Development News

Residents of Tarpon Springs, the future of the beloved Sponge Docks is in your hands.

Dedicating approximately $1 million toward a community outreach improvement project, the City of Tarpon Springs has hired locally based Hoffman Architects to work with the community to develop a conceptual design for the docks.

Currently, the two-phase project is in its beginning stages -- the “Public Involvement and Preliminary Design” phase -- as Hoffman Architects holds interviews and workshops with various stakeholders, boaters, shrimpers, spongers and merchants throughout the area.

“Our goal is to get their input on what they think is needed -- their vision, concerns and what they'd like to see,” says Todd Willsie, senior architect at Hoffman Architects. “Taking all the information we've received, we've started doing some master planning.”

While Willsie and the rest of the Hoffman Architects crew works on a design for the docks, a community workshop will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum at Craig Park. The second workshop dedicated to this project, design concepts will be presented to the public before moving onto Phase II.

“Our goal is to bring more outsiders into the area,” Willsie says. “We want people to hang out down there longer, ultimately spending more money. A big goal in Tarpon is obviously to keep it on the map. It's always been a big tourist destination.”

Phase II of the project will focus on the actual improvement design, working drawings and specifications.

“We're trying to determine whether or not we should concentrate the city's money into one area or spread it out, master planning the whole thing and just improving the important parts now,” Willsie says. “One thing we'll focus on at the meeting is assigning dollar values and then we'll let the public decide what's important.”

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Todd Willsie, Hoffman Architects

Focusing on more than aesthetics, the City Center in St. Petersburg is undergoing some renovations.

Keeping tenants in mind, $8 million is being invested into the 240,000-square-foot two-building complex, adding and renovating several state-of-the-art amenities.

“This business isn't just about attracting tenants, but maintaining them after their lease expires, as well,” says Larry Feldman, CEO of Feldman Equities, one of the owners of the City Center. “When a tenant moves out and you have vacant space, you obviously lose rental income, you may have to do a reconstruction of the space and eventually pay a broker to find a new tenant. Maintaining existing tenants is a key part of amenity packaging."

Among the recently added amenities is a first-class fitness center with high-impact wood floors, several cutting-edge exercise machines, granite sinks, shower and locker facilities and 15-foot high ceilings. The City Center will also soon receive an atrium cafe including indoor bamboo planters and ficus trees, as well as a 40-foot long granite and wood concierge desk.

A 65-seat conference center with full audio and visual connections and Scandinavian-style elevator lobby makeovers are to be included in the renovation project, featuring high-end finishes such as blond oak wood paneling, dark wood base and granite floors.

“In addition, we also have a fully rain-protected garage that's shaded,” says Feldman. “We just put in a whole new lighting system to make the 6-story garage bright at night -- almost like daytime. After analyzing the whole workforce, we found that more than 50 percent are women who'd like to see a brightly lit garage with full-time security.”

According to Feldman, one of the focuses at the City Center is to become the best building in downtown St. Pete, attracting the kinds of tenants the city needs -- new, intellectual, innovative tech-companies.

“We want to promote a high-quality lifestyle,” says Feldman. “One building can help attract the types of companies that the St. Pete area needs that aren't just the old financial services businesses. We're looking to bring in the innovative-type tenants to make for a really dynamic workplace.”

Renovations on the City Center are expected to be complete by November 2012.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Larry Feldman, Feldman Equities

After 105 days of construction work on downtown Tampa's Platt Street Bridge, the 85-year-old bridge is once again open to the public.

Officially opened to traffic in the early hours of January 17th, Tampa drivers should still expect occasional individual road closures and lane shifts similar to those performed before the bridge closed in October 2011. Work on the $13.8 million project began January 2011 and will continue until fully completed in the Spring of 2012.

Remaining work on the 518-foot bridge includes painting, restoring the tender house, installing vintage street lighting and updating various electrical components. Once completed, the bridge will look almost exactly like the $400,000 original,  including functionality and 1926 historical appearance.

Funded by Community Investment Tax proceeds and federal grants, project contractors were given an incentive to finish on-time: If construction during the closure was finished before January 16th, Hillsborough County would pay contractors $10,000 per day. On the other hand, for everyday that the completion date was delayed, the contractor would be penalized $10,000.

“It's such a critical artery,” says Steve Valdez, spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Public Works Department. “We wanted to make darn sure we lessened the amount of adverse impact as much as we possibly could.”

