Monday Morning Memo

Monday, March 18, 2019

Member Spotlight: Hill Ward Henderson Shareholder Recognized

Tampa Downtown Partnership Members since 1986, law firm Hill Ward Henderson is proud to announce that shareholder Dennis P. Waggoner was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

Mr. Waggoner was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers during the recent 2019 Spring Meeting of the College in La Quinta, California.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only, and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on important legal issues relating to its mission. The College strongly supports the independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Mr. Waggoner is a shareholder and the practice chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal trial courts. He has represented clients in a wide variety of commercial matters, including contract and corporate disputes, fraud claims, class actions, environmental disputes, antitrust claims, and claims for patent infringement and theft of trade secrets. He also devotes a significant portion of his practice to the defense of law firms in professional liability matters and is an associate of the ABA’s Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability.

Hill Ward Henderson is a full-service law firm with multi-disciplinary practices. Headquartered in downtown Tampa, with over 100 attorneys, the firm has a wide range of local, regional and national clients. For additional information, please visit the firm’s website at www.hwhlaw.com.

Karen Kress Selected for International Leadership Group

The International Downtown Association (IDA) selected 30 of the industry’s brightest professionals for the 2019 Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) program. These senior staff members hail from 3 countries and 17 provinces or states, including Newcastle, UK; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Milwaukee, WI; San Francisco, CA; Austin, TX; New Haven, CT; Denver, CO; and Karen Kress from Tampa, FL.

Alumni of the IDA Emerging Leaders Fellowship program, launched in 2016, are fast becoming sought-after leaders for the future of city building worldwide. In just three years, the ELF program has resulted in at least 20% of its graduates receiving promotions and significant pay increases. Graduates have become new CEOs, accepted CEO positions in other organizations, and others have elevated to more senior staff levels.

“The success of our Fellowship program underscores how critical this training is to our growing industry,” said David Downey, President and CEO of IDA. “This is the only program of its kind created specifically for urban place management professionals. IDA is looking to further illustrate the importance of our industry by elevating leaders with the necessary skills to champion inclusive city building. Professional development remains a hallmark of IDA.”

The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a week-long experiential program bringing together a cohort of IDA professionals from within the urban district management industry. The fellows learn essential leadership and place management skills and gain practical tools in the areas of place-based economic development, the live-work-play experience, and public-private partnerships.

“The International Downtown Association is looking to build the future of our industry, and these accomplished executives are the rising stars of our profession,” said Downey. “With this program, we’re educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”

The program takes place June 16-21, 2019 in New York City featuring intensive instruction delivered by IDA partners at Baruch College, City University of New York, Times Square Alliance and Coro New York Leadership Center. Professionals from several business improvement district organizations across the city provide technical in-the-field training. The event takes place at various locations throughout Manhattan with field visits provided by several local BID leaders.

Check Out These Upcoming Partnership Events

The Tampa Downtown Partnership has several upcoming events offering opportunities to learn, network, and to work outside for Office in the Park. Join us!

 

Downtown Debriefing Series: Economic Impact of Tourism

Join us on Tuesday, March 26 at the Florida Aquarium for our Downtown Debriefing, Land, Air & Sea: Economic Impact of Tourism and Events. Visitors pumped nearly $6 billion into Tampa Bay’s economy in 2016, helping to support nearly 50,000 jobs and reduce the tax burden on local residents in the process, according to an analysis of tourism data commissioned by Visit Tampa Bay. Hear from tourism experts Santiago Corrada with Visit Tampa Bay, Shaun Drinkard with the Tampa Downtown Partnership, Greg Lovelace with the Tampa Port Authority, and Roger Germann with The Florida Aquarium as they discuss how events and visitors to Tampa’s Downtown contribute to its economic health. This event includes a buffet breakfast and a panel discussion. Check-in and breakfast starts at 7:30am with the program beginning promptly at 8am. Register today! Interested in getting your company’s name in front of Tampa’s most engaged business leaders and decision makers? Check out our sponsorship opportunities. The Florida Aquarium is a Gold Sponsor of this event.

 

Office in the Park

Join us during the week of April 1st through the 5th as we make our way down from our office in Rivergate Tower to the ground floor level in Gaslight Square Park (corner of Madison and Franklin). 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. We have some awesome co-working space that will be available to anyone, with FREE wifi, all week long. Set up at communal sit/stand desk or take a more relaxed approach in our Green Space office lounge. However you choose to work, we have an option for you.

Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at work schedules and discussion topics as we get closer to the event. Tell your friends, it’s time to talk about Downtown!

 

Save the Date: Downtown Development Forum

This half-day event focuses on the exploration of innovative ideas in urban development and serves as a catalyst for discussion and problem solving for major urban issues. Each year, hundreds of downtown stakeholders, urban planners, developers, real estate professionals, property owners, public officials, non-profit organizations, and arts and entertainment professionals and those interested in improving downtown are in attendance. This year we welcome David Downey, President and CEO of the International Downtown Association (IDA), as our keynote speaker as well as HCP who will present the results of our 2018 Biennial Survey of Workers and Residents.

April 12, 2019
Armature Works

7:30am: Check-in and Breakfast
8am – Noon: Program

Partnership Welcome
Lynda Remund, Tampa Downtown Partnership
Mickey Jacob, BDG Architects

Opening Remarks
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa

Straight Talk >> Advocacy Updates
U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor (via video)
FL Representative Jackie Toledo (pending due to legislative session schedule)

Opening The Door For Urban Living >> Workforce and Attainable Housing
Owen LaFave, Bank of Tampa
Special Guest: Ashon Nesbitt, Florida Housing Coalition

Downtown Lifestyle >> Biennial Survey Results
HCP Associates

Spinning Our Wheels >> Comprehensive Parking Plan Joel Mann, Stantec

Keynote Speaker: David T. Downey, President & CEO
International Downtown Association (IDA)

Shopping for the Right Fit >> Viable Retail in Downtown
Jackie Burridge Centamore, WS Development
Danielle Evans, Don Me Now & Bubbly Barchique
Adam Harden, SoHo Capital
Special Guest: Heather Arnold, Streetsense

More speakers to be announced!

Save the date, register, and tell your colleagues to join. We look forward to seeing you at this signature Tampa Downtown Partnership event!

Register today!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Gold
BDG Architects
Tampa Bay Business Journal

Tampa Bay Commuters

Take the Tampa Bay Commuters Pledge: Between February and June 2019, commuters around Tampa Bay will pledge to commute to work through public transit, biking, carpooling, walking, and teleworking. The campaign was created by the Tampa Downtown PartnershipNew North Transportation Alliance, and Westshore Alliance. This campaign is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation District Seven Commuter Assistance Program. These organizations work together to promote transportation choices that improve commuting to work or school.

Eligibility: Commuters traveling for work or school (university or college) to/from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are eligible to participate in the campaign and win prizes. You can take the pledge for any mode at any time. Weekly prize winners will be drawn from the mode of the month pledges (Feb: Transit, Mar: Bike, Apr: Carpool, May: Walk, June: Telework/Compressed Work Week), announced on the website and via the Bike/Walk Tampa Bay Twitter and Facebook page. Prize winners will be notified by email. Increase your chances of winning by pledging for each mode. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Click here for more information on the challenge.

Channel District’s Publix to Open August 2019

Publix Super Markets Inc.’s new store in the Channel district will open later than originally anticipated.

The Lakeland-based grocer has the store, which fronts Meridian Avenue between Madison and Twiggs streets, slated to open mid third quarter, a Publix spokesman said Wednesday.

Typical construction delays are behind the new opening date, spokesman Brian West said.

When Publix acquired that store’s real estate in late 2018, the grocer said it was slated to open in the second quarter. The store is 37,600 square feet.

For Mayor Bob Buckhorn, whose second and final term ends later this year, bringing a grocery store to the urban core was a major focus. Publix’s commitment to that site validates downtown and the Channel district as a viable retail market. A full-service grocer is also crucial for a downtown neighborhood to be truly a walkable, live-work-play environment.

That location won’t be the only grocery store downtown for long: 815 Water Street, under construction near the entrance to the Tampa Riverwalk, includes a street-level space for a grocery store.

“Publix pushes back opening of store in downtown Tampa’s Channel district”Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)

Urban Scenes Evolve Across the Bay

In Tampa Bay’s two largest cities, times have changed, to say the least.

St. Petersburg’s reputation as a retirement haven, the city of green benches, and downtown Tampa’s status as a ghost town after 5 p.m. appear gone for good.

