Veronica Brezina
Verified
Tampa Bay native, Reporter at St. Pete Rising
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Veronica Brezina
Habitat breaks ground on 26-townhome affordable housing community in Lealman
A conceptual rendering of Habitat’s new townhome community coming soon to Lealman | Habitat for Humanity A vacant site across from Lealman Elementary School will become a permanently affordable townhome community for 26 local families. Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside and local officials gathered Thursday at 4000 58th Avenue North to mark the start of infrastructure work for Lealman Heights, a two-story townhome development at the corner of 58th Avenue North and 40th Street North.
34-room resort proposed for longtime St. Pete Beach villas property
Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality Beach Haven Hotel Bowden Hospitality A beachfront property known for its pink cottage-style villas on St. Pete Beach could be replaced with a six-story, 34-room resort under plans recently presented to neighboring condominium owners.
Pre-leasing begins for 3rd & 3rd, a 33-story apartment tower in downtown St. Pete
3rd & 3rd, a 33-story luxury apartment tower, will open by the end of the year in downtown St. Pete. Photo as of October 1st, 2026 | Aerial Innovations Pre-leasing is now underway at 3rd & 3rd, a 33-story apartment tower expected to welcome its first residents in mid-December in downtown St. Petersburg. The 262-unit building is located at 235 3rd Street South across from the Publix-anchored University Village shopping center.
Former office building to become self storage facility in the Skyway Marina District
A familiar Pinellas County doughnut shop is coming to South Pasadena. Fray’s Donut House will open at 1200 Pasadena Avenue South, taking over the former Dunkin’ location just down the street from Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish. The shop is expected to open in January 2027. Serey Siev, who will co-own and operate the shop with his wife, Phiny Long, purchased the building for $925,000, according to Pinellas County property records.
Golden Corral to take over former Hooters in west St. Pete
A familiar Pinellas County doughnut shop is coming to South Pasadena. Fray’s Donut House will open at 1200 Pasadena Avenue South, taking over the former Dunkin’ location just down the street from Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish. The shop is expected to open in January 2027. Serey Siev, who will co-own and operate the shop with his wife, Phiny Long, purchased the building for $925,000, according to Pinellas County property records.
Brooklyn-style Italian restaurant Pelato will replace Sesh on 4th Street in St. Pete
Pelato, a Brooklyn-Italian restaurant, will open at 2221 4th Street North, formerly home to Sesh St. Pete and, before that, The Melting Pot | St. Pete Rising After more than three decades as The Melting Pot and a short run as Sesh St. Pete, the building on 4th Street North will now become home to a Brooklyn-Italian restaurant built around the food one family grew up eating. Pelato, a Brooklyn-Italian restaurant known for shareable small plates, is planning to open at 2221 4th Street North.
Major EDGE District properties change hands in $12 million sale
Over 30,000 square feet of commercial space in the EdGe District has sold for $12 million | PTM Partners Several prominent properties in the EDGE District have sold for $12 million. According to a deed recorded October 6th, developer PTM Partners sold the three-story building at 1246 Central Avenue and the street-level retail spaces at the adjacent Moxy hotel to L3 Capital, a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm that focuses on urban retail.
Cafe Bavaro will bring coffee, bagels, and breakfast to the EDGE District
For years, the second floor of a downtown St. Pete beer and wine bar has been used mostly for private events and overflow seating. This weekend, Green Bench Brewing will turn that space into a new concept of its own. Upstairs at Webb’s will begin service Friday, September 25th, at 4 p.m. above Webb’s City Cellar, Green Bench Brewing’s specialty beer and wine bar at 1133 Baum Avenue North.
St. Pete to test plant-based HydroPlanters as part of $7 million stormwater project
A new plant-based stormwater system is coming to a north St. Pete neighborhood | Google Maps St. Petersburg will test a new plant-based approach to managing stormwater as part of a $7 million project coming to one of the city’s most flood-prone areas. The city will install eight HydroPlanters, which are modular rain gardens designed to slow and filter rain runoff before it enters the city’s stormwater system. Each rain garden is about five feet long, three feet wide, and two-and-a-half feet deep.
Shake Shack and Dutch Bros Coffee are coming to Pinellas Park
For years, the second floor of a downtown St. Pete beer and wine bar has been used mostly for private events and overflow seating. This weekend, Green Bench Brewing will turn that space into a new concept of its own. Upstairs at Webb’s will begin service Friday, September 25th, at 4 p.m. above Webb’s City Cellar, Green Bench Brewing’s specialty beer and wine bar at 1133 Baum Avenue North.
