Monday Morning Memo

Monday, April 23, 2018

Partnership Presents

Our Office is in the Park This Week

Join us as we make Gaslight Square Park (at the corner of Madison and Franklin) our office! While we set up shop for a week in the park we invite you to join us to talk about how you feel about Downtown. What do you love, what would you like to see more of, what could use some improvement? We want to hear from you, because at the end of the day we work to make your Downtown experience better. Our staff will have scheduled office hours, so be sure to check when would be the best time to come and discuss your thoughts. Not only will we be working in the park for a full week, but we also invite you all to work with us with free WiFi and complimentary food on select days.

Board Member Spotlight, Kevin Preast

Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment (TBSE) is a dynamic and proactive booking company lead by Kevin Preast (Senior Vice President of Event Management at Amalie Arena), an experienced booking and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He’s the guy tasked with leveraging Tampa’s rising profile to help the venue bring entertainers to play at the USF Sun Dome and Amalie Arena. TBEP, which entered a 10-year multimedia rights partnership with USF in April 2017, oversees the day-to-day and strategic operations of the Sun Dome running through 2022 with an option to extend the agreement. TBEP was established by owner Jeff Vinik to provide services to clients relating to their own sports and entertainment properties. It is a separate and different entity than the Vinik controlled organization that operates Amalie Arena and the highly-successful Tampa Bay Lightning NHL franchise, which was lauded as the No. 1 franchise among the four major professional sports leagues by ESPN in 2016. Read his June 2017 interview with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.

 Flat Tire or Need Dining Suggestions? Ask a Guide!

Tampa’s Downtown Guides provide a safe and inviting downtown environment through their role as friendly, on-street ambassadors. They help deter suspicious activity, while serving as additional eyes and ears. They patrol downtown mainly on foot and can be recognized by their bright yellow shirts, safari hats, and smiling faces. Their free services include providing downtown visitors, workers, and residents with restaurant suggestions, parking and event information, directions, and stranded motorist assistance with flat tires and battery jumps. Tampa Downtown Guides can be reached at 813.267.2220.

Enhancing Downtown through Public Space

The Tampa Downtown Partnership works to foster a vibrant and diverse downtown neighborhood through many programs and initiatives throughout the year. One of these programs is the Public Space Activation Grant. The purpose of the Tampa Downtown Public Space Activation Grant Program is to create unique, publicly accessible activations in the public realm. The proposed projects must enhance the downtown experience via the arts and/or social good. Approved projects can receive up to $2,500.00 for applicable expenses. Awards are considered on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. Approval can take up to 30-60 days from date of submission. Learn more about the program and to see if your idea or project is eligible.

Your Downtown Calendar

In the Time of the Butterflies
Through Sunday, April 29
Stageworks Theatre
Based on Julia Álvarez’s popular novel, this is a fictionalized account of the story of the courageous Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic. With immersive video and animation dispersed across the stage, the piece paints a visual dreamscape of the interior lives of the activist sisters, the beauty and ferocity of the natural world, and the music heard on the radio of the time. For more information, go to In the Time of the Butterflies.

Fourth Friday
Friday, April 27, 4pm to 10pm
Downtown Tampa and Ybor City
When the sun goes down, the streets of Tampa and Ybor will light up with music, laughter, art, friends and FREE fun. This evening of special offerings and programs by cultural venues, restaurants, and more takes place on the fourth Friday of every month! For more information, go to Fourth Friday.

Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races
Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
Building off the success of last year’s inaugural event, which included more than 48 teams and 1,050 athletes, this year’s races will bring paddlers and spectators together from across the state and country for a day of competition, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and more. This event is free to spectators and family friendly. There will be musical entertainment from Southern Train, as well as a variety of food trucks, drink vendors, and merchandise vendors. For more information, go to Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races.

Jeff Dunham: Passively Aggressive
Sunday, April 29, begins at 3pm
Amalie Arena
Record-breaking, global comedy superstar Jeff Dunham is bringing his cast of characters to Downtown Tampa! Dunham will take the stage with his ill-behaved and slightly-demented posse of characters for a gleeful skewering of family and politics. America’s favorite ventriloquist will have you laughing and enjoying the antics of his famous cohorts Walter, Bubba J, Peanut, and more. For more information, go to Jeff Dunham: Passively Aggressive.