Work on the Platt Street Bridge is being done partly to see completion before the Republican National Convention in the Tampa Bay area in August 2012.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Steve Valdez, Hillsborough County Public Works Department

After a temporary closure, the Largo Central Park Nature Preserve is now open to the public.

Home to hundreds of nature plants, flowers and widlife species -- including 130 species of birds -- the nature preserve, at 150 Highland Ave. S.E. in Largo, features a 3-acre pond with boardwalk, nature trail, two-story observation tower, informational kiosks, restrooms and interpretive signs throughout.

“Pinellas County has lost so much native land over the past 100 years and the preserve gives visitors a chance to get away from the city and back into nature,” says City of Largo Parks Superintendent Greg Brown. “If you pay attention, you will see something different every time you visit. It's loaded with wildlife.”

Originally opened in 2003, the 31-acre nature preserve was closed for the construction of a boat ramp into the lake. During the closure, the staff person made available to open, close and maintain the preserve was cut and the park remained closed.

“Request from the public had us open it back up,” says Brown. “People can feel great about helping keep it open by volunteering to open the park and keep up the maintenance. People can make all the difference!”

The front part of the preserve is now open daily from 6:30 a.m. until one hour before sunset.

“Volunteers are pouring in at this point,” says Brown. “We still have four days a week open to have volunteers do opening duties.”

To learn more about volunteering at the Largo Central Park Nature Preserve, contact Brown at (727) 586-7415.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Greg Brown, City of Largo

Taco Bus, one of Tampa's most beloved food trucks, has ditched the wheels, calling downtown Tampa home.

Celebrating the storefront restaurant's grand opening on January 25th, Taco Bus' new downtown location at 505 N. Franklin St. brings about the restaurant's third location. The original still sits, as a bus, at 913 E. Hillsborough Ave. while a second wheeled location opened in St. Petersburg at 2324 Central Ave. nearly one year ago.

“We're getting busier and busier and we figured it made sense to kind of disburse things around,” says Aviva Bowman, Taco Bus' marketing director. “Downtown is a great location with so many businesses. We know a lot of people would like to visit us for lunch but don't have time, so this is really great because it's a run in, run out kind of thing.”

Trying to incorporate as much as possible from the other two locations, the downtown Tampa location features giant pictures of the Hillsborough Ave. and St. Pete buses, even making an attempt to keep with the original bus theme.

“We actually built a big bus that's the entire width of the storefront,” Bowman says. “It's huge, yellow and looks the same as the other two buses.”

As one of the only walk-up window restaurants in downtown Tampa, the new Taco Bus location features old favorites including conchinita pibil, pollo, barbacoa and various vegan specialties. Sure to keep the menu the same as the original location, the only thing different about downtown Tampa's “bus” is the incorporation of fountain drinks.

“Downtown Tampa is awesome and hopefully people will visit from South Tampa and Channelside,” Bowman says. “We'll be open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays to try to bring people in. We'll see how that goes.”

In addition, Downtown Tampa's Taco Bus will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays

As far as any plans to further expand? Bowman's keeping her lips sealed.

“We have some plans, but they're under wraps right now,” Bowman says.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Aviva Bowman, Taco Bus

The Columbia Restaurant, owned by the Gonzmart family, is the City of Tampa's top choice to redevelop the Tampa Heights' historic Water Works Building, says Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

After issuing a request for proposals in September 2011 for the long-term lease or lease with purchase option and redevelopment of a portion of the Water Works building, Columbia Restaurant Group, Ella's American Folk Art Cafe, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts and Water Works Enterprises all submitted proposals for review.

Ultimately, the Columbia to re-open the 9,800-sqaure-foot building as a cafe or restaurant.

“I think probably the foremost reason they were chosen is that they've been such a great asset to the community and have the financial wherewithal and creativity to make sure this can be carried off,” says Bob McDonaugh, manager of the Channel District and Downtown Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA). “They also have experience in waterfront dining. They're an outstanding candidate.”

It's estimated that $2 million will be put into the Water Works building redevelopment project in an attempt to bring the building up to a level that will satisfy the City of Tampa. Currently, one of Buckhorn's goals is to maximize the use of underutilized assets. Think: The redevelopment of the downtown Tampa's Classic Federal Courthouse.

“This was 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,” McDonaugh says. “In the case of the Heights, to the community, it will be a really nice amenity. The city is moving forward with plans to improve the park nearby, so combining that with the Water Works project will make for a great destination.”

Located along the east side of the Hillsborough River, the City of Tampa will extend the Tampa Riverwalk through Water Works Park, connecting the Tampa Heights neighborhood. Hardeman-Kimpton & Associates is under contract with the city for the design and construction.

