Monday Morning Memo

Monday, August 20, 2018

Partnership Presents

Board Member Spotlight: Santiago Corrada

Santiago Corrada serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Tampa Bay, the economic development organization responsible for tourism development in Hillsborough County. Corrada uses his outstanding relationship management skills as well as his executive administration talents to successfully lead the team of tourism industry professionals. Through his leadership, the organization excels at generating and executing sales efforts for conventions, meetings, and leisure travel as well as working to unite the local and regional hospitality and tourism industries. Under his guidance the organization seeks to market Tampa Bay as an international destination in order to increase the number of visitors to Hillsborough County. Corrada is an accomplished and recognized leader that brings more than 25 years of experience and knowledge in a number of areas to Tampa Bay & Company, most notably positively transforming the professional culture of many diverse institutions. He also brings additional talents to the table including sound fiscal management, successful conflict management and resolution, strategic planning and comprehensive visionary development. View his full bio.

Model X Teslas Join Downtowner Fleet

Tampa Downtown Partnership and Downtowner are excited to announce that on Saturday, August 18, four Model X Teslas joined the fleet in Tampa’s Downtown. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is transferring the Teslas from another service area. The Teslas will replace the electric six-seater GEM cars. “We’re thrilled to have HART’s support and look forward to working more closely with them in the future,” said Lynda Remund, Acting President and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “With the support of all our wonderful public and private partnerships the Downtowner ride service was able to come to Tampa and change the way people think about getting around Downtown. Downtowner’s success is truly a collaborative effort and we’re proud to have been the catalyst to provide a micro transit solution in our Downtown.” “HART is pleased to partner with the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Downtowner on expanding the capacity of service and providing greater mobility in the downtown core,” said Jeff Seward, Interim CEO for HART. “The Downtowner service is an excellent first mile, last mile option for downtown workers and HART customers connecting to the transit network at Marion Transit Center.” The Teslas will run in rotation with the two Chevy Bolts that were added last August. Vehicle selection is determined by proximity and availability.  Read the full press release.

Save the Dates for Our Fall Debriefing Series

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 25 and Tuesday, October 30 as we kick off our Fall Debriefing Series! In September we will discuss Sports & Downtown: Making the Connection then in October join us for a conversation on Transportation: What’s to Come! The Downtown Debriefing Series features eight breakfast events annually, focusing on important development issues that impact Downtown including topics such as the Downtown Residential Experience, the importance of smart planning, sustainability, arts and culture, transportation Initiatives, City of Tampa updates, and other important issues. All Debriefings begin at 7:30am with networking and conclude at 9am to get you back to your workday. We are currently seeking sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring our Debriefing Series, please contact Lindsey Parks or  Ivy Niven!

Call for Sponsors: Downtown Security Network Series

Our Panel Series is approaching and we are looking for sponsors! The Downtown Security Network (DSN) was formed in 1994 in an effort to make downtown Tampa a safer and more inviting place for workers, residents and visitors. Through the DSN, the Tampa Downtown Partnership works together with the Tampa Police Department to develop close working relationship with downtown businesses, companies, property owners, employees and residents. One of the most important rolls of the DSN is to disseminate vital information to the network’s 4,000+ members. To do so, we put together a quarterly series of the most current safety topics and scenarios. Our first series topic is “Leading the Efforts: From the City Center to the County” and is being held September 20 from 7:30am until 9am at the Tampa Fire Museum. If you are interested in sponsoring or attending, please contact Ivy Niven at iniven@tampasdowntown.com.

Your Downtown Calendar

The following is just a sample of upcoming events in Downtown Tampa.  Visit the Downtown Tampa Events Calendar for a more comprehensive list. Going to one of the events? Snap a photo and tag #TampasDowntown

Hedwing and the Angry Inch

Through Sunday, September 9
Jobsite Theater
The gold glitter standard of queerglam rocker musicals, Hedwig and the Angry Inch follows German immigrant-turned-transgender-Kansas-trailer-park-wannabe-rock-goddess Hedwig Robinson during one life-changing night of her musical act. Full of TMI, towering go-go boots and cult hits, this campy romp reveals the blistering realities of self-acceptance that defy gender identity. For more information, go to Hedwing and the Angry Inch.