Florida Holocaust Museum plans $15 million renovation for immersive theater and expanded gallery space in downtown St. Pete
The Florida Holocaust Museum opened in downtown St. Pete in 1998 | VSPC The Florida Holocaust Museum in downtown St. Pete is planning a $15 million renovation that will create an immersive theater for interactive Holocaust survivor testimonies and expanded exhibition space. Located at 55 5th Street South, the museum will renovate existing first- and third-floor spaces rather than expand the museum’s physical footprint.
Pete’s Bagels to double in size with move to former Good Intentions space in Grand Central District
Pete’s Bagels will relocate to 1900 1st Avenue South, formerly home to Good Intentions | St. pete Rising After a sudden opportunity arose just four blocks from its current shop, Pete’s Bagels is preparing to move into a new space twice the size of its current location in the Grand Central District.
Construction begins on Azalea Cay, a 1,000-unit apartment community in west St. Pete
Azalea Cay Multifamily Landscape Design Associates Azalea Cay Multifamily Landscape Design Associates Azalea Cay Multifamily Landscape Design Associates Construction is underway on Azalea Cay, a planned 1,000-unit apartment community on the former Raytheon property in west St. Pete.
The Chattaway reopens today with new owners and a promise to preserve what St. Pete loves
The Chattaway has reopened in south St. Pete with new owners | St Pete Rising For generations of St. Pete residents, The Chattaway has been the kind of place people do not simply visit. They return to it. They come back for the cheeseburgers, the beer, the photos and plaques crowding the walls, and the leafy courtyard that feels tucked away from the city around it. Some remember riding bikes there as kids. Others had first dates beneath its trees. Nearly everyone has a story.
Morean Arts Center reveals renderings for proposed five-story expansion in downtown St. Pete
Morean Arts Center Expansion Wannemacher Jensen Architects Morean Arts Center Expansion Wannemacher Jensen Architects Morean Arts Center Expansion Wannemacher Jensen Architects Morean Arts Center Expansion Wannemacher Jensen Architects Morean Arts Center Expansion Wannemacher Jensen Architects St. Petersburg’s oldest arts institution is preparing for the most ambitious expansion in its more than 100-year history.
Madeira Beach’s longtime Winn-Dixie will reopen as an Aldi this week
What began with bouquets at Tampa Bay markets is becoming a place designed to carry people through the day, from morning coffee and flower arranging to wine and small plates in the evening. Florafête Bouquet Bar, a floral design business founded by Lucy Watkins, plans to open this fall at 400 Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete. The shop will bring custom arrangements, a build-your-own bouquet bar, retail goods, and a nine-seat wine and coffee bar together under one roof.
Five-story expansion of Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement takes shape in downtown St. Pete
What began with bouquets at Tampa Bay markets is becoming a place designed to carry people through the day, from morning coffee and flower arranging to wine and small plates in the evening. Florafête Bouquet Bar, a floral design business founded by Lucy Watkins, plans to open this fall at 400 Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete. The shop will bring custom arrangements, a build-your-own bouquet bar, retail goods, and a nine-seat wine and coffee bar together under one roof.
Demolition to make way for expanded Sanderlin Center in south St. Pete
What began with bouquets at Tampa Bay markets is becoming a place designed to carry people through the day, from morning coffee and flower arranging to wine and small plates in the evening. Florafête Bouquet Bar, a floral design business founded by Lucy Watkins, plans to open this fall at 400 Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete. The shop will bring custom arrangements, a build-your-own bouquet bar, retail goods, and a nine-seat wine and coffee bar together under one roof.
Domestic violence nonprofit CASA Pinellas buys former CellarMasters property in the EDGE District
Local domestic violence nonprofit CASA has purchased the former CellarMasters building in the EDGE District | Google Maps CASA Pinellas, the county’s certified domestic violence nonprofit, has purchased the former Cellarmasters wine bar and bottle shop at 1005 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District for $1.75 million, creating room to expand its neighboring thrift store and generate additional funding for survivor services.
13-story apartment-hotel building planned for Grand Central District will now include affordable housing
the Residences at 1663 will bring a mix of apartments, short-term rentals and affordable housing to the grand central district | BendinRoad Development An updated plan for a proposed 13-story, 120-unit residential project in the Grand Central District would reserve 48 apartments for affordable housing. Tampa-based BendinRoad Development is seeking $4.8 million in federal disaster-recovery funding through the City of St. Petersburg for Residences at 1663, planned at 1663 1st Avenue South.
