Carlton Fields has more than 300 attorneys and government and financial services consultants serving clients from offices in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. The firm is known for its representations of developers, investors, and financial institutions in the purchase, sale, development, financing, and investment in real estate; its national litigation practice, including class action defense, trial practice, white-collar representation, and high-stakes appeals; its insurance practice, including life and financial lines, property and casualty, reinsurance, and title insurance; its regulatory practice; and its handling of sophisticated business transactions and corporate counseling for domestic and international clients. For additional information, visit https://www.carltonfields.com/
In observance of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, the Tampa Downtown Partnership office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5. Office hours will resume at 8am on Monday, July 8. Tampa’s Downtown Guides and Clean Team will maintain normal working hours.
For more information about Tampa’s Downtown Guides and Clean team, visit tampasdowntown.com.
Tampa Downtown Partnership is looking to fill the position of Public Space Operations Manager.
Position Overview
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, Tampa Downtown Partnership administers the Special Services District. In addition to the Tampa’s Downtown Guides and Clean Team, Tampa Downtown Partnership works to promote Downtown Through marketing, communication, community engagement, beautification, and placemaking.
The public space operations manager ensures the delivery of high-quality service through development and implementation of efficient operational systems by managing staff and financial resources related to beautification, maintenance, litter abatement, and ambassador services in Downtown Tampa. The position supervises facilitation of landscaping and public space maintenance services, as well as supporting the execution of special projects related to public programming. The operations manager reports directly to the Senior Director of Public Programming & Operations.
Responsibilities
Required Skills and Competencies
Preferred Skills and Experience
Required Education and Experience
To apply for the position, please email a cover letter and resume to Shaun Drinkard. Please, no phone calls.
Enjoy 2.5 miles of Fourth of July activities along the Riverwalk! Here’s everything you need to know before attending Tampa’s newest summer holiday tradition.
*Firework start time may be slightly adjusted based on weather *For entertainment and activity maps, please visit https://www.tampagov.net/Boom
* Contact the city of Tampa Parking Division at (813) 274-8179 for parking related questions
*For transportation maps, please visit https://www.tampagov.net/Boom
*For a viewing location map, please visit https://www.tampagov.net/Boom
For more information about Boom by the Bay, please visit https://www.tampagov.net/Boom
Summer Series at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park
Summer Series at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park offers kids and parents a break from the sun and rain with FREE access to over-sized games throughout the week under 12,000 SF of shade during its installation. This free, all-day event takes place from June 24 – July 28. For more information, head to Julian B Lane’s Facebook page or the Partnership’s event listing.
Donuts and the Download on Downtown
Join us for the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s quarterly Donuts & the Download on Downtown! This morning event will highlight what’s happening in Tampa’s Downtown and ways to engage with the Partnership’s programs and initiatives. 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 Partnership’s office at 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 2125, Tampa, FL, 33602on July 31 from 8:30am – 9:30am. For more information and to register, click here.
Retail 101
Are you a retailer who is a new small businesses or an entrepreneur looking to start a small retail business? If you are interested in becoming a vendor during Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park’s upcoming season, the Tampa Downtown Partnership invites you to join for a free Retail 101 session on July 9th from 10am to 11am at Tampa City Center, 2nd floor, Room #225.
Local small business experts will share lessons learned, best practices, and their experiences with making the most of their time as a vendor at the Shops of Winter Village.
Speakers include:
Attendees will also hear from a representative at the Small Business Resources Center and Julia Mandell of GrayRobinson, P.A.
This is a free and open event. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Register here. Let others know you are attending by replying to our Facebook event!
There is a constant buzz about Downtown Tampa and all of the development. Have you heard about the grants that are helping businesses with improvements, such as the Storefront and Sidewalk Cafe Grant Program?
Grants are always something you hear about, but rarely do you see the actual successful implementation. The Tampa Downtown Partnership has done an amazing job of getting the word out about their grant programs. A great example is their work with businesses on improving/activating their storefronts/sidewalks. These projects help the business continue to grow and creates an improved experience for the community – a huge win/win for all involved.
Anise Global Gastrobar – 777 N Ashley Dr – Added umbrellas to provide shade for outdoor dining and a better visual experience for pedestrian traffic on a highly visible corner of Downtown Tampa.
The CI Group – 511 N Franklin St – Installation of an upgraded canopy to improve the overall look and feel of the storefront.
