March 08, 2010

Monday Morning Memo is your weekly update on the latest news about downtown Tampa.  Here are the sections found in this issue.  Click on the sections below or scroll down to read the complete issue:
 
Partnership Matters | Opportunities | Studies and Reviews | Seeing is Believing | Special Services District
| Creative Urban Core | Downtown Happenings | In and Around InTown


Partnership Matters

You may see a few more red eyes on Sunday morning.  On Sunday (3/14) Daylight Savings Time will begin!  Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night (3/13).  Also, this is a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Canon Business Solutions, a Partnership member, has moved to downtown Tampa and they want everyone to come to their open house on Tuesday!  Canon Business Solutions has located in the M&I Bank Plaza (501 E. Kennedy Boulevard).  Make sure to come by and see what this location has to offer your business.  The grand opening will take place 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Tampa Downtown Partnership has announced the 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum.  The event is titled “The New World of Downtown Tampa -2010.”  This year’s event will take place Friday, March 19th starting at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until 12:00 p.m.   The event will take place at Tampa Preparatory School (727 West Cass Street).  This annual event focuses on the exploration of innovative ideas in urban development and serves as a catalyst for discussion and problem solving for major urban issues in Downtown Tampa. Each year hundreds of business people, developers, real estate professionals, property owners and others interested in the future of downtown attend this event. This year's event will include presentations and discussions on:

• How Transportation Development will shape downtown's future.
• Growth Management Election Issues.  
• Downtown Business Sector Updates. 

Sponsorship Opportunities available.  If you would like to be a sponsor of this very significant event, contact Kimberly Finn at the Partnership by dialing (813) 221-3686.  You can register for this event now.  To do so,click here.

Opportunities

"March Madness" comes to IKEA Tampa in the form of "Motivational Madness" on Thursday, March 18 from 5pm to 6:30pm in the home furnishing store's Community Room, located on the second level next to the Restaurant. The "Motivational Madness" workshop offers business professionals an innovative approach to teambuilding and communication. This MBA (Manage by the Arts) event is jam-packed with hands-on exercises and discussion guaranteed to enhance creative motivational thinking! Participation is $10 per person and reservations should be made in advance by email: debra.faulk@IKEA.com.

Help keep downtown Tampa clean.  On March 20th the Partnership will lead the effort to clean downtown Tampa’s streets during Clean City Day.  If you would like to be a volunteer for this project, click on the various forms below.  Questions can also be directed to Lynda Remund at the Partnership via email or calling (813) 221-3686.  This is an excellent office project as well as individual project:

• Clean City Day Flyer
• Volunteer Sign Up Form
• Waiver of Liability for an adult
• Waiver of Liability for a minor

Studies and Reviews

Companies need to make sure that they maximize every dollar these days.  One way to make sure you are getting the most from events outside the office is to attend a Partnership event.  Oh sure, everyone says that, but its true!  Read what the Gulf Coast Business Review recently reported about in their publication.  To read the story, click here.

Vistsouth.com, a tourism and travel website, recently wrote stories about the Tampa Theatre and the University of Tampa.  Read what each story had to say about two of downtown’s most significant symbols:

• Tampa Theatre story
• University of Tampa story

Seeing is Believing

The Partnership created and started to distribute a new brochure that list the 70+ restaurants that now serve dinner in downtown Tampa.  Yes, 70+!  Need proof?  Take a look at the brochure by clicking here.  Then, pick one and enjoy dinner in downtown Tampa tonight.  You can get a copy of this brochure by stopping one of Tampa's Downtown Guides and asking for one.  The printing of the brochure was made possible by Canon Business Solutions!

Riverwalk development news…In 2007, the city was awarded an FDOT grant for $1.5 million that will be combined with funding from Friends of the Riverwalk, the city’s Capital Improvement Program and other grants to total the $2.5 million needed for the construction of the next portion of the Riverwalk under the Brorein Street Bridge.  FDOT has obtained special permission for the City of Tampa to begin construction of the underpass in advance of the normal schedule.  Construction of the project is to begin in late summer 2010.  It will link to the current Walk under the Crosstown Expressway and terminate at the old Trump property located just north of Brorein.  At some time in the future, this section will be joined to an over-the-water segment taking the Riverwalk north, ultimately connecting it to MacDill Park.  Once that is completed, the only remaining section of Riverwalk is Kennedy Boulevard Plaza which will link MacDill Park with the recently opened Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.  After these three remaining sections are complete, Riverwalk will be a 1.6-mile waterfront walkway stretching from South Plaza at the Tampa Bay History Center, to the Straz Center, just north of Curtis Hixon. The remaining three-quarters-of-a-mile Riverwalk, north of the Straz Center, will be built by the Heights developer, eventually resulting in the entire 2.2-miles of Riverwalk planned in Phase 1 of the project’s Master Plan.  Having obtained the needed funding for the Brorein underpass, the next segment of construction for our pay-as-you-go Riverwalk project, Brorein to MacDill Park, will begin when the necessary funds, approximately $2.5 million, are raised.  If you would like to contribute to the Riverwalk project please contact Roger Kurz at (813) 731-4508.