Craft Kafe targets October opening for Skyway Marina District cafe and production kitchen
Craft kafe’s new, long-awaited location at 4725 34th Street South has taken several years to open | st. pete rising After years of planning, CraftKafe is targeting an early October opening for a new cafe and commissary kitchen in St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District.
Florafête Bouquet Bar plans fall opening on Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete
What began with bouquets at Tampa Bay markets is becoming a place designed to carry people through the day, from morning coffee and flower arranging to wine and small plates in the evening. Florafête Bouquet Bar, a floral design business founded by Lucy Watkins, plans to open this fall at 400 Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete. The shop will bring custom arrangements, a build-your-own bouquet bar, retail goods, and a nine-seat wine and coffee bar together under one roof.
Pinellas Park now has a drive-thru ramen restaurant
As St. Petersburg adds apartments, condos, and offices, the City is trying a new approach to help ensure the artists and galleries that helped shape downtown are not priced out of it. City Council unanimously approved an arts funding development bonus on August 27th, creating a new way for developers to support local artists and arts organizations while pursuing additional building space for their projects.
PSTA secures key funding for permanent Tampa-St. Pete ferry dock at St. Pete Pier
the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority secured $850,000 in federal funding today | St. Pete rising A permanent ferry dock at the St. Pete Pier moved closer to reality Friday, as the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority celebrated $850,000 in newly secured federal funding for the future Tampa Bay Ferry terminal. PSTA leaders joined U.S. Rep.
As downtown grows, St. Pete adds a new tool to help artists keep their space
Florida CraftArt is a nonprofit located in downtown ST. Pete that supports over 250 artists by providing opportunities to exhibit and sell their work in its gallery | Florida CraftArt As St. Petersburg adds apartments, condos, and offices, the City is trying a new approach to help ensure the artists and galleries that helped shape downtown are not priced out of it.
Demolition of former UPC headquarters clears way for two 31-story towers in downtown St. Pete
Mayor Ken Welch has selected Magellan Housing as the preferred developer for Commerce Park, a 3.03-acre, city-owned site near 22nd Street South and 7th Avenue South across from the Manhattan Casino in south St. Pete. Magellan, through its local affiliate Deuces Rising, LLC, was one of seven teams that responded to the city’s April request for proposals.
Mayor selects proposal with 126 affordable residences and retail for Commerce Park redevelopment in south St. Pete
Magellan Housing’s proposal to build 126 affordable residences on a three-acre parcel of city-owned land in south st. Pete | Magellan Housing Mayor Ken Welch has selected Magellan Housing as the preferred developer for Commerce Park, a 3.03-acre, city-owned site near 22nd Street South and 7th Avenue South across from the Manhattan Casino in south St. Pete. Magellan, through its local affiliate Deuces Rising, LLC, was one of seven teams that responded to the city’s April request for proposals.
Deuces Rising townhomes, a new 24-unit affordable housing development, nears completion
Popular West Coast coffee chain Dutch Bros Coffee is planning its first St. Petersburg location at the Tyrone Gardens shopping center in west St. Pete. Plans have been submitted to the City of St. Petersburg for a new 986-square-foot Dutch Bros at 1050 58th Street North, fronting Tyrone Boulevard on the southwest side of the shopping center. Like most Dutch Bros locations, the new coffee shop will be built around the drive-thru experience.
Leasing kicks off for first apartments at 34-acre Sky Town development in St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District
starting this week, Sky Town’s first apartments will be available for pre-leasing | St. Pete rising Pre-leasing is set to begin Saturday, August 15th, with move-ins scheduled after the new year at the first apartment community in Sky Town, an $800 million mixed-use development underway in St. Petersburg’s Skyway Marina District.
The Henry at Whitney Village, a 325-unit apartment complex, tops out in the Grand Central District
The Henry at Whitney Village, a five-story 325-unit apartment community, has topped out at 3200 1st Avenue South | St Pete Rising South Carolina-based multifamily developer Greystar Real Estate Partners, in partnership with St. Pete-based Blake Investment Partners, has topped out The Henry at Whitney Village, a five-story, 325-unit apartment complex under construction in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.
