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Issue: November 2017
In This Issue
Quick Links
Become a Member
Upcoming Events
Donate to SPP
Volunteer
Contact Us 
Thanks for Your Support

Members are important to us! We think being an SPP member is not only a great way to support keeping St. Petersburg special but its also a great deal with free walking tours and reduced fees to many special SPP events. Thank you to our many members. If you have a question about your membership, just email our membership coordinator!

If you are not a member but would like to become one, just click here to join  and you too can say you are a card carrying SPP member!


Click here
 
 SPP Bicycle Tours!
Nov. 26 & Dec. 18
A post-Thanksgiving bike tour is a great way to work off a bit of the big meal and to get family & visitors out of the house! Join SPP for a fun post Thanksgiving neighborhood bicycle tour on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26, taking in the Warehouse Arts Distrct, the Edge District and the "Deuces." Click here for more info & to make your reservation for the Nov. 26 Bicycles & Buildings Tour! 
 
Over the holidays our historic neighborhoods, decorated with holiday lights, are particularly fun to visit. SPP will offer a special evening neighborhood holiday lights bicycle tour taking in the Historic Old Northeast and other historic neighborhoods on Monday evening, Dec. 18. Click here for more info & to make your reservation.
   
SPP is happy to partner with Coast Bike Share for these tours! Coast has been rolling for nearly a year and offers a great way for visitors and residents to bicycle around town! They offer the blue bicycles seen around town & available from more than 30 bike share stations.  
 
Joining an SPP bicycle tour is easy as your reservation includes the use of a Coast bike share bicycle. As a bonus, if you use a Coast bicycle your reservation also includes a one month membership with Coast that includes daily free ride time!
 
SPP bike tours are leisurely rides with stops to hear about some of our city's rich history. Space is limited so reserve now!  
Speak Up for the    
Historic Tax Credit!
President Ronald Reagan said, "Our tax credits have made the preservation of our older buildings not only a matter of respect for beauty and history, but of economic good sense."
 
Unfortunately, the Congressional Republican leadership feels differently and has proposed to eliminate the historic tax credit (HTC) in their recently released tax "reform" bill. In 40+ years, the HTC has helped  to bring back to life over 42,000 historic buildings, including the Vinoy Hotel. Projects using the credit created over 2.4 million jobs and actually generated revenue for the U.S. Treasury, returning $1.20 for every taxpayer dollar spent. Click this link to find out more and to send a message to your congressman & senators.   
 
Movies in the Park! 
 
Thanks to all who made it to  Movies in the Park in October. Movies will return again to N. Straub Park on Thursdays in May.  
 
Movies in the Park cannot happen without our generous community sponsors. SPP gives a big thanks to all of our sponsors, check out the list and tell them thanks next time you see one. If you think you might be interested in becoming a Movies in the  
Park sponsor for May, click here for sponsor info!
 
This month we highlight Oscar level sponsor AARP of Tampa Bay. AARP is known for its advocacy work in Washington for Americans 50+ and for the discounts it is able to offer but AARP is also very active right here in St. Petersburg. In 1959, the 'Burg became the home of the first AARP Hospitality House!

Today, AARP continues to serve our community and enhance the quality of life for all as we age. They can connect you to opportunities to explore new directions - from encore careers, arts & culture to hobbies or volunteering. AARP can also point you to the hidden gems of the real Tampa Bay and introduce you to neighbors who are reimagining their lives at 50-plus. Learn more about what AARP is doing in and around the 'Burg and how you can be involved at www.aarp.org/tampabay.

Euclid School & SPP in the News!

Spp is excited that Michael Mincberg & Sight Realty are putting the historic school back to use as rental apartments. The project has also caught the media eye, check out the stories in the Tampa Bay Times or in 83 Degrees.
 
  Upcoming SPP Events!
What is that Style? 
A Field Guide to Architectural Styles
Found in the 'Burg's Historic Neighborhoods
Make your reservation for this interesting & fun program on Tuesday evening, November 14 and learn about the city's recently adopted (available online) "Design Guidelines for Historic Properties" and more about how to identify architectural/building styles!  
 
The program, with Paul Palmer of Renker Eich Parks Architects and Derek Kilborn, the city's Manager of Urban Planning & Historic Preservation, will offer some fun tips on identifying the architectural styles found in the 'Burg's historic neighborhoods as well as on how to maintain a historic home. In short, the program will act as a simple field guide to better understanding what makes our neighborhoods special! Derek will also talk about the programs and incentives available to historic property owners.

Come early to join in the pre-program reception and to take a look at the program's  beautiful venue, the Spanish Colonial  Revival styled Unitarian Universalist Church, dedicated in 1930.

     What:  A Field Guide to Architectural Styles
     Date:   Tuesday, November 14th 
     Time:    Reception 6:00 pm - Program 6:30 pm    
     Where: Unitarian Universalist Church
                  100 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg, FL     
     Cost:    $5 for SPP members; $15 for non-members;      Membership specials (new or renewing) - $30 individual or $50 household      
   
  Thank you Sponsors!  Please consider supporting those who offer support to SPP! 
 
