Tampa : Development News

For the second year, six bronze busts of people who made a difference in Tampa's history have been added to the Tampa Riverwalk by Mayor Bob Buckhorn and members of the nonprofit Friends of the Riverwalk.

The latest honorees are Newspaper Publisher C. Blythe Andrews, Attorney Cody Fowler, Civic Leader Kate Jackson, Attorney Peter O. Knight, Cuban Civil Rights Leader Paulina Pedroso and Businessman G. D. Rogers. Their likenesses will be added to the six already installed last year on the city's Historical Monument Trail at the Riverwalk. Eventually city officials anticipate more than 30 people will be recognized for their historical contributions.

"The whole concept is to make a trail to honor as many of the people as possible who made Tampa what it is today," says Attorney Steven Anderson, president of the Friends of the Riverwalk. "It's just a great program. People love the monuments."

A 9-member committee makes selections each year looking back over 150 years of Tampa's history. It costs about $120,000 annually to finish and install the busts, Anderson says.

Most of the funds are privately donated. Hillsborough County provided a matching grant based on the project's historical preservation mission.

Last year's honorees were the Mound Builder Indians, who were the first settlers 10,000 years ago; cigar magnate Vicente Martinez-Ybor; shipping tycoon James McKay; nurse Clara Frye; railroad trailblazer Henry B. Plant; and suffragist Eleanor McWilliams Chamberlain. Anderson said the committee has begun selecting next year's six honorees.

Writer: Kathy Steele
Source: Steven Anderson, Friends of the Riverwalk

Del Frisco's Grille is opening its first Florida West Coast location at Tampa's MetWest International on Boy Scout Boulevard in 2014.

Offering an innovative twist on American comfort classics, Del Frisco's Grille, an award-winning Texas-based restaurant, has signed a lease for a 9,700-square-foot space at MetLife's mixed-use development in Westshore.

The new restaurant is expected to seat 450 guests, including 160 on a rooftop deck with a retractable roof -- the first of its kind in the Westshore Business District.

"We are thrilled to bring Del Frisco's Grille and our warm, genuine hospitality to MetWest International Tampa,'' says Mark S. Mednansky, CEO of Del Frisco's Restaurant. "Whether you're headed to a Tampa Bay Bucs game or checking out the Yankees during Spring Training, our roof deck will be the perfect place to enjoy Ahi Tacos and a cold local beer or prime steak and an amazing glass of wine.''

Del Frisco's Grille is the newest restaurant concept of the Del Frisco Resaturant Group, drawing inspiration from bold flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Everything about the concept -- from the interior design and seating to the easy-to-share food and handcrafted drinks -- is built for creating a unique local experience.

The menu is slated to feature dishes like hand-crafted flatbreads, Cheesesteak Egg Rolls and Ahi Tacos, rounding out with a selection of prime steaks, hearty salads and sandwiches, and chef-inspired entrees.

The Grille's weekend brunch menu will include Red Velvet Belgian Waffle and Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs with Chorizo Gravy.

The Grille's wine list will feature more than 350 wines carefully selected by David O'Day, Del Frisco's Director of Wine.

"MetLife is proud to welcome a fourth new restaurant to Tampa Bay at MetWest International, which has become a dining destination for Tampa residents, as well as the tenants of the development's 750,000 square feet of office space,'' says Chuck Davis, regional director of MetLife's Tampa real estate investment office. "Del Frisco's Grille, with its unique rooftop bar, nicely rounds out the dining options at MetWest, joining Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Texas de Brazil and Kona Grill.''

The Del Frisco's Grille deal was brokered by Kalyn Brandewie of Florida Retail Partners representing MetLife and co-broker Ted Speros of ATS Realty representing Del Frisco's Grille. This will be Del Frisco's Grille 11th location in the country and the first in the Tampa area.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Mark S. Mednansky, Del Frisco's Restaurant; Chuck Davis, MetLife

Designer consignment boutique, Mosh Posh, and Premiere Center for Cosmetic Surgery, are taking advantage of more space and greater visibility at new storefronts on Kennedy Boulevard.

Both are relocating from South Tampa addresses to the corner spot at Kennedy and Armenia Avenue where for more than 17 years Second Image Thrift Store sold its second-hand goods, furniture and clothes. Second Image Manager Pam McCoy said the shop, at 2419 W. Kennedy Blvd., moved to Pinellas Park in August..

"Kennedy was an up and coming place," McCoy said, and it was inevitable that newer shops would take hold.

