February 15, 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
The Tampa Downtown Partnership will continue the Tampa Electric Company Downtown Debriefing Series with an event titled “Down the Rabbit Hole.” This event will take place February 23rd in Ferguson Hall at The Straz Center (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center). The event kicks off with a 7:30 a.m. registration and continental breakfast followed by an 8:00 a.m. start with the program. Down the Rabbit Hole will take a look at the Straz Center’s fascinating journey to “Wonderland” – the process of creating a new musical from playwright/composer to opening night, and perhaps to Broadway. Hear show progress reports, economic impact and behind-the-scenes tales from Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi, plus just maybe get a hint at where you might find “Wonderland” next. To book your reservation, click here.
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
IKEA Business will continue with its popular Live @ Five events on Thursday (2/18). This event will look at sponsorships and how you gain the most from your efforts to be community supportive. How do you measure the objectives you set out for your involvement in the community? This event will help you set goals and measure them. Find out more by clicking here.
Downtown Businesses can help education by stepping up and sponsoring downtown’s own K-8th grade school, Rampello Downtown Partnership School! Each year the school puts on an event called Starry Nights. It is a fundraiser for the school’s music, dance and poetry programs. This is a very popular event and one of the school’s biggest public activities. Please help! To find out more, click on one of the links provided below:
Recruit your family, friends and co-workers for a happy hour hike along the Riverwalk benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The fun begins at 5:30 and the walk at 7, at Channelside Bay Plaza, Thursday, February 18th. To be eligible for prizes pre-register your team at their website or call (813) 288-2600.
If you are concerned about our water supply and our long term goals, then you will want to attend the Planning Commission’s upcoming event. The Linking Land Use & Water Supply: An Interactive Forum is the place to be on March 11th. This forum brings together concerned citizens and professionals with experts responsible for water management, water supply and growth management in the Tampa Bay area. These experts will discuss relevant issues and potential solutions to our growing needs in these areas. Get details by clicking here.
Hey boaters, if you have been planning on taking a safety class, but didn’t know where to go, now you have the opportunity to learn from the best. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering boating classes for anyone who is interested. Learn what the pros know by attending one of the classes being held each Wednesday. Find out more by clicking here.
You recently learned that President Obama awarded $1.25 billion to the high speed rail project that will connect Tampa and Orlando. There is also an effort underway to develop a light rail system between the University of South Florida, downtown Tampa and Westshore. What does this mean for our area? How could improved mass transit in Tampa Bay affect our community and businesses? The Tampa Bay Business Journal, internet developer Magnetic, and Shooting Stars Post have developed a contest for people to submit their videos on the topic. Find out more by clicking here. Sound off today!
Studies and Reviews
Economic news...
How is Florida doing in the world of commercial real estate? CB Richard Ellis recently released its 2010 Florida Market Perspective.
- The University of Tampa’s John Sykes College of Business released the winter issue of its newsletter called the Tampa Bay Economy. To review this issue, click here.
Transportation is quickly becoming a centerpiece to all future development in Tampa Bay. What do you think about the possibility of light rail in Hillsborough County? You have an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas during a series of public meetings. Don’t miss this opportunity to share what’s on your mind when it comes to light rail. To find out more, click here.
Do you work for a small business that does an incredible job? Do you know of a small business that is doing an incredible job? The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce wants to hear from you! They are collecting nominations for their 2010 Small Business of the Year Awards. To find out more and to submit an nomination, click here.
Does the Downtown area need additional shopping options? What suggestions do you have? We want to know! Downtown Tampa and its surrounding areas have experienced substantial growth in the past few years in terms of residential, retail, 
entertainment and restaurant offerings. As a Downtown area employee or resident, you are in the right place to experience all of the benefits! The Tampa Downtown Partnership and City of Tampa are working with the Tampa Research Group (Tampa RG) to gather feedback from you and your coworkers regarding improving Downtown’s grocery shopping options. Please take just five minutes to share your thoughts. To show our thanks, we will hold a drawing for various local business gift cards, vouchers and prizes. We hope you will take this opportunity to make your voice heard! www.TampaRG.com/employee
Seeing is Believing
83 Degrees is reporting that the University of Tampa has begun construction on two new buildings. Each building is LEED certified. The University of Tampa has continued to grow each year for the past several years. It now has close to 6,000 students enrolled. To read the story in 83 Degrees, click here.
This is the Tampa UCAP Downtown Water Pipeline Replacement Project update for February 15. A map with the road/lane closures is available by clicking here.