“We'll have to draw up plans and take it to the City Council for approval, but I would think construction will begin probably by the third or fourth quarter of 2012,” McDonaugh says. “We're looking forward to the development of the property.”

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Bob McDonaugh, City of Tampa

Focusing on attracting overseas flights, Tampa International Airport (TPA) will be making some upgrades to the airport's oldest operating airside.

Originally opened in 1987, Airside F will undergo a $27.6 million renovation, as proposed by TPA CEO Joe Lopano.

In an attempt to ease congestion, Airside F upgrades include the expansion of TPA's ability to handle baggage by adding two baggage claim devices and improve passenger flow through security and customs by adding two booths for passport checks; Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lanes will be added and improved, as well. This will equip the airside to handle up to three wide-body international flights simultaneously.

“These improvements will make moving through Airside F much easier for passengers,” says TPA Director of Communications Janet Zink. “We want to make sure we maintain our reputation as an airport that's easy to navigate.”

Currently, Airside F handles the majority of TPA's international flights, including the recent additions of nonstop service to London and four-times-a-week flights to Cuba. Beginning in May, TPA will launch twice weekly nonstop service to Zuirch, Switzerland and, in November, will begin having two international flights arriving within an hour of each other.

“It's essential for the economic health of the entire Tampa Bay region for TPA to be able to attract and manage more international flights,” Zink says. “The upgrades should allow us to handle projected growth for the next several years out.”

According to Zink, studies show that one daily nonstop flight to a major European city has the potential to have a $154 million economic impact on the region, creating as many as 1,200 jobs.

Recently approved by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board, the project is slated to begin design in March 2012 with completion of the entire upgrade expected by September 2013.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Janet Zink, Tampa International Airport

The Lee Roy Selmon's Restaurant chain is opening it's eighth restaurant in Florida, bringing yet another location to the Tampa Bay region.

Currently, the Lee Roy Selmon chain of restaurants is in South Tampa, New Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Sarasota, and has plans to bring its newest location to 11310 Causeway Boulevard in Brandon.

The former site of Giordanos Famous Chicago Style Pizza, special features of the new restaurant include stadium seating and state-of-the-art sports viewing with high definition television screens.

“We have always wanted to have a store in Brandon. They have a great community and we look forward to being a part of it, bringing great food and great sports,” says Lee Roy Selmon's spokesperson Jennifer Ulmer. “We are ecstatic that customers can hop on the Selmon Expressway to get to the new location."

Slated to open in the summer of 2012, the restaurant, a tribute to NFL Hall of Famer and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Lee Roy Selmon, is famous for its home-style family recipes and traditional sports grub.

"We really hope that families and sports fans alike will feel welcomed and appreciated at our new neighborhood restaurant,” says Ulmer. “We want them to enjoy our great food, energy, hospitality, unique atmosphere and sophisticated sports."

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Jennifer Ulmer, Lee Roy Selmon's Restaurant

With both northbound and southbound Bayshore Boulevard open to the public, Phase I of the Bayshore Boulevard Enhancement Project is now complete.

After months of construction, Phase I of the $2.1 million project focused on pedestrian improvements, including the installation of crosswalks at Bay to Bay Boulevard and at Platt Street; drivers should be aware of the new traffic signal indications to allow pedestrians to cross.

“Increased safety for pedestrians and bicyclists has been provided for a signature Tampa asset,” says David Vaughn, director of contract administrations with the City of Tampa.

Phase I of the three-phase enhancement project began in March 2011, installing 4-foot bicycle lanes, northbound turn lanes and additional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible pedestrian crossings from Platt Street to Rome Avenue.

Phases II and III will focus on widening the roadway from Rome Avenue to Howard Avenue and Howard Avenue to north of Gandy Boulevard, as well as modifying existing roadway to provide for 4-foot bicycle lanes.

Funded by a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant, the total construction cost for Phases II and III of the project is estimated at approximately $5 million.

“Enhancement projects allow the City to leverage its funding and provide needed enhancements throughout the City,” says Vaughn. “Without enhancement funding, the improvements either would not have occurred or been delayed for an indeterminate amount of time until alternate resources were obtained.”

Phase II of the enhancement project is anticipated for construction between 2014 and 2015 while Phase III will begin when funding becomes available.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: David Vaughn, City of Tampa

After overcoming initial skepticism upon the announcement in the summer of 2011 of construction of a new 12-story affordable apartment project in downtown St. Petersburg, The Portland is now full and enjoying a good reputation.