Gourmet Feastival

Thursday, August 23, begins 6pm
Armature Works
Let the mouth-watering aromas thrill your senses and tempt your taste buds at the 27th Annual Gourmet Feastival. Enjoy signature dishes from Tampa Bay’s finest restaurants and beverage purveyors. This foodie heaven will also have fabulous entertainment and an impressive silent auction filled with unique items. Funds raised support The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women, a unique but mighty nonprofit that helps women and girls achieve their potential. For more information, go to Gourmet Feastival.

Fourth Friday

Friday, August 24, 4pm to 10pm
Downtown Tampa and Ybor City
When the sun goes down, the streets of Tampa and Ybor will light up with music, laughter, art, friends and FREE fun. This evening of special offerings and programs by cultural venues, restaurants, and more takes place on the fourth Friday of every month! For more info, go to Fourth Friday.

Monster Jam

Saturday, August 25, begins 1pm
Amalie Arena
The new Monster Jam Triple Threat Series brings adrenaline-charged family entertainment to fans across the country. These world-class Monster Jam vehicles and athletes deliver what fans want to see most. More trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action! Each event tests the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to-head in seven different competitions. For more information, go to Monster Jam.

Tampa Home & Garden Show

Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26
Tampa Convention Center
This two day event showcases products for use all over your home. Look through a wide variety of kitchen, bathroom, gardening, and landscaping products; plus pools, spas, garage doors and much more! The show brings together a vast number of professionals who all specialize in home improvement. This event is open to the public and admission is required to attend. For more information, go to Tampa Home & Garden Show.

On the Marquee at Tampa Theatre

The King – Monday, August 20, 7:30pm to 9:45pm
Generation Wealth (2018) – Tuesday, August 21 and Wednesday, August 22
Sing-Along The Greatest Showman (2017) – Thursday, August 23 and Saturday, August 25
Annual Member’s Reception – Thursday, August 23, begins 6pm
The Blair Witch Project (1999) – Friday, August 24, 10:30pm to Midnight
The Wizard of Oz (1939) – Saturday, August 26, 3pm to 5pm

Doing Business in Downtown

Downtown Business Spotlight: Bizou Brasserie

Bizou is a neighborhood gathering spot located in the heart of downtown Tampa, serving New American cuisine with a French-Creole twist as well as creative crafted cocktails, wines by the glass, local craft beer, and world famous eclairs, in a one-of-a-kind setting. Bizou is located inside the historic Le Méridien Tampa, a hotel transformed from a century-old historic federal courthouse. The four-diamond luxury hotel is managed and operated by the Maximum Hospitality (MH Partners, LLC) hotel management company. Bizou serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a popular Sunday Brunch. Enjoy live, local music on select Friday nights in Bizou’s bar and lounge, and experience a Historic Happy Hour on weeknights from 4pm – 7pm. This week, Bizou is rolling out brand new menus beginning Thursday, August 23. Guests won’t want to miss the spotlight dish, a braised pork shank served with mushroom ragu. Find your new favorites at Bizou beginning August 23. The very next day, celebrate Fourth Friday in downtown Tampa with $8 Frosé, a refreshing new addition to the Bizou bar scene that will cool you down after a summer evening in the city!

TGH Ranked Second-Best Florida Hospital

Tampa General Hospital was ranked as Florida’s second-best hospital in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2018 Hospital Rankings released Tuesday, while Moffitt Cancer Center was named the country’s eighth-best cancer hospital. The rankings, which analyze more than 5,000 medical centers and survey responses from more than 30,000 physicians, also recognized Clearwater’s Morton Plant Hospital (eighth-best hospital in the state) and Tampa’s St. Joseph’s Hospital (No. 13). Moffitt’s national ranking was the highest of any hospital in the Southeast. TGH, second to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville in the state, also ranked nationally in six specialties, including nephrology (18), diabetes and endocrinology (24), gastroenterology and GI surgery (25), urology (28), orthopedics (39) and pulmonology (46). It ranked in the top two for seven of the 16 specialties ranked by U.S. News statewide, and was first in nephrology, orthopedics and urology.
“Tampa General Ranked Florida’s Second-Best Hospital In U.S. News Study”Tampa Bay Times