Mosh Posh opened at its new location Friday. The local, family-owned business got its start on South Howard Avenue about four years ago. The designer consignment shop sells pre-owned luxury clothes for women and children from high-end stores and designers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Michael Kors, Louis Vitton, Chanel and Neiman Marcus.

The boutique's shelves also are filled with shoes, handbags, sun glasses, jewelry and other accessories.

On Monday afternoon about a half-dozen shoppers browsed the racks. Merchandise also can be bought on the company website.

Premiere Center's cosmetic surgery office, in a suite next to Mosh Posh, is being remodeled. Plans are to open by early January. The current location at 300 S. Hyde Park Ave. will close.

"We needed a bigger facility," says Marketing Director Stephanie Montanez. "And it's right on Kennedy."

The new offices will have more space for consultation and skin care rooms. It will have a staff of about 20 employees. Board certified physicians perform a range of services including plastic surgery, breast augmentation, liposuction and BOTOX.
In addition to the Tampa location, Premiere Center also has offices in the Miami area.

Writer: Kathy Steele
Sources: Pam McCoy, Second Image Thrift Store; Stephanie Montanez, Premier Center for Cosmetic Surgery

Tampa's Urban Charrette  and the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) Tampa Bay Chapter will host Urbanism on Tap at New World Brewery in Ybor City on November 12 starting at 5:30 pm. This open mic format event is designed to generate constructive conversations about current ideas and trends that are shaping our city.

The event is the second in a three-part series, entitled "How Do You Get There?'' It will focus on understanding some critical questions such as: How does one get to places which they like in Tampa? What determines our choices in getting around the city that we like so much? How do we as residents and citizens of Tampa envision its future with respect to access and mobility? Seeking answers to some of these key questions will help us understand the transportation issues and challenges that we face in our daily lives.

Overall, the intention of the event is to generate a lively exchange of ideas, which will enhance our ability to make Tampa, a more livable City.

Urbanism on Tap is an event focused on generating a dialogue within the community led by the Urban Charette and CNU Tampa Bay. Moderators and attendees can share their stories related to the topic of the day. Every event is open to the public, and all are invited to attend and share their views.

Following the event, everyone is encouraged to continue the conversation online through the Urbanism on Tap's Facebook page or website.

Venue: New World Brewery, Ybor City, 1313 8th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605
Date and Time: Nov. 12th from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m
For any questions, email Ashly Anderson

Writer: Vinod Kadu
Source: Erin Chantry and Ashly Anderson, CNU Tampa Bay

The old Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library near Ybor City will be torn down starting in December to make way for a new library at the same location. Plans call for the new library to be built in 2014 and open in 2015.

Construction on the $4.5 million, 25,000-square-foot library is expected to begin in January and will replace the nearly 45-year-old building currently located at 1505 N. Nebraska Ave. The new library construction continues the City's effort to invest in and improve neighborhoods just north of downtown Tampa.

"This will be marvelous for the community with Encore across the street with direct access to the library,'' says City Councilman Frank Reddick. "It's a project that many people have worked on for a lot of years.''

The existing library was built in the late 1960s and named for civil rights leader Robert W. Saunders Sr. Once known as The Scrub, the area was settled in the early 1900s by freed slaves after the Civil War.

The new two-story library will preserve the legacy of its namesake with a bust of Saunders in the existing library's reading area, and an African-American Research Library will become the central archive for historic documents and artifacts from notable local African American leaders and organizations. The Research Library will chronicle the history of the area and, according to Sells, will house numerous special collections.

"We're highlighting a lot of African-American history in Tampa,'' says Chief Library Renelda Sells.

Additionally, the new library will feature a bookstore, a recording room, a children's section and a 350-seat multipurpose room slated to include a portable stage for plays, concerts and banquets.

Booker T. Washington Elementary School students are expected to take advantage of these new spaces during school hours; a walkway currently connects the school building with the existing 7,300-square-foot, single-story library.

The current Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library will close on Sunday, December 1st, with new construction expected to see completion by anticipated by early 2015.

"We have been waiting a long time for this,'' says Fred Hearns, President of the Robert W. Saunders Foundation.

During construction, library patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the John F. Germany Public Library at 900 N. Ashley Dr., the C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library at 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and the Seminole Heights Public Library at 4711 N. Central Ave.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Sources: Frank Reddick and Renelda Sells, City of Tampa; Fred Hearns, Robert W. Saunders Foundation

The east side of the Hillsborough River just north of downtown Tampa is about to take on a whole new look and feel.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Casey Gonzmart of the Columbia Restaurant Group and community leaders will break ground Wednesday, Oct. 9, on a $7.4 million improvement project to extend the Tampa Riverwalk through Water Works Park, connecting downtown to the Tampa Heights neighborhood.