Currently 100 percent leased, The Portland hosted a ribbon cutting in November 2011, welcoming a 100,000-square-foot 68-unit high-rise complex onto Eighth Street in St. Pete. Perhaps the best affordable housing available in St. Petersburg, rents range from approximately $380 to $900 per month.

“We caught a lot of criticism when the project first went public,” says Jonathan Moore, principal of ROJO Architecture who worked on the design of The Portland. “But I believe the project's intentions of bringing 'high design' to an often over-looked archetype -- affordable housing -- will allow The Portland to become a catalyst for the area while giving a unique sense of pride to the building's tenants.”

Featuring 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units, the $17 million 908 Development project includes three stories of secure parking, as well as an Internet cafe, workout room, rooftop patio and practice putting green.

Interior sustainable design features such as Energy Star appliances, low emissivity windows and recycled materials throughout has made The Portland one of 2011's greatest examples of successful construction projects in the Tampa Bay region.

“I think The Portland will really encourage future projects to 'step up' and bring exciting, sustainable design to the St. Pete area,” says Moore. “It was such an exciting project to work on, with many hurdles in design, funding, approvals and construction, but the finished project is a trophy for the City of St. Pete and the residents who reside.”

Taking approximately 12 months to complete, the project was funded through several public funding sources including the City of St. Pete, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Tax Credit Exchange Program.

“From Mayor Bill Foster to city staff, St. Pete was a true asset to the project, providing constant support and communication,” says Moore.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Jonathan Moore, ROJO Architecture

2012 is looking bright for beach-goers of Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin.

Located at #1 Causeway Boulevard, Honeymoon Island will undergo a $5.6 million revitalization project, adding three rock T-Groin structures to the beach and nourishing about 2,000 feet of shoreline.

“About 100,000 cubic yards of sand from the ebb shoal of Hurricane Pass will be used to fill the northern portion of the public beach,” says Andy Squires, coastal manager at Pinellas County Department of Environment and Infrastructure.

Tentatively scheduled to begin in late summer or early fall of 2012, construction on the project is awaiting permit acquisition and funding from the State of Florida. Currently, the permit is under review and the funding request will be considered during the 2012 State Legislative Session along with several other beach projects throughout Florida.

“A Joint Coastal Permit must be obtained from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,” says Squires. “With the permit and appropriate funding, Pinellas projects can take anywhere from one to eight months, depending on the size and weather conditions.”

T-Groin structures serve to attenuate wave energy, ultimately slowing the rate of beach erosion. Temporary geotextile sand-filled tubes are more common and cheaper to install -- such as those located on Upham Beach in St. Pete -- but, according to Squires, plans for rock structures coincide with future nourishment projects for Treasure Island and Long Key in St. Pete in 2013.

“Wide sandy beaches provide storm protection to beachfront properties and infrastructure, recreational space that fuels the local economy through tourism-related activity and habitat for marine sea turtles and shorebirds,” says Squires.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Andy Squires, Pinellas County Department of Environment and Infrastructure

A public meeting was recently held to discuss a handful of proposed improvement projects to the Clearwater Airpark.

Located at 1000 N. Hercules Ave., the Airpark is planning to work on various necessary improvement projects to the facility, operating in accordance with their Master Plan.

The four proposed projects discussed at the January 10th meeting include complete runway improvements including a 800-foot extension to the runway, the replacement of older existing hangars, repairs to the current maintenance hangar and the construction of a new office building.

“When the Airpark was built in 1939, the site had formerly been the location of the community dump and because some of the current runways and buildings were built on top of the existing landfill at the time, the ground has begun to settle,” says Airpark Director of Marine and Aviation Bill Morris. “Building foundations are shifting -- as with the former terminal and Fixed Base Operations Building -- and the ground under the runway has settled, causing depressions and dips in the runway and taxiways.”

The proposed enhancements are grant-funded through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Eighty percent of funds will be provided by FDOT with a 20 percent match made by the City of Clearwater.

In other words, according to Morris, for $375,000 the Airpark will receive $1.5 million through the Joint Automated Capital Improvement Plan through the FDOT, totaling approximately $1.88 million for projects identified as priorities in the approved Master Plan.

“Improvements such as these will help the Airpark to remain competitive in the marketplace, train new pilots that are essential to our nation's aviation needs and keep the facility's existing tenants while attracting new tenants,” says Morris. “Additionally, the airfield and surrounding neighborhoods will both be safer by having a longer runway, enabling planes to have a longer hard surface to get up to speed for takeoffs.”

