Latest news with #KenWelch
Axios
17-06-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Tampa Bay upgrades hurricane defenses after deadly season
After a century of minor hurricane impacts on Tampa Bay, last year's punishing storm season was both a wake-up call and a learning experience. Why it matters: In the months since, local government leaders have been analyzing and adjusting their approaches to preparing for, weathering and recovering from hurricanes. Here's what they told Axios about lessons learned. Infrastructure Zoom in: Helene and Miltion overwhelmed Tampa Bay's drainage systems. Local officials tell Axios they've been working to get ahead of the next storm: adding pumps, installing flood mitigation devices and clearing pipes. Hillsborough County cleaned 57 miles of pipes, upgraded its equipment, as well as completed inspections and maintenance at all lift stations, which pump sewage from homes into the county's system. Officials also set up agreements with the state to fast-track emergency requests for additional equipment and installed diesel-powered pumps at "critical" lift stations to keep sewage moving during power outages. Tampa is also upgrading dozens of its lift stations to better withstand extreme weather, including installing more backup generators. In St. Petersburg, where some residents couldn't use the bathroom during Helene and Milton due to two vulnerable sewage plants, Mayor Ken Welch moved to accelerate more than $700 million in infrastructure improvements through the St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) plan. "We're working based on science, based on projections, but those projections unfortunately show that the climate change impact is more on the extreme level than we'd hoped," Welch told Axios. "So we adjusted our plans." Several projects, including flood-proofing sewer plants, are already in the works. Yes, but: The question remains how to fund the expedited plan, Welch said. Officials are considering taking on debt and paying it back via revenue from an additional property tax. Such a plan would have to be approved by residents through a referendum. Evacuations and sheltering Just 1,700 Pinellas residents flocked to shelters during Helene. For some, staying home had fatal consequences. A dozen residents died, most from drowning. County officials are working with Capacity Path, a disaster relief agency specializing in mental health care, on ways to persuade reluctant residents to evacuate, emergency management director Cathie Perkins told Axios. The county is also continuing partnerships with the state Department of Elder Affairs and Evara Health to better accommodate special-needs residents in shelters and help them find housing after they get out. Officials are looking for more of what Perkins called "step-down" shelters for residents who can't immediately return to their homes. Plus: Hillsborough launched electronic registration to track available space at its shelters. Officials have also improved coordination with the school district. Communication In one of the most harrowing storm impacts of last year, a construction crane toppled by Milton's high winds slammed into a downtown St. Pete office building. Lawmakers barred local governments from regulating cranes more than a decade ago, so St. Pete officials are creating an interactive map that shows residents how close they live to potentially dangerous cranes and will send alerts ahead of storms, Welch said. Legislation that requires construction companies to secure cranes no later than 24 hours before a storm is awaiting the governor's signature. Boaters are another group that needs more targeted communication, Perkins said. Tons of unsecured boats washed up after Helene, and some residents are turning to boats for affordable housing. Pinellas is partnering with the National Boater Safety Council to make a video explaining how to secure your boat ahead of a storm, Perkins said. Plus: Pinellas this year held its first Spanish-language hurricane expo, while Hillsborough added Spanish translations to signs in shelters. Recovery The Helene-Milton double whammy produced a historic amount of debris. Officials are lining up contracts with debris haulers and trimming or removing trees ahead of this year's potential storms. St. Pete is also on the hunt for places to put debris because the three sites used last year are no longer available, said Welch, who added that last year's debris cleanup was "one of the great successes." He warned that the city may have to turn to parks if no other land is available.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Tampa Bay Connections' aimed at combating loneliness