Today, Tampa’s downtown hums with activity at night and on weekends. On sunny Saturday afternoons, 20- and 30-somethings descend on the Tampa Riverwalk to bask in the weather and participate in the latest festival while foodies head to new food halls at Armature Works and on North Franklin.

Across the bay, St. Petersburg has transformed into a nightlife and arts hub that stretches from the waterfront miles west to the Grand Central District.

“If you walk around downtown on any night of the week, but especially a Friday or a Saturday night, you are blown away by the density,” says St. Petersburg City Development Administrator Alan DeLisle, who lives downtown. “That density goes from Beach Drive all the way down Central Avenue for blocks and blocks and blocks.”

These downtown rebirths have not happened by accident.

Local leaders say focused efforts to improve and revitalize the urban core attract a younger population to live and work there. In turn, the growing population of younger professionals helps produce the energy now coursing through the hearts of the Tampa Bay Area’s largest cities.

“We are overrun by millennials and young professionals of all ethnic strata, which is a really good problem to have,” outgoing Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says. “It’s what we set out for eight years ago when we were exporting talent to Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville.”

In Tampa, public investment in the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and Waterworks Park, private construction of
new apartments, condos and restaurants, and a shared public and private sector campaign to recruit companies all contribute to the rebirth that’s attracted a younger demographic.

“It’s activated our downtown in ways it was never activated before,” Buckhorn says.

The draw for young professionals

Raechel Canipe came to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida. She liked the city during college but truly fell in love with it after graduation, when she landed a job with DEX Imaging and became active in the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay program.

Canipe, 27, says the live, work, play attraction of the city offers ample job opportunities, a “booming downtown” and a cost of living that makes Tampa one of the most affordable metro areas in the country, according to the 2018 Cost of Living Index.

Beyond that, there is the draw of the beaches in Pinellas County, and three major professional sports teams (the Lightning, the Rays, and the Bucs), and the sight of construction cranes that show the city’s growth spurt will not tail off anytime soon.

The St. Pete Pier under construction.Canipe says young professionals are also becoming more connected and involved with the city by joining networking organizations like Emerging Leaders of Tampa, which she chairs. Through these groups, they are rubbing elbows with government officials, getting the inside scoop from business leaders and advocating in support of issues, like the All for Transportation sales tax referendum that passed in Hillsborough County and will help determine the long-term direction of the city.

“In the groups I am involved with, I see a lot of transplants who moved here for a job opportunity and the low cost of living, and now they’re looking to grow their network,” Canipe says. “They’re looking for ways to get connected and our program offers opportunities to get involved with Tampa in a much deeper, more meaningful way. When I was in school, I was pretty sure I liked Tampa, but I’ve really fallen in love with the city seeing behind the scenes everything that is going on. We feel we are able to influence and shape our community for the future.”

Entrepreneur ecosystem grows

Across the bay, Reuben Pressman grew up in the Bay Area, graduated from the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg with a degree in entrepreneurship, and stayed in the city to launch his career as an entrepreneur.

“Most of my friends or other founders of companies were leaving, or at least that was the current trend,” Pressman says about the trend a decade ago.  “It was easier to build a company in other cities like Silicon Valley, New York, Austin, Boston or Chicago. But I grew up here, had already built a very strong network and wanted to build my company here, where I’ve had so much opportunity. I wanted to be a part in helping grow the eco-system here. I love the place, between the arts, community, people, food, weather, opportunities to get involved, growth, events, and activities. It has everything you could want without the millions of people crowding it all. It has the feel of a smaller city.”

Today, Pressman, 29, is the founder and CEO of Presence, an education technology platform used by more than 100 higher educational institutions to increase student engagement, graduation rates, and workforce readiness. He’s also active on the board of multiple nonprofit organizations and civic and economic development groups. He says, as much as the weather and the cost of living, many young professionals decide to stay in St. Pete or move here because of those opportunities to get involved in civic and professional groups and make a positive impact in the community.

There is also the explosion of things to do in and around downtown.