This is the Tampa UCAP Downtown Water Pipeline Replacement Project update for March 08.  A map with the road/lane closures is available by clicking here. 

• Twiggs Street (west of Meridian): The two lanes on the north side of Twiggs from Meridian to Pierce will be closed.  Motorists should expect a new traffic pattern as the two lanes on the south side will be westbound only.  Eastbound motorists will be detoured on Pierce to Jackson.   Limited street parking will be available in this area.
• Twiggs Street (east of Meridian): Motorists should expect a new traffic pattern.  Eastbound traffic will be maintained and traffic will shift to one lane westbound from Meridian to Channelside.
• Jefferson Street:  Eastern northbound traffic and parking lanes are closed between Washington and Kennedy.  Motorists should expect a new traffic pattern.
• Nebraska Avenue (Washington to Kennedy): Lane shift between Washington and Kennedy. 
• Nebraska Avenue (Kennedy to Zack): Two western lanes closed.  One northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open. 
• Marion Street:  Closed to through traffic from Scott to Tyler.  For questions regarding changes to bus stops in the immediate vicinity of the Marion Street Transit Center, please contact HART Customer Service at 223-6831.
  WC MacInnes Place:  Beginning March 10th, the southbound lane from Fortune to Tyler will be closed.  The northbound lane will remain open. 

Additional information about this project can be found on the Tampa UCAP website at www.tampa-ucap.com.

Construction continues on the expansion of the TECO Line Streetcar System up to Whiting Street.  If you work or live in the area, you need to be aware of what to expect this week:

• Northbound Franklin Street will be closed from (north of) Cumberland Avenue to Whiting Street.
• Whiting Street will have the eastbound right lane closed from Tampa Street to just past Franklin Street (a right turn onto southbound Franklin Street will be provided).
• The Fort Brooke Garage will be accessible from both Whiting Street and Franklin Street.
• The cross walk at Franklin Street on the south side of Whiting street will be closed.  Pedestrians will be directed to cross on the north side of Whiting Street as well as at Brorein.
• Installation of Stormwater Drainage System on Franklin between Cumberland and Whiting St.
• Installation of Stormwater Inlet on Whiting Street at the southeast corner of Franklin Street
• Installation of new gas lines
• Removal of fiber optic manhole
• Installation of potable water at the southeast corner of Franklin and Brorein.  This activity will not require the closure of any lanes of traffic.

Special Services District

The City of Tampa is getting serious about making downtown Tampa more pedestrian friendly by requiring pet owners to clean-up after their pets.  Last week, code enforcement began issuing citations to violators who don’t adhere to Ordinance: Sec 19-79, which comes with a $150 fine and if left unpaid, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.  So, clean-up the mess before you create a bigger one for yourself.

Tampa Bay & Company announced that Outback Bowl officials have completed negotiations with its network partner ESPN of an agreement to extend its contract for four additional years through the January 2014 game. As part of the new agreement, starting with the January 2011 Outback Bowl, the game will move its kick-off to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day in Tampa and be televised on ABC.  Officials had previously announced four year extensions with title sponsor Outback Steakhouse and the Big Ten Conference.  An announcement concerning the Southeastern Conference is expected soon.  Extending this relationship, along with that of title sponsor Outback Steakhouse, ensures the Bowl will continue to benefit the Tampa Bay region each year through a $40 million annual economic impact and millions of dollars in exposure for the community.  The Outback Bowl generates more hotel room nights in the Tampa Bay area than any other annual event.  The game is telecast nationally and internationally with 85 foreign countries airing the 2010 game.  The Outback Bowl will celebrate its 25th anniversary this coming January.

Facebook users – stay connected with downtown by becoming a fan of the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Facebook page.  Latest news, unique contests, special offers and the opportunity to share your thoughts with the downtown community are just some of the reasons why you will want to be our fan.  To view the Partnership’s Facebook page, click here.

Downtowners are invited and encouraged to attend the upcoming “State of the City” address to be held on March 10th at the Tampa Convention Center starting at 10 a.m.  Mayor Pam Iorio will address those in attendance giving an update on the city’s progress the past 12 months and set a vision moving forward.  For details, click here.