The Brief The Tampa Bay Connections campaign is getting support from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector. It's led by Tampa Bay Thrives, a coalition that works to improve mental health. The campaign is aimed at reducing loneliness, something organizers call a "growing public health crisis." TAMPA, Fla. - Three Tampa Bay area mayors are coming together in support of a new initiative aimed at reducing loneliness – something organizers call a "growing public health crisis." Big picture view The Tampa Bay Connections campaign is led by Tampa Bay Thrives, a coalition that works to improve mental health and community unity throughout the region. It aims to map existing resources to help connect people in different work settings and demographics through experiences like volunteering. The initiative will also advocate for increased funding for mental health programs across the Bay Area. Is your therapist AI? ChatGPT goes viral on social media for its role as Gen Z's new therapist By the numbers A recent study by Mental Health America took a deeper dive into the issue of loneliness, finding that nearly one in five adults feel lonely every day. Researchers say the consequences of frequent isolation are as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. The study also focused on individual states, reporting that nearly 3 million adults in Florida have a mental illness – and more than half are not receiving treatment due to factors like cost and lack of access. READ: Brandon family turns tragedy into purpose during Mental Health Awareness Month What they're saying "I think we're more aware of mental illness now, but we still have a long way to go. We need to still have, you now, a lot more in terms of just screening for mental illnesses and the medical offices. We need have more availability to mental health facilities and counselors, psychiatrists. You know it's a very big burden," Kimberly Channels, physician's assistant at Optum WellMed in New Tampa, said. What's next Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector plan to discuss their support of Tampa Bay Connections at a 2 p.m. event on Wednesday. Beyond Wednesday's event, an advisory committee will be formed by representatives from each of the three cities, serving as the community voices for mental health needs in their areas. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Pete unveils $159.8M 'Sunrise' plan for hurricane recovery and resilience
The Brief The City of St. Pete announced a comprehensive plan to use the $159.8 million grant received from HUD to recover from the impacts of Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. St. Petersburg is one of only two cities in Florida to receive this significant grant, underscoring the importance of the funds in addressing the city's needs. The city is inviting public input on the plan, with a 30-day comment period now open. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As the hurricane season approaches, St. Petersburg is taking proactive steps to bolster its resilience against future storms. The city has announced a comprehensive plan to utilize the $159.8 million grant received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to recover from the impacts of Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. This funding, separate from FEMA assistance, is part of the city's ambitious "Sunrise St. Pete" initiative. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What they're saying St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch previously expressed enthusiasm about the substantial federal support, highlighting the successful partnership with HUD. "I'm excited it's a large amount of money; it shows our federal partnerships are working," Welch stated. St. Petersburg is one of only two cities in Florida to receive this significant grant, underscoring the importance of the funds in addressing the city's needs. READ: Hurricane Season 2025: What to know about Evacuation Zones By the numbers The newly released 140-page report outlines the city's strategic allocation of the funds. A significant portion, 66%, is earmarked for addressing the critical shortage of rental and affordable housing. This focus aims to alleviate the housing sector's estimated $1.5 billion in damage. Dig deeper The plan includes four key programs: Residential recovery and home elevation, voluntary buyouts in flood-prone areas, the addition of affordable housing and a home buyer assistance program. In addition to housing, 16% of the funds will be directed towards infrastructure mitigation efforts to prevent future flooding, while 12% will support public services and non-profits providing essential community services. Local perspective Residents like Tammy Marshall have faced challenges in finding programs to aid in rebuilding efforts. MORE: Manatee County allocates additional $7.5 million to drainage, ditch clearing "So that's where it feels so frustrating, where it is a person turned," Marshall shared, highlighting the need for accessible recovery resources. What's next The city is inviting public input on the plan, with a 30-day comment period now open. Community members can provide feedback before the official plan is submitted to HUD in July. Public hearings are scheduled for June 3, virtually, and June 12 at City Council. Written comments can also be submitted online. St. Petersburg's commitment to building a resilient community is evident in its strategic use of federal funds, aiming to not only recover from past hurricanes but also prepare for future challenges. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Petersburg's resilience and growth: A look at the city's economic future
