Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — When many can see grassy fields as just a patch of land “If I see a piece of grass anywhere in Pinellas County, I typically think about, like, what can we put on that piece of grass?” Sutton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside Sutton has been the CEO for the last 11 years and there is something about the possibilities a plot of land possesses that makes this job incredible “I’ve experienced nearly 700 families receiving the keys of their own home and it never gets old,” Sutton said but the beginning usually looks like an empty plot of land In the Lealman neighborhood of Pinellas County nestled across the street from Lealman Elementary School is nearly six acres of land that will become affordable housing for nearly 60 families They recently got approval from Pinellas County Commissioners to build on this land They’ll be creating 30 single-family homes and 27 townhomes to fit even more folks in the area since so many people are moving to Florida “It’s a desirable community for the families we serve,” said Sutton townhomes are helping the growing need for folks to find housing in the county “The house is pretty much complete,” Sutton said when referring to a property in Clearwater “And this is what it will look like as the homeowners move in.” While the real estate contract negotiations continue in Lealman Habitat is welcoming several families into their new homes in Clearwater in March which will be townhomes that are like Lealman “This is the Longlake Preserve Project that Habitat is building,” Sutton said Though they make sure every neighborhood isn’t exactly the same Sutton says this neighborhood gives you a good idea for what Lealman will look like when all is said and done “I remember standing on it when it was just grass and some trees,” Sutton said we’re literally weeks away from some homeowners moving in is Sutton and the folks at Habitat have the vision in mind and see what a world of possibilities can do for a family needing a place to call home Sutton anticipates work in Lealman will begin near the end of 2025 He says Habitat broke ground on the Clearwater property near the end of 2023 with most of their work coming to fruition there within the last 10 to 12 months — The Florida Dream Center is a non-profit organization aimed at supporting and revitalizing Pinellas County’s Lealman community But neighbors tell the ABC Action News I-Team they believe the presence of the organization’s headquarters in their residential neighborhood is causing quality of life issues fourth generation,” said Lealman resident Jeremy Heath “That is the unique thing about Lealman is so many people have lived here forever But since the Florida Dream Center moved into the neighborhood’s old fire station Heath says there have been unwelcome newcomers “They’re just hanging out outside the building” kicked our dog in the face and started yelling at my wife,” Heath said they’re just hanging out outside the building There’s trash all around the place,” neighbor Scott Dilley said “They've camped out with tents in the back area near their dumpster,” said Brittany Pagan who lives across the street from the Florida Dream Center this has become like a hub,” said John Jones He lives about a block away and says he sees transient people riding bicycles in the neighborhood daily Because they give everything away over here is they have everyone come here,” said Kyle Witkoski who lives directly behind the Florida Dream Center Witkoski says people line up to receive free food donated by local grocery stores and businesses The Florida Dream Center’s website says the organization distributed 1.8 million pounds of food in 2023 Board member Greg Schaeffer recently took over as interim CEO He says the organization does so much more than feed the homeless This community asset is first and foremost for the community,” Schaeffer said He says the organization also assists with workforce training runs an Adopt-a-Block program that helps neighbors maintain their yards checks on elderly residents who live alone “25 percent of the food comes out of this building So not everyone is coming to this building.” But Witkoski says some who do come to the Florida Dream Center for free food end up staying they’ve knocked on my door asking for money and all sorts of things We've actually had some wander into our backyard when we’ve had gatherings,” he said Safety for my children and for our neighbor’s children Our community was doing perfectly well without this center,” Brittany Pagan said Pagan says she won’t go outside at night with her children Her security camera captured video of a stranger hopping over her fence to hide from deputies Here he is peeking over the top to see if the cops are gone,” Pagan said Pagan shot a photo of people diving into an open dumpster Another picture shows clients after business hours “They're sleeping in front of the building Building purchased with COVID relief funds The non-profit bought the old firehouse from the county in a complicated transaction that involved shuffling $1.8 million in federal COVID relief funds between different accounts “Myself and others on the advisory committee were very concerned with this transaction,” Heath said Records show sheriff’s deputies and EMS responded to the Florida Dream Center 195 times in the past four years Neighbors say they’ve seen a spike in crime Heath says he’s concerned about vehicle break-ins and vandalism Schaeffer says it’s important for neighbors who have issues to let them know “So many of the community will pick up the phone and say hey Sometimes it’s something we do need to bring to the sheriff’s office,” Schaeffer said Pinellas County established the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 2015 A CRA keeps tax revenues within the community with the goal of improving quality of life enhancing economic growth and preserving the community's unique character Other successful CRAs include Tampa’s Channelside District and St Pete’s vibrant downtown and Tropicana Field “The expectation and hope is that as the community lifts itself up there’s more tax money to go around in the community which recommended funding renovations to Lealman Park “They’ve dumped CRA money into hosting events and making this an attractive place for this to be a hub where the community actually wants to spend time to get to know their neighbor,” Heath said the park has become a different kind of hub “The homeless people are over there every day We found doses of Narcan beside an unopened box of discounted doughnuts on a picnic table but Pagan says they shouldn’t be where children play “I shouldn’t have to worry about my nine-year-old saying Mommy what is this?” she said The Florida Dream Center isn’t likely going away And this building is just a way we can do that,” Schaeffer said “We just need a peaceful and safe environment and unfortunately they’re not delivering on that,” Pagan said and I feel like that's part of where the system failed" Henry Betsey Jr. is facing charges for marrying three Florida women in three different counties at the same time. Now saying the system that handles marriage licenses kept them in the dark Report a typo Calling or texting 911 connects you to law enforcement The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office also has a non-emergency number – 727-582-6200 – for crimes that are not in progress If you are unsure whether your situation is a true emergency please call 911 and the call taker will determine if you need emergency assistance Email addresses are public record under Florida law and are not exempt from public records requirements If you do not want your email address to be subject to release pursuant to a public records request do not send electronic mail to this entity contact this office by telephone or in writing Celebrate the season at the Lealman Market Holiday Edition on Sunday This special holiday-themed market promises festive fun and family-friendly activities that highlight the vibrancy of the Lealman community Building on the success of the last two Lealman Farmers Markets which brought together hundreds of attendees the Holiday Edition is set to be the most exciting market yet The previous markets featured robust participation from local businesses and increased access to fresh food and unique goods Highlights of the Holiday Edition include: Add your idea below. Review Catalyst posting guidelines here. By posting a comment, I have read, understand and agree to the Posting Guidelines Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St N, Lealman, FL, 33714 Please enter email address you want to share this article with The Catalyst honors its name by aggregating & curating the sparks that propel the St Pete engine.  It is a modern news platform, powered by community sourced content and augmented with directed coverage your perspective and your spark to the St Pete Catalyst and take your seat at the table Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2020 The St Petersburg Group Enter the details of the person you want to share this article with 2024More than a thousand people spent the night shut in at Lealman Innovation Academy during Hurricane Milton’s barrage of overnight winds and rain Despite a night spent sleeping on the floor with strangers at this Pinellas County hurricane shelter the mood was jovial Thursday as they stepped outside basking in the cooler temperatures left by the tropical weather Many had left to escape one of Milton’s greatest threats — wind — and now waited to see how their homes fared Rachel and Norman Deprey live in a nearby mobile home community As they were packing up their car to head home said they hadn’t evacuated during Hurricane Helene the pair chose this time to err on the side of caution She was hopeful their home went without damage “We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” she said evacuated to the shelter at the Lealman Innovation Academy while Hurricane Milton approached on Thursday Vazquez evacuated to the shelter during Hurricane Helene and returned for Milton [ LAUREN PEACE | Times ]Jack Kendall also lives in a modular home and chose to shelter from winds He called the atmosphere inside “anxious but lively.” built the Great Wall of China with off-brand Legos spent the night at the Lealman Innovation Academy during Hurricane Milton on Thursday [ LAUREN PEACE | Times ]For Gexiel Martinez-Blanco he was grateful to be able to sleep in his own bed soon his family lived in a mobile home and feared gusty Martinez-Blanco’s father had stayed behind and said the home had minimal damage Frank Myrthil arrived with 25 friends and family members the water began leaking in the shelter room he was staying in “It was practically raining inside,” said Myrthil but we did spend the entire night fighting the leak.” said he spent much of the night avoiding leaks inside the shelter moving on top of tables and chairs to dodge the rain the shelter’s supervisor had not received information on flooding at Lealman Innovation Academy The county said the shelter likely would have flagged the rain as an issue if it had become severe As he left Myrthil was feeling hopeful about his property 5 things to know about the 2024 hurricane season, according to forecasters. Forecasters predict ‘extremely active’ 2024 hurricane season. Here’s why. Could Tampa Bay flood insurance rise after a hurricane? A warning from Hurricane Ian Want to know what areas are flooding in Tampa Bay? Here’s where to look Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits. Lauren Peace is an enterprise reporter covering issues of equity and inclusion. She can be reached at lpeace@tampabay.com. Michaela Mulligan a climate and environment reporter. Reach her at mmulligan@tampabay.com. — Santa’s sleigh looks different in Lealman the big man himself arrives in a fire truck He makes stops at hundreds of homes not to put out fires but to spark them in countless hearts he delivered gifts to more than 3,000 children in Lealman It’s an effort made possible by the Lealman Fire District and Chief Jim Millican “When the kids see Santa show up and we get off that truck with those toys and so thankful and appreciative to what we do,” he said his department has been playing the role of Santa in Lealman a community that is less fortunate than many others But they can’t provide during the holidays what most families can provide for the holidays,” he said Miliican and Santa need more presents — maybe double what has been donated to the fire department so far “We really need a lot of stuff for the older kids — kids that are 10 to 16,” the chief said Millican’s Christmas wish is that more donations will come in so that when Santa’s sleigh—or firetruck—goes out You can donate either toys or money to help this cause or organizations that want to help can contact Millican at 727-526-5650 ext unwrapped toys may be dropped off at any of the three fire stations within the Lealman Fire District Petersburg’s city limits will soon receive another boost from a strategic partnership between Pinellas County officials and the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate County Commissioners unanimously approved the allocation and land swap Feb the organization has provided about 50 homeownership opportunities in Lealman is proud of Habitat’s work in “kind of this lost area of Pinellas County that was almost forgotten.” “It’s a great little area of the community that has just kind of lacked investment for quite some time,” King told the Catalyst I’m glad to see the county being thoughtful about the approach and trying to impact the residents who have lived there for decades.” former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warrick Dunn (right) surprised Miranda (center background) as she pulled into her new Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside home in Lealman The unnamed $10.13 million project will provide 31 single-family houses and 26 townhomes around the intersection of 40th Street and 58th Avenue North Potential residents who complete 38 homeownership classes and contribute at least 350 hours of sweat equity will receive a 0% mortgage which has built over 900 homes in Pinellas King said the organization is already working to secure gap funding to cover infrastructure costs Habitat will acquire the site from the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County King said partnering with local governments is “crucial to our success” as it eliminates the need to compete with private developers on the open market He called centrally located Lealman a “great area” with much-improved social services and infrastructure thanks to the county’s recent investments Providing accessible homeownership opportunities allows low-income families to build generational wealth Habitat will also transform a vacant 1.35-acre lot in Clearwater into a community with 24 townhomes The county allocated $1 million to the $9.58 million project noted that local partnerships have supported nearly 950 homes “It takes all of us to make affordable homeownership a reality for hardworking families in our service area,” he said in a prepared statement The recently expanded organization has 11 developments with 320 homes in progress from Spring Hill to St. Petersburg King reiterated Habitat’s commitment to Pinellas Petersburg and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year King said about 70% of the nonprofit’s annual projects will break ground in Pinellas “Lealman has become more and more of a focus area because it’s a focus area in the county and we like to be a good partner in that.” King said the long-awaited Shell Dash Townhomes near Tropicana Field would welcome residents in about two months. Construction on The Grove another Habitat development in the South St King said city officials have approved Habitat’s site plan for Pelican Place, a 44-townhome community directly across from the embattled Tangerine Plaza site “That project is basically shovel-ready; we should be doing a groundbreaking soon.” “It’s going to be an exciting time for us,” King continued That’s going to be huge for those families as the Historic Gas Plant gets redeveloped.” In the past I sent something to Habitat for Humanity telling why I believed that my mom deserved a Habitat for Humanity house and I never got a response But I know with hard work and sweat and some tears that we would be willing to work beside them as well as do the homeownership classes Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Students rocket toward STEM careers at community hub 2025 Florida legislative session extended through June 6 Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value" Deputies responded about 10:30 p.m. to a domestic incident at a home in the 2500 block of 47th Avenue North, St. Petersburg assistant police Chief David Gerardo said in news conference at the scene. The first deputy to arrive spoke outside the home with a woman and a teen boy and teen girl. The girl told him that her mother’s domestic partner, Jeremy Lyle Reed, 42, had pointed a gun at her inside the home, Gerardo said. “He pointed the handgun at the teenage girl and said something to the effect of, ‘are you ready to have some fun?