Tampa Development News [Archive]

smiley

November 28th, 2004, 08:45 PM

Here's some stuff

Rocky Point (e) Westin 12-story 200 room:
http://www.impact-properties.com/impact_images/westin_01.jpg
http://www.impact-properties.com/impact_images/westin_02.jpg

and (unfortuantely due to teh bad design) the Oasis - condos 14-stories, 108 units
http://www.impact-properties.com/impact_images/condos_05.jpg
http://www.impact-properties.com/impact_images/condos_06.jpg

Plaza Harbour Island 20-story condos (first of three propose towers)
http://www.theplazaharbourisland.com/images/ThePlaza_elevation.jpg

Valencia Hyde PArk
http://www.valenciahydepark.com/images/floorplans/condos.gif
THE VALENCIA'S SEVEN-STORY CONDOMINIUM BUILDING WILL FEATURE SUPERB CRAFTSMANSHIP AND UNCOMMON QUALITY. (I don't vouch for the representations other than it is going to be 7 stories and allegedly starting before the end of the year)
http://www.valenciahydepark.com/images/floorplans/townhomes.gif
FIVE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED, THREE-STORY TOWNHOMES WILL COMPLETE THIS EXCLUSIVE ENCLAVE. (same caveat - except this will obviously not be 7 stories)

Novare Group residential 31-story downtown
http://www.tampa.novaregroup.com/images/home_pic.jpg

smiley

November 30th, 2004, 08:01 PM

Here's some spiel on the Temple Terrace redevelopment project.
The main page is:
http://www.templeterrace.com/Redevelopment/Index.htm

Some redernings of the possible look (sugary but consider what is there now, sweet) - we'll see if it looks anything liek this when they get done with it.
http://www.templeterrace.com/Redevelopment/Images/aerial2.jpg

http://www.templeterrace.com/Redevelopment/Images/the_plan2.jpg

http://www.templeterrace.com/Redevelopment/Images/tower2.jpg

http://www.templeterrace.com/Redevelopment/Images/arcade2.jpg

http://www.templeterrace.com/Redevelopment/Images/street2.jpg

randommichael

March 20th, 2006, 03:00 PM

Hope you have lots of money. I think 345 Bayshore is really good. May I ask, what brings you to Tampa?

robbie

March 22nd, 2006, 08:33 PM

Jason,

There is an article in the Times today about South Ybor. Do you want to start a tread for say "Ybor/Adamo corridor" and maybe another for "Bayshore/Hyde Park/Palma Ceia"?

Jasonhouse

March 23rd, 2006, 04:31 AM

^I don't really see a need to...

Pres_of_2036

March 23rd, 2006, 04:32 AM

^I don't really see a need to...
Yeah, maybe when we see more activity with them we will, but they aren't much of importance to make their own thread yet

randommichael

March 23rd, 2006, 03:02 PM

Latest Condo Proposal For 'Work-Force People'
Skip directly to the full story.
By ELLEN GEDALIUS egedalius@tampatrib.com

Published: Mar 23, 2006

TAMPA - A Miami-based developer wants to build a 37-story condo tower in downtown Tampa, with units customized to the buyers' desire.

Haim Einhorn, president of Arbel Inc., plans to build 250 residential units plus about 10,000 square feet of retail space, according to papers filed Wednesday with the city.

The project, bounded by Florida Avenue and Marion, Tyler and Cass streets, would be called Tampa City Lofts.

Prices would start in the low $200,000s, and open floor plans can be customized. Einhorn said he is targeting "average, work-force people."

"Not a Trump Tower, more like a SkyPoint," he said.

Units in Trump Tower Tampa range from $700,000 to $6 million; SkyPoint condos are priced between $170,000 to about $400,000.

The tower, adjacent to the Floridan Hotel, would feature a five-level parking garage, with a pool deck on the sixth floor.

The project is the latest designed to bring residents downtown. About 1,650 units are under construction or planned for the North Franklin Street area, according to the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

The project, which would be 459 feet tall, needs city council approval because the height limit in the area is 120 feet.

A tentative public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 17.

If approval is granted, groundbreaking is expected next year.

http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBPRSKG4LE.html

FloridaFuture

March 23rd, 2006, 05:12 PM

^^The rendering on the front page of todays "Moneysense" section look very nice too. Definitlety more towards what we've been wanting for Tampa. :)

Lakelander

March 23rd, 2006, 06:10 PM

Can anyone scan and post the rendering?

moxwax

March 23rd, 2006, 06:21 PM

great news! This area sorely needs more "attainable" housing... I hope this stimulates the market a bit to encourage more buildings of this type. With this, Skypoint, and the other 2 towers novare is rumored to be building, I think we'll have a pretty diverse market in downtown pretty soon.

