ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After 10 years, St. Petersburg's Flamingo Resort is closing. Leaving dozens of employees without a job and a void in our local LGBTQ community.
"It's going to be missed for sure," said general manager Jon Jusino.
Jusino has been with the resort for nearly eight years, working his way up from a bartender. For him, this closure is devastating.
"This was a safe haven for so many in our community," said Jusino.
The plan is to turn the hotel's 34th Street South property into a brand new 245 unit apartment complex.
A construction crew is already working on another apartment complex up the street, at the old K- Mart property. That will be named "Addison at Skyway Marina." It's supposed to be finished sometime next year.
Losing the Flamingo is hard for Jusino and hundreds of their guests, but he understands the need for more housing.
"I think it's amazing," he said. "Redevelop this into something that can be great and amazing for the community itself."
Plus, the owners of the Flamingo say this is not "goodbye," instead it's "see you later." They are currently looking for a new location for the Flamingo.
The plan is to find a place in St. Petersburg or close to one of the Pinellas County beaches.
"I'm hopeful," Jusino said. "I hate to lose something like this for our community."
Jusino said the owners have 60 days to find a new location.
"Our community deserves this."
The Flamingo will officially close it's doors at midnight Monday morning.