‘” Gerardo said While Reed was still inside, deputies moved the woman and the teens to a safer area and set a perimeter around the home. Before deputies could try to arrest Reed, he ran from the house with a handgun toward the deputies and victims, police said. All three deputies on the scene fired at Reed, hitting him multiple times in the lower body. Reed was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. No one else was injured. Deputy Jessee Creaser, Deputy Dylan Schultz and Corporal Stuart Kellman have been placed on routine paid administrative assignment while the St. Petersburg Police Department investigates the shooting. The department is investigating as part of an agreement in place since the creation of the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force. Pinellas County jail records show Reed is facing one count of domestic-related aggravated assault and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Jack Prator is a reporter covering breaking news and environment. Reach him at jprator@tampabay.com. LEALMAN, Fla. — The ABC Action News I-Team previously reported how residents of Pinellas County’s Lealman community complained that the non-profit Florida Dream center is attracting homeless people and creating quality-of-life issues. There’s trash all around the place,” said neighbor Scott Dilley “They've camped out with tents in the back area near their dumpster,” neighbor Brittany Pagan told us After getting a tip from concerned community members we investigated how $1.8 million in federal COVID relief money was approved so that the organization could purchase a building from the county to serve as its headquarters We’ve learned that the Pinellas County Attorney's Office had concerns about the transaction but administrators decided to move forward with the project anyway The transaction involved a former Lealman Fire Station which was purchased with “Penny for Pinellas” funds as part of a larger parcel it was intended to be used to create more affordable housing in Lealman The latest proposed sale triggered an investigation by the Pinellas County Inspector General’s Office which was completed days before the sale in November 2023 “There was an accusation that there was a conflict of interest between the CEO of the Dream Center as well as the Assistant County Administrator in Pinellas County,” said Lealman resident Jeremy Heath Heath serves on the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Advisory Board which allows tax dollars from the Lealman community to remain in Lealman to improve the community Heath says the alleged conflict involved Florida Dream Center CEO Steve Cleveland and Assistant County Administrator Tom Almonte Both men urged Pinellas County County Commissioners to approve the building’s sale in November 2023 “We hope to keep growing and do more than we’re doing already,” Cleveland said “About $600,000 will go to repair the facility It needs significant upgrades,” Almonte said Interview notes we obtained from an open records request from the Pinellas County Inspector General’s Office say Cleveland admitted he and Almonte “have lunch every few weeks” and “have had joint dinners with their families” “One would probably argue that that relationship allowed for certain things to happen that just weren’t above board or “ARPA” funds were approved by Congress for COVID-19 expenditures The IG report says the county attorney’s office “had a concern with ARPA funds going directly to the County for this project” So the county transferred federal money into a general fund account used to pay 9-1-1 employees The county then sent that money to the Florida Dream Center which sent it back to the county to buy the building the Pinellas County’s Office of Management and Budget said “they were not aware of any instances” in which the county had provided general funds to an agency to buy county property no other organizations were invited to submit a request for a proposal for the property the County would need to follow the statutory notice and 30-day period to obtain proposals and then sell the property based on the proposals received.” It references a law passed by Florida lawmakers regarding the disposal of property in a CRA area. “Against the advice of Pinellas County attorneys Pinellas County decided to move forward with that transaction without putting it out to a 30-day bid,” Heath said The project first went to the Pinellas County Community Foundation The Florida Dream Center’s application was submitted by Chief Operating Officer Zelda O’Connell. It said ARPA Funding was necessary because “There is no option available to continue leasing” and “without suitable funding this building will no longer be available for rent.” But Florida Dream Center CEO Steve Cleveland told a different story when pressed by the foundation board “Has the county requested that you vacate the building if you are unable to purchase it?” Elithia Stanfield asked during a grant funding hearing. “Because in your application there was a line saying without funding this building would no longer be available So that’s why I asked the question,” Stanfield said The application also said Cleveland was to serve as the construction manager for the $600,000 renovation project It was a construction and purchase process that wasn’t competitively bid Pinellas County Community Foundation member Tony Collins said how they’re gonna cover material escalations There were quite a few things in there that gave me pause as well,” said board member Gayle Grady the foundation approved the funding under the condition that a third party monitor the renovation It then went to the Pinellas County Commission “I have just some concerns with donating property and structures to not-for-profits I’m not supportive of that,” Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott said at the meeting The board approved the sale by a 5-to-2 vote The IG's investigation determined Almonte “did not violate any rules or statutes” related to the sale and that there was no evidence that he “benefited from the relationship” with Cleveland but the county provided written answers to our questions instead Florida Dream Center interim CEO Greg Schaeffer agreed to an interview He is a former Florida Dream Center board member and certified public accountant Our business is serving an individual person every single day,” Schaeffer said Steve Cleveland is no longer employed by Florida Dream Center “Each individual board member had their own reason And then it was just mutually decided new leadership is needed,” Schaeffer said Schaeffer says the sale of the building was a good deal for the county which would no longer have to pay for maintenance and assume liability We asked whether there was a problem with the no-bid contract “The inspector general and the county attorneys looked at that specific fact and said it was not a violation of state statutes or the law,” Schaeffer said “I think it was a good idea to put it out for bid Almonte also appears to be friends with another Florida Dream Center employee Almonte posted on Facebook that he donated money to O’Connell’s birthday fundraisers in 2022 who wrote that $1.8 million grant application was convicted of felony grand theft in Idaho in 2014 after pleading guilty to embezzling from her former employer She was on parole when the ARPA grant application was submitted we’re all sinners in need of a savior,” Schaeffer said Schaeffer says there’s segregation of duty The property was deeded to Florida Dream Center in January 2024 and is still awaiting renovations I look through the windshield and see what’s in front of us How do we lead this community in the right direction?” Schaeffer said ABC Action News sent Pinellas County an outline of topics we wanted to discuss in our interview with Tom Almonte but these are the responses to our general areas of inquiry: Q: Neighbors' complaints about homelessness and crime resulting from the Florida Dream Center attracting people from outside the neighborhood through regular food distribution at the headquarters site. A: The Dream Center provides a valuable public service for a population in need For questions about crime around the premises you may want to contact the Sheriff’s Office or the Center directly Q: Does Florida Dream Center have permits to distribute food to the public from that neighborhood site? A: In 2018 a land use (special exception) was approved that granted administrative offices and storage to support combating hunger in the Lealman area Q: Pinellas County's two Inspector General investigations involving the Florida Dream Center including one that indicates administrators disregarded the County Attorney's advice that the County would need to follow the statutory notice and 30-day period to obtain proposals and then sell the property based on the proposals received since it was located in a CRA. A: The County Attorney’s office provided two different legal methods for the County to dispose of the property for an existing nonprofit that the County Board supported staying in operation Both choices were legal and the County opted to dispose of it in the matter that was selected with the concurrence of the County Attorney The Inspector General report found no violations of regulations policies or statutes related to the sale of the property Q: Whether Tom Almonte's personal relationship with Steve Cleveland influenced the decision to sell the property to the Florida Dream Center. A: No Almonte’s work duties in his role as Assistant County Administrator he meets with nonprofits and community groups in Lealman Both the County BCC and County Administration agreed that the Dream Center provided a valuable community service Any concern of a real or perceived conflict of interest was determined to be unfounded by the Inspector General report Q: Was there a conflict of interest with Steve Cleveland serving as chairman of the CRA advisory board and getting a contract from the CRA for the Florida Dream Center to perform alleyway cleanup? A: Mr Cleveland bid for a contract out of a separate county department This bid was reviewed by the County Attorney’s office but in the next bid he was not the selected vendor confirming the county’s established procurement procedures regardless of vendor Q: Was there a potential conflict with Steve Cleveland being allowed to serve as the contractor for renovations? A: You’d need to ask the Dream Center board of directors which ultimately they agreed for him not to do that Q: Was the letter of intent language about the property not being available in the ARPA funding application factual (The Florida Dream Center claimed the county would no longer lease the organization that building). A: The grant opportunity through ARPA provided grants to 19 different nonprofits throughout the county The building was in need of extensive repairs and this allowed them to purchase the building and complete the renovations so this community could continue to receive services needed Q: The ARPA funding transfers allowing the Florida Dream Center to purchase the property were done in a way that Chris Rose indicated he could not recall a prior instance of doing so This involved moving money around in a way that some people say does not appear to be transparent Was the county obligated to use that funding in the way the federal government intended?   A: Because Penny funds were used to purchase the property originally those funds had to be returned to the Penny budget to allow for General Fund dollars to be used instead This allowed the county to reach the same goal Q: Has the Florida Dream Center missed deadlines for renovations? A: The County is not aware of a renovation deadline ARPA funds have a deadline of 2026 to be expended Q: Even though the IG's Office cleared Tom Almonte of wrongdoing would the county do anything differently if it had the chance to do it over? A: There are always opportunities to do things in various ways The County accomplished the goals of the ARPA nonprofit program that enabled organizations like the Dream Center to provide key resources to members of our community a community center located at 5175 45th St is set to become the home of a new farmers market starting in October.  The Lealman Farmers Market will operate on the fourth Sunday of every month from 10 a.m providing residents with regular access to fresh More than a dozen vendors have already signed up with spots available for up to 35 vendors in total This initiative aims to address the community’s lack of fresh food options and create stronger connections between residents and local Florida farmers.  Lealman, like many urban areas, has faced challenges in providing its residents with easy access to fresh, nutritious food options. Local officials have spent time and money to uplift the community, a food desert due to its lack of a single grocer The introduction of the new farmers market is a strategic move to combat this issue by bringing local farmers and food producers directly to residents “Bringing a food market that offers fresh produce and healthy food options to the Lealman community is a vital step in promoting the well-being of its residents,” said Tom Almonte Pinellas County Assistant County Administrator “This initiative ensures that all residents have the opportunity to make healthier food choices The choice of the Lealman Exchange as the venue for the farmers market is significant operated as a public/private partnership between Pinellas County and the St already serves as a hub for various community services and events our goal is for the Lealman Farmers Market to serve as a community gathering space,” said Joe Hamilton “When people convene in a positive environment they build relationships that help create a more aligned and resilient community This is a little like the idea Positive Impact had for Tangerine Plaza The City of St Pete decided to give a chance to a group that does not even have funds Oh Well…God bless the idea at Lealman All you have to do is search groceries and Lealman There are plenty of stores that sell groceries All you have to do is scroll up and down the list that is magically created These are local businesses selling groceries So whatever has to come here is trucked from somewhere else Which is completely fine and the normal thing to do Does it really matter whether it’s trucked from Plant city versus Georgia versus Virginia versus Kansas Locally sourced is so meaningless and jingoistic that thinking people should wince whenever they read or hear it there’s no shortage of fresh produce anywhere in this area frozen produce is even more common and healthier for a variety of reasons For people on a budget… From artificial intelligence Here are ten reasons why frozen produce can be better for people on a budget: budget-conscious shoppers can enjoy nutritious and versatile food options that last longer and reduce overall food costs Lealman is an unincorporated community located in Pinellas County It’s a suburban area with a mix of residential neighborhoods Lealman is known for its diverse population and a range of housing options from single-family homes to mobile home parks – **Grocery Stores:** There are a few major grocery stores in and around Lealman including chains like Walmart Neighborhood Market and Aldi There are also several smaller independent grocery stores and ethnic markets that cater to specific communities within the area – **Convenience Stores and Food Outlets:** Numerous convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and local independent shops are scattered throughout Lealman These stores often sell a mix of groceries – **Specialty Food Stores:** The area includes a few specialty food stores that offer organic products there are likely between 15 to 25 different establishments where residents can purchase food The availability of stores is fairly typical for a suburban area of its size in Florida — 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 Owners Pedroza and Slobo Djordjic move bees from homes to a safer location and then harvest the honey to sell at the market and they won't have preservatives," said Djordjic 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 and it just brings us all together," said Cianci Cianci said the need for more accessible foods is critical 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 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 Latest Pinellas County News from ABC Action News 2024 at 1:52 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A 