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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice!

Stay in the know about everything happening in our community! Be sure to read the full newsletter for important community surveys, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Got news to share? Submit it to be featured! And don’t forget to visit the USF MoBull Clinic for FREE healthcare services—because staying healthy shouldn’t break the bank.

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MEET THE TENANTS: St. Petersburg Foundation

Lealman Exchange is home to various tenant organizations that serve our community and beyond. Today, we chatted with Becca McCoy, Lealman Navigator for Lealman Exchange Community Center.

Tell us a little about yourself and your organization: St. Petersburg Foundation manages the Lealman Exchange through a public-private partnership with Pinellas County.  St. Petersburg Foundation is an organizational and community capacity builder, and here at LEX, we oversee a Collective Impact Partnership where the efforts of numerous nonprofits, some based in our building and some outside the facility, are compounded for maximum impact.  In addition to working with our partner organizations, I assist our Lealman neighbors in finding resources for various social service needs.    

Tell us who you serve and how: Our mission at LEX is to celebrate Lealman pride and increase opportunities through programs and partnerships. We invite anyone to reach out and make a connection – for assistance finding resources, collaborating, and renting space. While our priority is our Lealman neighbors, we don’t check zip codes or turn anyone away.      

What drives your mission? We believe in building a better tomorrow for the Lealman community.  Lealman has a fascinating history in the 1860s, founded by a public servant who quit his bureaucratic life in favor of growing strawberries and oranges.  That spirit of wanting to live life on one’s terms, prioritizing the simple things that matter – that still resonates in Lealmanites.  This community deserves to be supported, celebrated, and to thrive.    

Do you have an accomplishment you are particularly proud of you'd like to share? Our whole team is very proud of the Lealman Farmers Market!  We identified a need in the community and pursued a solution.  The resulting event is fun, communal, and laid-back, while accomplishing its goal.

We look forward to it every month!

What programs or opportunities are available to our Lealman neighbors through your organization?  We are an incredibly active building with programs and opportunities happening almost 7 days a week!  In addition to the Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm operations of the facility: 

• We host a monthly Farmers Market on the fourth Sunday of the month from 10 am-2 pm

• We host a mobile medical clinic in partnership with USF’s Nursing Program that is free to anyone on the third Wednesday of the month from 9:30 am-3:30 pm

• With our YMCA partners, we have open gymnasium hours for basketball (and pickleball in the summer), senior fitness, and Parkinson’s programs.

• We host cardio drumming two nights a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7 pm

• We are a library satellite location where you can send reserved library books for pick-up and return any library book – even get library cards.

• We have special events popping up all the time, like mobile pet clinics and pet food giveaways.           

We hope people follow us on social media and subscribe to the Lealman Voice to keep up with what's going on. Or they can drop in anytime we are open—we love welcoming our neighbors to the LEX!

To learn more about the Lealman Exchange, visit https://lealmanexchange.org/ and follow them on Facebook / Instagram @lealmanexchange. 

MO-Bull Clinic is moving to the third Wednesday of each month. This month, there will be two clinics on the 4th and 19th.

NEW - Schedule appointments online!

Joe's Creek Survey - Input Needed

 Pinellas County is advancing efforts to revitalize Joe’s Creek Industrial Park (JCIP) through a comprehensive master plan designed to support existing businesses, attract reinvestment, and enhance infrastructure.

The JCIP Master Plan aims to evaluate potential land use and zoning changes while addressing critical infrastructure needs, including utilities, transportation, mobility, and stormwater management systems. The plan will also develop economic strategies to retain businesses and encourage new development in underutilized areas.

The project, which launched on July 31, 2024, will proceed through multiple phases, including real estate market evaluations, infrastructure assessments, and stakeholder engagement. A final master plan is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to participate in shaping the future of JCIP by providing input through an online survey. The county seeks community feedback to ensure the plan aligns with economic and community needs.

For more information or to share your vision for Joe’s Creek Industrial Park, visit the project’s online survey.

Thanks for supporting the Family Center on Deafness Girl Scout Troop # 96360!

Pinellas County approves two Habitat for Humanity developments

Via Tampa Bay Business and Wealth

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for two Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside affordable housing projects in Clearwater and Lealman.

In Clearwater, a 1.35-acre vacant lot will be transformed into a new neighborhood dubbed Lake Belleview. In partnership with Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services, the project will construct 24 townhomes for families. The development, which carries a total cost of $9.58 million, will receive $1.015 million in county funding as part of a $3 million allocation from Penny for Pinellas.

In Lealman, county officials approved negotiations for Habitat to acquire a 5.94-acre parcel from the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County. The planned development will include 57 affordable housing units—31 single-family homes and 26 townhomes—with a total project cost of $10.13 million and $2.29 million in county support.