- Florida Avenue: The two lanes on the west side of Florida, starting at Zack north to Cass, are closed.
- Jackson Street: The northern parking and travel lane closed from Jefferson to Nebraska. The center and south lanes remain open to traffic. There is no parking on the north side of the street. The parking spaces on the south side are available. The northbound turn only lane from Jackson onto Nebraska is closed. Traffic is shifted so motorists can turn onto Nebraska from the center lane
- Nebraska Avenue: There will be a lane shift between Washington and Jackson. Motorist should expect a new traffic pattern.
- Brush Street: The northbound lane is closed between Whiting and Washington. Northbound traffic will be detoured on Jefferson. The southbound lane will remain open to thru traffic.
- Whiting Street: Eastbound lanes between Jefferson and Brush are closed. Traffic will be detoured on Jefferson to Jackson. Westbound traffic will be maintained in one lane.
- Marion Street: Closed to through traffic from Scott to Laurel beginning Wednesday, Feb. 17th. The intersection of Marion and Scott will be closed for one night on Tuesday, Feb. 16th. For information regarding changes in bus stops in the immediate vicinity of the Marion St. Transit Center, please contact HART Customer Service at 223-6831. The two lanes on the west side of Florida, starting at Zack north to Cass, are closed.
Additional information about this project can be found on the Tampa UCAP website at www.tampa-ucap.com.
The Tampa Port Authority reports that progress on the new parking garage in the Channel District continues to make great progress. The project continues on target for a summertime completion. Take a look at recent construction images by clicking here.
Special Services District
Congratulations to the following Clean Team members who are celebrating employee anniversaries:
- Rich Cottrell – 3 years (1/22)
- Mike Kennedy – 1 year (1/26)
- Eddie Carver – 1 year (1/29)
- Jay Arnold – 1 year (2/16)
Congratulations to longtime Downtown Guide, Ray Bertrand, who celebrated 8 years of service in December 2009. Additional congratulations go to the following Guides who are also celebrating employee anniversaries:
- Isabel Luciano – 2 years (1/7)
- Christopher Thompson – 2 years (1/21)
- Julio Montalvo – 3 years (2/12)
HART is hosting a Community Open House in downtown on Friday (2/19) from 11:00am – 2:00pm in the lobby of One Tampa City Center. This is your opportunity to provide input on their Alternative Analysis planning process to determine the transit mode and alignment for a fixed guideway that best meets the needs of the community. Click here for more information.
Downtown soccer lovers…Tampa needs your support. Downtown Tampa has a great deal to gain if Tampa is chosen for the site of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup. You can show your support by going to the El Salvador vs. USA soccer game on February 24th. Find out more how you can support Tampa’s efforts by clicking here.
Creative Urban Core
The Howard W. Blake Friends of the Arts Foundation presents Tapestry! – An annual showcase that weaves together creativity, talent and skill from Blake students, alumni and faculty – at the Tampa Theater on Tuesday (2/16). This inaugural event offers the best of Tampa’s school for the fine arts by featuring a wide range of styles and moods in music, writing, film, dance, and theatre. To find out more about this event, click here.
ATTENTION ARTISTS: The Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) has announced a call for chalk artists and plein aire artists to participate in its second annual Chalk Walk art festival. TBBCA has announced that the second annual event will take place May 7-9, 2010 in Hyde Park Village. Cash prizes totaling $2,600 will be awarded for the best drawings. Artist applications are due no later than March 31, 2010 but the early registration deadline is February 25 for a discount in registration fees. Read more by clicking here.
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: Do you need money for to continue your arts education? Time is running out for you to apply for the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts’ “High School Art Stars” scholarship program! The deadline is February 18th. Don’t delay. Find out all you need to know, plus get an application 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.
Best Bets for this week:
The Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Institute and the Tampa Attractions Association will be hosting another great wine event on Wednesday (2/17) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cafe Dufrain on Harbour Island. Your $15 cover includes wine, light hors d'ouevres and live entertainment. If you plan on going, now is the time to RSVP. To do so, click here.
Come join in the "Mobility Market" this Friday (2/19) brought to you by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the Urban Charrette. From 10:00 am – 2:00 pm the Tampa Downtown Market will be themed as the "Mobility Market". For the occasion, the 300 block of Madison Street will be (temporarily) redesigned using Complete Streets principles. Local agencies, businesses and organizations will have product displays and informative exhibits focused on improving mobility through good urban design and by supporting various modes of transportation (electric cars, transit, bike, carpooling, etc.).
