While the Pelican Pub and Detroit Liquors have reopened, all has been quiet on the Jannus Landing front for a few weeks now.

But today, the historic venue's new owners came out with a huge announcement: Jannus Landing is being renamed "Jannus Live."

The ownership group behind Jannus, Knight Global Entertainment (a partnership between local businessmen Jeff Knight and Bill Edwards) released a list of improvements to the venue, including:

• A new stage framed by a wrought-iron rig that will hold new P.A. and lighting systems

• A bigger covering replacing the old "circus tent" awning above the stage, plus new walls and a resurfaced coutyard floor

• Real restrooms -- 27 stalls for women, and stalls and urinals for men, all indoors and air-conditioned

• A new patio bar, eight VIP suites lining the courtyard's balcony level (with wood floors, a bar top, mini-fridge and flat-screen TV), and a floor-level VIP section with "a Plexiglass-covered Koi pond that people can stand (or dance) on."

The Jannus Live Web site is pretty bare-bones right now, but they promise more updates to come. Absent from both the Web site and Tuesday's press release is any mention of a reopening date, but Eric Snider, the former Creative Loafing and St. Pete Times music writer who is now working with Knight Global in a PR/marketing role, said that should come very soon.

"We're looking at a concert announcement in the next few days," Snider said. The show (or shows), which are not finalized, are tentatively scheduled for late March -- which happens to be around the same time as the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Snider also said the Tamiami Bar has been gutted in preparation for a posh new sushi club/restaurant, Pure Sake, but there's no timetable yet on when that project will open.

Get Tuesday's full Jannus Live announcement after the jump.

From the press release:

JANNUS LANDING MAKEOVER FULL STEAM AHEAD

Historic concert courtyard set to reopen this spring with new name: Jannus Live

ST. PETERSBURG — Architects, designers and construction crews are working at a fever pitch, transforming Jannus Landing into Jannus Live, a much-improved version of the much-loved live music venue in downtown St. Petersburg. The ambitious project has been undertaken by the venue’s new owners, Knight Global Entertainment, a partnership between Bay area businessmen Jeff Knight and Bill Edwards.

Concertgoers can expect the same overall vibe that endeared Jannus Landing to the scene since the mid 1980s, but will also enjoy vastly improved sound, lighting, amenities and bar service. Here are some highlights:

•

 A new stage is being built, which will be framed by a wrought-iron rig that will hold the new P.A. and lighting system, both state of the art.

•

 The old "circus tent," with its poles that obstructed views, is being replaced by a larger covering that allows for greatly improved sightlines.

•

 Actual restrooms are being built: 27 stalls for women, a full complement of stalls and urinals for men, both of which are indoors and air-conditioned.

•

 A new patio bar is being built in the courtyard’s southwest corner. It will be augmented by several mobile bar stations, providing easy access to patrons throughout the venue.

•

 Eight VIP Suites will ring the venue’s balcony level, outfitted with funky furniture, wood floors, a bar top, mini-fridge and flat-screen TV. Suites will be available for single-show or multi-show rentals. VIPs will have access to a common lounge with a full bar and food (offered as part of the Suite price).

•

 A floor-level VIP section will feature a Plexiglas-covered Koi pond that people can stand (or dance) on.

•

 The walls are being re-stucco’d and repainted, with a vibrant new color scheme.

•

 The courtyard floor has been smoothed out and will be resurfaced.

Given all the upgrades, Knight Global Entertainment decided a new name was appropriate, one that recognizes and respects the history of the venue, while signaling to concertgoers that it’s a new era. Ownership looks forward to Jannus Live reclaiming its place as one of the busiest and highly regarded concert venues in Florida.

-- Jay Cridlin, tbt*. Photo: Edmund D. Fountain, tbt*