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Due to popularity, the location for the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s quarterly Donuts & the Download on Downtown has changed! This morning event will highlight what’s happening in Tampa’s Downtown and ways to engage with the Partnership’s programs and initiatives and will be located in Rivergate Tower’s 3rd Floor Conference Room.
Get the download on the benefits of membership, networking opportunities, transportation initiatives, marketing efforts, new developments, public art, crime prevention, beautification efforts, and much more. Complimentary pastries and coffee will be served.
This event is held at the Rivergate Tower Conference Room at 400 N. Ashley Drive, 3rd Floor, Tampa, FL, 33602 on July 31 from 8:30am – 9:30am. For more information and to register, click here.
For some people, the “American Dream,” means getting married, having kids and buying a big house in the suburbs.
However, a young Tampa family is doing just the opposite of going bigger and better, they are going smaller and smarter, making the “American Dream” their own.
For the last few months, KJ and Carolynn Jones have enjoyed nice morning walks by the water with their young kids, before starting their workday. Carolynn says it’s a big change from a long hectic commute.
“We were spending almost over 40 hours a month in traffic,” Carolynn Jones said.
So they made a major change. They moved, downsizing from a spacious home in Tampa Palms into a high rise condo downtown.
“We downsized from about 3,000 to about 1,700 square feet,” KJ Jones said.
They raised some eyebrows among their friends questioning where the kids would play and what they would do.
“This is big enough for me,” Isaiah Jones said.
“Since they’ve been here they’ve been happier and more peaceful,” Carolynn Jones said.
The family now goes outside together, walking to parks and restaurants, instead of playing or working inside in separate rooms. The family said they don’t miss the extra rooms their Tampa Palms home had.
KJ Jones says those same friends who questioned why they made the big move, have come to visit and are now questioning their own home goals.
“Now they’re starting to say, ‘Man, maybe this is not a bad idea and it’s something that we could do also,’ KJ Jones said. “So I think just doing it and making the jump and living it is the key.”
The move hasn’t just had a positive effect on the kids, KJ and Carolynn Jones say it’s brought them closer as a couple.
As far as budgeting goes, even though a smaller condo in downtown on the water can be more expensive than the huge, suburban home, KJ Jones says overall they are saving at least $500 a month in gas and tolls from just from not having to commute so far to work.
“Family Downsizes to Live Downtown” – WTSP 10 News
TECO Line Streetcar System’s June ridership has nearly doubled, and with Tampa’s Fourth of July celebration, ridership climbed by 150 percent.
During the July 17 monthly meeting, the board said the Streetcar saw 54,090 passengers in June, a strong ridership without any extra service taken place. In June of last year, it saw 27,415 riders.
However, in July with Boom by the Bay, Tampa’s new waterfront Fourth of July celebration with live music and a fireworks display, there were nearly 26,000 Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority riders that day, CEO Benjamin Limmer said.
HART bus service provided 18,000 bus trips, which is about an 8 percent increase compared to the same date last year, Limmer said. HART was giving free rides throughout its system during that day, which included the bus system and Streetcar. The Streetcar itself saw 150 percent ridership increase, topping out with 7,800 riders.
“Looking forward to enhancing that partnership [with the city] and making it a long-term activity,” Limmer said.
The Streetcar system is going through the process of modernization as well as an extension.
The first meeting for the city and HART took place in June to begin to determine the governance and implementation of the extension of the Streetcar further north and how to compete for federal dollars for it. Limmer said he expects an update by the end of August regarding the extension.
The current streetcar route runs along a 2.7-mile path from Ybor City to the Channel district.
“Tampa’s Boom by the Bay boosts Streetcar ridership” – Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)
Locally based Liberty Group has opened the dual-brand Hampton Inn by Hilton/Home2 Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District in Florida. The property adds a total of 213 new rooms to the downtown Tampa area.