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sutton said the projects underscore the organization’s long-standing partnership with local governments. “Habitat has built nearly 950 homes in our community because of these types of partnerships,” Sutton said. “These projects will provide affordable housing options for more than 80 families.”

Under the nonprofit’s homeownership program, participating family’s complete homebuyer education courses and contribute sweat equity, before receiving homes financed with 0% interest mortgages.

The two developments are among 11 Habitat projects in Pinellas, West Pasco and Hernando Counties.

Earlier in February, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners approved Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s plan to build about 30 affordable homes on a 9.5-acre lot at Miracle Drive and Century Drive, in Spring Hill.

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Unincorporated Pinellas Storm Cleanup Complete

Pinellas County and its contractor have successfully completed storm debris collection in unincorporated areas, meeting state and federal deadlines for reimbursement of eligible expenses.

In total, crews collected 646,692 cubic yards of debris, transported in 18,429 loads over 153,213 miles—more than six times the Earth’s circumference.

With collection efforts now complete, the county is focused on remediating debris management sites used for temporary storage.

Local farmers market brings fresh food to people who don't have access to grocery stores

Via ABC Action News

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A new farmers market is making a difference in many people’s lives.

The Lealman Farmers Market is open one Sunday a month and provides fresh food to those who have limited access to stores.

Seminole Bee Farms is one of the many vendors that set up tents at Lealman Farmers Market every month.

“We are neighbors selling products to another neighbor…so it’s just amazing how we support each other," said Alejandra Pedroza, co-owner of Seminole Bee Farms.

Owners Pedroza and Slobo Djordjic move bees from homes to a safer location and then harvest the honey to sell at the market.

“People can get their fresh products, and they won't have preservatives," said Djordjic.

For people who live in Lealman, fresh products like this are hard to come by.

“There is a lack of available fresh and healthy foods…and Lealman as a community does not have a grocery store, and the couple of stores that are within walking distance are not healthy options," said Amy Cianci with the Lealman Exchange.

Lealman is a food desert and it makes it difficult for people without transportation to get fresh food.

“We need it here, we need the fresh fruits, we need the local shopping, and it just brings us all together," said Cianci.

Cianci said the need for more accessible foods is critical, especially right now. That’s why she started the market back in October.

“There are still people out there with tarps on their roofs, there are people out there with trees in their yards that they can’t afford to have removed, so our work keeps going," said Cianci.

Djordjic and Cianci said they hope to see the market grow over time.

“It’s important because we are seeing a lot of families coming in, and a lot of them are walking," said Djordjic.

“I think this is exactly the energy this community needs," said Cianci.

WWAR Joins Lealman Exchange, Hosts Open House

Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch (WWAR), a new tenant at the Lealman Exchange, welcomed community members, local leaders, and media to an open house and tour on Friday, Feb. 28.

Attendees included elected officials, fire and police chiefs, representatives from the Rays and Rowdies Foundations, veterans, athletes, and members of the public. The event showcased WWAR’s new facility, which features an office, adaptive exercise room, equipment storage, and access to the gymnasium.

WWAR’s presence at the Lealman Exchange expands resources for veterans, providing a dedicated space for adaptive fitness and community support.

This weekend’s Grand Prix: ‘World’s fastest spring break party’

Via St. Pete Catalyst

Official Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg events begin tonight and conclude Sunday afternoon with the NTT IndyCar Series season-opening race, televised live on Fox.

Here is everything you should expect from the 21^st annual event, dubbed the “world’s fastest spring break party” due to its timing, location and four days of festivities:

A spectacle

IndyCar’s Party in the Park will kick off the Grand Prix with driver appearances, live music, giveaways, vendors, “special guests” and a parade of race cars today in North Straub Park. The free event runs from 4 until 7 p.m.

Kim Green, co-owner of race promoter Green Savoree Racing, expects over 1,200 people to participate in a charity “race” at 5 p.m. today. Tickets are now $50 for the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track.

Proceeds benefit the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. Green Savoree has raised $333,265 for the nonprofit since 2017.

The race promoters announced Tuesday that the Jacksonville-based band Shinedown, which holds the record for most No. 1 singles on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock chart (19), will serve as the race’s grand marshals. The group will instruct drivers to “start your engines.”

Major League Baseball icon Alex Rodriguez will ride in the “fastest seat in sports.” The World Series champion and three-time Most Valuable Player will lead drivers around the track in a customized IndyCar before Sunday’s green flag.

