Tampa Downtown Partnership Announces Agenda For 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum “2010 – Downtown Tampa’s New Decade”
TAMPA, FL (March 5, 2010) – The Tampa Downtown Partnership will hold its 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum on Friday, March 19, 2010 at Tampa Preparatory School. This year the Development Forum will focus on the current economic conditions and the downtown Tampa’s continued growth in a new decade.
The Development Forum is an opportunity for the community to hear from leading national experts in a variety of fields. The 14th Annual Downtown Development forum will continue this tradition with experts in the arenas of transportation, commercial office, multi-family housing and hospitality.
The keynote speaker for this year’s Development Forum will be Tampa Bay based Florida historian Gary Mormino, Ph.D. Dr. Mormino is a professor at the University of South Florida. He is a Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History and co-director of the Florida Studies Program. Dr. Mormino’s topics of specialization include Florida and the American urban experience, Immigration and World War II.
Dr. Mormino is an accomplished author. His books include Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida (University Press of Florida); Immigrants on the Hill: Italian-Americans in St. Louis, 1882-1982 (University of Missouri Press); The Immigrant World of Ybor City: Italians and Their Latin Neighbors in Tampa, 1885-1985 (University Press of Florida)
Dr. Mormino holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, an M.A. from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a B.A. from Millikin University. During his address to the audience, he will offer a perspective of some other decades that have served as a springboard of opportunity for downtown, and our region.
Panel discussions and additional speakers include the following:
- The Oxymoron of “Hometown Democracy” (Amendment 4) and Growth Management: In November, Florida voters will vote on an initiated constitutional amendment that proposes to require voter approval of all changes to local comprehensive land-use plans, in order to "give voters more say over development." Currently, county and city commissioners make land use decisions. The initiative is supported by the leaders of Florida Hometown Democracy. "Mismanaged growth destroys communities," said group president Blackner. Supporters argue that Amendment 4 will simply add "another layer of protection against unwanted developments. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, other industry groups and 1,000 Friends of Florida environmental group said that they do not support the initiative. They argue that if the initiative is accepted it could mean a "permanent recession for Florida's economy." You need to learn more.
Panel Speakers:
Linda Shelley, Fowler White Boggs
David Mechanik, Mechanik Nuccio Hearn & Wester
- How Will We Connect? Included in the broad consideration of “transportation” for downtown Tampa, and our region, is High Speed Rail; future transit opportunities and other improvements to be considered in Hillsborough County’s Transportation Funding referendum; and how to sensitively maximize the opportunity of Transit Oriented Development in conjunction with all of these. What is the economic impact of all of this, and what is the role of the business community?
Panel Speakers:
Ed Turanchik, Connect Us
David Armijo, HART
Bob Hunter, Planning Commission
Ronnie Duncan, The Duncan Companies and TBARTA Chr.
- Key Downtown Industry Sector Updates/Forecasts Representatives of some of the most important Downtown industry sectors have been asked to give a “barometer” report of activities in those sectors in order to give us a true picture of how each sector is performing and what we can expect in the near future.
Panel Speakers:
Commercial Real Estate – Ray Sandelli, CB Richard Ellis
Residential – Dave Traynor, Smith & Associates
Retail – Brenda Dohring-Hicks, The Dohring Group
Cultural/Entertainment – Santiago Corrada, City of Tampa (invited)
Hospitality/Tourism – Thom Stork, The Florida Aquarium
Date and Location: The 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum will be held on March 19, 2010 at Tampa Preparatory School (727 West Cass Street, downtown Tampa).
Admission and Times: This event is open to anyone who is interested. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 12:00 p.m.
Admission to the 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum is $60.00 for members of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and $70.00 for potential members. Registration can be done online until 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2010 at events.tampasdowntown.com.
Sponsors: The sponsors for the 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum are:
- Platinum Sponsor: Hillsborough River Realty/The Jeffries Companies
- Gold Sponsor: University of Tampa
- Silver Sponsors: Bank of America Plaza, DLA Piper and Tampa Electric Company
- Media Support Provided by: Tampa Bay Business Journal
MEDIA: Members of the media that would like to attend this event for news purposes, please contact the Partnership by dialing (813) 221-3686.
The Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization. It is a membership organization comprised of companies, organizations and individuals with a common goal of advancing downtown Tampa. Through an annual contract with the City of Tampa, the Tampa Downtown Partnership administers the Special Services District. In addition to Tampa's Downtown Guides and Clean Team, the Tampa Downtown Partnership works to promote downtown through a multitude of initiatives including marketing, business development, transportation, planning and beautification. For additional information about the Tampa Downtown Partnership visit www.tampasdowntown.com.
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