Local EXIT Realty offices welcome new team members
ST. PETERSBURG — EXIT Suncoast Realty has announced that Kristen Champion and Mark Jurjescu have joined its team of real estate sales professionals.
EXIT Suncoast Realty, located at 5113 Central Ave., is a member of EXIT Southeast’s expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.
Housing Authority partnership garners life-saving devices
ST. PETERSBURG – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority has partnered with the American Heart Association and Lifework to bring Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to SPHA communities throughout St. Petersburg.
Through the collaboration, SPHA will receive seven AED units, seven wall-mounted cabinets, and seven sets of infant AED pads. In addition to the adult pads included with each unit, the partnership will also provide training for up to 20 SPHA employees, and two years of maintenance support.
The AEDs will be strategically placed throughout several SPHA communities to improve emergency preparedness and help protect residents, visitors, and staff.
The initiative was made possible through the leadership of Courtney Burt, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association in Tampa Bay. Burt will also assist SPHA with developing a cardiac emergency response policy and coordinating free CPR education opportunities for both staff and residents.
Lifework, a national provider of CPR, first aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and advanced healthcare certification training, will provide instruction for SPHA employees.
Rreal Tacos acquires downtown Red Mesa Cantina building
ST. PETERSBURG — Rreal Tacos has acquired the entire historic building at 128 Third Street South in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg — the longtime home of Red Mesa Cantina.
The three-story landmark — with more than 16,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor space across its floors, courtyard, and rooftop — will be reimagined into a multi-concept dining and hospitality destination operated under a single ownership group, Rreal Taco said in its July 1 announcement.
The acquisition marks the Atlanta-based group’s second location in Florida, following a downtown Tampa restaurant set to open in late 2026.
Spanning interior, courtyard, and rooftop space, the property carries five bars across its floors and what locals widely regard as the finest patio courtyard in the city. Rreal Tacos plans to bring three distinct concepts to the building and expects to employ more than 250 working team members once all floors are open.
The ground floor is slated to open first, in early 2027, with the group making a combined eight-figure investment in the acquisition and build-out. The build-out will highlight and preserve the property’s historic features.
Pinellas Park awarded $2M for public works
The city of Pinellas Park has received $2 million in state funding that was included in the state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 29.
The funds will support three key infrastructure projects by Pinellas Park Public Works:
• Pond dredging of the Autumn Run neighborhood. Dredging accumulated sediment, repairing damaged head walls, and improving water flow will enhance flood control, prevent erosion, support healthy ecosystems and preserve the community’s natural resources.
• Rehabilitation of Lift Station 30. The primary goal is to increase system capacity and reliability to safely convey wastewater while supporting future development opportunities. Upgrades will reduce the risk of overflows and environmental contamination.
• 60th Street drainage and safe routes to school. This project will replace aging asbestos water mains with safe, reliable infrastructure, upgrade drainage systems to reduce flooding and enhance pedestrian safety with improved sidewalks, crossing and traffic-calming measures.