Hopefully...

TallTampa

March 23rd, 2006, 06:29 PM

Unfortunately, as the article states, this project will need city approval due to height. We know the track record there and it's not too favorable.

smiley

March 23rd, 2006, 06:33 PM

Unless tehy say it will cut the Floridan off from all light, they will aloow it -with some tweaking. Theya re getting killed in the press over all these projects and I think even they may know how to stop messing up

TallTampa

March 23rd, 2006, 06:35 PM

I hope you're, we need more of these projects to start getting verticle.

Quegiebo

March 23rd, 2006, 06:55 PM

Here's a link to check out the rendering they have on the Arbel, Inc. website:

http://www.arbel1.com/index.asp

Looks closer to 700ft. in this rendering. :)

smiley

March 23rd, 2006, 08:12 PM

http://www.arbel1.com/images/photos/tampapostoffice.jpg

That is completely out of scale. IF they plan on being that tall (~700 feet), I think they will be denied

stormyguy

March 23rd, 2006, 08:34 PM

I agree. That rendering looks way out of scale especially if you count the floors (if that's a reliable rendering) which there are approx 46 of them. I'm guessing that would put it between 450-500'.

Tallaman

March 23rd, 2006, 08:51 PM

I scaled it out using pixels in PaintShop Pro against the Floridan next to it - assuming the floors are the same height in both buildings and the Floridan has eighteen stories, the Tampa City Lofts would be about 63 stories according to this rendering. Of course, you know what assuming does.

moxwax

March 23rd, 2006, 09:02 PM

hmm the building in that render is a different project than the one we were talking about earlier today... The one in the render is called "Tampa commerce station" not "City Lofts" or whatever...

smiley

March 23rd, 2006, 09:30 PM

Look, the pic in the paper is 23 stories - so that is wrong. This pic is 700 feet (the Floridan is about 210, so figure it out) - so this is wrong. Jsut accept it - there is no good rendering.

FloridaFuture

March 23rd, 2006, 09:51 PM

Look, the pic in the paper is 23 stories - so that is wrong. This pic is 700 feet (the Floridan is about 210, so figure it out) - so this is wrong. Jsut accept it - there is no good rendering.

If this project comes out to look similar to either of the two renderings, though, it should look very nice for Tampa.

Quegiebo

March 23rd, 2006, 10:52 PM

I would guess that the "Tampa Commerce Station" is an old idea that they have yet to update on their website. Maybe they witnessed all of the controversy over the tall Grant block bldg and decided to wait until the city council made its decision on the height issue. Smiley's correct - there's no way the council would approve the website project as it is way out of scale with the surrounding environment.

I suspect the rendering in the paper is closer to the actual project and scale of the project they will put forth (the Tampa Lofts thingie.) Then again, I thought I read earlier that the project was to be 37 stories, yet the rendering in the paper identifies 23 stories... I haven't seen the rendering in today's paper as of yet.

Who knows at this point. They're looking to bring this before the council sometime in August; there's plenty of time in between the request and what they will eventually offer.

youngkg

March 24th, 2006, 12:28 AM

At least some restaurants are starting to move downtown...

Moxie's moving sandwiches to city's center
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 2:01 PM EST Wednesday

Moxie's Café and Coffee Bar will host its grand opening Thursday and Friday at its new location in downtown Tampa.

Owner Jim Venetos signed a lease late last year on the 2,000-square-foot restaurant at 514 N. Tampa St. after selling his longtime location at 4329 W. Kennedy Blvd.

The restaurant will be open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., but may expand days and hours as new residents move into the downtown area, he said.

In addition to his previous menu of signature sandwiches and breakfast fare, Moxie's will offer a variety of specialty flavored coffees and is also introducing My Grandma's of New England coffee cakes to the Tampa market, Venetos said. Catering service is also available for special occasions and business events, he said.

Venetos and his wife, Sandy, established Moxie's after moving to the Tampa Bay area from Chicago in 1990. They have operated restaurants in various parts of the city, including the Kennedy location where the new owner retained the Moxie's name.

For more information, visit moxiesdowntown.com.

Jasonhouse

March 24th, 2006, 03:45 AM

I hope that the City Lofts project gets approved at the proposed 459ft... If the Grant Block got approved at 444ft and looks like shit, then sure they can approve a building that is actually attractive that is only 15ft taller.... Both are essentially the same to me... They are both next to the Flordian Hotel and the Fed Courthhouse... The difference is, this tower would be north of them, not west of them... Thus, it should NEVER cast a shadow on either building, like the Grant Block tower will every afternoon.

