ST. PETERSBURG
recycling bins start popping up in city
The city started delivering the big blue recycling carts this week.
The Pinellas Point neighborhood started to receive the 95-gallon carts this week. All city residents should have carts by June 30.
Universal curbside recycling will begin in July. The monthly $2.95 charge— applied whether or not a household recycles— will appear on bills in August.
Each cart has a decal that corresponds to the collection zone and a kit inside the cart contains information on the program that includes the pickup day.
The program will begin with every-other-week collection.
Information is available at stpete.org/recycle or (727) 893-7838.
LARGO
Fire fee a possibility
Commissioners here authorized city attorneys to come up with proposal for establishing a fee as a way to pay for fire service.
The fee could take the place of all, or just a part, of the property tax that now goes to pay for fire coverage provided by the Largo Fire Department. (Emergency medical services are paid by a countywide property tax that would not be affected.) The idea behind the fire fee is to free up tax money that could be spent for other items.
ST. PETERSBURG
A Goodwill facelift
The Goodwill retail store at 10596 Gandy Blvd. is getting a makeover and addition. The renovations should be completed in July. The store will remain open with a temporary entrance at the west side of the building for about two weeks.
A 3,000-square-foot addition will give the store 20,000 square feet. A covered drive-through will make it easier to drop off donations. Other upgrades include new check-out lanes and displays, additional fitting rooms and a more open floor plan.
Times staff writers Charlie Frago, Anne Lindberg and Katherine Snow Smith contributed to this report.