Sparkman Wharf Announces Divebar and Fishkitchen

One of Tampa’s most prominent chefs will have an expanded presence at Sparkman Wharf, occupying two of the 10 shipping containers within the dining garden. Chef Jeannie Pierola, a four-time James Beard semifinalist and creator of Edison Food and Drink Lab in South Tampa, is bringing edison’s swigamajig divebar and fishkitchen to Sparkman Wharf, which was previously Channelside Bay Plaza. The concept is a reinvention of the “quintessential Florida seafood shack,” according to Strategic Property Partners, the developer of Sparkman Wharf — “a no-frills, channel-side shanty that’s all about cocktails and the catch.” Pierola’s concept completes the rollout of those that will occupy the dining garden at Sparkman Wharf. The dining garden, along with craft biergarten Fermented Reality and a recreational lawn, are part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the wharf. The first phase also includes loft-style office space and retail space overlooking the dining garden and lawn.
“Chef Jeannie Pierola Will Have An Expanded Presence At Sparkman Wharf In Water Street”Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)

Tampa Bay Wave Hosts Demo Day

Tampa Bay Wave is excited to host Demo Day on Wednesday, August 22 at CAMLS in Tampa’s Downtown. This is an exclusive opportunity to learn about the increased deal flow from Tampa Bay Wave’s newest TechDiversity Accelerator cohort powered by the Nielsen Foundation. The TechDiversity cohort’s caliber and diversity have generated national & local media attention, including this Tampa Bay Business Journal article. The majority of the newest cohort companies are generating revenue, all have management teams – many very seasoned. They represent some high growth Tech verticals including Health, Education, Cybersecurity, Gaming, and more. Get more information and register for the event here. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Development and Transportation

FDOT: Dedicated BRT Lanes Possibly Too Costly

The Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 office doesn’t think dedicated bus lanes for some portions the 41-mile bus rapid transit route recommended to begin solving regional transportation problems are financially feasible. The agency confirmed on Tuesday the comments made earlier this month at a Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority meeting. The statement stymies what has become a common point among elected officials, business leaders and transportation experts that bus rapid transit has to be operated in dedicated lanes in order to realize the full effect of increased ridership, faster commutes and guaranteed travel time. The agency is still considering dedicated lanes north of the Interstate 4 corridor using hardened and widened shoulders, but does not want the lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge and South of I-4. The existing BRT plan is part of the FDOT-funded regional premium transit feasibility plan. When finalized, it will head to local metropolitan planning organizations for inclusion in those groups’ long range transportation plans. FDOT doesn’t control what the final regional plan will be, but has a large say. Ultimately TBARTA will decide what plan to advance.
“FDOT: Dedicated Lanes For Parts Of BRT Route May Be Too Costly To Implement”Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)

The Multifamily Mega Projects Transforming Tampa

With Tampa & St. Petersburg ranked as one of the top three destinations for millennials to move to in the US being a clear indicator of the region’s growth potential, there is no doubt that the outlook for the region is bright. This outlook has only been complemented by the vision of government and private enterprise with initiatives encouraging the net migration of people and economic activity across the board and has spurred the development of mega projects from The Bromley Co’s Development’s $500M in Midtown to SPP’s Waterfront Project, the $200M Westshore Marina District and the $350M West River Redevelopment. These dynamics can be seen in the local workforce, which according to recently published statistics seem to also reflect the adage that “if it works here, it will work anywhere,” with the majority of the workforce aged between 24 and 35. Join the all-star panelists and the team at Bisnow as they journey into the answers on the horizon in addition to how the region is impacting the multifamily market across the nation from the startup planning on giving homes to flood victims, to the Bay’s storm resiliency planning.

ICYMI: 10 Buildings Expected to be Under Construction

During the groundbreaking of the JW Marriott hotel in April, Water Street Tampa announced that within a year, construction should be underway on 10 of Water Street Tampa’s planned 22 buildings. Watch for Amalie Arena, now flanked by acre after acre of bare dirt, to be surrounded by up to about 20 construction cranes at a time, with nearly 3,000 hard hats on the job. Coastal Construction will be the contractor for the JW Marriott and the entire first phase of the project — about $1.5 billion worth of development encompassing 3.5 million square feet. Buildings are scheduled to start opening from summer 2020 to late 2021. Phase one of the project will generally take place inside the space bounded by Channelside Drive, E Cumberland Avenue, S Meridian Avenue and S Morgan Street. The JW Marriott is scheduled to open in 2020, before Super Bowl LV in February 2021. Next up will be:  815 Water Street, a pair of apartment and condominium towers that both rise more than 20 stories from a base building that is home to a grocery store; a 173-room Marriott Edition; One new office building at 400 Channelside Drive, which is at the corner of Morgan and Channelside, a second at Water Street and Channelside, and a third at Sparkman Wharf.
“Work Starting On JW Marriott, But Water Street Tampa Expects To Have 10 Buildings Under Way Within A Year”Tampa Bay Times