Taking the Stage at the Straz Center

Rhiannon Giddens With Special Guest Dead Horses – Monday, April 23, begins 7:30pm
Waitress – Tuesday, April 24 to Sunday, April 29
Happy Hour Concert: 50! – Thursday, April 26, begins 6:30pm
Patel Conservatory presents Peter Pan, Jr. – Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29
The Florida Orchestra – Celebrate Broadway – Friday, April 27, begins 8pm
Little Black Dress – Friday, April 27 to Saturday, April 28
Eden Shireen – Live & Local – Saturday, April 28, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Tampa Bay Symphony “A Tour of the Symphony” – Sunday, April 29, begins 2:30pm

On the Marquee at Tampa Theatre

Field of Dreams (1989) – Monday, April 23, begins 7pm
Leaning Into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy (2018) – Wednesday, April 25, 7:30pm to 9:15pm
Little Women Preview (2018) – Thursday, April 26, 7pm to 8pm
Final Portrait (2018) – Friday, April 27 to Wednesday, May 2
Saturday Session: Music In Movies – Saturday, April 28, begins 9am
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) – Saturday, April 28, 7:30pm to 10pm
The Dark Crystal – Sunday, April 29, 3pm to 4:30pm

On Stage at Jobsite Theater
1984 – Wednesday, April 25 to Sunday, May 20

Doing Business in Downtown

Retail Spotlight: SzeChuan House

Jason Zhang and Alice Chen opened a lunch place SzeChuan House in downtown Tampa with dishes that are popular in the Sichuan region of China. These are the dishes that folks thin think of as classic Chinese: General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef. SzeChuan House features a large wall mural of the Chinese countryside, red silk lanterns and dining areas inside and on the sidewalk. It’s open daily from 10:30am to 4pm, with dinner to come when they get their liquor license. Find them at 508 N Franklin St., Tampa. (813) 221-8989.
“Four new restaurants in Tampa Bay: Brazilian Steakhouse, Chinese, Juice Jar and More”Tampa Bay Times

Florida Startup Bus Helping Downtown Entrepreneurs

The Florida StartupBus — packed with 30 entrepreneurial-minded people who may be strangers to each other — is set to roll out of downtown Tampa at 8 a.m. Friday, April 27. The bus embarks on a 72-hour journey of more than 650 miles to New Orleans, stopping at Atlanta, Nashville, and cultural and entrepreneurial hotspots. Along the way, participants can create a product and business, take risks without consequences, and connect with mentors and collaborators who can help make their venture a success. Potential participants can sign up at http://Startupbus.com/florida using the invite code 83Degrees.
“New Orleans-Bound Startupbus Rolls Out Of Tampa On Friday” 83 Degrees

Local Chambers Sign On To Rays 2020 Effort

While big questions remain about who will pay for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium near Tampa’s Downtown in Ybor City, four influential chambers of commerce have now officially partnered with Tampa Bay Rays 2020 organization. The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce board voted unanimously to sign on; it followed the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, and the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and its 800 members drawing from Wesley Chapel to Trinity in Pasco County.
“Four Local Chambers Sign On To Rays 2020 Effort”Tampa Bay Business Journal

UT Showcases New Downtown Businesses

Last Friday, The University of Tampa Sykes College of Business’ Lowth Entrepreneurship Center showcased 52 of its students’ startup business concepts at the New Venture Exposition. The New Venture Exposition is the culmination of work of center students and program participants.  Graduate students in the M.S. in Entrepreneurship program, as well as senior undergraduate students majoring in entrepreneurship, present business concepts that began development at the start of the 2017-2018 academic year. They will compete alongside Spartan Incubator and Accelerator program participants, many of whom have already committed hundreds of hours to their new ventures.
“UT Lowth Entrepreneurship Center to Host Annual New Venture Expo April 13”Tampa Bay Newswire

