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Monday Morning Memo
October 26, 2009


Partnership Matters

The Tampa Downtown Partnership will continue its TECO Energy Downtown Debriefing Series on November 10th at Jackson’s Bistro with an SDAT Project Update.  What’s SDAT?  SDAT stands for Sustainable Design Assessment Team, which is group of nationally chosen experts from the American Institute of Architects who, via a competitive grant process that Tampa’s Urban Charrette applied for and won, came to Tampa for two visits last year to study the opportunities for sustainability by design here.  Last year the local SDAT project team described the program on a panel during a Downtown Debriefing event.  This year come and hear a presentation of the final report and an update on the progress that has been made.  To register for this event, go to events.tampasdowntown.com.

DATE CHANGE: The Downtown Tampa Urban Excellence Awards celebrates businesses, organizations, individuals, events and projects that have made significant contributions toward creating a unique, vibrant and diverse Downtown environment – and have made a lasting, positive impact on Downtown Tampa.  An Awards Jury representing a cross-section of Downtown constituencies will select six (6) Award Winners - honoring them for their leadership, innovation, hard work, talent and community spirit.  The party will announce the winners, and acknowledge all the nominees.  This event will now take place December 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum.  Online registration available at events.tampasdowntown.com.


Opportunities

Downtowners who are concerned or would like to know the latest about this year’s Gasparilla Pirate Invasion event and its potential impact on downtown should plan to attend a community meeting scheduled for November 17th.  The meeting will take place in Tampa City Council Chambers starting at 6:00 p.m.  To learn about what is planned this year during the event, click here.

Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) will hold its 2009 Networking Gala & Silent Auction on November 12th at Hyatt Regency Tampa.  This is an opportunity to help the Centre for Girls.  Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails with the opportunity to bid on silent auction items such as weekend getaways, jewelry, artwork by local artists, sports memorabilia, sporting event tickets, salon & spa services and much, much more. PLEASE RSVP via CREW’s website at www.crewtampabay.org - click on the event on the homepage! ALL PROCEEDS go directly to The Centre for Girls.

Do you have a Tampa Bay Rays fan in your home? Now is the time to shop for them.  The Rays store downtown is having a huge sale.  Click here to read what discounts are being offered.

Wondering what to give that special someone this holiday season?  How about a personalized granite paver on the Tampa Riverwalk?   Not only will this gift last a lifetime, but monies raised will help complete Tampa’s magnificent Riverwalk.  Commemorate a special date, promote your business, celebrate an occasion, thank a friend or celebrate an anniversary with a customized message on one of the Riverwalk’s 12” x 12” granite pavers.  Each paver can be engraved with up to four lines, with 18 characters (including spaces) per line.  Personal pavers are $100 each and corporate or business pavers are $250.  Applications can be found at www.thetampariverwalk.com or by calling (813) 731.4509

Interested in learning about good planning and how effective transportation planning can positively affect a city?  The Tampa Bay Partnership will hold its 2009 Transportation Forum on November 2nd at Crown Plaza Tampa East starting at 2:30 p.m.  This event will feature a keynote address by Charlotte, N.C. Mayor Patrick McCrory.  Get details on this event by clicking here.


Studies and Reviews

SkyPoint Condominiums reports to the Partnership that it has only 14 units left.  If you have wanted to live in SkyPoint, you had better get there quickly before these units are gone.

Commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has released its 3rd quarter commercial office report for 2009.  To view the report, click here.

Congratulations to 100 N. Tampa.  The 42 story, 552,080 sq. ft. CBD office tower was awarded the LEED-EB Silver designation in the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program. This LEED-EB (Existing Building) certification is the first in downtown Tampa and only the second building in the Tampa Bay area to achieve LEED certification. In fact, only six (6) buildings in the entire State of Florida, now including 100 North Tampa, have achieved LEED-EB certification.

Tampa scores big with Super Bowl XLIII.  SportsTravel magazine announced the winners of the 2009 SportsTravel Awards at the TEAMS 2009 Conference & Expo, held Oct. 13-17 in New Orleans.  Super Bowl XLIII, held in Tampa Bay in February 2009, has received the award for Best Professional Single-Sport Event!


Seeing is Believing

This is the Tampa UCAP Downtown Water Pipeline Replacement Project update for the week of October 26th.

  • Florida Avenue:  The two lanes on the west side of Florida Avenue, starting at Whiting Street north to Twiggs Street, will be closed from Oct. 5 through Nov. 27, 2009.
  • Nebraska Avenue: The northbound eastern travel lane from Channelside Drive to Brorein Street is scheduled to be closed   from October 26th to November 30th.  There will be one lane open for SOUTH bound traffic only on the west side of the street. There will be no street parking available in this area.
  • Twiggs Street: The northernmost travel lanes, turn lanes and parking lanes on Twiggs Street from Morgan Street to Franklin Street will be closed beginning October 26th.  There will be one lane open for east bound traffic only. Motorists traveling west will be detoured north on Morgan Street to Polk Street. The work is expected to be completed by the end of November.  There will be no street parking available in this area.
  • Jackson Street: The northern most travel lane and parking lane on Jackson Street from Franklin Street to Florida Avenue will be closed from October 26 through November 6th.  Motorists should expect a new traffic pattern during the lane closure.  There will be no street parking available on north side of Jackson Street between Franklin Street and Florida Avenue.