 
 
   

                          ____________________________

SPP Holiday Party -  Dec. 6th!
   
December and the end of 2017 will be here before you know it and with it SPP's last party for the year! Mark your calendar and make your reservation for SPP's December 6 holiday party bash! For the party, we will be showing off historic Woodlawn - another of the 'Burg's wonderful traditional neighborhoods, albeit one that doesn't receive alot of notice!  
 
Woodlawn is a neighborhood marked by its distinctive entry pillars, curving streets and homes of varying styles, many dating from the 1920's. And its a great neighborhood to visit during the holidays as Woodlawn takes pride in their holiday lights and decorations!  
 
Join us for tasty treats & good cheer, live music, a holiday lights neighborhood stroll and a chance to take a peek at a couple of the special Woodlawn homes.  

     What:  SPP Holiday Party!
     Date:   Wednesday, December 6th 
     Time:   6:00 - 8:00 pm    
     Where: Woodlawn Park - 2326 Woodlawn Circle W.,  
                  St. Petersburg, FL 33704     
     Cost:    $5 for SPP members; $10 for non-members;   Membership specials (new or renewing) - $30 individual or $50 household.     
       
Special thanks to Rebecca Stewart, your special agent, for being SPP's Holiday Party sponsor. Contact Rebecca if you are interested in a Woodlawn home!
Download & Enjoy it Now!
"Walk St. Petersburg" Audio Tour
 
What is fun, a history learning tool and easy to use? The  "Walk St. Petersburg" downtown audio tour!  It's one of 12 tours you can access thru the FREE Florida Humanities Council app, " Florida Stories." The app can be downloaded from either the   Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Once you have downloaded Florida Stories to your mobile device, it's just one more simple click to download Walk St. Petersburg or to choose from any of the other tours offered. Walk St. Petersburg is a 12 stop tour offering historic photos along with it's narrated story and takes one from the 'Burg's beautiful waterfront to the heart of downtown along Central Ave., to the 600 Block, the Shuffle Board Club and to City Hall before ending at Williams Park.
 
You can walk and listen to all twelve stops or choose any of the stops individually. Each stop offers a 6-8 minute story. The tour offers an opportunity to experience the feel of what today keeps the 'Burg special while hearing the story of how the city so successfully sold itself thru the decades as the embodiment of the Florida dream.

Our thanks go to the Florida Humanities Council who provided a grant to SPP to help make the tour happen as well as to our tour partner, the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
SPP Walking Tours  
There is Bound to be One (or Two) for You!
 
  
Cooler weather means it's the perfect time of year to enjoy a SPP walking tour. We always have some fun & special tours scheduled. Don't forget, walking tours are free to SPP members, another great reason to join!

SPP's upcoming "regular" tours include Historic Gulfport on Saturday, Nov. 18 (at 3 pm); Westward Ho to Historic Kenwood's annual walk off the turkey post Thanksgiving tour on Saturday, Nov. 25; and the Downtown Morning Walking tour on Thursday, Dec. 7 (10 am).

Upcoming "special" Saturday morning neighborhood tours include Bahama Shores on Nov. 18 (at 10 am) and Crescent Heights on December 16.

Reservations are encouraged as tours fill. Tour starting locations and times can be found on the SPP website calendar. SPP is happy to schedule a private tour for your group, just send us a message and we will arrange the details!
Landmark Updates
  
The Good 
Two neighborhood pieces are ready to be added to the city's list of local historic districts, one in the Historic Old Northeast and one in Historic Kenwood. Both were unanimously recommended for designation by the  City's preservation commission (CPPC) and are now scheduled for city council action & public hearing. The hearing takes place at city hall on Nov. 20 at 6 pm. You can help the neighborhood applicants by voicing your support for keeping our neighborhoods special and supporting the historic district applications for 10th Ave. NE and for Kenwood's Seminole Park neighborhoods by sending an email to city council.
 
The Compromise 
The landmark designated Union Trust Bank Building at the corner of MLK Street & Central Ave. is undergoing partial demolition as the 800 Block of Central is made ready for new development. Most of the block has been vacant for many years and its redevelopment will continue the success that has been happening on Central Avenue. The 1920's portion of the bank building will be retained and incorporated into the block redevelopment. The remaining two-thirds of  the building, part of which was built in the 1930's, will be demolished.
 
The Bad
A beautiful 1912 downtown residence at the corner of 4th Ave. S. & 3rd St. (357 3rd St. S.) was recently sold to an Alabama developer.  Demolition is the likely outcome for the historic building, to be replaced by a high rise condo. The likely loss of this home serves as another example of the city's need to adopt a plan for downtown identifying what is important to save & reuse if the 'Burg is to stay special!  
 
The historic Merriwether Building, located in the 1000 block of 22nd Street South, was damaged by Hurricane Irma, resulting in its emergency demolition. The vacant building was being readied for renovation and was a designated local landmark. Click here to read the Tamp Bay Times story.