March is Florida Bike Month. The Tampa Downtown Partnership has teamed up with the Tampa BayCycle campaign to offer many opportunities for all skill levels. Click here for the full list, but this week includes.  Join the growing number of people in the Tampa Bay area who experience the pleasure of cycling during the month of March and every day of the year

Creative Urban Core

The Arts Council of Hillsborough County will be hosting the second Arts One on One Tuesday (3/09).  Arts One on One is an opportunity to develop new connections and cultivate the support you need as an artist, arts educator or arts community supporter, and inform Arts Council staff about what you are doing in the community. Or what you would like to be doing and how they can help.   Join Arts Council Staff, Jenny Carey and Lynn Norton for Arts One on One from 12 to 1 p.m. in Suite 400 ( Fourth Floor) of  the St. Petersburg Times Building (1000 N. Ashley Drive).  Bring your arts questions, arts proposals, and arts ideas along with a brown bag lunch if you like.  Metered street and paid parking is available. An RSVP is preferred but not required. For more information, questions or to RSVP please contact Jenny Carey (Director of Program Services) careyj@tampaarts.org or Lynn Norton (Director of Arts Education) nortonl@tampaarts.org or call the Arts Council offices at 813- 276-8250.

Do you have cool technology or a cutting-edge innovation? Then the Tampa Bay Technology Forum wants to hear from you. This is your opportunity to get exposed to hundreds of industry and business leaders from across the region at the premier showcase of emerging technologies and trends - coolTECH 2010.  coolTECH on June 4th at MOSI will feature exhibits of some of the coolest technologies in an interactive format where attendees can experiment first hand with the innovations.  TBTF is seeking exhibitors with interactive technologies in hot industries including but not limited to:

• Aerospace
• Biotech and Medical Devices                        
• Consumer Electronics
• Defense and Homeland Security
• Digital Arts
• Green Technology
• Information Technology
• MEMS and NANO Technologies
• Mobile Technology
• And much more!

The deadline is March 22nd.  Space is limited.  Get more details by clicking here.

Downtown Happenings

You can find cool events on downtown’s own online events calendar!  Click here to find out what’s taking place when and get out to have fun.

Things to do this week:

There will be a free bicycling safety course on Saturday (3/13) from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum.  Get details about what will be offered by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay History Center continues its preschoolers’ program, A Little History, on Saturday (3/13) from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  This month’s theme will be Stawberries! As Plant City winds up  the annual Strawberry Festival, prepare to celebrate at the Tampa Bay History Center as little ones enjoy hands-on games, activities and sing-alongs. Kids will have a “berry” special time learning about the history and impact of strawberries on our local area in a tasty way.  A Little History is open to children ages 3 to 5 with an adult companion. Programs are held one Saturday per month from 10-11:30 a.m. Each program is $10.00 per child and $6.00 per adult.  Fees do not include admission into the History Center galleries. Members of the Tampa Bay History Center receive a $2.00 discount for both children and adults. One adult must accompany every two children. Space is limited, pre-registration is required.  For more information on A Little History, contact the History Center’s Assistant Curator of Education, Jennifer Tyson, at (813) 675-8960 or visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

Pack a basket, gather up friends and join the Henry B. Plant Museum in Plant Park for a springtime tradition on the banks of the Hillsborough River on Sunday (3/14) from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Picnic in the Park is your opportunity to relax under the shade of the Desoto oak tree in the old gardens of the Tampa Bay Hotel. Enjoy the old fashioned melodies of Barber Shop Quartets, relax to songs from the Blake High School Gospel Choir and enjoy a concert by The University of Tampa's Band. Test your Victorian sporting prowess with the challenges of hoops and sticks, horseshoes, badminton, checkers, jacks or tiddlywinks. The entire family can take a cruise on the river aboard Captain Cliff's Fun Boat for $4 per person...new this year! Box lunches are available for $8 (reservation for lunch needed).  Get more details by clicking here.

Florida Pro Musica’s 2009-2010 season continues at Sacred Heart Church at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday (3/14).  Soprano Maggie Coleman is familiar to Bay Area music lovers, as a featured soloist in countless concerts, recitals and stage productions. In her recital debut with Florida Pro Musica, she will perform songs and arias from the 17th and 18th centuries, featuring works of Handel, Purcell, and Bach, accompanied on the harpsichord and virginal by FPM's Music Director, Larry Kent, who will also play several solo pieces by Scarlatti and Handel. This is sure to be a splendid concert, made all the more spectacular by the stunning visual and aural magnificence of Sacred Heart.  For more details, click here.

Later in March:

The United States Navy comes to town for Tampa Navy Week March 13th through the 21st!  This is the entire community’s opportunity to meet members of the US Navy, learn what the Navy does and get tips on various topics.  The Navy will also be part of the Tampa Downtown Market on March 19th.  Don’t miss your chance to meet a local Admiral!  To find out more about Tampa Navy Week, click here.