FDOT Prepared to Spend $814M for Howard Frankland

The Florida Department of Transportation is prepared to pay a contractor $814 million to design and build a new, 8-lane Howard Frankland Bridge linking Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. A draft request for proposals outlined the project, which would involve eight lanes of traffic and a bike and pedestrian trail. The final version of the RFP will be advertised on Dec. 10. The new bridge will be the largest contract in the history of DOT’s local Tampa Bay office, said spokeswoman Kris Carson. The $814 million limit is an increase to the 2017 estimate of $750 million to build the 8-lane bridge. The state expects to award the bid in 2019. Construction is slated to start in 2020, with the bridge opening to traffic in 2024. Officials believe the project will have a minimal impact on traffic, as both spans will remain open while the new segment is built. Once the new bridge is constructed, traffic patterns will flip. The current southbound span, built in 1990, will become the new northbound span, carrying traffic to Tampa. The brand new bridge will move traffic southbound into St. Petersburg.
“Contract To Build New Howard Frankland Bridge Is Record $814M”Tampa Bay Times

Member Corner

Arts Council Wants Your Opinion

The Arts Council needs your help. Please take a few minutes to fill out their annual survey. It is critically important for us to have citizen input to determine how good a job we are doing in achieving the goals of the plan, and to identify new community needs that we should be addressing. In the summer of 2017, the Board of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County approved a three-year Strategic Plan—the first in the organization’s history. You can read the Strategic Plan here. One of the goals of the plan was to ensure programmatic excellence, effectively, and relevance and ensure that all services reflect constantly changing community needs.

Apply for Wave’s Post-Accelerator Program

Do you have a startup company that is actively growing with market traction and revenue? Apply for Wave’s Post-Accelerator Program! The Post-Accelerator program is a cohort designed specifically for companies that are in the Launch and Grow segments of their BUILD-LAUNCH-GROW framework. These are companies that have launched a product or service, have market traction, a minimum revenue/investment threshold, and other criteria that designate them as companies focused on growth. The latest accelerator program is a part of Wave’s post-accelerator services. The value of our post-accelerator services extend the value of the accelerator program and provide lasting value through continued access to our mentor and investor networks, peer support, member-exclusive discounts, and additional programming. Deadline is September 15, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.

Suffolk Promotes Within, Names Youngest VP

Suffolk, a $3 billion national construction management firm, has promoted Ben Wilson to vice president of operations. In his new role, Wilson will work closely with Suffolk’s Gulf Coast Chief Operating Officer, Josh Christensen, to provide leadership for Florida’s Gulf Coast region which extends from Southwest Florida to Tampa. Wilson joined Suffolk in 2015 as a project manager. With a keen eye for details, outstanding problem solving skills and an exceptional work ethic, he has quickly risen through the ranks to project executive and his new role as vice president of operations, where he will oversee over $200 million in projects in diverse market sectors from Naples to Tampa, including the high-profile Manor Riverwalk, a high-rise luxury building on the site of the former Tampa Tribune. Ben serves on the Board of Directors of Tampa’s Friends of the Riverwalk, is a former education committee member of the Gulf Coast Builder’s Exchange in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and is active with Urban Land Institute and the Association of Builders and Contractors.

