Well wishes poured in following the news Aug. 27 of prominent St. Petersburg businessman and philanthropist Bill Edwards’ death at 81.
He rose from growing up poor as one of six children in Massachusetts and earning a Purple Heart while serving as a Marine in the Vietnam War to launching businesses, redeveloping real estate and supporting sports and the arts throughout Tampa Bay.
However brash and blunt Edwards was through his business dealings and negotiations, his investments and charity unquestionably changed Tampa Bay.
Here are five ways Edwards left his mark on the region.
He was a major St. Petersburg employer
Edwards ran the nation’s largest VA mortgage lender in a 90,000-square-foot facility on Central Avenue.
At Mortgage Investors Corp., employees competed to book the most appointments for loan officers to visit veterans for the chance to 30 seconds in the glass booth grabbing money blown around with a fan. The first one to book 20 appointments on any day might get to spin something akin to the Wheel of Fortune for a chance to win $5 to $100.
In 2013, MIC downsized its operations and laid off 256 workers in its St. Petersburg headquarters. But after his death, commenters on Facebook posts recalled their memories of working for Edwards. For many, working at MIC was their first big career move.
He changed the trajectory of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Al Lang Stadium
Edwards became the majority owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2013. At a news conference, he said he was committed to building the best team and creating the best fan experience in American soccer.
He moved quickly, announcing that he had already increased the team’s budget for the 2014 season. He helped pay for 1,100 seats along the south sideline, a Midfielder’s Club and reserved seating with seat backs, more leg room and a private entrance and restrooms. He even experimented with hosting bigger outdoor concerts at Al Lang.
Edwards himself said he would pay for expanding Al Lang Stadium if voters approved a referendum in 2017 and if the Rowdies win a Major League Soccer franchise. A staggering 87% of voters said yes.
He turned the team into the force it is today as part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ portfolio.
He invested millions into the Mahaffey Theater
Edwards played guitar and long gunned to run the city’s waterfront music hall, the Mahaffey Theater. He got the chance in 2011 and managed the theater up until this year.
He told a reporter that he poured $12 million of his own money into paying for needed upgrades despite the city owning the facility.
Under his watch, the Mahaffey hosted huge acts, including David Byrne, Queens of the Stone Age, Hozier and Christina Aguilera.
The Mahaffey was home to the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. Edwards believed children and their families should experience, learn about and participate in the arts. His foundation offered free field trips to the Mahaffey, theater and arts workshops for kids and free live productions and performances for students.
He transformed Sundial, yacht clubs and hotels
Edwards bought the struggling Sundial shopping plaza, formerly known as BayWalk, and invested $30 million to $40 million into it. He added upscale restaurants Ruth’s Chris and gourmet grocery Locale Market.
He also purchased the Club at Treasure Island, a former yacht club, and built the Crystal Palms hotel. He renovated the Algiers hotel at Treasure Island and owned the Garden restaurant.
Around 2011, he had business interests in more than 150,000 square feet of retail and office space in Pinellas County.
He donated to charity, both publicly and quietly
Among all his accomplishments, Edwards may be best known for his philanthropy.
According to former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Edwards supported Keep Memory Alive, a fundraiser held at the MGM property in Las Vegas every year for brain care research. He gave money to All Children’s Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic.
He lent his planes to Veterans Airlift Command, which flew veterans to receive health care. In 2011, he was the largest donor in history to that program.
Edwards donated $250,000 in recording equipment to the Royal Theater in Midtown, home to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Petersburg. His Edwards Family Foundation sponsored an annual toy giveaway at the Thomas Jet Jackson recreation center.
Baker said Edwards quietly gave money and access to resources to individuals he learned could use a hand.