Angela Hendershot, architect with Rowe Architects, Inc. and part of the Biltmore Construction's design-build team for the park's renovation, expects the park to serve as an anchor and terminus of the Riverwalk. Park improvements are slated to include a play area, splash pad, dog run, performance pavilion, open lawn and multiple public boat docks.

Hendershot says park's design will be "a modern interpretation respectful of the historic Waterworks Building and other park structures.''

In addition to the park improvements, the Columbia Restaurant Group is in the process of transforming the nearby historic Water Works Building into a Native American-inspired restaurant and brewery.

Named after the bubbling spring that flows into the Hillsborough River in Tampa Heights -- what was Tampa's first source of drinking water -- Ulele will serve unique foods and sprits, featuring items indigenous to this area’s waters and farms.

"This is a city building that was sitting vacant and will be put back onto the tax rolls and have a productive use. It's going to put some people to work and add to the tax base,'' says Bob McDonough, manager of the Channel District and Downtown Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA). "Combining this with the nearby Water Works Park project will make for a great destination.''

Initial construction on Ulele began in fall 2012 and will be completed as part of the park improvements. Completion is slated for spring 2014.

"We're looking forward to the development of the property,'' McDonough says.

Of the $7.4 million budget for park improvements, $6.5 million in funding comes from Capital Improvements Tax (CIT). Additional dollars will come from a SFWMD grant and the site's designation as a brownfield. It's estimated that $2 million will be put into the Water Works building redevelopment project.

"Both projects will enhance the waterfront," says Principal Rick Rowe of Rowe Architects.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Sources: Bob McDonough, City of Tampa; Angela Hendershot and Rick Rowe, Rowe Architects

Urbanists from all over the Tampa Bay region are invited to participate in a Tactical Urbanism Movement workshop on Wednesday, October 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Beck Group, 220 West 7th Avenue, in Tampa.

Tactical Urbanism is a rapidly growing international movement of small-scale, temporary, low-cost, high-reward actions that lead to an immediate improvement in a community's public life, often followed by long-term urban interventions. Guerilla Gardening, Pavement-to-Parks or Reclaiming a Parking Space are some of the examples of Tactical Urbanism that are currently being applied by citizens in many U.S. cities.
 
The local Tactical Urbanism Workshop is coordinated by the Sun Coast Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, in collaboration with the Congress for New Urbanism-Tampa Bay. Mike Lydon, an internationally recognized planner, writer and an advocate for livable cities, will lead the workshop.

"It will be exciting to be a part of this urban place-making movement that is currently sweeping our country's major cities,'' says Lauren Matzke, a Clearwater City Planner and the workshop's main coordinator.

As a part of the workshop, participants will get hands-on experience in planning and intervening on an actual site in Downtown Tampa. Apart from promising a fun planning experience, the workshop also intends to train the participants on how to plan, fund and carry out these projects throughout the Tampa Bay region.

The event is expected to draw a variety of participants such as engaged citizens, stakeholders, designers, engineers, urban planners, students, local leaders, government officials and other advocates who are passionate about their city and urban experiences. You can RSVP here.

Tactical Urbanism was named as one of the top trends in 2012 by the urban planning website Planetizen. Implementation of this movement in the Tampa Bay region is expected to inspire innovative planning ideas, urban interventions and collaborations.

Writer: Vinod Kadu
Source: Lauren Matzke, City of Clearwater

A leading provider of specialist services, the British firm Synergy plans to relocate from its current 45,000-square-foot corporate American headquarters at 12425 Race Track Road in Tampa to downtown Tampa's iconic SunTrust building.

"This move to downtown Tampa is part of our plan to become more involved in the Tampa Bay community,'' says Group CEO and founder of Synergy Health Dr. Richard Steeves. "The new location also makes business easier and more convenient for our international colleagues with increased proximity to Tampa International Airport.''

The relocation is set to include 100 existing employees while creating approximately 40 new jobs within the next year in Hillsborough County.

"We're working to create an active, vibrant downtown that serves as a hub of innovation and commerce,'' says Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "Synergy Health's decision to become part of our downtown community is more proof that our efforts are paying off. I look forward to welcoming the company and its employees to downtown Tampa.''