Yeah, now that I think about it, they're little more than hypocrites of they don't approve this tower as proposed (37st-459ft). Especially considering the constant harping on wanting "affordable" housing DT... And this project is right in the meaty part of DT, transportation-wise... right on the ped/bus corridor (Marion), a block from the pedestrian mall (Franklin), and and almost equidistant between Kennedy and I-275... If this doesn't fit the bill, then exactly what in the hell is this bumbling city council looking for?

CBR3

March 24th, 2006, 06:00 PM

Did anyone else notice that on the Arbel Managment web page whose link is above it lists under past projects "Floridan Hotel - 20 Story Historic building located in Downtown Tampa, FL (scheduled for redevelopment as Loft Apartments)." Breaking news or erroneous/dated information?? Or did they work on a prior project that never came to fruition???

smiley

March 24th, 2006, 08:51 PM

Well, I was driving by there today and noticed there is a large external elevator on the Floridan (the inside of the L - northside) It seems to me that it is the type of elevator to use in rehabbing the exterior (maybe the windows), but any sign of fixing it up is most welcome.

smiley

March 24th, 2006, 08:55 PM

LEts add 20 feet for the hell of it

Developer sees city's potential
A Miami man wants to build a Tampa condo tower for people who want to live downtown.
By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER, Times Staff Writer
Published March 24, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA - A Miami developer convinced that Tampa will embrace urban living at a reasonable price says he wants to build one of downtown's tallest buildings beginning next summer.

Haim Einhorn filed plans this week to build a 479-foot-tall condo tower holding 250 units that young people with $40,000 salaries could afford.

"Tampa is where Miami was three years ago," Einhorn said. "Young professionals are moving to downtowns because they want that lifestyle. Tampa's downtown is picking up, and more and more it will be the place to be."

Einhorn proposes to build on a half-acre at 925 N Florida Ave., north of the Floridan Hotel, which is being renovated into a boutique hotel. He plans 8,500 square feet of retail, a parking garage with 380 spaces for residents and 50 spaces for retail customers and visitors.

The price of the units would range between $200,000 and $400,000. The sizes would be between 700 and 1,100 square feet.

A post office on the land now has a lease that expires in July 2007.

A developer of more than a dozen condo projects in Miami, including a 320-unit development, Einhorn said his Tampa project would be his biggest yet.

He's convinced it will work in a town long dominated by suburban housing because of the early success of the Novare-Intown Tampa Development Co.

The Atlanta company is building the 380-unit SkyPoint condo tower at Ashley Drive and Zack Street. In February, it announced plans to build two more condo towers next to SkyPoint.

"They're the pioneers, they're the doers," Einhorn said. "I watch what they're doing, and I know it's going to happen in Tampa."

John LaRocca, an urban planner representing the project, said the City Council will be asked in August to approve raising the height limits to 479 feet. Right now, the land is zoned only for 120 feet.

Einhorn's project is the latest to be announced for downtown, which now has 6,560 units completed, under construction or proposed, according to a downtown survey by a Jacksonville firm.

While that sounds like a lot, the study showed Tampa lags behind four of the other five cities in the study. Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Memphis, Tenn., and Orlando had more units. Only Columbia, S.C., had fewer, the Downtown Vision Inc. study showed.

But times are changing, LaRocca said.

"Urban living is a lifestyle that Florida hasn't traditionally offered," LaRocca said. "Now Tampa is growing in population and we're finally getting an interest in a diversity of housing types."

Michael Van Sickler can be reached at 813-226-3402 or mvansickler@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 24, 2006, 02:15:43]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/24/Hillsborough/Developer_sees_city_s.shtml

smiley

March 24th, 2006, 08:56 PM

By the way, that is a half block address - probably the north half of the Floridan (which is the post office at Commerce Station - hence the website info)

Jasonhouse

March 24th, 2006, 11:59 PM

Hell, let's add 2 more floors and 21 feet to it, and make it a round 500ft. :D

thehappysmith

March 25th, 2006, 12:20 AM

I noticed the variance in the two newspaper accounts as well. I trust the Times' reporters to actually fact-check their stories, so, I'm going with 479 feet. The rendering posted is grossly out of scale, but it's very interesting. You'll note the tower is in fact set back on the east half of the block, which is a parking lot now. This means the Floridan fronts on Florida alone, so the new tower won't appear to be dwarfed by it. Very intelligent design, even if it is presumable an extremely early render. They clearly put some thought into it, since if the building was going line up against the Floridan it would never win approval.

From where I sit (8th floor, 201 W Laurel), the building will really change the neighborhood. Still, the developer's claim to be targetting people who make ~$40k is a good sign, and hopefully will be enough to sway the city council to offer approval. It's an interesting project; because it's only half a block the developer needs it to be tall to have enough condos to make construction financially affordable--so if they deny it on height, it won't move forward at all. Of course by August 17 they may have designated the Grant building as historic, nixed the entire Grant Block project, and thus will have an excuse for claiming the building is "just too tall for the neighborhood." I wouldn't put any money down on its approval just yet.

smiley

March 25th, 2006, 12:27 AM

First, you realize there are like 5 or 6 400+ buildings proposed north of Kennedy . . .

