HONNA President Works to Promote, Preserve, and Protect
Probably one of the first things you see when you venture off 4th Street to the east, in the area just south of 30th Avenue, are the massive oaks creating many canopied streets along the way to downtown St. Petersburg, the Vinoy, the Pier, and the many fabulous local parks. Whatever their destination, visitors take notice. The variety and interest of the architecture – some of it over 100 years old – is also sure to catch the eye, from bungalows with shady front porches to large affairs with grand columns, iron railings, and balconies. The lawns vary from native plants, grass, and anthills to immaculate green masterpieces with fountains, statues, and flowers to match the house. There is, after all, something for everyone in the eclectic Old Northeast.
The Old Northeast neighborhood is a jewel to those who love her. This is the story of HONNA, the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association, a not-for-profit consisting of an elected board of directors supported by member volunteers. They are tasked with continually improving the community for all stakeholders, including residents and homeowners, visitors, businesses, the city of St. Petersburg, and even the state of Florida. HONNA does important work.
The organization itself has been around since roughly 1974, and recently welcomed a new board president with a driving desire to help, and the experience to implement ambitious plans.
Nick Bell came to the Old Northeast in 2019 after visiting, with an idea that he might retire nearby and ended up “falling in love with the place.” Spoiler alert: this is a common sentiment around here. Nick is a retired marketing executive with an extensive professional background in producing “ROI-based marketing programs, media relations, and brand strategies,” according to his profile on LinkedIn, with his practice largely focused on serving tech customers. By all appearances, he’s a sharp guy, and the kind who grows where planted – an intentional pun as Nick is an avid gardener.
Nick lives with his partner Devin in the 1929 Colonial Revival home they renovated together, their fourth project in as many cities where Nick also served as a homeowners’ association member and volunteer. He joined the Board of Directors at HONNA in 2022 and became president in 2023. His immediate plans required that he build a team of volunteers based on what he saw as the needs of the organization. Using his professional team-building experience, Nick explains he “recruited for the skillsets we needed, and consciously built cohesion among the board.” Clear evidence of this effective management tool, the HONNA website has lately been transformed to a beautiful, functional representation of the neighborhood association. While it may not seem like much, creating a vital communication tool to attract, engage, and retain association members and volunteers helps drive success. The site also highlights HONNA’s long-standing mission to “promote, preserve, and protect the quality of life in our unique corner of the world.”
With Nick’s guidance, the HONNA team took the pragmatic approach of conducting a neighborhood survey prior to a brainstorming session over the results. This identified some of the more universal concerns of the community, and probably some differences in opinion as well. Nick feels that improving the community not only improves the lives of its residents, it also helps support property values: “A rising tide lifts all boats,” he says with a grin.
One of the most popular features of the Old Northeast, the tree canopy, is getting the attention it deserves (read more on page 17), while preservation remains a priority for the board. Nick hopes to educate his neighbors on the benefits of restoring properties rather than, “having a wrecking ball mentality.” Construction variances, local commercial projects, and increased traffic – much of it on narrow brick roads – are all regular board concerns.
HONNA organizes myriad special events for neighbors to share their home pride, from parades to monthly Porch Parties to the December holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes, which benefits HONNA projects, like funding for new trees. Art in the Garden, a new tradition, combines home exterior tours in gardens, porches and gazebos. Some will feature artwork, local musician accompaniment, and other creative endeavors for visitors to stroll, enjoy, and embrace the experience.
If you’re new to the neighborhood, or just want to get more involved, check in at HONNA.org, or stop by a Porch Party. From volunteer work to simply hanging a banner, every little bit helps one of St. Pete’s most beautiful, historic neighborhoods continue to improve.