“For the young professionals moving here, I definitely think it’s culture,” Pressman says. “At the risk of sounding like a TV ad, you can live, work and play downtown. Although it’s getting pricier for St. Petersburg and this area, it’s still nothing compared to other cities with amenities that do or don’t even match up as far as food, arts, and community engagement. There’s also the quality of people, with loyalty and love for this place, unlike many other places you could go. From new restaurants opening weekly, a brewery in shouting distance from anywhere, hundreds of outdoors parks, especially for dogs, and venues, an engaged city government and endless open jobs and opportunities at amazing companies doing meaningful things for ranges of talent, it’s easy to see why young pros are moving here.”

Numbers reveal change, challenges

In some ways, the data belies the notion that Tampa and St. Pete are growing younger – at least from a citywide perspective. The median age of St. Petersburg and Tampa have both increased moderately since the 2010 Census, according to U.S. Census Bureau numbers. In St. Pete, it is 44.6. In Tampa, the median age rose from 34.5 to 35.6, which is still below the statewide average of 41.8.

But numbers for key demographic groups show that there’s more than anecdotal evidence that the cities are growing and that their urban cores are indeed growing younger.

Research by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation shows the total population of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan service area rose by 7.7 percent from 2014 to 2018, with a significant 12.3 percent increase in the key 25-34 age group.

For St. Petersburg, the long-term trends show a younger, more educated population with rising income. The city’s annual State of the Economy report shows that, while the city’s median age remained above the national average, it had declined by 3.3 years since 1970, while the national median age had increased by nearly 10 years.

More recently, the city’s population grew by 3.7 percent from 2014 through 2017, accounting for nearly 37 percent of the population growth in Pinellas County, and the median household income grew by 19.7 percent, city numbers show.

DeLisle attributes that to the city’s Grow Smarter economic development strategy, which focuses on marine science, life sciences, financial service, specialized manufacturing, design and art as target industries.

He says an uptick in population growth for the 30-45 age range is due to the fact that “the jobs we’re attracting now pay more and you have to have a little bit more experience.”

At the same time, the percentage of St. Pete’s population in the 20-39 age range most associated with labor pool availability trends down from 28.6 to 26.9 percent from 2016 to 2017, a sign the city still needs to recruit and retain more young talent.

As for the impact on local government operations, officials on both sides of the bay say a younger population in the urban core affects transportation, particularly improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities and public transit to meet the needs of a younger population.

In St. Pete, that includes the addition of bike share, the new looper system downtown, working toward bus rapid transit on the Cyclists on the Riverwalk in Tampa.
Central Avenue corridor and changing the bus system to add more drop-off points at employment centers.

Affordable housing is another issue.

A recent report conducted by RCLCO real estate advisors, The New Geography of Tampa Bay’s Urban and Suburban Neighborhoods, shows that, while urban areas are younger than the suburbs and growing younger, wages are higher in the suburbs, while the cost-of-living is more expensive in urban areas.

DeLisle says a partial solution is a condition on all requests to redevelop city properties, such as the old police station, that any residential construction must include housing for a variety of income ranges, including market, affordable, and workforce housing.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, the Tampa Hillsborough EDC projects the region’s population will grow 6.3 percent from 2019-2023. The population in the 25-34 age range is expected to increase by a more moderate 4.4 percent, while the 35-44 group is projected to rise by 9 percent.

Of course, the deep dive into the area’s demographics will come next year with the 2020 Census. The U.S. Census Bureau will have 15 field offices across the state to serve as management centers for home-based census takers and supervisors, and provide working and meeting space for managers and support staff, a spokesman says.

The St. Pete and Tampa offices are slated to open in July.

“10 Years of Change: Urban scene evolves in Downtown Tampa, St. Pete”83 Degrees

Fitness Studio Coming to Vacant Channelside Storefront

A boutique fitness studio with indoor cycling and yoga classes is in the works for a storefront in downtown Tampa’s Channel district that hasn’t been occupied in the more than 10 years since it was built.

Union Three — named for the three brothers behind the concept, as well as core principles of yoga, cycling and community — is slated to open in early fall in one of the retail condos in the Towers at Channelside at 1221 E. Cumberland Ave.

“Community is scarce these days, and we want to offer that to people,” Richard Nicholas said. “We’ll have a bigger than normal lobby, cold brew on draft and comfortable seating. It doesn’t have to be a get in, get out type of place.”

Brothers Richard, Frank and Matt Nicholas are partners in Union Three. Their corporation, FRM Holdings LLC, paid $875,000 for the 2,879-square-foot condo in December, according to Hillsborough County property records.