14-year-old boy faces a first-degree murder charge in a Thursday morning shooting in unincorporated St FL — A 14-year-old boy faces a first-degree murder charge in a Thursday morning shooting in unincorporated St the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release It’s unknown whether the suspect is being charged as a juvenile or adult yet It’s Patch policy to not name minors who are charged as juveniles lying face down in the road with a gunshot wound to her upper body just before 11 a.m The shooting took place in the Lealman area Though deputies performed life-saving measures on Fernandez until the fire department arrived she was pronounced dead after being brought to a nearby hospital Detectives identified the 14-year-old as the suspect who was seen riding away from the area on his bicycle after the shooting When investigators went to the teen’s home on 29th Street N they found the gun used in the fatal shooting who got the gun from the bedroom of his father The teen was charged with one count of first-degree murder and brought to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center was arrested and charged with seven counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition one count of possession of a firearm with an altered serial number one count of armed trafficking in crack cocaine one count of armed trafficking in powder cocaine and one count of grand theft firearm Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. James Lee Butler, 53, was arrested Thursday in the death of 32-year-old Aaron Reed, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. James Lee Butler [ Pinellas County Sheriff's Office ]Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Butler called 911 to report a dead man on the 5100 block of 68th Street North, the news release states. Butler said the man, later identified as Reed, was his tenant and lived in a detached shed on the property. When deputies arrived, they found Reed “suffering from multiple gunshot wounds,” and he was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the sheriff’s office, Butler told detectives he had just returned home after being released from jail when he found Reed dead on the living room floor. He said he had no idea who would want to harm Reed, the news release states. The sheriff’s office did not release further details about the investigation, but an arrest report for Butler made public on Friday sheds more light on the case. According to the report, Butler and Reed lived on the same property but in different structures. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Dec. 14, Reed was sitting on a couch in the living room of the trailer where Butler lived when Butler “brandished a firearm” and shot him in the left side of the head, the report states. The round traveled into Reed’s upper left shoulder, and detectives in the report described the projectile as a shotgun slug fired at close range. A secondary wound was found on the right side of Reed’s face, and investigators determined it was fired at intermediate range. That shot grazed Reed’s right arm before entering the right side of his face and neck area, the report states. Both rounds were consistent with .410 shotgun shells, the report states. Investigators found an empty box of Winchester .410 ammunition in Butler’s bedroom, and forensic testing showed “very strong support” that he was a contributor to the DNA on the box. Additionally, a sweatshirt found in Butler’s vehicle that he drove that night tested positive for gunshot residue, according to the report. On Feb. 12, the property owner found a gun on the lot while repairing the residence to be rented after Butler moved out. The gun and the shell casings inside were consistent with Reed’s injuries and matched the manufacturer of the ammunition found in Butler’s bedroom, the report states. Butler “denied any knowledge or handling of firearms,” according to the report. Records show Butler was being held Friday at the Pinellas County Jail without bond. Emily WunderlichMidday Editor Three area nonprofits are coming together to start a new program offering free swimming lessons to children and teens in an unincorported part of Pinellas County.  The Lealman Swim Program aims to equip kids with essential swimming skills and provide workforce training opportunities to young adults looking to earn their lifeguard certification the Lealman Swim Program will offer free swim lessons every Monday and Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m These classes are open to children and teens aged 6 to 16 Florida has led the nation in child drowning deaths Florida Department of Children and Families data shows 99 kids drowned last year The importance of swim safety in preventing drowning accidents is well documented yet children in the Lealman area of Pinellas County have no direct access to a community pool Lealman community leaders have long expressed their desire to build a pool in Lealman but have faced funding and logistical challenges Community Foundation Tampa Bay and the YMCA of Greater St Petersburg put their heads together to come up with a solution we’ve had discussions about how we can make an even greater impact on kids and families and one of the areas that has come up has been the interest of the Lealman people in getting a pool,” said Tim Staley Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater St ‘We need to make sure that the kids have the ability to get affordable and accessible swim lessons.’ So it just kind of morphed from there.” The Jim and Heather Gills YMCA campus in St which operates the Lealman Exchange community center in partnership with Pinellas County and is the philanthropic arm of the St will bus participants from the Lealman Exchange to the Gills YMCA and back. The lessons are offered for free through the nonprofit partnership and grant funding from the Fred Fisher Every Kid A Swimmer Fund at Community Foundation Tampa Bay a Tampa Bay philanthropist and business leader became passionate about swim safety after he lost his 4-year-old son Mark in a drowning accident in 1962 Fisher was well-known for his fundraising efforts including securing $15 million to build the Long Center in Clearwater which is now a city-run sports and recreation center with an Olympic-size pool Fisher’s family set up his eponymous memorial fund through Community Foundation Tampa Bay continuing his legacy of supporting swim safety “This has been a personal passion of Fred’s because he and his family uniquely understand the devastation of drowning,” said Katie Shultz Vice President of Communications for Community Foundation Tampa Bay “Swim accidents are something that covers all socioeconomic levels Fred and his family were very aware of that and want to prevent other families from going through what they went through.” The Fred Fisher Every Kid A Swimmer Fund is specifically designed to give every child in Pinellas County the opportunity to learn to swim in addition to swimming pools and lakes,” Shultz said but it also increases the danger and the need for these types of programs.” Shultz and Staley both acknowledged that the much-needed Lealman Swim Program wouldn’t be possible without the collective impact model set up in Lealman Lealman has been designated as a Community Redevelopment Area focusing on revitalization and community improvement initiatives The collective impact model has helped various organizations nonprofits and governmental entities come together to find actionable solutions to better serve the community “No one organization is able to take care of our kids; it doesn’t matter if it’s the school district churches or other nonprofits,” Staley said “We have to all work together to make a greater impact and that’s why the collective impact process is such a strong opportunity to make a difference in the community.” and there’s not always an opportunity for one organization to serve the whole individual,” Shultz added “This partnership leans into the idea that you don’t have to be an expert in every space This leveraging of resources helps nonprofits do more and be more effective Families interested in joining the Lealman Swim Program can sign up online at bit.ly/LealmanSwim or call the Lealman Exchange at (727) 464-5404 —The winds of change are blowing at Hoot & Harvest It’s a block mold for making individual soil cubes to grow seeds Gloeckner is dropping spinach seeds into each cube It will take several weeks before thet are ready to be planted It’s their second year working the land —and by land we mean their front yard That’s where Gloeckner’s partner Joe Morris is headed to cut some baby bok choy “It builds a sense of community and showing that anybody can do this you can build a garden like this and feed your family,” said Morris And all the neighbors want for the use of their yard as a farm — is a cut of the produce One of the places you can get this baby bok choy and Hoot and Harvest’s other produce is the Lealman Farmers Market The only hungry mouths they feed on their farm besides the neighbors are their egg-laying hens The Lealman Market is on the fourth Sunday of every month from 10 a.m Earlier this year, the county gave away the property — valued at $1.2 million — to a nonprofit that works with homeless and low-income people in the community. But it won’t go toward housing. The complicated transaction with the Florida Dream Center was made possible thanks to the billions of dollars doled out by the federal government in the name of pandemic relief. The machinations of the deal have no known precedent in Pinellas, according to a report last year by the county’s Division of Inspector General. The same report noted a personal relationship between the nonprofit’s CEO, Steve Cleveland, and Tom Almonte, the assistant county administrator who put the deal in motion. Emails and messages obtained by the Tampa Bay Times show it went forward despite questions and concerns from county employees, including an assistant county attorney. She strongly recommended that, based on state law, the county solicit other offers for the property and consider them competitively based on which would most benefit the community. That never happened. County commissioners approved the sale without a bid process. In interviews with the Times, most of them said they don’t recall being briefed on any legal concerns. Almonte and County Administrator Barry Burton, in an interview with the Times, said they were confident in the deal and the way it got done. The Dream Center provides services, such as food access and job training, that the county wouldn’t provide in Lealman if the nonprofit didn’t exist, Burton said. For that reason, commissioners were determined to give it a permanent home. Once county attorneys learned that the plan to transfer the building to the Dream Center was considered a “policy decision,” they went back to work. Burton said they furnished a new opinion that put county officials at ease. “People can make allegations, God bless them — that doesn’t carry the weight of, you know, anything,” Burton said. “We determined that, absolutely, it’s defensible.” Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter You’re all signed up!Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started. But in the year-and-a-half that the county worked on the Dream Center deal it never brought the plan to the advisory committee that makes recommendations to the county on funding and policy decisions in Lealman said he worried that its unusual circumstances signaled it wasn’t made in the community’s best interest When county commissioners approved the sale of the old firehouse last November the Dream Center applied for $1.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act that the county was distributing to local nonprofits About two-thirds of the money would cover the purchase and the Dream Center would use the rest on renovations After the committee overseeing grant applications approved it Only the $595,000 for repairs would come from federal dollars The county would bank the remaining $1.2 million then give the same amount from its own accounts to the Dream Center The Dream Center would then hand it back to the county to buy the property the building that now houses the Florida Dream Center was bought from a private owner by Pinellas County in 2016 along with other land the county intended to use for affordable housing development The Dream Center soon started renting the property and bought it [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Inspector General Melissa Dondero later reported that she asked if the mechanics of the transaction had any precedent Employees in the county’s Office of Management and Budget “said they were not aware of any instances.” Burton said county officials changed the plan because they realized they were unsure whether funding the Dream Center purchase would be an allowable use of Rescue Plan dollars They decided to put those federal funds toward 911 operations they moved the same amount of money out of the 911 fund and gave it to the Dream Center The transaction was so convoluted that Dondero’s report included a flowchart to explain it When staff presented the plan to commissioners in August “You’ve seen those hats that just kind of get shifted around?” he said “I couldn’t follow where the money was going.” A flowchart included in a report by the Pinellas County Division of Inspector General shows how the county funded a nonprofit's purchase of county land ARPA is the American Rescue Plan Act; BCC refers to the Pinellas County Commission; and FLDC is the nonprofit [ Pinellas County ]By the time the sale closed in January others had started raising similar concerns Lealman resident David Lee appeared at a County Commission meeting where he urged board members to look more closely at the transaction “My concern is that we’re going back to the old way of doing business,” Lee said It is larger than all but six of Pinellas’ two dozen cities the county acknowledged that it needed to take better care of the area it made much of Lealman a community redevelopment area This meant that tax dollars generated in Lealman would stay there to improve living standards It also necessitated the creation of the advisory board made up of residents and others with ties to the community A view of the picnic shelter area at Lealman Park [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]One of the first people appointed to the advisory board was Steve Cleveland a general contractor who had been a high-ranking volunteer for the Dream Center he became the top executive at the nonprofit which has done work ranging from food distribution and workforce training to art therapy courses for survivors of sex trafficking the county spent $4.6 million on land in Lealman that it intended to use for affordable housing It included property that had once been a firehouse which it envisioned as the site of a community center for future residents of a housing complex it started renting the property to the Dream Center for $2,375 a month it updated the lease and changed the rent: $1 for the entire next five years had previously worked for the housing developer and his son still was the company’s vice president The elder Stowers denied being involved in the plan and retired amid the uproar An Inspector General’s report later validated residents’ concerns vowed that all Lealman projects would go before the advisory board “We have increased transparency which was not there,” he said in 2021 “to make sure we can mitigate something being approved that maybe the community doesn’t support.” The Dream Center first floated the idea of buying the firehouse in 2020 according to a later application for federal funding The county turned it down but offered help finding the nonprofit a permanent home but none worked — Cleveland and Burton said all were too small The idea of the Dream Center buying the property reemerged in 2022 with Almonte suggesting the Dream Center buy it with some of the federal money the county was distributing Almonte said he didn’t recall who came up with the idea With the county struggling to find an affordable housing developer for the land officials had decided the firehouse property could be put to better use The sale of the Dream Center became the subject of a Pinellas County Division of Inspector General report released late last year Though it found an alleged conflict of interest unfounded the report noted a personal connection between Dream Center director Steve Cleveland and Assistant County Administrator Tom Almonte It also delved into the unusual flow of funds that made the transaction possible [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Someone within the county reported the idea to the Division of Inspector General Dondero ruled the conflict-of-interest allegation unfounded though she made