The race’s paddock between Albert Whitted Airport and the Mahaffey Theater will feature a smorgasbord of vendors selling their wares, offering free samples and raising money for charities throughout the weekend. Green noted the Grand Prix has become “more than just a race” at a Feb. 6 ceremony celebrating track construction.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg annually attracts over 200,000 people to the downtown waterfront. Photo by Mark Parker.

Crowds and their wallets

Tourism officials expect over 200,000 people to generate an economic impact surpassing $60 million. At the Feb. 6 event, Mayor Ken Welch called the Grand Prix a “perfect” opportunity for the community to come together and show the world that St. Petersburg is “up and running” following an unprecedented hurricane season.

The four-day festival of speed will generate over $3 million in local taxes. It also supports several hundred jobs.

Brian Lowack, CEO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, said Grand Prix attendees will book over 15,000 overnight stays. Lowack also believes the 2025 iteration can beat last year’s record-breaking numbers.

A global audience

Welch called the Grand Prix a postcard for St. Petersburg. The downtown waterfront will provide an idyllic backdrop when Fox begins its live coverage of preliminary races Saturday.

NBC previously televised the event and garnered 1.2 million viewers in 2022. However, that number dropped to 975,000 in 2024, and IndyCar signed a new deal with Fox.

Fox will beam the races to over 200 countries. Kevin Savoree, co-owner of Green Savoree Racing, believes the broadcaster’s inaugural IndyCar event will set a series record.

Prominent local author Peter Kageyama noted Tuesday that some residents flee the Grand Prix’s noise and crowds. He also said the area’s broadcasted “beauty shots” are “absolutely worth the price of admission.”

Kageyama compared those views of the downtown waterfront to one of the world’s wealthiest and most expensive places. “We look like Monaco if you’ve never watched it,” he said.

Green Savoree Racing has expanded a temporary yacht club for the 2025 Grand Prix. Photo by Mark Parker.

An exciting race

The weekend will feature several races with up-and-coming drivers in the equivalent of IndyCar’s minor leagues. However, the Grand Prix’s green flag will drop Sunday at 12:29 p.m.

Drivers will then take 100 laps around the 1.8-mile street course, routinely topping 100 mph. Marcus Ericcson, the 2023 Grand Prix winner, previously called the track “technical” and said there is “no margin for error.”

For the first time in St. Petersburg, cars will come equipped with Honda and Chevrolet-designed hybrid motors that deliver a quick, powerful boost. The new engines provide an additional 120 horsepower.

“Street courses are quite a bit different from road courses and ovals because they’re temporary circuits,” said Kyle Kirkwood, a driver for Andretti Global. You don’t really get time to do that much testing. Adapting, quickly, is very important for us drivers.”

The race will also honor the late Dan Wheldon, who won the inaugural St. Petersburg Grand Prix in 2005. He died behind the wheel of his IndyCar at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2011.

His son, Sebastian, will pilot a pace car ahead of drivers in the parade lap Sunday. Susie Wheldon, Dan’s wife, will wave the green flag.

“St. Petersburg was Dan’s adopted hometown and remains home for the boys and I,” Wheldon said in a prepared statement. “To be here with Sebastian and (younger son) Oliver 20 years later … is really a full-circle moment.”

For more information on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, visit the website here.

Vacancies announced on Lealman CRA Advisory Committee

Applications are being accepted for one appointment to the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). These appointments are for three-year terms, beginning on date of appointment and expiring on Dec. 31 in the third year.  

The Lealman CRA Advisory Committee was established to advise the Pinellas County Community Redevelopment Agency on the creation and administration of the Lealman CRA redevelopment plan and any amendments thereto, and on issues and policies impacting the Lealman CRA.

The committee has nine members, who are appointed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Applicants must be residents, business owners and/or property owners or other stakeholders from within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area. A boundary map of the area can be found at pinellas.gov/lealman-cra-boundary-area-map. The bylaws of the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee are available at: pinellas.gov/by-laws-of-the-lealman-community-redevelopment-area-advisory-committee. The committee meets monthly or every other month on the fourth Wednesday of the month depending on CRA Activity which may vary from time to time. However, meeting dates may be canceled or adjusted as needed.

Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. The application can be found at https://pinellas.gov/boards-councils-and-committees/.

Please note: All materials submitted to Pinellas County government are subject to the public records law of the state of Florida.

Lealman Engagement Committee Seeks Community Feedback on Events

The Lealman Engagement Committee is inviting residents to share their thoughts on the three annual community events it oversees. A brief, anonymous survey is now available for attendees to provide feedback and suggestions for future improvements.

For those unfamiliar with these events, the committee encourages residents to follow their Facebook page for updates and announcements. Community input will help shape future gatherings and ensure they continue to meet the needs of Lealman residents.

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