According to Morris, this allows the planes to be higher over nearby homes as they climb out/up, resulting in quieter takeoffs for residents.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Bill Morris, Clearwater Airpark

Last nourished in 2006, the Sand Key shoreline in Pinellas County will be getting some attention once again.

Part of a $31.5 million construction project slated to begin in March on 8.7 miles of Sand Key shoreline, the project is anticipated to use about 1.25 million cubic yards of sand from a borrow area approximately 12 miles offshore and west of Sand Key Park.

“Essentially, there are three reasons to nourish beaches: To provide storm protection, to boost the economy through tourism and to provide a nesting habitat for marine sea turtles, as well as a nesting and foraging habitat for shorebirds,” says Andy Squires, coastal manager at Pinellas County Department of Environment and Infrastructure.

Construction on the project will start just south of Sandy Key Park, continuing southward to North Redington Beach, excluding Belleair Shore.

Expected to take about five months to complete, the construction process involves dredging sand from the approved offshore borrow area, pumping the new sand directly from the borrow area to the beach or transporting the sand by barge and spreading the sand on the beach to correct elevations and slopes with bulldozers.

Residents can get involved in the project by assisting the County with planting beach vegetation. The vegetation installed helps to build sand dunes and improve storm protection to upland properties.

“Each year, in late June or early July, the County pays for and provides oat seedlings to beach towns and cities for volunteer groups wishing to build the sand dunes along Pinellas County beaches such as Sand Key, Treasure Island and Long Key," says Squires.

For more information on the protect or volunteer opportunities, call (727) 464-8477.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Andy Squires, Pinellas County Department of Environment and Infrastructure

UK-Based HB Leisure recently brought its business to the Winter Haven area in Polk County east of Tampa.

Opening its new office in downtown Winter Haven's the Beymer Building in Fall 2011, the expansion coincided with the opening of Legoland, one of HB Leisure's clients. HB Leisure currently assists in the supply, operation and solutions of amusement and theme parks.

Built in 1923, the three-story, 22,000-square-foot Beymer Building, at 280 Central Ave. W., is owned by Winter Haven's 6/10 Corporation. Leasing arrangements for HB Leisure's move to Central Florida were facilitated by 6/10 Commercial Real Estate.

“The 6/10 Corporation purchased the building in September 2010 and spent a year on renovations and improvements,” says Angela Harwell, broker, realtor and director of sales and leasing for 6/10 Corporation. “At the time the first tenants were ready to take occupancy in September 2011, the building was already 70 percent leased.”

Located in close proximity to Interstate 4 and the Polk Parkway, the Beymer Building includes a conference room, break area, copy/print/scan services and multiple common areas, and is equipped with the latest technology including fiber optic and WiFi services.

“The property is ideal for a wide array of businesses,” says Harwell. “The building was chosen by HB Leisure because of its downtown location and amenities such as restaurants and service providers within a short walk.”

As downtown Winter Haven's business landscape continues to expand, the city is currently in the process of constructing a new three-story parking garage slated to open in early 2012 and plans to construct a roundabout north of downtown on Third Street. In addition, a number of older buildings in the downtown area are undergoing renovations.

“Winter Haven strives to offer both its residents and visitors plenty of destinations for professional, leisure and recreational activities to appeal to a wide variety of interests,” says Harwell.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Angela Harwell, 6/10 Corporation

A new park is now open in Tampa's downtown Channel District.

Officially opened in December 2011 with a dedication by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the $815,000 Washington Street Park at 118 N. 12th St. is the result of a public participation process and was designed by Lea Del Tosto of WilsonMiller/Stantec.

Including oversized sea grass sculptures, lawn area, large canvas shade structure and non-traditional play area, the half-acre nautical-themed park was designed to allow for flexible use of its plaza and lawn areas, which can accommodate gatherings of various sizes.

“The park's design came about after a series of meetings with the neighborhood,” says Bob McDonaugh, manager of the Channel District and Downtown Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA). “It's a green oasis in what is becoming a densely developed and populated neighborhood.”

Enhanced at night, the park is equipped with special lighting features, including spotlights and LED fiber optic lights imbedded into the main entry columns. The park also includes a fenced dog area complete with artificial turf designed specifically for pet areas, pet water fixtures and seating for dog owners.

“There is even a shaded seating area located under a canopy designed to look like a series of sails,” says McDonaugh.

Funds for the park came from CRA tax increment financing.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Bob McDonaugh, City of Tampa