it clear the accusation hadn’t come out of thin air While Almonte told the inspector general that his regular meetings with Cleveland concerned Lealman business Cleveland said they’d gotten together for family dinners where “each family pays separately for their meals.” Because there was no evidence that Almonte would benefit from the land deal it didn’t meet the county’s definition of a conflict of interest Almonte described Cleveland as a friend but said he didn’t believe they’d be close if not for the ways their jobs intersect just like the other members of the community that I work with,” Almonte said “But I met Steve just like I met everyone else — through the work that I do for the county.” Cleveland said he didn’t believe the Dream Center had benefited unduly from his closeness to Almonte or any other county official State law generally allows counties to decide what to do with their property alerted staff of a law specifically governing county-owned land within a community redevelopment area — like the Dream Center property the county would have to solicit bids for at least 30 days and sell based on those proposals The county could make an argument for selling without bids under the broader statute but it would be “riskier from a legal perspective given recent case law … and is not the recommended course of action.” Such a case played out just across Tampa Bay in 2020 In a showdown between two Tampa property developers one alleged that the city had violated law by agreeing to sell property in the Tampa Heights Riverfront Community Redevelopment Area without soliciting bids Andrew Atkinson ruled the city had erred: “no property that is located in a community redevelopment area can be sold without public notice and the solicitation of proposals,” he wrote Emails and Microsoft Teams messages obtained by the Times show that the opinion from the assistant county attorney on the Lealman deal came after at least two high-ranking county employees asked about the law he wrote: “Let’s proceed with providing the Board (of County Commissioners) with option two” — the riskier option They would brief commissioners about the legal risk Burton told him to fill them in on the safer option Several commissioners said they remembered meeting individually with Almonte and Crowell But none recalled being told about a legal risk associated with the sale or that the county attorney’s office had issued a cautionary opinion county attorneys provided a revised recommendation It is not clear whether that revision appears in any public records or when it was made In a response by text to follow-up questions Burton said county attorneys “met with staff and myself to understand both available options.” He did not answer questions about whether lawyers provided a second opinion in writing Burton noted that the terms of the sale mean the Dream Center could lose the land if it uses the property for commercial or non-public purposes that White’s legal opinion “did not say that it was risky” to sell the land without seeking bids “We don’t see the risk,” he said in the interview The county has acknowledged potential risk publicly at least once at a meeting of the Lealman advisory committee Jeremy Heath suggested the county had opened itself up to a lawsuit “We are going to have consequences from it,” he said an assistant county attorney who attended the meeting “She didn’t say ‘illegal’ — she said ‘risky,’” he said Heath joined the advisory committee in 2020 in the wake of the scandal over Oasis Acres and he thought having someone on the committee inclined to follow the money might help prevent a rehash Lealman resident Jeremy Heath pictured in the gazebo along Joe's Creek at the Raymond H a member of the community advisory board that weighs in on issues within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area has for months raised questions about the Dream Center transaction [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]For nearly three years he prided himself on being the kind of committee member who didn’t rock the boat When he first heard about the Dream Center deal last summer he was a little surprised but didn’t speak up The more time passed without anyone mentioning the sale to the advisory committee Cleveland was both the chairperson of the committee and the CEO of the nonprofit benefiting from the sale the more he wondered: Why not run the sale by the committee Why reroute the money the way the county did Why run in the opposite direction from the attorney’s advice “Was it really absolutely necessary to go this route?” he asked “I suggest, Jeremy, that if you want me to resign, then you write a letter to your commissioner,” Cleveland said. “Because you can’t vote me out.” But at the end of the next committee meeting, on May 22, Cleveland announced he was leaving after a decade. He referred to accusations against himself and the Dream Center and denied any wrongdoing. “I don’t want to step down, but I am doing it for the better of our community, and that’s it,” he said. “I do not want to hear my name mentioned again.” One of the Lealman street marker signs near Lealman Park, 3890 55th Ave N, on Aug. 12, 2024, in Lealman. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Though the county stands by its handling of the deal, it could have done a better job telling Lealman residents about the plan to transfer the land, Burton said. “Frankly, Tom should have taken it to the advisory committee,” he said. Asked whether the county had lived up to the standards of transparency and communication it promised, Almonte said it had. Jack Evans is a former reporter covering Pinellas County. Drivers along 54th Avenue North who cross the railroad tracks by Lealman Fire Rescue Station No 18 may notice an angled road that parallels the path of the tracks for a few blocks Located immediately south of 43rd Street North a sign denotes this narrow road as “Main Street.” this short street once served as a commercial hub of the original Lealman community Named in honor of pioneer farmer Elza Beasley Lealman this area flourished as an agricultural settlement before St Known today as the separate areas of West Lealman and Lealman these communities existed as a single entity until recently The earliest pioneers settled in Lealman before any of the adjacent cities — Kenneth City Lealman originally included all of Pinellas Park and Sawgrass Lake stretched westward through Kenneth City toward Cross Bayou His father Thomas was a carpenter from England Elza moved across the Georgia-Florida state line in the 1840s marrying Elenar Deis in Hamilton County in 1848 Elza acquired 40 acres of farm land in April 1859 from the land office in Newnansville this office offered acreage to white male citizens of Florida who promised to cultivate at least five acres and serve in a militia to suppress uprisings These uprisings often came from people whose ancestors had lived on the land now occupied by Euro-Americans like Elza and did not want to surrender their land this north-central Florida county had 2,303 residents on the eve of the Civil War more than six times the population that lived along the Pinellas peninsula at that time At least 250 white men left Suwannee County to fight for the Confederacy between 1861 and 1865 Elza Lealman stayed at home and became a leader in the new county during this time of turmoil Lealman served as sheriff from 1862 until 1864 He also held the office of tax collector for an unknown period of time he had to pledge his loyalty to the Confederacy No existing Suwannee County records describe Lealman’s governmental service or the number of constables or officers who worked with him during the war years The Lealmans decided to leave their Suwannee County farmstead They moved to what was then a sparsely settled area — now the most densely populated county in Florida The Lealmans reached the Pinellas peninsula by 1872 fewer than 900 people lived within the boundaries of present-day Pinellas County In addition to having no neighbors for miles the man who left his name on such a large area left few records of his existence Incomplete and inconsistent genealogical records obscure the family’s history The 1880 census places Elza in western Hillsborough County (now Pinellas although no existing newspaper articles contain his obituary or mention his wife’s passing The 1850 census records his last name as “Lealman,” but his first name as “Elsey.” His wife known as “Lenora” in some genealogical indexes is referred to as “Elinor.” The last names of “Elsie” and “Ellenor” are written as “Lellman” in 1860 “Edward” and “Elander” remained “Lellman.” “Eliza Lellman” had a son named “Eliza” Jr The junior Lealman entered the world in 1872 when the family lived at Allen’s Creek a little more than a mile south of present-day Clearwater Mall Other documents refer to the family as “Lallman.” Elza Jr even misspelled his last name as “Lellman” on the World War I civilian draft registration card he completed in 1918 it is no surprise that some older maps describe the area as “Lellman.” Official property records today continue to identify some subdivisions as “Lellman Heights.” After living near Allen’s Creek and Upper Tampa Bay for a couple of years They settled near the intersection of 37th Street and 58th Avenue North (formerly Lealman Avenue) the nearest stop northwest of that then-remote settlement was listed as “Lellman’s.” Known as a flag stop or signal stop the train only stopped this location when passengers along the platform waved at the locomotive or those on the train requested to leave Regular railroad service led to the expansion of farms and groves The depot near Lealman’s Main Street became the location where the Lealman family and other locals shipped their agricultural products Many early residents assume that the younger Elza Lealman deserves credit for the community’s name He sold many of his holdings in the Lealman area in the mid-1920s before moving to a home on Tangerine (18th) Avenue South Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) claimed the younger Elza’s expertise as a farmer forged the agricultural community’s identity He had to learn farming techniques at a young age His mother had passed away before his 8th birthday and the senior Elza probably perished during junior’s early teenage years he may have died before the Orange Belt bisected it 1931 obituary in the Times credits the younger Lealman — who was no older than 16 when the railroad arrived — as the reason the area received this name The junior Elza married Minnie Lee Archer in October 1896 Daughter of William Augustus Archer and Hattie Archer Minnie hailed from one of the first families to settle in the Seminole area Her mother’s family lived there in the 1850s Elza and Minnie started a family at Lealman Heights Minnie’s parents also acquired property in Lealman Members of the Archer family operated a nearby sawmill after an earlier Lealman lumber mill had moved closer to Disston City (now Gulfport) in 1901 to provide wood for that city Minnie soon grew tired of the demands of farm life at Lealman In what must have been a scandal at the time Minnie left Lealman Heights and moved into a St Similar to the spelling variations common with her spouse some genealogical records referred to her as “Maud” or “Allen.” Elza and Maude are buried at Sunnyside Cemetery this cemetery became a burial site for many Lealman pioneers long before St Petersburg annexed it and nearby subdivisions Petersburg streets had their origins as Lealman lanes Early Lealman settlers often fished along Long Bayou and the mostly uninhabited coastal islands When crews built the first simple bridge across Long Bayou (before Bay Pines was known by that name) they referred to the structure as the “John’s Pass bridge.” Even though the bridge did not cross John’s Pass where a “John’s Pass” post office opened in the Oakhurst area nearly four miles away from the actual John’s Pass Long before Tyrone Boulevard or Park Street existed Petersburg to Seminole in 1911 required a trip through Lealman The route followed a lane known as John’s Pass Road this east-west road through farmland and fields became a two-lane dirt road by 1910 crews added crushed shells to this muddy road A half-mile north of John’s Pass Road another east-west lane once brought Lealman pioneers to a popular bayside fishing site; today old-timers called this path that cut across early farms and groves Clearview Avenue Agriculture thrived throughout Lealman in the early 1900s Elza Lealman planted strawberry fields that competed against those in Plant City Groves covered acreage south and west of Sawgrass Lake Two turpentine mills operated in Lealman at this time The first substantial annexation of Lealman lands occurred in October 1914 when some property owners incorporated their croplands and budding sugarcane fields as Pinellas Park Petersburg’s City limits began to absorb former areas of Lealman as farms gave way to homes Martin and Susan Mohr arrived in Lealman in 1890 two years after the Orange Belt Railway began service They established an egg farm at 46th Avenue and 40th Street North a little south of the Main Street railroad depot regularly sailed around John’s Pass to collect shells for his mother He sometimes traveled as far as Sanibel Island and Cedar Key to gather shells shipping them by rail to customers throughout the country They sold acreage for chicken farms in the area they described as “Lellman.” By March 1914 “We are the largest poultry raisers in South Florida.” They pledged that a 5-acre tract could accommodate a home When not selling chicken farm lands from their Central Avenue office the Mohrs served as leaders of the Lealman Poultry Association Few agricultural landmarks remain in Lealman Small schools in the groves have disappeared which originally opened in 1927 at the present site of New Heights Elementary School The small railroad depot along Main Street burned down in April 1907 Kenneth City and other municipalities have carved away much of the original Lealman settlement. Nevertheless, newcomers continue to plant their roots in this area. Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian immigrants harvest herbs in their backyard gardens. Lealman’s landscape is diverse by James Schnur Support The Gabber Newspaper Your donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law The Florida Community News Fund is a program administered by the Florida Press Foundation All donations made at this link go to The Gabber Newspaper through the Florida Press Association Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , Watch our LIVE streaming Gulfport Florida Webcams! Gulfport Casino Webcam Gulfport Beach Webcam Marina East Webcam Marina West Webcam Downtown Gulfport Webcam © 2025 All Rights Reserved | The Gabber Newspaper FloridaServing South Pinellas County and our Gulf Beaches in Florida including South Pasadena — Surrounded by homes in the Lealman neighborhood in Pinellas County It is called the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center The word “Asian” is in the title because so many of the students and families it serves are of Asian decent.   Thuat Truong has worked at the center for 19 years And I help them to learn English here," said Thuat Truong Many of the students and their parents do not know English when they first move to the U.S So getting homework done with the students is a big stress reliever for parents.  She assists the parents too. Trang Truong is a friend and a person Thuat Truong helped several years ago in the 1990s and remembers the fear that came with that enormous life change "The first few months we feel like a fish out of water."  The center helped Trang and her husband with English classes.  They both then were able to graduate from college in the Bay area and their children have now graduated from college too All of them are now successfully in the workforce.  “My son Kevin is the manager of my alteration shop at St Pete Beach," said Trang Truong with a proud smile Trang Truong's story is just one of many who have found community “We have a growing Vietnamese community," said Caterina Tassara Runyon the head of Communications & Development at the Lealman & Asian Neighborhood Family Center "We have a Laotian community that speaks Laotion from Laos This part of Pinellas County has become a landing spot for many Asian American families.  “Our demographics nationwide are at about six percent the fact that a small city in Pinellas County has 12% population of Asian descent The staff at the center speak as many languages as the families they serve “English is not my first language," said Runyon "And as an immigrant myself to the United States maybe being a child and having English not be your first language and being afraid.” The recognition of keeping one's heritage but also assimilating into their new nationality that is the balance many families find important at the center.  