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

Kraft Construction Company Inc. is planning to temporarily close westbound lane on Channelside Drive from the roundabout (Cumberland Avenue) to Meridian Street for installation of two easterly storm inlets and piping.  This is part of Tampa Port Authority's Channelside Parking Garage Expansion related infrastructure work.  The work begins today (10/26) and is expected to be completed by Saturday (10/31).  Motorists should use Cumberland Avenue to Meridian Street during the closure.  The Channelside drop off area and valet can be accessed from west.  For additional information, contact Jae-Sang Lee at (813) 274-8009 or jae-sang.lee@tampagov.net.


Special Services District

The Tampa Downtown Market finally opened last Friday with spectacular weather.  Now with 50 vendors the Market offers Downtowners a wide variety of things to buy.  Get out of your building this Friday and come to the Market.  Need more convincing, read what The Tampa Tribune had to say by clicking here.

Now that the weather has moderated, join the Partnership’s Do the Local Motion walking program.  These free group walks exploring various parts of downtown are a fun way to get some exercise and learn more about your City. Click here to get the full schedule. Sign up to earn incentives and reward yourself for getting healthier. Come join us! Co -sponsored by Healthy Together.

What’s in a name?  The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners renamed the Tampa Bay History Center building the 'J. Thomas Touchton Tampa Bay History Center.'  The renaming of the building was brought forward by Commissioner Rose Ferlita to honor the dedication and drive Touchton demonstrated to make the new facility a reality. Touchton, the founding chairperson, spent 20 years actively raising both endowment and capital funds for the History Center project.  In addition, the Touchtons are in the process of donating their historic map collection of more than 3,000 items to the History Center. These maps and charts represent some of the “Florida” map-makers visions that have been created over the past 400 years.


Creative Urban Core
 
The Patel Conservatory is offering a free ballet class for adults on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Taught by new Patel Conservatory ballet instructor Glynn Owens, the class will focus on beginning ballet. No experience is necessary to attend the free class.  Pre-registration, by calling (813) 222-6453, is appreciated.

The Education Channel will hold its popular Independents’ Film Festival on November 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14.  A variety of films from independent film makers are sure to make for an enjoyable event.  Find out all the details about this year’s festival by clicking here.

The annual poster design contest for the Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races has extended its entry deadline from November 1st to November 30th to allow for additional entries to be received.  The Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races will be held for the 7th year on May 1st, 2010.  The poster contest each year yields over 20 entries from local and regional artists.  One lucky winner is picked by a panel of judges and becomes the face of the event for the year. The winner of the contest receives $750 and the opportunity to be recognized nationally for their talent, as well as the opportunity to work with the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Institute on future projects including the 10th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championship, being hosted by Tampa in August 2011.  The design is included on the event's posters, t-shirts, and event program cover.  All entrants to the poster contest will be displayed in a prominent location in the City of Tampa, and will also be available for purchase at the silent auction that the Institute hosts during the Paddler's Party, scheduled for April 30th, 2010. For more information on submission specifications, click here.


Downtown Happenings

HALLOWEEN IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA:  Here are things you can do:

  • 13 Ugly Men will hold its Annual Halloween Freak Show on October 30th at the Tampa Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel.  This event is a costume required event.  The fun starts at 8 p.m. and goes to 2 a.m.  Find out more and make your online reservation by clicking here.
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the New Jersey Devils!  The game starts at 3:00 p.m.  To purchase tickets, click here.
  • The American Victory Ship will host its Halloween Ghost Ship taking place Thursday, October 29th, Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st from 7:30pm to 11:30pm.  The Halloween Ghost Ship Spooktacular for Kids is slated for Halloween afternoon, Saturday, October 31st from 2pm to 4pm. The Halloween Ghost Ship invites guests to take a tour through the recesses and planks of the 1945-haunted ship.    Guests are also welcome to join in on a live ghost investigation with Paranormal Extreme, the Florida Paranormal Research Group and the White Noise Paranormal Network.  A beer and wine tent will be available on the Demon Den Deck.  For more details, click here.
  • Fly Bar will host its “Hallflyween” event starting at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday (10/31) and going to the spooktacular hour of 3:00 a.m.  Get the details by clicking here.
  • Think You Know Guavaween... Think Again! Zombies, Vampires, Vicious Angelz Gothic & Vampire Models, Gypsy Equestrians w/crowd-trained horses drawing zombie "floats", Contortionists, Jugglers, Street Performers and Circus Performers, Tampa Bay Derby Darlins, WWE Wrestlers and much more!  The infamous non-motorized return of the Mama Guava Stumble and the Freak Show Parade begins at 8:30pm on Saturday, October 31st - you won't want to miss it! For more information, you may visit their website, call (813) 242-4828 (Information Line) or call (813) 248-0721.

