Detroit Free Press Breakfast Club