But she does not want to forget where she came from either.  “I still want to keep my culture," said Trang Truong Much of the funding for the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center comes from the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare Board.  They help people with finding many resources in the community including childcare — Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) are investigating a deputy-involved crash in Lealman that left a pedestrian dead early Sunday morning Deputy Lira-Rangel was driving his fully marked Chevrolet Tahoe southbound on 49th Street North in the median lane Investigators said that as he approached 58th Avenue North an unknown woman in a red pickup truck traveling northbound pointed toward the southbound lanes of 49th Street ahead of Lira-Rangel as if she was attempting to alert him to something The woman's actions ultimately turned Lira-Rangel's attention from the road He immediately stopped and got out of his vehicle to investigate later identified as 73-year-old Mark Hunter deputies learned that a witness observed Hunter sitting in the southbound median lane of 49th Street before the accident Authorities said speed does not appear to be a factor in this case It is currently unknown if impairment was a factor for Hunter Generous Funding from Community Foundation Tampa Bay Ensures Accessible Petersburg Foundation are thrilled to announce the launch of the Lealman Swim Program an exciting initiative designed to provide free swim lessons to children and teens in the Lealman area Thanks to generous funding from Community Foundation Tampa Bay this program aims to equip young people with essential swimming skills ensuring they can enjoy the water safely this summer Florida Department of Children and Families data shows 99 kids drowned to death last year The importance of swim safety cannot be overstated yet children in the historically underserved unincorporated Lealman area of Pinellas County have no direct access to a community pool.  Lealman community leaders have expressed their desire to build a pool in Lealman Petersburg put their heads together and came up with a solution: instead of bringing the pool to Lealman the Lealman Swim Program offers free swim lessons every Monday and Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m Each participant will receive a total of 8 lessons with a maximum cohort size of 30 to ensure personalized attention and a supportive learning environment the YMCA is providing a dedicated bus service that will pick up and drop off participants at the Lealman Exchange two chaperones with Level 2 background checks will accompany the children throughout the program Each participant will also receive a complimentary swim bag and towel “This program is a fantastic opportunity for youth in the Lealman area to learn a vital life skill,” said Ashley Morales “Our goal is to save lives and empower children ensuring they have the skills and confidence to stay safe around pools We are incredibly grateful to Community Foundation Tampa Bay for their generous support and the YMCA of Greater St making it possible for us to offer these lessons at no cost to families It is truly a team effort and an encouraging showcase of community collaboration to see this program come to fruition.” Community Support and Lifeguard Training Opportunities For teens and young adults interested in furthering their swimming skills, the program also offers opportunities to work toward lifeguard certification. Interested individuals can contact the Lealman Exchange at (727) 464-5404 for more details Funding from Community Foundation Tampa Bay is also earmarked for Parent & Child swim classes at the YMCA and scholarships are available on a direct-request basis “We would love to have mothers and/or fathers bring their little ones for early childhood swim lessons so we are actively reaching out to families in the Lealman area to offer these lessons Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn valuable skills Sign up for the Lealman Swim Program today and dive into a summer filled with fun and adventure For more information, contact the Lealman Exchange at (727) 464-5404. Register online today at bit.ly/LealmanSwim At the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, we are strengthening the foundation of our community throughout the St. Petersburg and Largo community. In addition to the countless programs and opportunities made free to the public, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg provides scholarship support to ensure equitable access for all so that all families have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Learn more at stpeteymca.org The St. Petersburg Foundation’s mission is to build capacity for organizations and the community. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit was created by business entrepreneurs and nonprofit professionals who share a history of commitment to Pinellas County and a record of innovative partnerships and projects that improve the quality of life of county residents. Learn more at stpete.foundation About Community Foundation Tampa Bay:   Community Foundation Tampa Bay is a 501 (C)(3) public charity that connects people, ideas and resources to create meaningful, lasting impact. Across our region — Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties — we are philanthropic partners, connectors and advisors. We understand our area’s most critical needs and champion solutions. Learn more at cftampabay.org Text “RECOVER” to 888777 for latest storm-related financial assistance info or visit recover.pinellas.gov businesses and visitors online access to permitting The tourism site Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is the county’s main resource for visitors The purpose of the Lealman CRA Advisory Committee is to advise the Community Redevelopment Agency for the Lealman CRA on the community redevelopment plan and any amendments thereto and on issues and policies with the Lealman CRA Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act To obtain accessible formats of this document or for any accommodation If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in a meeting or event Enter your email address to stay updated on the latest county news If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request contact this office by phone or in writing Report it to Pinellas County Government using the web page below or via our mobile app Live Chat Pinellas County held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday for the much-anticipated Raymond H Neri Community Parks Improvement project in Lealman The event was attended by County officials Lealman will be an even better place where the community can live work and play,” commissioner Charlie Justice said “This project is part of a major commitment Pinellas County has to the quality of life of Lealman.” Scheduled for construction this summer through early 2026 the project will bring several enhancements to the park at 4303 46th Ave an open playfield and new and resurfaced trails Extensive community input helped shape the project.“When you go back to 2005 when this facility first opened it was a basically a field with a trail around it,” said Paul Cozzie director of Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources “To see all of the improvements that have happened over the last 19 years as well as the improvements that are coming in the next year and a half This project is part of a broader effort by the County to invest in the Lealman area This undertaking includes the establishment of the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) the opening of the Lealman Exchange community center and plans for Joe’s Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail For more information and project updates, visit pinellas.gov/projects/neripark/.B-roll, photos, interviews Pinellas County Commissioners recently approved several comprehensive plan changes and land use amendments to foster revitalization across a historically underserved Three proposed zoning changes encompassing hundreds of acres in Lealman passed unanimously at the Nov 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 which would occur for about a month if you were to take action on the land use tonight and not the zoning until December.” and the sweeping changes will take effect Jan 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 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 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 Justice said the changes would foster walkability by widening sidewalks and incorporating other pedestrian amenities He also noted the importance of site orientation County planning agency Forward Pinellas established specific building requirements to maximize façade lengths and pedestrian access by limiting off-street parking along property frontages Justice said the goal is to provide a “community feel.” people are going to be walking anyway because of need,” he added “But now we want to make it a little more convenient and aesthetically pleasing.” The land use amendments create three districts within the community – commerce neighborhood park (residential and arts) and an area designated for recreation or open space The area around Haines Road and 28th Street will feature most of the industrial zoning County officials will implement mixed-use commercial corridors along 34th Street (U.S Highway 19) and the Haines Road-54th Street-28th Street North triangle previously told commissioners that the updated zoning would allow up to five-story buildings according to lot size He explained that the form-based code is intentionally broad and supports most current and future uses Justice said the added flexibility would help stakeholders find creative solutions Form-based code documents state it “does not focus on rezoning existing single-family homes.” Justice said the changes only apply to new developments and extensive expansions or remodeling efforts Commissioner Charlie Justice (right) volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco County home in Lealman A related document notes that the changes are not meant to “further gentrify Lealman.” Justice said that is an ongoing concern as property values soar in St “That’s a challenge that any area that is improving faces,” he added Nicer new houses bring more tax revenue into the CRA … that money will be reinvested in infrastructure and improvements in Lealman.” president of the Foundation for a Healthy St discussed how a person’s zip code influences their life expectancy and future outcomes While Tomalin referred to predominantly Black St He said the extensive land use changes are “really all about just creating opportunities for the folks who live there “We (commissioners) are working on our part as far as the infrastructure parks and the community center,” Justice said “I haven’t given up on a grocery store That’s still something we talk about a lot.” So what happens to the existing housing in these new zoned commercial areas of 28th Street and Haines Road Are you going to tear out the trailer parks Are you going to force people to build them rent micro houses in their backyards to homeless Pretty sure if people built those they would be airbnbs or such I’ve been calling zoning everything for the last 4 years and I cannot get any answers to this People are forever crossing the Main Street Which Happens Alot… Cause thier on thier Cellphone The east side gets garbage pick up for $19 a month Too Many People are Getting Struck By Cars Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice has been a stalwart supporter of initiatives in Pinellas Park and Lealman Members of the Pinellas Park City Council and Lealman Independent Fire District Commission are endorsing his re-election campaign as he faces a credible challenge from Republican Vince Nowicki Backers include Pinellas Park Mayor Sandra Bradbury Lealman Fire District Commissioners Kathleen Quinn Litton and Jorge Mercado are also supporting Justice Bradbury attributed her support to Justice’s leadership on building the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch alongside veteran Mike Delancey Reed described Justice as a “tireless” advocate for local businesses and “the well being of our community.” Justice also received praise from Butler for being “a great friend to the city of Pinellas Park” and focusing on “people over politics.” “Charlie has made a career of getting up every day with the goal of doing the right thing — he’s worked to make schools better our bay ways cleaner and our neighborhoods more safe and he has always been a great ally to law enforcement Charlie is also a huge friend to our military veterans,” added Haworth While it’s worth noting that Justice entered the race later than Nowicki Nowicki outraised him in the first quarter of 2023 while both were actively running for the entire period Republicans also now hold a more than 30,000 voter registration advantage in Pinellas County with 236,789 voters to just 204,757 Democrats especially considering that Republicans historically turn out in greater numbers than Democrats While Justice’s seat includes parts of west St The GOP voter registration advantage also means no-party or third-party voters will play a big role in election outcomes next year There are nearly 166,000 voters not affiliated with a major party Democrats lost ground on the County Commission in the 2022 cycle with Gerard losing her seat and Republicans claiming a 4-3 advantage They are now looking to expand that advantage with Republicans running against Justice and in the open race for countywide District 1 It’s widely believed that if the GOP picks up either seat it will be next to impossible for Democrats to win back their advantage in less than 10 years party operatives are hopeful the pendulum will swing back in Democrats’ favor within the next two or three election cycles Justice narrowly held onto his seat the last time he was up for re-election with barely more than 50% of the vote against GOP challenger Tammy Sue Vasquez Justice’s campaign touts his work protecting beaches and local estuaries He said there has been a 59% decline in serious crime countywide Justice has also secured an endorsement earlier this month from U.S a former colleague on the Commission and a close friend This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL © Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2025. 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STAFF LOGIN Pinellas County administration held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning for the highly anticipated Raymond H Neri Community Park Improvements Project in the unincorporated Lealman area.  The $10.2 million project aims to transform the community park into a state-of-the-art recreational facility for residents Planned enhancements include a larger children’s playground parking areas and new and resurfaced trails Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice and Pinellas County Director of Parks and Conservation Resources Paul Cozzie delivered brief remarks before participating in the ceremonial groundbreaking at the park I pass two community centers and three or four nice city and county parks We don’t really have that kind of same quality park in Lealman,” Justice said [I went to] those county parks for birthday parties family events […] To have that opportunity for the folks in Lealman is just about quality of life.” Funding for the project comes from the American Rescue Plan Act Penny for Pinellas and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Neri Community Park Improvements Project include a children’s playground parking areas andnew and resurfaced trails Pinellas County has hired Gibbs & Register to construct the park both Justice and Cozzie mentioned that the idea of turning the once-empty land into a rich community resource has been in the works for decades They told stories of interactions with Raymond H the late community leader and advocate for the Lealman area for whom the park is named “Ray would occasionally call me up and say There’s an issue I want to talk to you about,’” Cozzie recounted ‘This is a real big deal for the Lealman community.’ So this project has been in the works for almost two decades.” Neri Community Park Improvements Project is part of Pinellas County’s broader efforts to revitalize the Lealman area an unincorporated part of the county that has struggled for decades with poverty and neglect Other initiatives include establishing the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) to reinvest local tax revenue bringing new resources and programming to the Lealman Exchange community center and the future Joe’s Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project We’re seeing a lot of younger families moving into the area [and] a lot of people investing in their homes,” Cozzie said “This really will be what we consider a community park: a centerpiece for the community to come out bring their families and enjoy the outdoors.” Revitalizing the park will also provide additional programming opportunities for the organizations that serve the area such as the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center and the Pinellas Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (PAL).  