Other October notable events:

  • Happy Birthday Mr. Plant!  On Tuesday, October 27th, Henry Plant would be having his 190th birthday. The HB Plant Museum thinks that's cause to celebrate and they hope you will join them!  What is a birthday without balloons, cupcakes and punch? They await you on the veranda, from noon - 2:00pm. All day Museum admission is complimentary and visitors will be given a 10% discount in the Museum Store.  Take a break from your busy schedule on October 27th, enjoy a cupcake on the veranda overlooking downtown, and stop in the Museum for a Victorian step-back-in-time moment. Happy Birthday Henry Plant!
  • Pet lovers; mark your calendars now for the upcoming Passion for Pets event on October 28th at the Tampa Convention Center starting at 7 a.m.  This is a fundraising breakfast event for The Humane Society of Tampa Bay.  Details about this event can be found by clicking here.

Upcoming in November…

  • The Henry B. Plant Museum presents A Day of Holiday Shopping on Monday, November 2nd from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.  The Museum Store is stocked with new merchandise and offering a 10% discount on all purchases. Homemade delicacies are offered all day. Wine and cheese served at dusk. John Cinchett, author of Vintage Tampa Signs, a photographic book celebrating our city’s history, will be on hand to sign his book from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Lunch on the veranda will be served from 11:30am – 1:30pm.  Quiche, fruit salad, dessert and beverage are $12 but reservations are a must on or before October 29th. Call (813) 258-7302 for the reservations or email sshifke@ut.edu.
  • Veterans Day will be celebrated in downtown on Tuesday, November 10th in Joe Chilura Courthouse Square.  Get details about this important event by clicking here.
  • World AIDS Day is November 13th.  Get the details about this event by clicking here.
  • Impromptu Players of Stageworks Theatre will present a Staged Reading of “The God of Isaac.”  This is a hysterical comedy by James Sherman and directed by Andrea Graham.  The event will take place on Saturday, November 14th from 6:30pm & 9:00pm at Dolce Vita Lounge, Channelside Cinemas (601 Channelside Dr).  Tickets are a $25.00 Contribution for general seating or $35.00 Contribution for the reserved section.  For tickets call Andrea Graham at (813) 784-6832 or send an e-mail to impromptustageworks@gmail.com.  This is a benefit for Stageworks Outreach Programs for At Risk Kids
  • "Aurora Borealis III", Blake's Fine Arts Open House, will take place on November 17th from 6-8 p.m. The marching band will kick off the event at 6 p.m. sharp.  This magical torch-lit event will feature strolling performers and musicians in the courtyard as well as choreographed performances on stage by harpists, actors, guitarist, singers and dancers. Journalism and creative writing students will showcase their talent through the spoken word and live broadcasts. Bronzed dancers will be positioned on pedestals as living statues in the courtyard. Video and visual art imagery will be projected on the outside of the building. The gallery and visual art studios will be open to showcase student talent with demonstrations in stained glass, jewelry, photography, printmaking and ceramics.  The Fine Arts Faculty will be present in the theatre lobby to answer questions about the individual magnet programs. The Urban Teaching Academy will be available to answer questions. Prospective students and their parents are welcome. The event is free and open to the public!  The school is located at 1701 North Boulevard in downtown Tampa.  Come to "Aurora Borealis III" and enjoy all of the offerings that this downtown magnet school has to offer!

Planning way ahead…

  • Lace up your shoes with Mayor Pam Iorio and walk the Tampa Riverwalk for the 2nd Annual Tampa Riverwalk for Wishes on Thursday, February 18, 2010 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, Suncoast Region.  The money raised will grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses in the Tampa Bay area.  Please go to RiverwalkforWishes.wishcentral.org to sign up your team.  For more information please feel free to call 813-288-2600 or email specialevents@suncostwish.rog.


In and Around InTown

MacDill Air Force Base says “thanks!”  And to show their appreciation for the Tampa Bay community, the air force base has arranged for the Tops in Blue to offer a FREE show Monday, November 2nd at the Ford Amphitheatre.  The concert will start at 7:00 p.m.  Get details about this free concert by clicking here.

The Tampa Downtown Daybreak Rotary Club invites Downtowners to its Charity Poker Run on Saturday, November 7th.  This is a fundraiser motorcycle ride event.  Find out more about this event by going to www.tddrotary.org.

Mayor Iorio is lacing up her walking shoes and heading to Rowlett Park on Saturday, November 7 for a free fitness walk and you are invited to join her. The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Free Walking with the Mayor - Keeping Tampa Fit T-shirts will be given to the first 200 walkers registered.  The Mayor will walk four miles, but participants are encouraged to do as much or as little as they want. 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 newly formed Facebook page.