Tampa Bay Times will not return to its historic building after hurricane damage.

The Tampa Bay Times, a prominent newspaper in Florida, is set to vacate its historic building located at 490 First Avenue South in downtown St. Petersburg after a century of operations. This decision was communicated to staff by Conan Gallaty, chairperson and CEO of Times Publishing Co., during a company-wide meeting held on Thursday.

The need for relocation was sparked by severe structural damage caused by Hurricane Milton, which struck the region in October. During the storm, a crane collapsed into the building, resulting in significant damage and leaving the premises uninhabitable due to concerns about stability and mold. For the past several months, employees, including reporters, editors, photographers, and support staff, have been working remotely as access to the building has been restricted.

Prior to this announcement, the future of the Times’ headquarters remained uncertain as the company navigated its leasing obligations. The Times was one of several tenants in the building, alongside a law firm, a juice shop, and a defense contractor. Gallaty expressed regret over the loss of the historic office space, highlighting that it had been a hub for top local journalism for decades. Despite this setback, he affirmed the organization’s commitment to continue delivering high-quality journalism, buoyed by a dedicated and adaptable team.

While specifics regarding the financial implications of ending the lease were not disclosed, the Times previously implemented staff buyouts in an effort to reduce its workforce by 20%. This decision was largely a response to ongoing challenges within the news media sector, particularly those exacerbated by the digital age. Gallaty mentioned that discussions are ongoing to find a suitable new location for the Times to operate.

The fate of the property’s contents, including significant achievements such as the Times’ 14 Pulitzer Prizes, remains uncertain; access to the building has been denied to tenants for most of the last six months, complicating recovery efforts. A representative of Lincoln Property, the firm managing the property, declined to comment on inquiries regarding the future of the site, as did the real estate investor listed on the ownership records.

The crane incident, which saw the structure crash from a height of 550 feet, was linked to ongoing construction of The Residences at 400 Central, the highest tower in St. Petersburg. Subsequent investigations revealed that Florida lacks comprehensive regulations on crane safety, with state legislators having blocked local jurisdictions from establishing their own safety measures, largely due to lobbying from construction industry groups.