Many of us have followed the “Antiques Road Show” on television hoping to spot a familiar family heirloom worth enough money to change our lives. At the Henry B. Plant Museum they have their own version of that program called Antique Evaluation Saturdays. Bring your favorite treasures to the Music Room in Plant Hall at The University of Tampa for a verbal evaluation. At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday (2/20), local appraisers will be available to answer your questions. Evaluation cost is $5.00 per item, which goes to the restoration and renovation of the museum. There is a limit of four items per family. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis, and will be sold between 10:00 a.m. and noon. If furniture is too large, bring a good photograph and a drawer or door from the piece, if possible.
Moffitt Cancer Center’s FACTors Program will be on hand Saturday (2/20) for the Dragon Boat Mini Regatta from 8am – 11am at the Tampa Convention Center docks and Sail Pavilion. FACTors is a not-for-profit program at Moffitt, that has provided support, education and outreach for the past 22 years to breast cancer patients and survivors. FACTors, along with The Florida Aquarium, is one of the beneficiaries of the funds raised through the annual Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Race, scheduled for May 1st. To find out about this mini-regatta, including mapping to the event, click here.
Who doesn’t love to eat? How about eating and for a good cause? Even better! On Saturday (2/20) don’t miss Taste of Tampa’s Riverwalk being held at The Heights. Tickets are $55.00 per person and include Tampa River Taxi transportation and food along the way from Rick’s-on-the-River, Malio’s Prime, Sono Café, Jackson’s Bistro, Café Dufrain and The Columbia Café. Get all the details about this event on The Heights Tampa’s Facebook page.
Must Dos in March:
Sample over 250 premium wines from Spain, California & South America and enjoy tapas from The Columbia Café while helping find a cure for pediatric sarcoma. $100 per person benefits Moffitt Cancer Center. The event is Friday, March 5th, from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tampa Bay History Center. See www.columbiarestaurant.com for more information.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Lightning Foundation are excited to announce the 9th Annual Bolt Run, presented by the St. Petersburg Times, benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the Lightning Foundation’s Annual Grant Program, to be held on Saturday, March 6 beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Bolt Run features three separate classifications in which runners may participate. The five-mile race will begin at 7:30 a.m., while the 5K event will start at 8 a.m. The Children’s 400 and 600-meter dashes will wrap up the day’s schedule at 8:30 a.m. All three races will begin at the St. Pete Times Forum and will also feature chip timing and results. Awards will be distributed to the top three male and female qualifiers in 13 distinct age groups. Those interested in entering the 9th Annual Bolt Run can find out more by clicking here. A $25 pre-registration fee is available until March 5 while on-site registration the day of the event will be $30. Registration for the Children’s Dashes (12 & under) is $15.
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, March 14th 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.
More 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.
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.
Planning ahead…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
In and Around InTown
Ybor City has a new Web site to promote the area. Take a look at the new www.yboronline.com. It features great information about events, development, and you can find out who in Ybor City uses social media. The new site features Ybor City’s new commercial as well. Log on today.
Do you LOVE Flan? Come enjoy the creamy dessert at the 7th Annual Flan Fest! Flan Fest is celebrating 7 years of SWEET SUCCESS and returns to the Ybor City Saturday Market in Centennial Park (corner of 8th Ave and 19th St.) on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. This event is held in conjunction with Fiesta Day, which is Ybor City’s official day of celebration of its ethnic heritage and culture. Flan Fest will host its Annual Flan Bake-Off with forty contestants competing for the Top Flan in Tampa Bay. Judges will be testing their taste buds to pick their favorite beginning at 12noon. Winners will be selected in both traditional and non-traditional (chocolate, strawberry, etc.) categories and announced at 2:30pm.
Shake off those winter blues and join Mayor Pam Iorio for a fitness walk around Al Lopez Park, located at 4810 N. Himes Avenue, on Saturday, March 13. The Mayor invites all Tampa residents and business people to join her and other elected officials, department heads and community leaders for a refreshing walk around the park The walk will begin at 7:15 a.m. with a warm-up. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m.in the Hunt Community Center, located in the park. The walk is free, but registration is required. The first 200 walkers registered that morning will get a Walking with the Mayor - Keeping Tampa Fit T-shirt. The goal of Walking with the Mayor - Keeping Tampa Fit is to foster physical fitness while allowing the community an opportunity to network with city officials. This is a fun, community activity that is suitable for all ages and abilities. Community health and wellness providers will also be on hand with information and ideas on leading a healthier lifestyle. For more information, please call the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department at (813) 274-8615.
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.