Lealman Voice Edition 22
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Credit: Leo Gomez Studios
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Massive land use changes approved for Lealman
Pinellas County Commissioners recently approved several comprehensive plan changes and land use amendments to foster revitalization across a historically underserved, unincorporated community bordering St. Petersburg.
Three proposed zoning changes encompassing hundreds of acres in Lealman passed unanimously at the Nov. 14 board meeting. Commissioners also heard two items related to a new 122-page form-based code they believe will produce more consistent and predictable development patterns.
“This is such a big area that we’re talking about – it’s all of Lealman for your form-based code,” said County Attorney Jewel White. “We want to avoid that inconsistency, which would occur for about a month if you were to take action on the land use tonight and not the zoning until December.”
Commissioners agreed, and the sweeping changes will take effect Jan. 1. Over 171 acres about six miles northwest of downtown St. Petersburg previously zoned for residential, office and retail uses will now become multimodal corridors and target employment centers.
County officials moved the previously recommended plans forward without discussion. However, Commissioner Charlie Justice expressed his hopes for the area in a conversation with the Catalyst.
“I want the folks who live there now to have some of the same exact opportunities as the people who live just a couple of miles away,” Justice said. “We want housing inventory. We want available transportation to jobs, but we also want some jobs right there in the local community.”
Over 30,000 people live in Lealman, and many lack sufficient housing, employment and grocery options. County leaders have recently spent considerable time and money to uplift the community redevelopment area (CRA).
Three new mixed-use corridor designations will incentivize housing developments and allow much-needed commercial uses and job creation. Many downtrodden residential areas can soon feature low-to-mid-rise, street-oriented buildings with “activated” retail and public spaces.
Second Annual Tree Lighting
The 2nd annual Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting took place on December 1st, 2023, at Lealman Park. The event was a heartwarming and joyful evening that kicked off the holiday season with a grand tree lighting ceremony, music, food, treats, and a snow slide. Santa Claus made a special appearance to meet children of all ages. The event was sponsored by Duke Energy, Pinellas County, Lealman Engagement Committee, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Crown Automotive, and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties. The Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting event aimed to create lasting memories and spread the warmth of the season
Tuesdays & Thursdays at the Lealman Exchange
YMCA Senior Exercise: Tu/Th 9 a.m.
YMCA Total Parkinson's Exercise: Tu/Th 10-11 a.m.
December 14th @ 6:00 p.m.
December 15th @ 9 AM
January 20th @ 9 AM
February 10th @ 12:00 p.m.
Lealman Honey & Arts Festival
Volunteer help needed for Neighbor to Neighbor program
Embracing the true meaning of social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is once again teaming up with the community in 2023 to bring the spirit of Christmas to 419 families and more than 900 children.
For more than 30 years, the YMCA Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas Program has provided families in need with the joys of a traditional Christmas.
“The Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas Program was founded by a small group of volunteers 33 years ago that included the Rev. Chester James, Pastor Clarence Welch and Mayor Rick Baker,” said Michelle Curtis, Vice President of Philanthropy and Chief Development Officer for YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. “The Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas program focuses on just that – neighbors helping neighbors during the Christmas season.”
The YMCA Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas program provides each family with a live tree and trimmings, a $50 gift card from Publix, a unique shopping experience that allows parents to “shop” for Christmas gifts for their children, and a gift card for youth sports at the Y. The St. Petersburg Free Clinic is collaborating to also provide fresh produce to families.
This year, program coordinators say they especially need help at Toy Shopping Days Dec. 12 and 14. Participating families will visit the Childs Park YMCA and YMCA at Lealman Exchange to collect free toys from our toy room. In addition, families will receive a sports voucher for each child. Volunteers are needed to set up, help families shop, organize toy displays and clean up. Learn more at stpeteymca.org/neighbor.
“This signature program could not be successful without the gift of volunteerism — over 100 volunteers provide hundreds of service hours to the YMCA helping to deliver this program,” said Curtis. “Everyone needs help at some point in life. The YMCA is proud to facilitate this program which brings people together to help each other.”
Trash Wolf prowls the streets of Tampa Bay. Who is he?
There’s a litter problem on 34th Street.
Look along the busy roadway and you’ll see the detritus blowing around: plastic bags, crushed beer cans and limp cardboard, cigarette butts sprinkled as far as the eye can see.
This is where to find Trash Wolf in his natural habitat.
He wields a collapsible waste bin and a long trash grabber stick in his fuzzy paws. He peers down at the chip bags and takeout cups from underneath a $250 hyperrealistic wolf mask. He announces his presence with a throaty, “Howl yeah!”
The man in costume, halfway between eco-influencer and vigilante litter police, is on a mission to make us all aware of how much junk is in our neighborhoods. Trash Wolf hunts thoroughfares across Tampa Bay to rescue pounds and pounds of filth — over 5,000 so far — and posts videos on Instagram, where over 2,300 followers watch his cleanups. He does not mind the cars speeding right next to him, the sights and smells he finds along the way or the Florida sun baking into his fur.
“I could go out there today and come back tomorrow. It’ll look the same,” he said. “The number one thing I’m pushing is awareness. Just notice how much trash is out here. You don’t have to go full-blown Trash Wolf, though I would like you to.”
Neri Park Master Plan Update
The intent for Ray Neri Park is to maintain public access from 46th Avenue , with public access to the playground and that portion of the walking trail between the west bridge and the east bridge, as shown on the diagram below, outlined in orange:
Career Corner
CNA Program
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