Including the condo acquisition, total startup costs will be $1.7 million, said Richard Nicholas. There will be around 40 bikes in the cycling studio.

“Boutique fitness isn’t new, but the level that we’re going to bring is Oxford Exchange level in terms of quality of finishes, the quality of soaps,” he said. “It’s going to be that nice.”

Frank Nicholas, who currently teaches at Ride, an indoor cycling studio in Austin, Texas, is relocating to Tampa to be the lead cycling instructor at Union Three. The studio will offer unlimited yoga memberships, though prices are still being finalized. Richard Nicholas said it’s unlikely Union Three will offer unlimited cycling memberships and will sell class packs instead.

Union Three is launching at a competitive time for boutique fitness in Tampa. Soul Cycle, which has a cult following in cities across the U.S., is planning a location in Hyde Park Village. Camp Tampa, a studio backed by Ciccio Restaurant Group that offers cycle, yoga and circuit classes, is expanding in South Tampa.

Richard Nicholas said the brothers aren’t concerned about the competition. Frank’s studio already competes with Soul Cycle in Austin, and the brothers see a need for boutique fitness in the Channel district, which is home to Crunch Fitness and Orangetheory Fitness.

“It’s underserved for that,” he said. “That neighborhood even as it stands today with what’s been built there could support it, and we know what’s coming with Water Street. I can’t think of anywhere else that has this kind of density of people that would be our customers.”

“Union Three, an indoor cycle and yoga studio, is coming to downtown Tampa’s Channel district”Tampa Bay Business Journal (subscription required)

Streetcar Begins Morning Service

Thanks to a $2.7-million Florida Department of Transportation grant, the TECO Line Streetcar starts weekday service at 7am and weekend service at 8:30am! the Streetcar is the PERFECT way to relax on your way into work. Visit www.TECOLineStreetcar.org for a map and system schedules.

Downtown Calendar

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.

Gasparilla International Film Festival

Tuesday, March 19 to Sunday, March 24
Downtown Tampa
A cultural arts institution that inspires, educates, and entertains through an annual celebration of film, year-round events, community outreach, and social awareness initiatives, while also supporting and cultivating the film industry of Tampa Bay and Florida and making an economic impact on our region. For more information, go to Gasparilla International Film Festival.

3rd Thursdays

Thursday, March 21, begins 6pm
Grand Central at Kennedy
Enjoy some gourmet food truck fun paired with independent short flicks and live music! Pour House and City Dog Cantina provide micro brews and tasty cocktails. Over ten gourmet food trucks will be on site, offering everything from burgers to vegetarian bites and much more. This is a spectacular way to spend a Thursday evening in Downtown Tampa! For more information, go to 3rd Thursdays.

Fourth Friday

Friday, March 22, 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 info, go to Fourth Friday.

Tiffany Jenkins

Sunday, March 24, begins 7:30pm
Tampa Theatre
Tiffany Jenkins is a wife, mother, author, content creator, and recovering addict. Best known for her blog, Juggling the Jenkins, and hilarious viral Facebook videos, Tiffany speaks shamelessly, openly and honestly about her past and addiction, as well as her struggles with depression and anxiety. Tiffany’s relatability has contributed to her rapidly growing fanbase, with 2.4 million followers on social media and more than 200 million video views to date, proving that her honesty and wit is quickly propelling her beyond a viral sensation to a true inspiration for women and men alike. For more information, go to Tiffany Jenkins.

Happening at Lector Wine Shoppe & Social Club

Talk & Taste with Dawn of Alevri & COMarch 22, 6pm to 8pm
“And The Walls Came Tumbling” Darius V. Daughtry Book SigningMarch 23, 6pm to 8pm
Natty Wine 101: What Is Natty Wine?March 24, 4pm to 6pm

Taking the Stage at the Straz Center

Hundred Days – Through Sunday, March 24
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer & Jess Winfield – Through Sunday, April 7
Jeremy Douglass: Broadway Pre-Show – Tuesday, March 19, begins 7pm
Latin Nights –  Thursday, March 21, begins 9pm

This Week at Amalie Arena

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Arizona Coyotes – Monday, March 18, begins 7:30pm
Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream – Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24

Connect With Us!

Connect with us on social media to get the latest on downtown events!

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.

Sign Up Now