“The development of this new mixed-use project in downtown Tampa is a product of the tremendous growth the area has witnessed over the past few years,” Punit Shah, CEO of Liberty Group, said in a statement. “Tampa continues to establish itself as a world-class city, and our urban core offers diverse demand generators that create the ideal location for both the Hampton by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton brands.”
The hotel includes two distinct dining areas, each designed for the needs of its respective guests, as well as a shared 24-hour business center, fitness center and rooftop pool. It also features meeting space for up to 150 people and a Starbucks. The property is within walking distance of the Tampa Convention Center, the Florida Aquarium, Amalie Arena, the University of South Florida College of Medicine and Port Tampa Bay.
“With larger communal areas, more room choices and close proximity to the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa International Airport, this versatile property offers travelers convenience to get the most out of their stay without compromising on location, cost or amenities,” Bill Duncan, global head for Hilton’s all suites and focused service category, said in a statement.
Liberty Group developed and manages the property. The vertically integrated hotel investment, development and management company’s portfolio comprises almost 50 hotels. Its properties extend as far north as Michigan and as far west as Houston
“Dual-Brand Hampton Inn/Home2 Suites Opens in Tampa, FL” – Hotel Management
Two design concepts were presented at a public input meeting on Monday, May 20. On July 15, ideas from both concepts were introduces as the Herman Massey Park Design Schematic. Public Input is being sought through July 29.
Please use the Public Input tab of the Herman Massey Schematic Story Map to navigate to the Public Input tap and share your thoughts and feedback on this $900K investment.
Herman Massey Park sits on the northwest corner of Tyler and Franklin Streets right in the middle of the Downtown River Arts Neighborhood.
As part of DRANA’s 2017 priorities, the association facilitated surveys to determine park needs from the community. Overwhelmingly, public safety was identified as the community’s priority and DRANA approached the City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Area for park improvements. As a result, upward of $900,000 has been committed to the park redesign and revitalization.
During May community feedback sessions last year, the City’s Parks and Recreation department introduced the Herman Massey Park improvement project and allowed the community to provide additional insights on park needs.
Once public input is collected on the park’s design, the design will be finalized later this year with construction beginning in 2020 with project completion in 2021.
“Herman Massey Park Public Input”
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!
WWE Raw Live
When: Monday, July 22 at 7:30pm Where: Amalie Arena After 2+ years, WWE RAW returns to Tampa!
Featuring the biggest reunion in Monday Night RAW history with your favorite WWE legends returning for this spectacular night
Buy your tickets for as low as $25 here.
Zumba in the Park
When: Tuesday, July 23 from 6-7pm Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park In partnership with the Downtown YMCA, instructor Meagan Simmons leads all ages of attendees in Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance and cardio workout.
Sips Under the Sea
When: Friday, July 26 from 7-10pm Where: The Florida Aquarium A unique cocktail after-hours party that includes appetizers and a signature event cocktail while you explore the Aquarium’s fin-tastic galleries. Your ticket includes access to the exhibit’s, animal encounters, a tasty selection of appetizers, a signature drink and a candy buffet featuring assorted Swedish Fish. Buy your tickets here.
On the Marquee at Tampa Theatre
Wild Rose (2019) – Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23 Light of My Life – Wednesday, July 24 Taking the Stage at the Straz Center
Patel Conservatory Presents Annie, Jr. – Wednesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 28 Constellations by Nick Payne – Wednesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 28 John Cusack plus a screening of Say Anything – Wednesday, July 22 Bring It! Live: The Dance Battle Tour – Thursday, July 23 A Night in Spain featuring excerpts from La Verbena de Paloma and other zarzuelas – Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 ADA Celebration – TRANSFORMATIONS: Building a World of Access and Inclusion – Friday, July 26 Choral and Chamber Intensive Concert – Friday, July 26 Combusion Live Presents Christopher Titus: Stories I Shouldn’t Tell – Saturday, July 27 Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue – Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, July 28
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.
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