Demolition to begin for EDGE Collective II, a 20-story apartment tower set to rise in the EDGE District
EDGE Collective II, a 20-story apartment tower, is preparing to break ground in downtown St. Pete’s EDGE District. A previously planned six-story building is no longer included in the project | PTM Partners A chain-link fence went up last week around the site of a planned 20-story mixed-use apartment tower expected to begin construction soon in the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.
Next phase of Largo’s Rainbow Village affordable housing redevelopment submitted for permitting
Rendering of Heritage Oaks (Phase 1) and Ridgecrest Oaks (Phase 2) of the Rainbow Village redevelopment project in Largo | Newstar The next phase of the Rainbow Village redevelopment in Largo is taking shape, with four new apartment buildings planned as part of a long-term effort expected to deliver approximately 400 affordable homes to the community.
St. Pete-Clearwater Airport shelves terminal expansion plans for $145 million modernization project
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will modernize its existing terminal rather than pursue its previously planned expansion | St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is shelving its terminal expansion plans in favor of a renovation project to modernize the existing facility.
Buddy Brew Coffee to open first Pinellas cafe inside Seminole Sprouts
Buddy Brew Coffee's new café inside Sprouts Farmers Market in Seminole | Buddy Brew Coffee Tampa-founded coffee roaster Buddy Brew Coffee is crossing the bridge with its first Pinellas County cafe, opening inside the Sprouts Farmers Market at 7263 Seminole Boulevard in Seminole Plaza.
Red Mesa Mercado to close in west St. Pete weeks after downtown Cantina’s closure
Red Mesa Mercado’s west St. Pete location will close after less than a year in business | Red Mesa Mercado Red Mesa Mercado’s west St. Pete location is permanently closing less than a year after opening. The Red Mesa team announced on social media earlier today that its Cali-Mex restaurant at 6001 Central Avenue will close August 16th. Red Mesa Mercado’s original location in the EDGE District at 1100 1st Avenue North, along with Red Mesa Restaurant at 4912 4th Street North, will remain open.
Shake Shack to open its first Pinellas County location in Seminole
Shake Shack, known for its made-to-order Angus beef burgers, will open its first Pinellas County location in SEminole | Shake Shack Pinellas County will soon get its first Shake Shack. The popular burger chain plans to open at 1165 Park Boulevard in Seminole City Center, a 37-acre, open-air retail and restaurant plaza in Seminole. The restaurant will take over the former Pieology Pizzeria space, according to a recently issued building permit for a partial demolition and interior buildout.
Habitat for Humanity plans 14 affordable homes on former St. Pete church site
14 affordable homes will be constructed by Habitat for Humanity on The former home of St. Bede Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg | Google Maps A former church property in St. Pete’s Lake Euclid neighborhood could soon become an affordable homeownership community. Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside plans to build 14 affordable single-family homes at 2500 16th Street North, the former home of St. Bede Episcopal Church. The church, constructed in 1952, was demolished in 2023.
St. Pete recommends $40.85 million in disaster-recovery funding for six affordable housing projects
The Hartford Apartments is one of six projects recommended to receive funding from the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program | Place Architecture St. Petersburg has recommended six affordable housing projects for a combined $40.85 million in federal disaster-recovery funding, a major investment that would add or preserve 645 affordable apartments across the city.
New express bus will connect downtown St. Pete directly to Tampa International Airport
PSTA CEO Brad Miller stands in front of the new 727 Airport Express buses, which will connect downtown St. Pete with Tampa International Airport | St. Pete Rising Getting from downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport (TPA) without a car is about to become much easier. Beginning in October, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will launch the 727, a new premium express bus service connecting downtown St. Pete directly to the airport.
St. Pete considers upgrading Pier Marketplace, replacing tents with permanent kiosks
The st. pete pier marketplace, located at 600 2nd Avenue northeast, is home to nearly 30 small businesses | st. pete pier St. Pete Pier’s Marketplace, which sells everything from handcrafted goods and hot sauces to fresh flowers, may get a new look soon. Operating Friday through Sunday, the Marketplace is home to 28 tenants: seven permanent kiosks and 21 vendors operating out of 10-by-10-foot tents.
