Demolition begins at Seminole Mall

SEMINOLE

Mall razes former theater; won't get county tax money

City officials and developers still have not reached an agreement about the redevelopment of Seminole Mall.

However, the first phase of the reconstruction is scheduled to begin April 6 with the demolition of the former movie theater on the northeast section of the property. In preparation of the demolition and in the interest of public safety, the city this week is closing a portion of 80th Avenue N and Liberty Lane to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Traffic will be rerouted through the mall parking lot. The roads are expected to remain closed for 30 days.

In a related item, Pinellas County Administrator Mark Woodard on Monday turned down a request from developers Primerica Group One to contribute tax money to the redevelopment of the mall.

In an email to Primerica president Richard Trzcinski, the administrator wrote, "Retail projects are not typically considered part of the county's economic development efforts. These projects only tend to serve customers who live within five miles or less of the mall. Therefore no new money is drawn into the local economy from outside."

Woodard also pointed out that retail jobs tend to have low wages and the county wants to encourage the creation of high-wage jobs "in order to maximize the return on investment to the taxpayers of Pinellas County."

ST. PETERSBURG

Mastry's now an octogenarian

Mastry's Bar is celebrating its 80th birthday this week. Originally called the Pink Elephant, the hometown haunt at 233 Central Ave. is thought to be the city's oldest downtown bar. It was one of Babe Ruth's favorite spots. Photos of him hang on the walls.

Continued here:
Demolition begins at Seminole Mall