While no financial incentives were involved in the company's decision to relocate, the move will help Synergy become more active in promoting innovation in the life sciences industry, including the MediFuture initiative launched by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. earlier this year.

"Earlier this year, we welcomed Synergy Health to Hillsborough County and celebrated the arrival of another significant industry partner,'' says Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Ken Hagan. "Their commitment is a key step in creating a critical mass in Tampa Bay's life sciences industry.''

Plans to sell the existing Synergy Health facility, previously occupied by SRI Surgical, are underway; the property is assessed at $3.5 million. Representation will be provided by Cassidy Turley of Tampa.

The U.K.-based Synergy Health provides sterilization services to hospitals in Europe, Asia and across America for surgical instruments, reusable operating room textiles and sterilization services for medical devices. In 2012, the company acquired SRI Surgical, and in April 2013, announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters for the Americas from San Diego to Tampa Bay. Synergy Health currently employs 5,600 individuals worldwide.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Sources: Richard Steeves, Synergy Health; Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa

Miami's Related Group is celebrating the grand opening of Pierhouse Apartments, an artsy enclave with an industrial flair, in the Channel District of downtown Tampa.

"We chose the area because we're excited by the job growth of the Tampa area, as well as the up-and-coming artsy edginess of the Channel District,'' says Arturo Pena, Pierhouse project manager and VP of Related Development. "Pierhouse brings more residents to an area that is growing more and more popular as it reaches critical mass. We are proud to play a part in this.''

With four, four-story wood frame buildings, the project includes 365 apartments, an expansive pool/sun deck area with a bar and poolside grilling areas, two-story gym, therapy room, event meeting/dining room, catered kitchen and dining room, double-height club lounge, gated parking garage and an urban art park located directly in the middle of the development.

Featuring five large, heavily landscaped courtyards, the park showcases specially commissioned sculptures for the development. Keeping in line with Related’s commitment to the arts and promoting green spaces, Pena expects the park to be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of urban living.

"Residents and visitors will be able to both admire the views and artwork within the park or simply go for a stroll through it,'' he says. "We are confident Pierhouse will be a signature project in the area and look forward to becoming an active part of the neighborhood.''

The project also expects to add nearly 4,800 square feet of retail. Plans for amenities that can both benefit residents and the neighborhood are in the works, including a sandwich shop, coffee house and/or wine bar.

"We want Pierhouse to continue to build on the transformation of the Channel District -- from its working marina, nautical past to a cool, artsy 24-hour district offering residents a place to live, work and play,'' Pena says.

Designed by MSA Architects, construction began on the new 4-story Pierhouse Apartments in December 2012. Leasing began in April, with the interior and common areas designed by world-renowned interior designers RTKL. Walker and Company acted as general contractor. The project worked with a more than $550 million budget. It is among 11 multifamily projects in Florida announced by Related.

Writer: Alexis Chamberlain
Source: Arturo Pena, Pierhouse Apartments

The Invision Tampa team is ready to present a draft Nebraska Corridor Master Plan to the public.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the team invites the public to join in a discussion about the planning results responding to community feedback from previous one-on-one meetings, group workshops, neighborhood meetings, surveys and research, as well as to consider preliminary concepts, ideas and strategies suggested by stakeholders. The meeting will be held at the Children's Board in Ybor City, at 1002 E. Palm Ave.

“Connectivity between urban areas has always been a part of the Mayor’s goals and this project ties in nicely,” says City of Tampa Economic Opportunity Administrator Bob McDonough. “Until now, there had never been a comprehensive study of this area that looked at connectivity between major projects, design guidelines, amenities, funding strategies, zoning, land use and growth strategies. This plan will take a holistic approach of all of the various disciplines and future requirements and tie them together in one study.”

Ultimately, the InVision Tampa project is designed  to create a better downtown Tampa: a walkable, bikeable community with a public transit system and increased population in the downtown urban core; a city with strong, safe neighborhoods, more parks and connections to a riverfront with clean waterways.

“It is a very exciting time in Tampa!” McDonough says. “I was a student at the University of Tampa in the early 70s and have witnessed the growth and change in our downtown during the last 30 -- almost 40 -- years. The changes in the last five years have been the most dramatic that I have seen and I can't wait to see the next five.”

Invision Tampa is working toward creating a new master plan for downtown Tampa, the Nebraska Transit Corridor, Hillsborough Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods. Spanning from downtown Tampa to Ybor City on the east, Armenia Avenue on the west and north along Nebraska and Hillsborough Avenues, the area under study includes the University of Tampa (UT), North Hyde Park, West Tampa, Tampa Heights, Ybor City, V.M. Ybor, downtown Tampa and the Channel District.