New breakfast chain Biscuit Belly to replace Maple Street Biscuit Company in downtown St. Pete
Maple street Biscuit company’s st. pete location at 662 central avenue | maple street biscuit company Maple Street Biscuit Company in downtown St. Pete will soon become a new breakfast and brunch destination following a change in ownership. Parent company Cracker Barrel announced Tuesday that it has sold Maple Street Biscuit Company to Louisville, Kentucky-based breakfast chain Biscuit Belly. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Army Corps to work with St. Pete to address canal-based flooding in Riviera Bay and other neighborhoods
Riviera Bay, a waterfront community in northeast St. pete | Homes.com The City of St. Petersburg is one step closer to advancing projects aimed at reducing canal-related flooding and restoring local waterways, with Riviera Bay expected to be a primary focus. According to the Riviera Bay Civic Association, the neighborhood's drainage canals have filled with sand and sediment over time, reducing their capacity to hold and move water and contributing to recurring flooding.
Thirsty First, local hangout and sports bar, to close after 10 years in downtown St. Pete
Thirsty First, located at 515 Central Avenue. | thirsty first After serving patrons and sports fans for a decade, the popular local hangout Thirsty First will permanently close its doors. Thirsty First, which has been a staple of downtown St. Petersburg’s nightlife scene since 2016, announced it will close its bar and restaurant at 515 Central Avenue.
Great Explorations eyes south St. Pete elementary school for new 80,000-square-foot Discovery Center
great explorations children’s musuem is looking to expand its educational footprint in st. pete | great explorations Known for its immersive pretend-play spaces and educational programming, Great Explorations Children's Museum is preparing to expand its footprint and offerings to all ages, but not without help and input from the community.
Fast-casual seafood restaurant Shaka Shrimp Kitchen coming to the EDGE District
Shaka Shrimp Kitchen is coming soon to the EDGE District | St. pete Rising A new fast-casual seafood restaurant specializing in shrimp dishes and ahi tuna bowls is coming to the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete. Shaka Shrimp Kitchen is expected to open by the end of the year at 911 Central Avenue, replacing Buya Ramen, which closed last August after nine years in business. The restaurant takes its name from the "shaka" hand gesture, a symbol commonly associated with friendliness, and gratitude.
After more than 100 years in downtown St. Pete, Trinity Lutheran Church votes to sell historic property
The 102-year-old Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown St. Petersburg is for sale following the congregation's vote to sell the historic property | Trinity Lutheran Church After more than a century in downtown St. Pete, Trinity Lutheran Church will put its historic property at 401 5th Street North up for sale. The decision to sell, which was recently approved by the required two-thirds majority of the congregation, follows the church's 2025 merger with Hope Lutheran Church.
Dutch Bros Coffee and PNC Bank proposed for former SunTrust property in Seminole
A second dutch bros location may open at 7405 Seminole Boulevard, about 7 miles from its first pinellas county shop | dutch bros A former SunTrust bank property in Seminole could soon be redeveloped into a Dutch Bros Coffee shop and a new PNC Bank. During a June 23 Seminole City Council workshop, council members unanimously authorized City Manager Ann Toney-Deal to negotiate and finalize a development agreement with real estate group Paradise Ventures for the property at 7405 Seminole Boulevard.
Keiser University's Pinellas County campus could become a 355-unit apartment community
A 355-unit apartment community has been proposed to replace Kesier University’s Clearwater campus | CoStar Keiser University's Clearwater campus could be redeveloped into an apartment community under a proposal currently being reviewed by the City of Largo. North Carolina-based Aventon Companies has submitted a preliminary site plan application to the city to redevelop the approximately 12-acre property at 16120 U.S. Highway 19 North into a 355-unit apartment community.
Six-story Marriott hotel approved for John’s Pass Village on Madeira Beach
Johns Pass Village Resort - Northwest Corner Place Architecture Johns Pass Village Resort - Southwest Corner Place Architecture Johns Pass Village Resort - Southeast Corner Place Architecture Johns Pass Village Resort - Northeast Corner Place Architecture Johns Pass Village Resort - Corner of Pelican Lane and 129th Avenue North Place Architecture Johns Pass Village Resort - Along Boardwalk Place East Place Architecture Johns Pass Village Resort - View of Park and Stage Place Architecture...
Rumba Island Bar & Grill abruptly closes St. Pete location
Rumba island bar & grill at 6445 4th Street North | st. pete rising Rumba Island Bar & Grill has abruptly closed its St. Pete location at 6445 4th Street North, leaving employees and customers with little explanation. Employees tell St. Pete Rising they arrived for work earlier this week expecting a normal shift, only to find the restaurant locked and learn that it had permanently closed. An employee at the restaurant's Clearwater location also confirmed the St. Pete location's closure.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Veronica
Contact Veronica, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack