Learn more about Dark Moss here.
The Tampa Downtown Partnership’s annual Urban Excellence Awards program celebrates individuals, businesses, organizations, events and projects that have created a positive and lasting impact in Tampa’s Downtown.
Take time today to submit your favorite example of Tampa’s Downtown leadership, innovation, talent, and community spirit! Nominations are open to the public and are a fun, easy way to show much you love Tampa’s Downtown!
Please complete and submit the nomination form below. You may also access the form by visiting our website at TampasDowntown.com. All submitted entries will be considered on their merit. Nominations must be related to and/or located in Downtown Tampa and can be an individual, business, organization (for profit or not-for-profit), event, or project that:
Click here to nominate today!
Watch the video from last year’s event here.
The outdoor shaded area and seafood restaurant along downtown Tampa’s waterfront are expected to open in a week.
Big Rays Fish Camp and the Sail Plaza, formerly known as the Sail Pavilion, along the Riverwalk are scheduled to open Aug. 9, Tampa Convention Center National Sales and Marketing Manager Juan Lopez said.
This will be the second location for Big Ray’s Fish Camp, bringing the fishing shack-themed seafood restaurant to Tampa’s downtown for the first time.
The project reimagined the space around the 360-degree bar The Sail, adding new amenities like upgraded/expanded restrooms, additional seating, shade structures, and a full kitchen for Big Ray’s Fish Camp.
Lopez said the new plaza will be able to accommodate hundreds of people.
Meanwhile, renovations for concessionaires inside the convention center area such as Datz are expected to be completed in August or mid-September.
The next major project of the convention center is adding 18 waterfront meeting rooms, which would be complete by early 2021 and would boost the space by 16,000 square feet. The center is currently in the process to find a contractor for the project.
The new meeting rooms are part of the Tampa Convention Center’s $30 million capital improvement plan, funded through CRA and tourism tax dollars
“Sail Plaza and Big Rays Fish Camp to open next week” – Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)
This year marks the 16th year for the TBBJ’s BusinessWoman of the Year awards, and with that milestone comes another: the program’s first-time award for lifetime achievement.
Former University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft will receive the honor Sept. 13 at a black-tie event at Tampa Marriott Water Street.
This week, the Business Journal named 29 total Business Woman honorees for the 2019 class.
Genshaft, who was honored as the overall winner of the BusinessWoman of the Year award in its second year in 2005, spent 19 years at USF before retiring in June. Under her tenure, the institution catapulted from being known as a commuter school with a dismal graduation rate into a preeminent research university.
Read more about Genshaft in her TBBJ exit interview.
Genshaft grew up in Canton, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s in social work and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, master’s in school psychology and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Kent State University.
The impact of nearly two decades of work and dedication both on USF campuses and in the business community can be measured all over. USF is now one of Florida’s most critical economic development drivers.
An example is one of her last acts as president May 22 when she and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, made a $20 million donation to USF to create an Honors College building bearing her name.
Even USF football attendance, with a team known for its losing record, managed to increase last season to its highest count in six years.
On July 2, USF’s new president Steve Currall began his tenure in the role.
“TBBJ’s first BusinessWoman ‘lifetime achievement’ award to honor USF’s Genshaft” – Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)
Register for the Tampa Downtown Partnership Local Leaders Luncheon.
To be the tallest building in a major metropolitan area is a distinction.
It’s a title that spawned a legendary competition over the New York City skyline.
In the Tampa Bay area, the competition for height has not spurred such vicious warfare. But it does impact the way we see the cities we live in and their iconic skylines.
This list looks at the 21 tallest buildings in Tampa and St. Petersburg. We checked each building’s height via a database provided by Emporis, a research company that collects data on buildings worldwide. Then we used their list of tallest buildings in each city to create a ranking of the Tampa Bay area’s skyscrapers as a whole.
To calculate total length, we used what is called the architectural height, a measurement from the ground to the building’s “architectural top,” including spires but not certain equipment, like antennae or flagpoles. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat calls this the most “widely utilized” measurement for building height.
“We wanted to go with something that was not intended to change and part of the original intent of the design,” said Daniel Safarik, the council’s editor, on why that is the official metric.
One thing that may surprise you: In Tampa, the tallest buildings are largely commercial or public, whereas in St. Pete, they are largely residential and located on or near Beach Drive.
As time goes on, Safarik said, residents may continue to see more residential high-rises across the globe.
“I think people worldwide are becoming more comfortable living in high-rises,” he said. “With the increase in urbanization overall, it’s like you have to put people somewhere in the cities that we are moving to, and generally speaking, it just becomes more efficient to put people in the air.”
And for any of you wanting to engage in some friendly competition, the list skews Tampa over St. Pete. You’ll have to scroll down to No. 8 to find a building in St. Pete. Thirteen of the buildings on this list are located in Tampa while eight are in St. Pete.
“Name that skyscraper. These are the tallest buildings in the Tampa Bay area” – Tampa Bay Times (subscription required)
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!
VKNG PRIMAL MVMT Date: Monday, August 5 Time: 6pm – 7pm Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park What: VKNG PRIMAL MVMT is an anatomical movement study style workout. We take and explore / dissect natural movement patterns of humans and other animals to create a totally unique and effective workout. The class helps to increase blood flow, correct posture, correct workout form, and prevent injury.
Zumba in the Park
Date: Tuesday, August 6 Time: 6pm – 7pm Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park What: In partnership with the Downtown YMCA, instructor Meagan Simmons leads all ages of attendees in Zumba, a Latin-inspired dance and cardio workout.
Member Mixer
Date: Wednesday, August 7 Time: 5pm – 7pm Where: School of Woodworking What: Join fellow Partnership members and guests for a casual networking opportunity while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks located in Tampa Heights.
On the Marquee at Tampa Theatre
Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love (2019) – Monday, August 5, Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8
Taking the Stage at the Straz Center
End-of-Summer Music Blowout – Wednesday, August 7 Patel Conservator Popular Dance Intensive: Christmas in August – Wednesday, August 7 Evening of Dance – Thursday, August 8 Patel Conservatory Presents Showstoppers: Hooray for Hollywood! – Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11 Pole for a Purpose – Saturday, August 10
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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