Development and Transportation

Tampa’s Residential Construction Projects

The massive construction projects changing Tampa’s landscape change almost daily. Many of the large multifamily and mixed-use developments proposed throughout the city in 2015 and 2016 are well under construction. Projects in and around downtown Tampa and are taking shape; from Altis Grand Central to Seazen, the apartment building that has replaced the former Chart House restaurant.
“See Some Of Tampa’s Biggest Residential Construction Projects From The Sky (Photos)”Tampa Bay Business Journal

Riverwalk Place Developers Reveal Renderings

The old Trump tower site on Tampa’s Riverwalk has for years remained empty as a knocked-out tooth, but on Thursday developers put flesh on a vision for what they tout as Tampa’s tallest building, with its most exclusive set of condominiums and a curved design they promise would stand out in the skylines of New York, London or Shanghai. The $350 million Riverwalk Place tower would rise on one of Tampa’s most benighted pieces of real estate: the site once promoted as the future home of Trump Tower, a similarly lofty project that never happened. For the design, Feldman and Two Roads Development turned to architects at Gensler, a firm whose projects include the 127-story Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world, and the 69-story Qianhai Shimao tower, also in China, one of the tallest “twisting” towers in the world. Condominiums would start at the 22nd floor and take up about the 30 uppermost floors of the tower, which would be at the southwest corner of S Ashley Drive and E Whiting Street, site of the now-vacant CapTrust building. The condos would cover 1,200 or more square feet and have prices starting at $600,000.
“53-Story Riverwalk Place Developers Reveal Ultra-Modern Design (Rendering)” –  Tampa Bay Business Journal

Water Street Tampa Announces New Hotel

A prime corner in Water Street Tampa could become Tampa’s first five-star hotel, a 173-room Marriott Edition. It is expected to open in early 2021 as part of a 26-story tower to be built at the northwest corner of Channelside Drive and Water Street, across the street from Amalie Arena. It will include a rooftop pool with an adjacent bar and restaurant, top-of-the-line spa and fitness center, a second high-end restaurant on the ground floor and retail spaces designed to activate the street and draw visitors. Marriott already operates the 727-room Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina. In addition, construction is scheduled to start next week on a 519-room JW Marriott with a projected opening date in 2020. Together, the three hotels will give Water Street Tampa (and Marriott) more than 1,400 hotel rooms and 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
“Five-Star Hotel Might Come to Water Street Tampa”Tampa Bay Times

Competition Heats Up to Bring Back the Cross Bay Ferry

Two firms are competing for a contract to bring the Cross Bay Ferry back this November. Delaware-based HMS Ferries, the company that operated the ferry pilot project during the 2016-17 season, and Seastreak LLC & Yacht Starship Dining Cruises LLC both responded to a request for proposal the city solicited earlier this year. The HMS Ferries pitch includes cost and revenue projections for three years using the same boat and team used during the pilot project. The team’s proposal noted that as a way to “hit the deck running” to ensure “an even more impressive” route than the original, which exceeded revenue expectations.
“Tampa And St. Pete Cross Bay Ferry May Come Back This Fall”Tampa Bay Business Journal

Member Corner

USF Shares Video of Downtown Development

Hear from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, President of USF Judy Genshaft, and CEO of the Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, and many others as they discuss how the new USF Morsani College Medical of Medicine and the USF Health Heart Institute is a catalyst for more growth and development in Tampa’s Downtown. Check Out The USF Downtown Tampa Video.

Feeding Tampa Bay and ChappellRoberts Win Award

In a highly competitive annual award event, Feeding Tampa Bay and its advertising agency of record, ChappellRoberts, were awarded the coveted 2018 Non-Profit Marketer of the Year Award by the American Marketing Association. Judges recognized the emotionally-charged “Don’t Label Hunger” campaign for its creative execution, impressive brand awareness returns, and financial donations. The campaign goal was to help dispel negative stereotypes about hunger and deliver more meals to the everyday people that go hungry in Tampa Bay every day.
“Feeding Tampa Bay and ChappellRoberts Win American Marketing Association Marketer of the Year”Tampa Bay Newswire