Lawyers of the Year

The 2019 edition of Best Lawyers in America recognizes 133 attorneys from across the seven Florida offices of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A.  The firm is top-listed across seven practice areas in the state and in four metro markets: Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Tallahassee. For the 12th consecutive year, Greenberg Traurig has more attorneys listed in Best Lawyers in America than any other law firm in the guide. Nationwide, the guide lists 364 Greenberg Traurig attorneys and recognizes 30 of these as “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practices and markets. The Greenberg Traurig Tampa attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America are listed with their corresponding category/practice area(s) and the year they were first recognized:

  • Gregory W. Kehoe (2009) – Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Richard C. McCrea, Jr. (1995) – Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Trade Secrets Law
  • Kimberly A. Mello (2013) – Appellate Practice
  • David B. Weinstein (2005) – Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental
  • Peter W. Zinober (1989) – Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment

AIA Accepting Board Nominations

The AIA Tampa Bay nominating committee is now accepting nominations from members who want to be on the slate of candidates for the chapter’s annual Board election.  Available positions include Associate Director, East Director, West Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President/President-Elect and State Director. The election will be held during the Chapter’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, September 18th at 5:30 p.m. at The Center for Architecture and Design, 1315 East 7th Ave., Ste. 105 in Ybor City.  Contact Patrick Thorpe, AIA, Vice President/President-Elect at patrick@allegedlydesign.com  to be added to the slate of candidates. Click here for executive board role descriptions

Around Town

Stuff the Bus Supply Drive

Kids worry about many things on the first day of school like their friends, clothes, hair and shoes.   But one thing no student should have to worry about is having a pencil and a piece of paper as they sit down at their desks to begin the new year. Sadly, this is a reality for far too many students. The Hillsborough Education Foundation is collecting school supplies for students in need now through September. Help us fill the shelves of the Teaching Tools store, so kids can have the tools they need for a productive school year with your support.  Join forces with other businesses and community organizations to help kids succeed from the first day to the last day of school. Learn more about the Stuff the Bus supply drive, visit online at educationfoundation.com.  To schedule your own supply drive, call Laura Grucza at 813-574-0274 or at lgrucza@educationfoundation.com.

International Plaza Adding More Office Space

Corporate Center, the cluster of midrise office buildings surrounding International Plaza in Tampa, could soon see a significant expansion. Cousins Properties Inc. (NYSE: CUZ) has filed plans with the city for Corporate Center V, a 254,258-square-foot, eight-story building along North Lois Avenue, just behind Corporate Center II. The proposal also calls for a five-story parking deck along Jim Walter Boulevard, just behind an existing seven-story deck within the Corporate Center. Atlanta-based Cousins has hired JLL Inc. to lease Corporate Center V as well the existing Corporate Center buildings, said Kyle Burd, senior vice president and managing director for Cousins. A groundbreaking isn’t imminent, Burd said; Cousins hasn’t yet signed any formal leases. But the real estate investment trust is ready to go if a potential tenant is. Burd said he doesn’t have a set threshold for beginning construction but said it would likely be less than 50 percent.
“Cousins Properties gears up for new 8-story office building near International Plaza in Tampa (Renderings)”Tampa Bay Business Journal

Florida’s Teacher Shortage is Real

As millions of Florida’s school children returned to classes last week, many schools struggled to find enough teachers greet and teach them. “We are very concerned about the growing teacher shortage,” Cathy Boehme of the Florida Education Association told the state Board of Education on Wednesday. Her review of three years’ worth of statewide teacher job vacancies posted to district websites in the days before school began revealed a disturbing trend. Two years ago, Boehme said, the number of advertised teaching positions was about 2,400. Last year, the number rose to 3,000. This year, it reached 4,063. School boards across Florida have heard the concerns with increasing intensity in recent months, as teachers have talked about leaving their districts, the state or even the profession to seek a more livable wage.
“Florida’s Teacher Shortage Is ‘Real, And It’s Going To Get Worse,’ State Board Of Ed Member Worries”Tampa Bay Times

Boys & Girls Club Open Vinik Family Club at Winston Park

The Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 21, to announce the grand opening of the new Club in the Clair-Mel/Palm River community.  The 10,000 square foot facility will be known as the Jeff & Penny Vinik Family Club at Winston Park. On hand for the press conference will be Jeff and Penny Vinik, President and CEO Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay Chris Letsos, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools Jeff Eakins, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagen, Hillsborough County Sherriff Chad Chronister, ThunderBug, Lightning Girls and more. The Jeff & Penny Vinik Family Club is located at 7605 Destin Drive in Tampa, FL.

Connect With Us!

Connect with us on social media to get the latest on downtown events!

Monday Morning Memo –Monday Morning Memo is a weekly update of “insider downtown information” regarding developments, transportation, special opportunities and other useful information to help you make the most of downtown. Subscribe to receive this weekly newsletter.

Sign Up Now