The Portico – 1001 N Florida Ave – Installation of awning to provide shade and a much improved appearance to the storefront.
Holy Hog BBQ – 302 E Kennedy Blvd – Creation of a much improved outdoor dining experience and enhanced appearance at a high-traffic corner.
“4 Sidewalk Cafes and 1 Complex Transformed In Downtown Tampa” – Tampa Bay is Awesome
Hospitality Industry Supports Designating 33% of the Total Tax Collections Specifically for Countywide Destination Marketing
Beginning Aug. 1, Hillsborough County will increase the tax rate on overnight stays at local hotels by one per cent, joining an elite group of Florida travel destinations that have previously been designated “high impact” tourism counties.
Only counties generating yearly hotel tax revenues of $600 million, or more, are eligible to increase taxes collected on hotel guest rooms by an additional one per cent.
In 2018, Hillsborough County reached that benchmark for the first time, reporting more than $644 million in taxable hotel revenue. Last year, tax collections rose to an even more robust level of nearly $673 million. Those record-high collections qualify Hillsborough County’s lodging industry to raise taxes from the current five per cent rate to six per cent.
Bob Morrison, executive director of the Hillsborough County Hotel & Motel Association (HCHMA), urged Hillsborough County Commissioners to support the proposed increase based on the backing of the HCHMA Board of Directors. “Our board unanimously supports such an increase, with at least one condition – a minimum of 33 per cent of every dollar collected should be designated for destination marketing,” Morrison recommended. “This condition is designed to grow the number of visitors who contribute to our community’s well-being, building a recession-proof firewall for the tough times while never asking our citizens to ever contribute a dime toward that firewall, unless they stay in a hotel room.”
County Commissioners approved the single cent tax increase on June 6. The new rates take effect Aug. 1 and are expected to increase hotel tax collections by $6.4 million annually.
Ron McAnaugh, president of HCHMA and General Manager of the Marriott Water Street Tampa Hotel, noted the tax increase may help the local economy offset any impact from recent budget cuts to Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing organization. The public-private agency faced financial uncertainty when state officials proposed curtailing funds effective Oct. 1, 2019. Instead, additional dollars were budgeted to keep the agency afloat through June 30, 2020 but at a lower level of funding that has already led to staff layoffs and other cutbacks.
“Through the various public and private sector partnerships coordinated by Visit Florida, we have been able to support worldwide marketing efforts that bring growing numbers of visitors to our county. With Visit Florida’s resources significantly reduced, we need to boost our marketing budget at the local level,” McAnaugh said. “We have new hotels opening, under construction and planned throughout the county. We must maintain a high profile so that our existing and new hotels, as well as the local economy, will continue to benefit from visitor spending.”
Visit Tampa Bay’s visitor spending analysis estimates that restaurants, retail and transportation businesses are the big winners when guests come to Tampa / Hillsborough County. More than 65 cents out of every dollar of visitor expenditures go to those businesses, and their associated jobs, throughout the community, not to local hotels.
Counties currently charging six percent on hotel overnight stays include the following: Broward, Duval, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Miami-Dade and Volusia.
About HCHMA
The Hillsborough County Hotel & Motel Association is a membership-based organization that represents leading hotels, motels and resorts. First organized in 1937, HCHMA’s membership include owners and managers of hotels, motels and resorts, attractions and venues that are beneficiaries of the Tourist Development Tax allocated within Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties and businesses that provide products and services to the hospitality industry. For more information, go to hotelsintampabay.com.
Tampa is losing a trusted budget chief and gaining a new city attorney as Mayor Jane Castor announced the upper-level changes Tuesday.
Gina Grimes will return to the city as City Attorney on Aug. 12. Grimes had previously been the chief assistant city attorney and attorney to the City Council before leaving for the private sector firm of Hill, Ward and Henderson where she was a partner. Salvatore Territo, who has been serving as city attorney, will continue on in the office. His new role will be announced soon. Grimes’ salary is to be determined, said Castor spokeswoman Ashley Bauman.
Sonya Little, the city’s chief financial officer, will stay on until after Castor’s Aug. 1. budget presentation to council members. She was recruited by Strategic Property Partners where she will become the firm’s chief administrative officer later that month. SPP is the development firm founded by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik that is currently at work on the $3 billion Water Street project near Amalie Arena.
Little’s replacement is to be determined, Bauman said.
In a news release, Castor said Little will leave a legacy.
“We could not have asked for a better CFO to lead this great city out of the recession,” said Castor. “She is leaving the city with some of the best financial footing we’ve had in decades, including 13 consecutive credit rating increases. Her talent goes far beyond the budget books and the void she will leave will be hard to fill. That being said, in my career I’ve made it a point to never stand in the way of someone else’s success. Although it will be difficult to see her go, I am proud of her contributions to the City and want to thank her for her unwavering commitment to her role overseeing our budget and her participation in my transition advisory teams.”
And the mayor, who took office on May 1, said in the release that Grimes will be a key addition to her team.
“Her innovative approach to running the city’s legal department will enable us to increase communication and improve city services, while ensuring that the City’s interests are protected. We welcome Gina while also thanking Sal Territo for his years of dedication to this great city,” Castor said.
“Jane Castor announces departure of budget chief, new city attorney” – Tampa Bay Times (subscription required)
During her 18 years as president, Genshaft has catapulted the USF System to national and international prominence in every key institutional area, including student success, research and innovation, fundraising and economic development. In June 2018, under her leadership, USF earned the designation of Preeminence, placing USF in the most elite category of state universities in Florida.
Highlights of Genshaft’s presidency by the numbers:
To read Genshaft’s full letter to the USF community, click here.
Join us on Tuesday, September 10th at the Julian B Lane River Center for a Local Leaders Luncheon, featuring Judy Genshaft. Register here.
“USF President Judy Genshaft to retire in 2019 after 18 years” – ABC Action News
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!
Monday, June 24 to Sunday, July 28 Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park This summertime program offers kids and parents a break from the sun and rain with free access to over-sized games throughout the week under 12,000 square feet of shade during its installation. For more information, go to Summer Series at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park
Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta
Wednesday, July 3, 11am to 2pm Lykes Gaslight Square Looking for a larger selection of lunch options? Step outside for a meal in the park! Choose from a wide variety of local food trucks serving up all sorts of delicious culinary creations. You’ll have your pick of dishes from plenty of delectable kitchens on wheels! For more information, go to Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta.
Heights 4th of July Festival
Thursday, July 4, 4pm to 9:30pm Armature Works This all-day affair will kick off with a classic American car show, followed by a hot dog eating contest, live music all afternoon on the Yuengling Riverfront Stage, a YMCA-sponsored family fun zone on the west lawn, and the day will end with a spectacular, 20-minute public fireworks display over the Hillsborough River. For more information, go to Heights 4th of July Festival.
Boom by the Bay
Thursday, July 4, 4pm to 9pm Tampa Riverwalk Introducing Tampa’s newest community event! This 4th of July celebration will feature family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and FOUR firework displays along Tampa’s waterfront. The Independence Day fun will be spread out across Waterworks Park/Armature Works, Julian B Lane Riverfront Park, The Tampa Convention Center/The Sail, and Sparkman Wharf. Get ready for a star-spangled celebration that will spark a new tradition in Tampa.. For more information, go to Boom by the Bay.
Rock the Park at Boom by the Bay
Thursday, July 4, 6:30pm to 9pm Julian B Lane Riverfront Park Here’s a great way to enjoy the Independence Day festivities! Listen to some great musical talent in a beautiful setting. This month’s show features One Night Rodeo, The Reality, Omari Dillard, and Ivy Alex. Greg Wolf and Deejay Xplicid will host. With food and drinks on the premises and an always exciting vibe, this free concert is guaranteed not to disappoint. For more information, go to Rock the Park.
Patel Conservatory presents Disney’s Newsies
Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 Straz Center for the Performing Arts Based on the 1992 Disney film, Disney’s Newsies comes to life on the Ferguson stage this summer. Performed by students age 13 through college, the story, set in turn-of-the century New York City, is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. For more information, go to Patel Conservatory presents Disney’s Newsies.
On the Marquee at Tampa Theatre
Pavarotti (2019) – Through Thursday, July 4 Echo in the Canyon (2019) – Friday, July 5 to Thursday, July 11 Seders & Cigars – A History of Jews in Tampa (2019) – Saturday, July 6, 2:30pm to 3:45pm Sing-Along Grease (1978) – Sunday, July 7, 3pm to 5pm
This Week at Amalie Arena
Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show. – Friday, July 5, begins 7pm Jeff Lynne’S ELO – Sunday, July 7, begins 8pm
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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