Free Screening at Tampa Theatre

The Tampa Bay Rays 2020 organization is proud to partner with The Tampa Theatre to host a FREE screening of the 1989 Classic Baseball Film, The Field of Dreams on Monday, April 23. Doors open at 6pm and the movie starts at 7pm. Hang out on the red carpet with The Tampa Bay Rays’ Mascots “Raymond” and “DJ Kitty” for photo opps and get into the groove of America’s favorite pastime while getting serenaded by Tampa Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, while it serenades baseball and movie fans alike with “Take Me Out to The Ball Game!” All you have to do is show your support to “Keep the Rays in Tampa Bay” by visiting www.tampabayrays2020.com/TT and sign up! Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t hesitate to sign up today! Let’s Play Ball Tampa Bay!

Hill Ward Henderson Attorney Honored

Hill Ward Henderson proudly announces that attorney Tori Simmons is the recipient of the 2018 Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Young Lawyer Award. Ms. Simmons will be recognized with this award at the Pro Bono Service Awards Ceremony, held on April 19, 2018. Since beginning her practice at Hill Ward Henderson in 2013, Ms. Simmons has been dedicated to providing service through multiple legal and non-legal organizations in the community. In 2017, Ms. Simmons contributed 179 pro bono hours representing poor citizens in the community through organizations such as the Bay Area Volunteers Lawyer Program (BAVLP), Project H.E.L.P. clinic at Metropolitan Ministries, Crossroads for Florida Kids, and more.  For additional information, please visit the firm’s website at www.hwhlaw.com.

Around Town

University Area CDC Partners Coalition Breakfast Meeting

The public is invited to this second-quarter gathering of the University Area CDC Partners Coalition on Thursday, April 26 from 8:30 to 10:30am.  Attendees will learn about programs and initiatives happening in the USF area, and will enjoy complimentary breakfast and networking.  Additionally, this special event will highlight winners of the 2017 Community Impact Awards, and update partners on their progress. Held at14013 N. 22nd St., this gathering is for everyone who has an interest in improving the neighborhoods in the university area.  Reservations are required by contacting lgil@uacdc.org. There is no charge to attend.

Zoe’s Plans Second Tampa Location

Zoe’s Kitchen, a fast-casual Mediterranean chain restaurant that opened its first Tampa Bay store in 2017, is planning another location in this region. Texas-based Zoe’s (NYSE: ZOES) will open its second Tampa store in Carrollwood Commons, a shopping center of North Dale Mabry Highway where Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. opened its first Florida location in 2017. The new Zoe’s will open in May and create 30 jobs, the company said.
Zoe’s Kitchen Plans Second Tampa Location”Tampa Bay Business Journal

Museum of Western & Wildlife Art Set to Open

Tom James, chairman emeritus of Raymond James Financial, and his wife Mary are unveiling a museum showcasing the American West and Native American Indian culture. The new $75 million privately funded James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is located at 150 Central Avenue, in the heart of St. Petersburg’s waterfront arts district. The museum launched a soft opening earlier this month, to be followed by an official grand opening the weekend of April 28-29. In addition to galleries, the museum includes a theatre, gift shop, café and special event space for up to 750 people. Planned programming includes artist talks, demonstrations, educational programs, docent tours and children’s activities. To learn more, visit the James Museum website.
“St. Pete’s Newest Arts Gem: James Museum Of Western & Wildlife Art”83 Degrees

Hillsborough Looks For Rebuilding Firms At Lee Elem.

Despite insisting no decision has been made concerning fire-ravaged Robert E. Lee Elementary School, the Hillsborough County School District this week invited contractors to step forward if they can rebuild the school. The district anticipates a budget of $9.3 million to $18.5 million for the school, which had slightly more than 300 students and 49 employees at the time of the Sept. 12 fire. A timetable, which includes an information session 1 p.m. on Monday  in Conference Room 242A of the Velasco Student Services Center, 1202 E. Palm Avenue, is at this link. The district is asking that all materials be submitted by 2 p.m. on April 30.
“Hillsborough District Looks For Rebuilding Firms At Lee Elementary”Tampa Bay Times

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