"InVision Tampa is going to create a blueprint for downtown Tampa for the next 25 years. We are literally studying how people live in Tampa today and how they will tomorrow,'' says Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "InVision is looking at how we can improve Tampa's urban core through community participation and proposed ordinance changes.''

The Invision Tampa project is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Sources: Bob McDonough and Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa

Neighborhood Association leaders and others in Tampa now have a chance to build leadership skills and learn more about city government.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn recently launched a Neighborhood University program with the goal of encouraging civic association leaders while creating ambassadors for the City.

"It’s a great way for people to learn more about what’s going on in the City of Tampa and feel more a part of what’s happening," says Jake Slater, neighborhood empowerment administrator for the City of Tampa. "Most people only know what they see on the news and read in the paper. Now they will see the folks behind the scenes making it happen."

The city has more than 90 neighborhood associations tasked with maintaining or improving the quality of life and sense of community. Activities include historic preservation, crime watch and maintaining open lines of communication with city government.

The 12-session class kicks off September 10 and includes behind the scenes information about budgeting, Tampa Police and Fire Rescue and utilities as well as information about using social media. Participants will learn skills to help establish and maintain overall successful neighborhood organizations, as well as experience the inner workings of the City of Tampa administration.

The 65 participants selected from more than 150 applicants come from a variety of backgrounds, ages and occupations from attorneys to retired military to pastors.

"Tampa is moving very quickly," says Slater. "There’s a new energy, lots of things going on in downtown, Sulfur Springs, South Tampa," citing this as possible reasons for the high interest in the new program. "You go to downtown Tampa on the weekends, and it’s alive! It’s hard to find a place to park."

Next steps include finetuning the program with input from members as well as sharing it with other cities, who are already asking for more information.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Jake Slater, City of Tampa

A new effort by the Hillsborough County Planning Commission and the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization is encouraging Hillsborough County residents to participate in discussions about the future of both land use and transportation planning -- and you don't even have to leave your house.

The Imagine 2040 effort marks the first time in the history of Hillsborough County that the Planning Commission and Organization have been able to combine the land use and transportation plans together in one planning process. The 2040 Transportation and Comprehensive Plans will cover Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and Hillsborough County.

"This effort is meant to be more wide-range, enabling citizens to participate in the planning process without ever physically having to attend a meeting by using computer and social media technology,'' says Executive Director Hillsborough County MPO Ray Chiaramonte. "We are very excited about this effort and the chance to really hear our citizens' opinions in a more comprehensive way so we can craft a plan that truly reflects the desires of our citizens.''

By 2040, Hillsborough County is expected to have up to 600,000 new residents and about 400,000 new jobs. According to Chiaramonte, Imagine 2040's goal is to work together to turn the challenges that come with growth into opportunities for a thriving future.

How should we grow? By spreading new residents and jobs throughout the county? By focusing on growth in the centers we've already developed and creating new job centers along our major highways? This is your opportunity to design the future of Hillsborough County.

"We're at an important crossroads. Do we want to be a true national leader for job creation and livability for a new generation of young, well-educated high tech workers that can provide the spark we need to become a competitive player with the top communities in this country and in the world?'' asks Chiaramonte. "We have so much going for us without doing a lot that it's certainly within our possibilities to be a mecca for high-paying jobs. We can play it safe and be comfortably mediocre or we can strategically plan for taking our assets and building upon them to create a truly unique, special community for our future and the future of generations to come.''

Ultimately, Imagine 2040 is expected to create a blueprint for the future of Hillsborough County as leaders take a leap forward to get things done. By leveraging federal planning dollars and combining them with local funds, a more comprehensive and unified planning process is available; this gives the county the opportunity to address issues while reaching more residents.

"Together, we can develop a plan that has all the aspects that people say they want and, by participating, they can help craft and represent what they believe our community should look like. Residents will have a plan that they helped craft and can believe in rather than a top-down approach where they just react to what planners think that the citizens want,'' says Chiaramonte. "This effort is the most ambitious public participation process regarding long-range planning that we have ever attempted in Hillsborough County.''

Several scenarios for growth and infrastructure will be drafted and circulated for public comment later in the year.

So, how should we grow? What is important to you? Click here to learn more about Imagine 2040 and how you can get involved today.

Writer: Alexis Chamberlain
Source: Ray Chiaramonte, Hillsborough County