opportunities for sports and programs like that great progress for the people here,” Justice said Construction is expected to be completed by early 2025 I live in this area for over 20 years and have seen some much needed improvements though very slowly and not enough in that time Just this year we finally got our streets resurfaced for the first time and they’ve added much needed sidewalks in the area and filled in the open ditches on 42nd street we still have a bunch of open ditches in this area and it’s way overdue to properly install updated drainage and fill and cover the ditches The ditches aren’t just an eye sore with over grown weeds and trash but they also make great breeding grounds for mosquitoes it still seems like the Lealman area gets overlooked a lot and 10.5 million for a dog park playground and parking a parking lot is a insult when there are many other real issues in this area that need addressing It’s not as bad as it was when I moved here in 2000 but I wish the government would stop with these vanity projects and work on bring the area up to the 21st century It’s just hard to believe that as much as property costs in this county that we still have all these issues here in 2024 Pete Rising in this year\u2019s Best of the Bay Awards By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. Learn more a 17-unit affordable housing development proposed for the Lealman neighborhood A local nonprofit plans to convert the Wood Acres mobile home park in Pinellas’ Lealman community into an affordable housing complex.  a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) established by the Boley Centers that has developed multiple housing communities for low-income residents and those suffering from mental illnesses is expected to enter a ground lease deal for the property at 3901 46th Avenue North The group intends to build 17 apartments for households at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI) with four units set aside for households earning below 33% of the AMI.  Pinellas County commissioners will review a request to declare the county-owned parcel as surplus the county will donate the 1.55-acre land to the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County (HFA) for the new development.  The HFA will then prepare and execute a long-term ground lease with PAL A site plan of the triangular property showing the units The application comes at a time when the underserved community is in dire need of more affordable units amid an ongoing housing affordability crisis PAL and the Boley Centers have extensive experience in developing affordable housing communities in Pinellas such as the 20-unit Butterfly Grove Apartments which was completed in 2022 and serves residents earning below 50% of the AMI.  An earlier application for the new project shows the unit mix will include four three-bedroom apartments and six one-bedroom units across two buildings.  The complex will feature a community space a picnic pavilion adjacent to a playground and a covered and protected (fenced and locked) bicycle rack which has a small market store on the site and is surrounded by single-family homes PAL estimates a total project cost of $5.866 million which breaks down to nearly $345,000 per unit The group will apply to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to provide primary funding for the project PAL will seek approximately $1 million from Pinellas County for project construction.  PAL plans to work with architectural firm Fraze Design and Vickstrom Engineering.  PAL emerged as the top respondent to Pinellas County's request for notification to redevelop affordable housing at the site People Empowering and Restoring Communities (PERC) also responded to the request.  the county’s objective is to redevelop the land with a mix of well-designed housing types with a minimum of 30% of units reserved for residents earning at or below 120% of the AMI.  Lealman is one of the key Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA) the county has a hyperfocus on. Last year, commissioners approved $12.5 million for new affordable housing developments. an affordable development currently underway was one of the designated recipients.  will deliver 86 units for those earning less than 80% of the AMI.  Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has also recently developed residences in the area Want to be the first to know what’s coming soon to the Sunshine City Sign up to receive the latest news straight to your inbox Contact - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy© 2024 St When Pinellas County Commissioners dedicated $12.5 million to four affordable developments Tuesday one stood out due to its scope and anticipated impact on an oft-overlooked area Over 20,000 people call Lealman home, and many lack transportation, grocery and safe affordable housing options County officials have designated the underserved community just north of St Petersburg as a community redevelopment area (CRA) and have recently increased efforts to promote its growth and sustainability That continued Tuesday as commissioners approved spending $2 million for construction financing to advance the Lealman Heights project chair of the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee said the stalled development became the area’s “first major affordable housing initiative taken on by the commission and the CRA” after they purchased the land in 2016 “There’s been other smaller projects here and there … those are still kind of in planning phases,” Heath said Lealman Heights includes five parcels totaling 5.08 acres along 40th  Street The $23.59 million development will provide 86 units for those earning less than 80% of the area median income (AMI) through a competitive process in January 2021 A Land Use Restriction Agreement mandates a 30-year affordability period for homes in a particularly low-income section of an already underserved area “It’s a fairly major corridor in one the more impoverished areas in CRA,” Heath said “A lot of the houses there have been converted into … temporary affordable housing until the full development goes in there “There’s definitely a need in the area; a lot of families It was always considered an ideal spot.” The parcels are just six miles north of downtown St Petersburg and once served as affordable housing for missionaries Heath said that adds to the frustration when trying to foster meaningful growth He noted the area is centrally located and offers more affordable property outside flood zones While Heath said that should entice developers looking for their next project in the fully developed county Although he wishes officials could have broken ground on a project of that scope and size years ago he called it “extremely exciting” to see a “good development” coming to fruition in Lealman “Not one that’s kind of half-baked or maybe lacking the amenities that would not be acceptable in other areas of the county,” he added Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided the $2 million plus closing costs of county money said federal funding necessitated additional environmental assessments That slowed the financing process, and construction costs continued rising. He also noted that families live in the site’s existing units and officials didn’t want to start demolition until “everything lined up.” demolish the temporary homes and replace them with new units “as soon as possible.” “There’s been quite a bit of work going on behind the scenes to get prepared to get to the construction start line,” Bussey added “It’s amazing sometimes that these projects will take years with the financial planning stages and then less time to construct.” Heath called uplifting Lealman a “passion project” for some local leaders including Commissioners Charlie Justice and Renee Flowers He also explained that county officials typically purchase smaller parcels and finance the land rather than retaining ownership They purchased the properties from D & D Missionary Homes – which provided affordable housing to Christian missionaries – for $4.9 million in 2016 Heath said that and the continued support shows that “the county is quite serious about addressing affordability” in the area Heath noted the development coincides with sidewalk improvements and a new crosswalk on 58th Avenue There is a pilot program to address underused alleys and the goal is to make transit easier and safer for children Lealman Exchange and the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Center are nearby “The added density is going to be great,” Heath said I think you can really see a future where this can be a major bedrock of a strong Lealman community.” He said the area has seen more progress in the last 18 months than the previous five years combined. The burgeoning city has recently implemented a logo, wayfinding signage, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the Honey and Arts Festival – all “small things” that provide community identity Despite improvements made by county and CRA officials in recent years, Heath believes residents needed “tangible, put my hands on it progress.” He said they continue dedicating millions of dollars to the area, with the Joe’s Creek Greenway project a focal point Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has recently built 12 new houses around the project site “I think you’re going to see a lot of excitement and people wanting to live in Lealman.” “Any business with a good head on their shoulders is going to look and see the central location of the area, the relative affordability and eventually, the skilled labor there,” he added they’ll want to plant seeds and grow roots in Lealman.” Bussey said construction should commence on Lealman Heights by the fall This is going to a community that is working very hard at doing the right things This is a needed improvement and will continue to improve before the unneeded project in the Disston Heights neighborhood that Oscar Banks the lead pastor of Palm Lake Christian Church and co-chair of FAST wants to fast forward the Palm Lake project before other projects He admitted that he is a homeless divorced man in need of affordable housing and is pushing to rezone a single-family zoned area for his and the church’s own greed They could sell the church property and build similar single-family homes in the existing community There is a great need for these types of homes also Please see https://stpetecatalyst.com/vacant-church-land-could-soon-become-affordable-housing/ I remember the missionary apartments there as we visited a missionary family there years ago The school is an elementary school not middle Pinellas County officials continue investing significant resources in unincorporated and underserved Lealman Over 20,000 residents can look forward to $84 million in upcoming projects county commissioners unanimously approved a $39 million federal grant application to offset the cost The funding would support the Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail and channel restoration project; pedestrian crossing and stormwater drainage improvements on U.S North; storm hardening and workforce development efforts at the Lealman Exchange; and public art placemaking initiatives Commissioner Charlie Justice credited county staff for helping increase the area’s quality of life “The impact is multifaceted,” Justice told the Catalyst trail connection to the greater Pinellas community hurricane shelter improvements – all while relieving some budget pressures “This grant would be huge for Lealman and Pinellas County.” The grant is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Resilience Regional Challenge The county’s public works team is one of 120 organizations – from a pool of 869 – the agency selected to submit a final application officials would dedicate $13 million to the $59.5 million Joe’s Creek project The 9,256-acre watershed includes portions of Kenneth City the waterway resembles a large drainage ditch and is susceptible to flooding The county plans to transform Joe’s Creek into a public amenity by planting new trees and vegetation and creating an elevated Stabilizing its banks, improving culverts and removing sediment to increase channel flow will improve water quality and mitigate flooding. Kelli Levy, public works director, believes a reimagined Joe’s Creek will also foster much-needed economic development in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) County documents call the community “disadvantaged” due to a high percentage of low-income households who have limited vehicle access. Jeremy Heath, the CRA’s board chairperson, previously said the Joe’s Creek project is “the most important thing for this area that’s going to happen in the next five to 10 years.” Pinellas officials would also dedicate $1.15 million to the Lealman Exchange (LEX) The 77,000-square-foot campus is home to several nonprofits and workforce development organizations Its primary building also serves as a storm shelter. In September 2022, 172 residents found refuge from Hurricane Ian at the facility Stakeholders now hope to create the LEX Resilience Hub The $3 million project includes upgrading or reconstructing an expansive gymnasium to withstand a Category 3 hurricane That would increase capacity by 480 people Documents note that the project “directly aligns with NOAA’s risk reduction program by mitigating an existing shelter deficit in Pinellas County.” The county’s application states that the St. Petersburg Foundation, LEX’s operator would also use the funding to create workforce development programs focused on climate resilience industries It adds that the nonprofit’s partner network of over 79 local businesses and organizations would also bring environmental resiliency training to the facility Those include the St. Petersburg Innovation District and its Maritime and Defense Technology Hub. Executive director Alison Barlow was one of at least 10 local leaders to write letters supporting the county’s application “The Innovation District is particularly supportive of the collaborative nature of this project to promote community engagement and involvement and foster long-term community resilience,” Barlow wrote “Our 50+ members have first-hand experience and expertise that comes from living and working directly on the coast … we have committed our network to support this important effort.” director of Pinellas County Economic Development said the projects would bring businesses and jobs to a lower-income community and an existing industrial park She pledged her department’s support and offered to provide NOAA with current employment data to aid decision-making The county would dedicate $16.2 million to upgrade a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) culvert on U.S The agency’s district drainage design engineer called the grant a “wise investment in public dollars” that will leverage other resources to create a “stronger community.” Pinellas officials would allocate $3 million to public art installments throughout Lealman The funding would also allow them to redirect $10 million in previously budgeted tax dollars In addition to the aforementioned benefits Congresswoman Kathy Castor noted that enhanced greenspace would combat increasing urban heat will be given every consideration,” she wrote — Two major companies could soon be coming to a lower-income area in Pinellas County Amazon and Tesla are both working on plans to move into the Lealman area and it could lead to a major investment in the once overlooked area the owner of Pro Karting Experience in Lealman could soon have a front row seat to watching the current Kane’s Furniture Liquidation Store at 4601 34th Street North turn into a state-of-the-art Tesla Sales It’s good for the environment and I don’t know if you’ve driven a Tesla “I’ve been sitting here and watching downtown St I think this is another step in the right direction.” It comes as Amazon breaks ground on a new 40,000 square foot distribution center nearby at 6101 45th Street North Angela Parkhurst at The Curve Exchange Plus Size Retail Boutique is thrilled “It’s amazing to think they could go anywhere in Florida anywhere in Pinellas County and they are choosing this area,” she said Lealman is a lower-income area and for years county leaders have worked to attract high paying jobs and a tidal wave of economic development to the community Chris Moore at the Lealman Exchange says while the Tesla deal is about two weeks away from being finalized two of the most successful companies in the world choosing this area in many ways the victory is Lealman’s as an area poised for great growth,” he elaborated Since both projects are in the Greater Lealman Community Redevelopment Area investments by Amazon and Tesla will lead to direct improvements to enhance the Lealman area “While I might not walk into a Tesla Center and buy one and the people on 34th Street might not buy them they will bring people into the community who can elevate the area even more so,” Parkhurst added With more people moving into Lealman as St community members say the investments come at an ideal time It’s happiness for all the small businesses in this area,” Parkhurst said “Lealman has got bright days ahead and we’re really excited about what this can mean for the community,” Moore chimed in Tesla is expected to sign off on the deal within two weeks The new Tesla center is expected to create about 50 jobs including technicians who will use EV software The 102,410 square-foot facility will be a place where people can test drive the electric vehicles buy and lease the cars and have their vehicles repaired Plans submitted to Pinellas County leaders do not indicate when construction will begin on the property along 34th Street North it marks the second year of an effort to build community in an unincorporated area of Pinellas County Lealman’s second annual Christmas tree lighting event will be held Dec family-friendly event was conceived by the Lealman Engagement Events Committee which includes representatives from Pinellas County Petersburg Foundation and Exquisite Events & Marketing The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners formed the committee as part of the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Plan (CRA) which identified nine objectives for improving the quality of life for all Lealman residents The first tree lighting in 2022 brought out about 500 residents President of the Lealman Community Association says they anticipate doubling that number this year as families in Leaman see and experience the positive changes happening in the neighborhood “I see improvement and I see the community coming together,” said Simkanich I rode my bike to it.’ We need stuff like that because everything is either in St A lot of people can’t go there or they don’t want to fight the crowds.” The holiday lights on the tree at Lealman’s Christmas tree lighting event are placed by Lealman firefighters “I see neighbors cleaning up some of the alleys and saying ‘Thank you for doing that now I’ll keep it clean’,” said Simkanich We’ve been like this and we have fought for money to get improvements.” community leaders say they hope those from outside the area come to see what Lealman has to offer Plans are already taking shape for Lealman’s second annual Honey and Arts Festival — An unincorporated part of Pinellas County is applying for a federal grant worth millions of dollars to revitalize some of its natural beauty The Lealman neighborhood near Pinellas Park is hoping to be awarded nearly $40 million to improve a nearby creek and add a bike path to connect the community to other trails in the county “There's not too many places where you can feel like you can get your walking or hiking in around here,” said Jeremy Heath a member of Lealman’s Community Redevelopment Area Committee Heath said he and his wife have come to Neri Park in Lealman for years to walk around and enjoy some of Florida’s natural beauty right in their own backyard “You really see a lot of the natural beauty that He’s a fourth-generation Floridian with family that has deep roots in Lealman — which is why he’s part of the neighborhood's Community Redevelopment Area Committee there are pieces of it he’d like to see improved “We're kind of an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle,” he said That’s why he’s excited Pinellas County commissioners approved the application for a federal grant worth nearly $40 million with the promise that some of the funds will go to clearing excess brush creating a bike path in the park and connecting walking trails to other parts of Pinellas County Part of the plans for Lealman also have to do with the water in Joe’s Creek they want to dredge up the waterway and restore it to something beautiful have a little bit more flow to wash this stuff through I think you might see a lot of wildlife return and people that want to come hang out here a lot more,” he said Even though the idea of a “hidden gem” is appealing Heath said he wants more people to be able to enjoy the area the same way he does Community members are already seeing some of that by bringing in events like the recent Honey and Arts Festival he hopes to see people swimming or kayaking in the creek or walking or biking to the Pinellas Trail “There is an appetite and a hunger for real natural preservation of Pinellas County assets,” Heath said “And this was a great opportunity to preserve one of those natural assets.” the county anticipates finding out about the results of the grant application in August — The Pinellas County Commission recently approved a plan to spend more than $10 million to improve Raymond H Neri Community Park in Lealman over the next two years Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice said the project would be an important improvement for the historically underserved community of Lealman “This shows a continued focus on improving the quality of life in Lealman,” Justice said “We’re spending millions of dollars on infrastructure.” commissioners approved the $10.2 million project picnic shelters and playgrounds for Neri Park has been lacking when it comes to traditional government services and amenities like a first-class community park “This is an area of high poverty,” he said a lot of focus and things are just getting better every day in Lealman.” She said community leaders have been pushing for park upgrades for years “It’s something that’s been wanted for a long time,” she said “A lot of people have fought for it and whatever money we get will be used wisely.” the County purchased 38 acres of land and established the park it was officially named after Raymond Neri a community activist who unofficially called the “Mayor of Lealman” and championed the need for green space Justice asked for the park to be renamed after Neri “He’s the one who kind of discovered the space “We thought it’s appropriate that we honor his memory by naming it after him.”   said her late husband would be thrilled to see the county and residents continuing on with his dream Simkanich said her parents worked with Neri and she gets emotional when talking about his legacy Most of the funding for the Lealman park upgrades comes from the federal American Rescue Plant Act with a smaller portion coming from the Penny for Pinellas sales tax and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection “It’s just an overall positive improvement to the area — something this area needs,” said Simkanich “I’ve lived here all my life and we’ve never had anything like this The project's groundbreaking has been scheduled for May 21 It is expected to be complete by the summer of 2026 “Really looking forward to when families can have a picnic,” said Justice “Really make some of those treasured family memories that I remember growing up and going to parks at.” 🎄 Annual Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting Event 🎄 Join us for a heartwarming and joyful evening as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting Event and neighbors for a festive celebration filled with laughter 🎅 Visit from Santa: Santa Claus himself will make a special appearance to meet children of all ages Bring your wish lists and capture the perfect holiday photo with the jolly old man Don’t miss out on this wonderful evening of holiday spirit and community bonding The annual Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting Event is your opportunity to create lasting memories and spread the warmth of the season Mark your calendars and be sure to join us on December 1st at Lealman Park For more information and updates, visit Facebook.com/LealmanCommunityDistrictServices This year’s Lealman Christmas Tree Lighting Event is sponsored by Duke Energy and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties Is there handicapped parking and access to this event Lealman Community Park, 3875 54th Ave N , St. Petersburg, FL, 33714 who was born and raised in Lealman an unincorporated town in Pinellas County describes her hometown community as caring “You can get some people that are a little uptight but usually everyone’s very helpful in this neighborhood.” life in Lealman has been challenging for Knetsch she was given a 24-hour notice to leave her apartment Knetsch has been seeking resources from the Florida Dream Center, a nonprofit that helps more than 100 homeless people every day she is on three different waitlists for housing you’re paying like 12 to 22 hundred (dollars) for a studio apartment and that’s not always big enough for someone the Pinellas County Commission announced an investment of $12.5 million for more affordable housing in the area County leaders set aside $2.5 million of that for a new development in Lealman will be catered toward people who make 80% or less than the county’s annual median income “We’re in need of housing across the board,” said Chris Moore assistant to the county administrator for Lealman “This is an affordable housing project that will really support our workers The unincorporated town is home to about 20,000 people and has no post office, public library or grocery store within city limits. A few years ago, Pinellas County leaders established Lealman as a Community Redevelopment Area. Officials said they’re trying to improve the quality of life for residents and expect the Lealman Heights development will make a big impact “Any time you can bring in a project to this scale it certainly goes a long way to support reinvestment in the community,” Moore said the more we’re able to support our residents who live here.” who are just trying to find an affordable and stable place to live the project may bring some much-needed support “With them offering the stuff they’re offering that puts a smile on a lot of our faces,” she said it’s easier to be able to get in and not have to worry about if we do get in — we’re going to lose our place the next month because we don’t have enough money for it.” Knetsch said there should be more developments in the area that are income-based to better help people struggling with housing Construction on Lealman Heights is expected to begin in September single-family homes in the surrounding area of the development which is near Lealman Elementary School.  waited anxiously at the edge of their driveway After just minutes of waiting — which probably felt like hours — they heard and saw what they had been anticipating Santa Claus showed up at their Lealman home with gifts merry Christmas!” he said as the twins ran to him for warm hugs He and a throng of firefighters and volunteers with the Lealman Fire District pulled toys and tricycles from the back of a moving truck and presented them to the jubilant three-year-old girls There were bright smiles and happy tears too “Just seeing them run to Santa was heaven,” said Cindy Burch The Christmas Eve toy giveaway is an annual event and a passion project for the Lealman Fire District and Division Chief Jim Millican they have coordinated and dispersed donated toys and bikes to families in Lealman Lealman is one of the most poverty-stricken areas in Pinellas County “It brings a tear to my eye even 20 years later It puts tears in your eyes when you see these little kids and how happy and grateful they are that Santa showed up and brought them Christmas this year,” the chief said The firefighters gave gifts to roughly 3,500 children “This has been something very special to them,” said Burch Burch said she and her daughter would have been grasping at straws without some help Santa showed up — in the back of a fire truck “I thank everybody for this moment,” Burch said but he has little helpers scattered across the globe volunteers are busy providing parents in need with the perfect toys for their girls and boys “When you are struggling it’s hard to ask for help,” said mother of two Sabrina Simmons “Sometimes you have just enough for your bills and not enough to give what you need for your children.” Simmons is one of hundreds of parents from the Lealman community who will do their Christmas shopping at the Florida Dream Center so that they know they are going to have a wonderful Christmas,” said Florida Dream Center CEO Steve Cleveland “It lets me know that there’s still that saying ‘it takes a village to raise a kid,’ and it helps out a whole lot,” said Simmons When Jim Millican began working for the Lealman Fire District back in 1988 their station was located in this same building where the non-profit is now He looks forward to donating toys every year we see what the needs are for the community we see where these pockets are at,” said Millican is picking out toys for her five grandchildren they enjoy them and something they never really had but they will enjoy its about the best thing that can ever happen and I appreciate everything and I appreciate the help,” said Kinnell Volunteers are ready help the families make the gifts look like they came straight from the North Pole “You feel like you are in Santa’s workshop,” said Simmons The toys are then safely placed into bags to be delivered at the Florida Dream Center’s Christmas Festival Dec and you get pictures taken with Santa Claus and everybody gets a toy,” said Cleveland For more information go to www.floridadreamcenter.org Raymond H. Neri Park will soon receive a $10.2 million facelift as part of ongoing efforts to transform a historically underserved area into a thriving community in unincorporated Lealman will receive a playground and “challenge course,” multi-purpose playing fields Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved the project funding Tuesday Commissioner Charlie Justice called the much-anticipated project a “big deal” for Lealman The rapidly evolving community is just outside St and its over 20,000 residents lack a “first-class” community park “Local governments – we buy stuff This one took a lot of time and a lot of people and it’s not just a piece of road somewhere.” A site plan for a significantly reimagined Raymond H County officials dedicated what was then Joe’s Creek Greenway Park in 2005 Community outreach for park improvements began in May 2019 at the Lealman Exchange and Justice said that factored into the county’s decision to purchase the building Lealman has historically lacked the government attention, amenities and area median income enjoyed by surrounding cities. However, commissioners have invested significant time and money into revitalizing the community in recent years Justice has helped lead those efforts. He said the park project highlights the commission’s continuous commitment to improving the area and aligns with multiple other Lealman initiatives “It’s all part of the puzzle,” Justice said after the meeting it’s all about how this impacts families.” Justice noted that his parents held family events and birthday parties underneath picnic shelters at the county-owned War Veterans Park in St He now carries on the tradition with his children and says there’s “nothing like that” in Lealman “And I hope families create memories there that will be just as special as the memories I have growing up,” Justice said Neri Park will also feature a new trail that connects to the Lealman Exchange’s public facilities and the Joe’s Creek Greenway A $59.5 million project will restore the expansive watershed and provide an elevated Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has also invested significant resources into Lealman The organization and commissioners recently dedicated several townhomes across the street from the park’s south entrance Justice noted that those families will watch Independence Day fireworks from the park this year “And that really brought it home for me,” he said the generational wealth – you can’t understate any of that,” Justice added “But those special little family moments like that An artist’s illustration of a reimagined Joe’s Creek part of $84 million in projects planned for unincorporated Lealman Two dedicated areas will accommodate large and small breed dogs Justice said officials would continue working with residents to determine playing field configurations and other project details stems from leftover American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provided a $1.5 million grant which the county must