Vinoy resort will ask St. Petersburg voters to approve new parking garage (with tennis courts on top)

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/vinoy-resort-will-ask-st-petersburg-voters-to-approve-new-parking-garage/2327998

Vinoy resort will ask St. Petersburg voters to approve new parking garage (with tennis courts on top)

"There's only benefits to this for the city" said Debra Feldman, vice president of capital transactions at FelCor Lodging Trust, the owner of the resort. "It doesn't change the geographic footprint of the hotel.

"We're not asking for any tax dollars and it'll keep parking off the streets and open up some new options." [ . . . ]

The Vinoy acquired the land that the tennis courts currently sit on in a swap with the city in 1984. The resort traded some of its waterfront property to the city in exchange for a parcel of land behind the hotel. The land the city got from the resort is now part of Vinoy Park.

FelCor Lodging Trust said it is funding the entire project, which includes renovating the spa, fitness center, golf course clubhouse and public restaurant facilities.

This isn't the first time the Vinoy has needed voters' approval for a project. Because the hotel is part of historic downtown St. Petersburg, parts of its property are subject to deed restrictions and needs approval from city residents for construction.

In 1997, 69 percent of voters approved allowing the Vinoy to build an $8.5 million convention center, which included a ballroom, meeting and parking. In 2007, 52 percent of voters approved construction of a two-story, 17,000 square-foot health club on the property northeast of the hotel.

But past referendums have been complicated affairs in St. Petersburg.

In 2008 the Tampa Bay Rays shelved plans to hold a referendum on the team's plans to build a $450 million waterfront stadium on top of city-owned Al Lang Stadium. There was so much opposition that team officials decided to not even put it on the ballot.

Then in 2015, the $50 million Lens project was rejected by 63 percent of voters who opposed the replacement for the old St. Petersburg Pier.

But those referendums involved tax dollars. The most recent referendum to pass did not: In May, 87 percent of city voters overwhelmingly approved allowing the city to negotiate a 25-year lease with Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards to upgrade Al Lang in a bid to attract a Major League Soccer expansion team. No city money would be used to renovate the stadium, and nothing would be negotiated until MLS actually awards St. Petersburg a team.

The Rowdies paid $271,000 to hold the May 2 referendum, which attracted 28,403 voters. Vinoy officials said their referendum will cost $75,000 to $100,000.

Local leaders from the City Council and Mayor Rick Kriseman's office have been receptive to the plans for the project, Feldman said. Next the resort will conduct a campaign to educate voters and stakeholders such as local businesses before the Nov. 7 vote.

"We think we'll be successful," Feldman said.

A City Council committee is also scheduled Thursday to discuss another Nov. 7 referendum. This one would ask votes to approve giving the St. Petersburg Baseball Commission a 10-year lease for Walter Fuller Baseball Park with the option of a 10-year renewal.

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/the-vinoy-renaissance-st-petersburg-resort--golf-club-to-undergo/2303253

The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club to undergo renovations in January

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http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/06/21/major-project-at-the-vinoy-will-require-st-pete.html

Major project at the Vinoy will require St. Pete voter approval

A portion of the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club's $50 million renovation plan will need voter approval before construction can begin. [ . . . ]

If approved, the garage would be built immediately behind the hotel where eight existing tennis courts are located. A 1984 city charter requires construction on historic locations in downtown St. Pete to receive voter approval. A similar rule forced the Tampa Bay Rowdies to put its renovation plans on downtown waterfront land before voters, which was successful earlier this year.

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http://thegabber.com/skyway-marina-district-launches-multi-use-project/

Skyway Marina District Launches Multi-Use Project

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http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/st-petersburg-florida-hidden-architectural-hideaways

This Sleepy Florida Beach Town Is Home to the Most Amazing Architectural Hideaways

St. Petersburg may have been born in the Gatsby era, but its Mediterranean Revival styles withstand the test of time

While many believe Palm Beach, Florida—with its grand Addison Mizner mansions and Spanish Colonial–style clubs—is the only destination for design lovers in the Sunshine State, there’s another beachside town that holds the key to secret architectural sanctuaries. Most of St. Petersburg, which is located in northwestern Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, was built during the 1920s by local developer Perry Snell. Snell placed his personal stamp on the city by constructing Mediterranean Revival homes and public spaces that feature stucco walls, lush gardens, and red-tiled roofs. The developer’s penchant for Spanish stylings influenced other architects’ visions around the charming beach community, and, together, they created a cluster of design gems that dot the oceanfront. Read on as AD uncovers the city’s hidden treasures.

The Don Cesar

Often referred to as the “pink palace,” the Don Cesar is something of an icon on the Gulf Coast. When it was first built in 1928, by architect Henry H. Dupont, the hotel acted as a playground for the elite, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Clarence Darrow, who would roam the baroque hallways and dance on the marble floor of the King Charles Ballroom. During the 1940s, the hotel was converted into a hospital for airmen returning from their World War II tour. Fast-forward three decades and the beloved pink lady has retained its lavish roots, while reopening as a luxury hotel with the same Moorish flair, including horseshoe arches, decorative tiles, and beautiful courtyards. 3400 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, FL.

Salvador Dali Museum

If you’re not captivated by the 2,100 works of artist Salvador Dali, then you will definitely be blown away by the building’s perplexing shape. The museum, which was redesigned in 2011 by architect Yann Weymouth of HOK, features a whimsical geodesic glass bubble, also known as the “enigma.” The bubblelike structure is constructed from 1,062 pieces of glass and pays homage to the dome at the Dali museum in Spain. Inside, guests are greeted with a helical staircase that reflects Dali’s obsession with the shape of DNA molecules. 1 Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL.