The Brief Despite facing significant challenges, St. Petersburg's economy is strong. The city is experiencing growth with new jobs, businesses and investments in neighborhood development. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch recently delivered a State of the City's Economic outlook, highlighting the city's progress and future plans. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite facing significant challenges, including two hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Rays withdrawing from a new ballpark plan, St. Petersburg's economy is strong. The city is experiencing growth with new jobs, businesses and investments in neighborhood development. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch recently delivered a State of the City's Economic outlook, highlighting the city's progress and future plans. READ: Three St. Pete students heading to Japan for city's summer exchange program Local perspective St. Petersburg has emerged as one of the most desirable places to live. Since 2020, more than 8,000 people have moved to St. Petersburg, contributing to the demand for downtown living, as evidenced by the construction cranes dotting the skyline. The influx of new residents has spurred business growth, with companies like Foot Locker moving their headquarters to St. Petersburg, even as others like HSN and QVC have left. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What they're saying "They love what we're doing with innovation, tech, you name it. So yeah, that word is getting out, and it's part of why we're getting folks coming down here with higher incomes. It skews the housing market. Therefore, we have to put more into a truly affordable housing," said Welch. While the mayor remains tight-lipped about other companies considering relocation to St. Petersburg, he acknowledged significant interest. "I'll just say there's a lot of interest. We met with a well-known group of folks this week, so it's continuing," said Mayor Welch. Dig deeper The city's popularity brings challenges, including concerns over gentrification, overpriced rents for business spaces, housing affordability, and infrastructure demands. MORE: Corey Avenue businesses celebrate reopening after withstanding back-to-back hurricanes "The density is happening where it needs to happen adjacent to transportation, so the jobs, housing, transportation triad is working together, and it leaves your more traditional neighborhoods, Lakewood, Kenwood, relatively unaffected," said Welch. The devastation and disruptions caused by future hurricanes threatens that progress. Job growth dropped off some after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That's why the city plans to invest half a billion dollars in resilience projects over the next five years. With the Rays pulling out of the stadium development deal, Mayor Welch sees an opportunity for St. Petersburg to forge its own economic path. The city remains committed to providing the Rays a home through 2028, with ongoing repairs and potential developments in the future, he said. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hospital's infrastructure 'among worst in NHS'
A south-west London hospital's crumbling infrastructure is "among the worst" in the NHS, according to its former estates ceilings, broken lifts and sinking floors have become normal sights at St Helier Hospital, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. In January, the Sutton site's redevelopment was pushed back to the 2030s following a government review of the New Hospitals Dean, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, called on the prime minister to take immediate action, and said there was a "very real fear that some of the buildings on the existing estate are at risk of catastrophic failure before the decade is out". A spokesperson from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said that they had spent £60m on repairs in the past five years. 'Run down and tired' Ken Welch, the hospital's former director of facilities, estates and supplies, said: "I've seen a lot in 30 years working in the NHS, but the condition of the buildings at St Helier is among the worst."I'm seriously concerned about the risk of fire, particularly with the growing use of corridor care. But most of all, I'm worried about the safety of the patients."In January the Labour government announced it would postpone plans for a new Specialist Emergency Care Unit next to St Helier Hospital until 2019 then-prime minister Boris Johnson pledged to provide £500m for a new hospital in Sutton under the nationwide New Hospitals cost has now risen to between £1.5bn and £2bn. Kate, a local mother, described the hospital as "run down and tired"."The care received from individuals at St Helier Hospital can't be faulted, but the system is failing them," she said. "The hospital is not equipped with adequate facilities or staff to cope with demand. The doctors and nurses cannot provide the care they obviously want to give."We had to take my son to St Helier Hospital at two days old due to a lack of midwives to carry out home visits."The lift was out of action, so we had to climb the stairs... in any other setting, this building would not be fit for purpose."During Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Dean called for action so that the hospital "can survive".He asked: "Can the government reassure me that they will work with the local trust on the plan to maintain and adapt the existing estate to ensure that St Helier can survive all the way through the major works completed?"Sir Keir Starmer promised Mr Dean a meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss the issue. A spokesperson from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We continue investing in our estate to provide safe care."We apologise to any patients who have not received the level of care they expected or have experienced long waits – our teams continue to do the best they can under huge pressure."