Food for a good cause! Due to the overwhelming appeal of famous television shows, outstanding chefs have been praised for their culinary genius.  This event will have Tampa Bay’s prominent chefs in the limelight and will raise much needed funds for the Child Abuse Council.  This one-of-a-kind event created in Tampa Bay is sure to be worldwide news!  Up to twenty-five of Tampa Bay’s premier chefs will be invited to participate in this culinary adventure.  They’ll bring their own ambience and excellence to the area’s elite for an evening of very fine dining.  Each chef designs their own menu and prepares – tableside – a five course meal with accompanying wine (or other libations) for a table of ten people.  Chefs will receive points in attempt to claim the title of “Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay”.   This event will take place March 15th at Hyatt Regency Tampa. For more information on “Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay”, call the Child Abuse Council’s Development Department at (813) 673-4646 or visit www.childabusecouncil.com.

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th and downtown Tampa is the place to celebrate.  For St. Patrick’s Day the Garrison Channel, located behind Channelside Bay Plaza, will be turning green.  Don’t worry about the fish.  The Florida Aquarium assures everyone that this is environmentally safe to do.   Find out more by clicking here.

The Gasparilla International Film Festival will open at the Tampa Theatre on March 18th.  The festival will bring to downtown Tampa and the surrounding areas some of the most unique productions on film ever.  Find out what you can expect by visiting their website. Films and events will take place at Tampa Theatre, Muvico in Ybor City and CineBistro in Hyde Park.

Evening Tide Talks at The Florida Aquarium will continue March 18th.  Dr. John Gifford, Ph.D. from the University of Miami will be the presenter.  Titled "Life Amid the Mammoth Sloths and Giant Land Tortoises: Exploring Prehistoric Florida" this lecture will explore more than 75 meters deep the Little Salt Spring in Sarasota harbor where some of the oldest and most intriguing artifacts have been discovered in the United States.  In 1975, researchers excavated the skeleton of an extinct species of giant land tortose still containing a prehistoric wooden stake used to kill the animal.  Come learn about Dr. Gifford's investigation of this site, its unique paleoenvironments, and recent research funded by the National Geographic Society.  A reception will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by the lecture at 6:15 p.m. To RSVP, call (813) 273-4568.

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts will be the location for a bridal show on March 21st.  If you are planning your wedding and wish to meet with those that can make your special day even more special, then make sure to attend this upcoming event.  Find out more by clicking here.

April Absolutes:

• The Tampa Bay History Center invites you to bring your kids who are in grades 3rd through 5th for a Spring Break Camp titled "Tampa's Urban Treasures."  Camp will be held April 12th through the 16th. Attendees will explore Tampa's many traditions through a week full of exciting games and creative crafts at the History Center.  From a day in the life of pioneer to Seminole culture and Ybor City immigrant life, attendees will even work as archaeologists while they hunt for Tampa's treasures in the museum’s galleries.  The group will also explore outside of the History Center's walls with field trips to local urban historic sites.  The camp is held from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm with before and after care available.  The cost to attend is $135.00 per student for members and $150.00 per student for non-members. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact assistant curator of education, Jennifer Tyson, at (813) 675-8980 or jtyson@tampabayhistorycenter.org.
• Coach Joe Gibbs, formerly with the Washington Redskins, will be the keynote speaker at an upcoming breakfast event called A Game Plan for Life Breakfast.  The event takes place April 28th at the Tampa Convention Center starting at 6:30 a.m.  Find out more by clicking here.
• The second annual Sweetwater Paddle for the Cure takes place on Saturday, April 24th with two race options: a 5-mile race, at 8:00 a.m. and a 2-mile family fun paddle, at 10:30 a.m. Set against the background of downtown Tampa’s scenic Riverwalk, both races will launch from Riverfront Park at 1001 North Blvd. All proceeds benefit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to fund and develop new treatments for multiple myeloma. For more information and to register contact: Ashleysickles@gmail.com

May Must Dos:

• The Florida Aquarium will host its very popular SeaGrapes Fine Wine and Food Festival on May 1st.  This event features over 100 fine wines, 20 great restaurants and live entertainment.  It is a fundraiser for The Florida Aquarium.  Don’t wait.  This event has sold out in the past and this year doesn’t appear to be any different.  Book now by clicking here.

In and Around InTown

Hillsborough County will hold its 7th Annual Neighborhood Conference on Saturday, March 27th at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus starting at 8:00 a.m.  This conference features workshops, exhibits and other great activities helping everyone become more “neighborly.”  Find out more by clicking here. 

 601 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1100, Tampa FL 33602
(813) 221-3686 phone; (813) 229-1328 fax: www.tampasdowntown.com
Be in the know faster by following the Tampa Downtown Partnership on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tampasdowntown or become a fan of downtown Tampa by visiting the Partnership’s Facebook page.