match with Penny for Pinellas tax dollars The construction contract with Gibbs & Register is $8.5 million The roughly $1.7 million remaining will cover engineering Justice hopes residents realize county officials are following through on their commitment to transforming the area. He also credited organizations like Habitat and the St. Petersburg Foundation if you would have asked 10 people where Lealman is – the rest of Pinellas County – years ago now people know and realize things are happening — Stephanie Smith can’t wait to start making memories in her new home “I’m looking forward to Christmas,” she said on Wednesday outside her new home on 46th Ave “Can’t wait to put my first Christmas tree in that front window.” but she will get them Thursday from Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties during a ceremony Her home is just one of the 12 that the nonprofit helped on this block in Lealman The Pinellas County community is home to 30,000 people but it’s also been home to problems like crime “The Lealman community has struggled over the years,” said Mike Sutton the president & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties Over the past few years, Pinellas County has tried to revitalize the community by investing in its parks It has also helped increase home ownership in Lealman with the help of Sutton and Habitat for Humanity “By dropping home ownership opportunities in the community like this we’re bringing more stability,” Sutton said with the help of the county and private sponsors his nonprofit has now built nearly 50 homes in Lealman Many of them are built on land donated by the county The most recent batch will provide affordable housing to multiple working professionals in the county “I work at the sheriff’s office in the communications center,” she said Sutton says the work in Lealman isn’t done There’s some other upgrades that need to happen and there’s some pockets of high crime,” he said and the others involved in revitalization are making a difference as people like Smith take ownership of their homes and the community too 2024Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of suicide If you or someone you know is considering suicide Two are dead after a 17-year-old boy shot a 14-year-old girl the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Sunday Hector Pfeiffer was dog-sitting at the home of Derek Pobuta on Grove Park Avenue in Lealman when he invited three friends over around 4 a.m who is not named or identified by age in the news release The teenagers began drinking and consuming cocaine and marijuana Pfeiffer had met the girls through social media Pfeiffer took out a gun that belonged to Pobuta The four began to play around with the weapon A disagreement arose about what deputies called a consensual sexual encounter that Pfeiffer had unnamed girl at the gathering when Pfeiffer approached her and fired Pfeiffer was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead around 10 p.m If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat with someone online at 988lifeline.org. Petersburg is now hosting an open gym program at the Lealman Exchange The gymnasium officially re-opened on December 5 and includes a remodeled basketball court and spectator bleachers Open gym access is a pathway for all community members to improve mental and physical health and increase community connectivity with no financial barriers All open gym opportunities are free for the community The YMCA had previously held open gyms throughout 2019 before a prolonged shutdown beginning in March 2020 Petersburg Foundation began a partnership with Pinellas County in April of 2022 to reenergize the location with new tenants SPF is collaborating with other area nonprofits to transform LEX into a valuable community space where Lealman residents can find useful resources the Lealman Exchange is home to partners Amskills Petersburg Free Clinic.  Partners at LEX bring many resources to the community association Sports Director at the Lealman YMCA says the connection between the Y and SPF has been an excellent synergy “We both understand what the other offers and provides.” He specifically praised the updates to the property and facility: “lighting was a big issue in the courtyard and now they’ve been able to put some solar lights in there so staff and other people can walk through without it being so dark.”  Ventura also noted the Exchange’s connection with the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) team which focuses on urban development in the Lealman area SPF has formed connections between the CRA and the rest of the Collective Impact groups working at the Lealman Exchange these resources will provide the path to long term sustainable growth for the residents of the Lealman community The open gym programs offer exciting opportunities for the Y’s role in providing a gathering place for residents of Lealman Ventura stated that he hopes to start adult sports leagues in volleyball and basketball The stage in the gymnasium is also under plans for renovation which would allow the Y to bring in its dance program Petersburg is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building a stronger and healthier community across southern Pinellas County With a strategic focus on youth development the Y believes everyone should have access to programs and services that help them learn Petersburg Foundation builds capacity at the organizational and community level for social impact and philanthropic resources to help solve our community’s most challengingissues Five ways to give back and get involved in St Local success fuels architectural firm’s Dubai expansion 2024Pinellas County officials and residents of unincorporated Lealman have talked about sprucing up Raymond H Neri Community Park since it was established in 2005 with additions that would give people more to do there those off-and-on discussions are finally set to come to fruition Earlier this month, Pinellas County commissioners approved more than $10 million for new play areas, restrooms, sports fields and a dog park, among other amenities. “It’s always been a diamond that just needs to be polished a little bit more,” said David Lee, a neighborhood organizer. “It’s exciting that we finally have the funding to take it to the next level.” The park — mostly comprised of open fields, walking paths and a stretch of Joe’s Creek — is what Lee called the “crown jewel” of the community, which is nestled between St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park and has struggled for decades with poverty and blight. So great was the institutional neglect that when residents began lobbying in 2000 for undeveloped greenery along the creek to be made into a park, some top county officials didn’t know what or where Lealman was. An old bridge at Raymond H. Neri Community Park in Lealman, crosses over St. Joe's Creek, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]In 2005, the county bought 38 acres of that land and established it as Joe’s Creek Greenway Park. It was later renamed in honor of Ray Neri, the late Lealman leader who spearheaded many of the community’s economic and civic efforts, including the creation of the park. Discussions about adding to the bare-bones park began as soon as it opened. Some residents dreamed of it as part of a chain of parks between St. Petersburg and Seminole. Paul Cozzie, now Pinellas’ Parks and Conservation Resources director, had started with the county in 2004 and recalled early plans for a restroom and baseball field. But talk of enhancements the park sputtered during the Great Recession, then died out in the 2010s. Not long after the park was renamed in 2018, the county asked residents what they wanted to see there and began work on a new plan. Lealman still grapples with its old problems, but developments in the past decade have allowed for some optimism. Much of it is now a Community Redevelopment Area, which means taxes generated there are put back into the community. A community center, the Lealman Exchange, abuts the park and acts as a hub of education, recreation and social services. And Neri Park gives it a way to make a great first impression, Lee said. The park is home to the Lealman Honey and Arts Festival, which had its second installment earlier this year. Lee said he regularly encounters families who live in St. Petersburg but visit Lealman for the park. “It’s something to point to, it’s something to be proud of, and most importantly, it’s something to protect,” Lee said. “That’s the real important thing here.” Pinellas officials are investing a significant amount of time and money into advancing the underserved Lealman Community Redevelopment Area lately – and a key part of those efforts is a $51 million project to transform Joe’s Creek and its banks into a thriving centerpiece The sprawling Joe’s Creek Watershed encompasses a 9,256-acre area that extends from Lealman to St the county received a $17.1 million grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to aid in a transformative reimagining of the creek During Tuesday’s county commission meeting the board unanimously approved a $25 million grant request to the Department of Transportation under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the expansive restoration project County Administrator Barry Burton told commissioners the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program is a competitive application process would combine with several other funding sources In addition to the aforementioned $17.1 million Community Development Block Grant the county also received $3.1 million from the American Recovery Plan Act and $360,000 from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for Joe’s Creek The grants would reduce the Penny for Pinellas funding needed for the project’s completion to $5.4 million “This is a pretty big deal for the goals there,” said Commission Chair Charlie Justice before the board voted The goals include turning what Kelli Hammer Levy, director of public works, called an eyesore and flood risk into an amenity for Lealman, which sits about six miles northeast of downtown St. Petersburg. Following February’s grant Levy told the Catalyst that Pinellas officials brought representatives from the DEO into the Community Redevelopment Area to illustrate what the county hopes to accomplish She said there are several flood-prone areas in the community and the ability to drastically reduce those risks was a major selling point for the state Levy called Joe’s Creek a potential centerpiece for Lealman it doesn’t look like anything special,” she said the county has big plans for the watershed specifically the main channel that runs through Lealman The project includes restoring Joe’s Creek to its more natural state to improve environmental resiliency and providing green infrastructure to enhance water quality and wildlife habitat The county also plans to create a multimodal trail along its banks to increase connectivity and offer recreational and economic development opportunities “This really is a catalytic project that has both tremendous environmental and economic benefits,” said Chris Moore Moore explained the multimodal trail would improve pedestrian safety and unlock the area’s economic potential He said the Pinellas Trail “essentially transformed” Dunedin and noted city leaders effectively built a local economy around the converted railway He believes the same opportunity exists in Lealman Moore said the Joe’s Creek project would connect to the countywide Pinellas Trail network and Raymond H. Neri Park. He added that the county adopted a $5 million master plan for the park – also in Lealman – and expects construction to begin in January of 2023. The greenway would also connect to the Lealman Exchange other public transit opportunities,” he said this would be a linear park that would run through the community – and Lealman is fortunate to have really strong environmental assets … Between the combined synergies of environmental Moore said it is easy to see why the state already awarded Pinellas $17 million for the project Now the county is asking the federal government for another $25 million and he said officials are confident in the application’s strength He added that Joe’s Creek running through a low-income underserved community only adds to the value its restoration provides this money would go a lot further to ensure that it’ll be built in the near term.” Transforming Joe’s Creek into a connective natural centerpiece would provide yet another boost for an area that has recently made headlines for major business projects I hope they can build a nice playground area for families but it seems some shade is needed for protection from heat and sun A local nonprofit will continue operating from one of the area’s most underserved communities after Pinellas County officials agreed to relinquish the building it leases in a $1.2 million sale The Florida Dream Center’s St. Petersburg address belies its headquarters at a former Lealman fire station. The unincorporated area just outside the city limits is home to over 20,000 people – and many lack access to transportation No county commissioners questioned the organization’s impact at their Nov a previously discussed plan to provide the Dream Center with a permanent home sparked debate “I understand and recognize all of the great things you guys do in Lealman,” said Commissioner Brian Scott “I just have some concerns with donating property and structures to not-for-profits Commissioner Dave Eggers also expressed hesitation to “donate” land valued at $1.2 million and earmarked for affordable housing initiatives county officials used Penny for Pinellas land acquisition funding to acquire the property at 4017 56th Ave for $640,000 from the Housing Finance Authority the Dream Center began leasing the building and addressing the surrounding community’s extensive unmet needs became emotional at the thought of the organization leaving Lealman the Dream Center has provided nearly a million meals provided over 3,500 people with “self-sufficiency” assistance $and graduated 68 work readiness program participants – since Jan “Many of these students are low-risk inmates who want to succeed when they are getting out of jail,” Simkanich said there would be a large population left that would go hungry go without lights and may not be able to keep their homes.” An overhead view of the Dream Center’s facility at 4017 56th Ave However, the two-story building needs significant repairs, and county officials are using the surrounding land for an affordable housing development said some of those residents will likely need the organization’s services Cleveland told commissioners he spent the past year and a half scouring the area for a new headquarters “And nothing we could find within the price range that we were going to be able to afford,” Cleveland added Eggers and Scott remained steadfast that while they appreciated the Dream Center’s work they would prefer that the county retain ownership of its building Commissioner Charlie Justice called the debate “troubling.” Commissioners approved allocating $1.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Dream Center in June Justice explained that the organization would spend $600,000 renovating the aging building – alleviating the county’s need to complete “some serious upgrades” – and $1.2 million to buy the facility Scott suggested that the organization could complete renovations and continue leasing the facility while commissioners dedicate the remaining $1.2 million to other ARPA projects “Then the county could still retain ownership of that building,” he said Justice noted that the $1.2 million in federal funding would return to the county’s land acquisition fund once the organization purchased the property That would essentially double the commissioners’ previous investment Justice stressed that county officials would reacquire the building at no cost if the Dream Center closes or stops providing critical services this is a win-win-win type of thing …,” he added “It’s a nonprofit in the middle of a neighborhood but it’s a neighborhood that needs the services they provide,” Justice said “We want them serving Lealman because that’s what they do Commissioners voted 6-2 to sell the property to the Dream Center the free services that the Florida Dream Center provides to the residents every day far out weighs the money that they would get from taxes They save the residents thousands every year and help them get necessary paperwork to survive and get their lives in order For a change the city leaders have done the right thing by selling the building to The Florida Dream Center so many properties are being used to build more buildings without taking care of the infrastructure of the community Enter the details of the person you want to share this article with.