The Post Office

Built in 1916, the town’s post office was the nation’s first open-air concept. Throughout the downtown landmark, you will find the original intricate metalwork on the arches and staircases, as well as carved stone details that provide a glimpse into the heart of the Mediterranean Revival era. 400 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.

Princess Martha

This redbrick building is the city’s prime example of 1920s Neoclassical architecture. The former hotel first opened its doors during the Florida land boom era to accommodate the burgeoning number of tourists, adding hundreds of suites to the area. During that time, notable guests like Jimmy Carter and Babe Ruth stayed in the Rocco-designed rooms with sculpted windows and decorated gold columns. 411 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.

Admiral Farragut Academy

Previously known as the Jungle Country Club Hotel, the Academy catered to wealthy Northerners during their summer vacations back in the Jazz Age. In 1945, the textured stucco structure was sold to Admiral Farragut Academy, which uses the building's two wings as part of its military campus. Today, the main entrance is still easily recognized by its two-story sopraporta, capped by four urns. 501 Park Street North, St. Petersburg, FL.

Boyce Guest House

Located in the North Shore area, one of St. Petersburg’s oldest neighborhoods, this landmarked home retains its original charm with six bedrooms and seven baths spread across three stories. In a break from the city’s Spanish influences, the cozy residence is a mix between Prairie and Craftsmen architectural styles, with decorations kept to a minimum. If you happen to be in the market for a new home, the former carriage house is currently available for $1.59 million. 635 Bay Street North East, St. Petersburg, FL.

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http://www.espnfc.com/story/3146417/zlatan-ibrahimovic-attracting-interest-from-serie-a-and-mls-mino-raiola

Zlatan Ibrahimovic attracting interest from Serie A and MLS - Mino Raiola

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3146697/how-supporters-groups-view-some-of-mls-rivalry-weeks-biggest-matchups

How supporters' groups view some of MLS Rivalry Week's biggest matchups

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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2017/6/21/15845760/hershey-fc-picks-up-first-two-wins-over-west-chester-united-and-buxmont-torch

Hershey FC picks up first two wins over West Chester United and Buxmont Torch

Winless in their first five matches, Hershey won back-to-back matches in NPSL action last week

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http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/06/21/d-c-united-lands-120m-from-two-banksto-cover-some.html

D.C. United lands $120M from two banks to cover some of its stadium costs

The Major League Soccer club goes to Wall Street and a Greater Washington bank for a healthy chunk of its anticipated $150 million share of the $300 million Audi Field.

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http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/america-at-large-miami-not-so-keen-on-beckham-united-1.3128118

America at Large: Miami not so keen on Beckham United

Former Manchester United player’s proposed franchise has faced numerous problems

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http://www.reuters.com/article/us-diageo-m-a-casamigos-idUSKBN19C296

Diageo to buy George Clooney's tequila brand Casamigos for up to $1 billion

Diageo, which has arrangements with other celebrities including David Beckham and Sean Combs, said Casamigos will be neutral to earnings for the first three years and add to earnings thereafter.

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http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170621/are-big-name-international-stars-ready-for-galaxy-or-lafc

Are big-name international stars ready for Galaxy or LAFC?

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/06/another-end-fort-lauderdale-strikers.html

Another end for the Strikers

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 21, 2017) US Soccer Players - The original version of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers might not have been as famous as the Cosmos or the Rowdies. That doesn’t mean they didn’t make a mark during the heyday of the original North American Soccer League. In the late-70s and early-80s, the Strikers were not only the club of famed English goalkeeper Gordon Banks, German great Gerd Mueller, and a host of other European stars. Their captain was American soccer institution Ray Hudson. During his playing days in Fort Lauderdale, Hudson led the Strikers to the playoffs in every season of their existence.

The name resonated in South Florida. When the original Miami FC moved north to Fort Lauderdale and Lockhart Stadium following the 2010 USL season, the club decided to resurrect the Strikers name. Like similar NASL brand revivals across American soccer in the first decade the 21st century, trading on the former existence of an NASL gave new soccer clubs a bit of a head start. For an older generation, nostalgia pulled them to the team. For those too young to remember NASL 1.0, there was no stigma from that league’s failure.

The modern Fort Lauderdale Strikers (actually the third incarnation of the name, if we’re being technical--a second Strikers team played in the ASL and APSL from 1988-94) had a rocky existence. “Had” is appropriate. As of Tuesday morning at 10am Eastern Time, any chance that the latest version of the Strikers might return to the field in the modern version of the NASL died. The club's assets went for a paltry $5,100 at auction.

That’s how much Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards paid for the Strikers’ naming rights, trademarks, customer and vendor lists, and any remaining contracts held by the team. Edwards, who had recently won a summary judgement against the Strikers in a lawsuit over several loans Edwards issued the Strikers’ ownership, was the club’s largest creditor and cannot, by virtue of the ruling, revive the club in NASL. The Strikers’ membership interest in that league was specifically excluded from the assets available in the public auction.

Not that Edwards would want to have anything to do with NASL at this point. After floating loans to the Strikers to keep that team - and by extension, the NASL itself - alive in 2016, he moves his team to for the USL this season. Edwards clearly saw his interests better served by a league with a connection to MLS and his expansion push in Tampa Bay. A man who had once been one of the leading figures of the new NASL’s independent spirit came to the realization that the lower divisions of American soccer are chaotic, unsteady, and potentially ruinous.