Second, I like how they aligned it to not block all the Floridan windows. I think they will win raise for that. I assume they have retail in there. I still think the Council will back off a little now that they keep getting insulted - even by Steve "all I need is the Frau, some beer and a cookout in the suburbs near my station wagon" Otto - about their votes regarind downtown.

Also, did anyone notice the artilce a few days ago regading the big business folks talking about economic growth and how "mass transit" (not defined) was necessary

thehappysmith

March 25th, 2006, 12:46 AM

I'm thinking of four 400+ proposals north of Kennedy, one of which won approval yesterday so they can actually start work once the last bits of Maas are carted away (I still haven't snuck in to steal my brick; they have lights on site all night, even at 3:45 in the morning). I think what really causes Saul-Sena et al heartburn is the area north of Twiggs, though, not Kennedy. I could be wrong, that's just a gut feeling. Obviously I'm more pessimistic than you re: the council's reaction to tall proposals, but rest assured I'm going to go to the August 17 meeting and plead this project's case; they must understand that what's going to help Franklin is people, not people in mid-rise buildings, but people generally. The height limits have got to go if that's what it takes for serious developers to give us serious proposals and follow through on them.

On a related topic, any recent news on the two newer Novare proposals for the two blocks north of Skypoint? I was looking for info today at work and couldn't find a single news article on Google (the netnazis at work block access to SSC).

smiley

March 25th, 2006, 12:48 AM

-wood
-novare 1
-novare 2
-grant
-city lofts
(I still think skypoint will be, but who knows)

Saul-Sena is small towning herself into irrelevance - no one seems to be listening to her anymore about downtown

FloridaFuture

March 25th, 2006, 01:32 AM

On a related topic, any recent news on the two newer Novare proposals for the two blocks north of Skypoint? I was looking for info today at work and couldn't find a single news article on Google (the netnazis at work block access to SSC).

I wouldnt expect any news or sales to begin on those towers until atleast the Wood Tower is out of the ground. Wood and Novare seem to work together and stagger their timing, so they wait untill one project is going and then they launch another one, sorta like what they're doing with Skypoint and the Wood tower right now.

Jasonhouse

March 25th, 2006, 07:05 AM

The Royal isn't 400ft+, but don't forget it.

Quegiebo

March 25th, 2006, 01:58 PM

On a related topic, any recent news on the two newer Novare proposals for the two blocks north of Skypoint? I was looking for info today at work and couldn't find a single news article on Google (the netnazis at work block access to SSC).

At last Thursday morning's council meeting, Novare requested a delay on the rezoning for both projects until next month. It has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 20th, at 10:00 a.m. There are no renderings of the projects as of yet. :cheers:

thehappysmith

March 26th, 2006, 01:04 AM

Ah, thanks for the update.

TampaTower

March 28th, 2006, 12:41 AM

Giving new meaning to the term 'model city'
Developers are using scale models to provide three-dimensional demonstrations of their plans.
By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published March 27, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA - The debate over the future of development in the Channel District has led to the creation of some pricey visual aids.

Developer Fida Sirdar spent $20,000 on a scale model to demonstrate his vision of the neighborhood and how his project would look in it.

Meanwhile, the city hopes to unveil another $25,000 model at a Channel District workshop Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Tampa Port Authority. The model was paid for using property tax money generated in the district.

"I love models," said City Council member Linda Saul-Sena. "They're expensive to build, but they're so totally useful to understanding what's proposed. It really helps you have a three-dimensional grasp of the built environment."

Sirdar's model didn't persuade the council to approve his project. Council members postponed a decision until more progress is made on a master plan for the Channel District. But they appreciated the effort.

"It was very helpful to have that," council member Shawn Harrison said. "It gives you a much better perspective."

City Council members asked for a scale model to help them make decisions about a controversial master plan for the Channel District. Consultant WilsonMiller is working on the $305,000 plan, which has faced criticism from developers who say it doesn't allow for enough density and Channel District residents who say it calls for too many tall buildings.

Both sides complain that the WilsonMiller plan unfairly benefits the company's clients.

WilsonMiller has suggested dividing the district into smaller parcels, with the greatest building height allowed along the water and the north and south ends of the neighborhood, and the lowest buildings in the center.

Michael English, a WilsonMiller planner, will brief the City Council on alternatives to the proposed plan at a council meeting Thursday morning.

"A lot of the controversy and/or anxiety seems to be centered around height," said Michael Chen, Tampa's manager of urban development. "WilsonMiller has tried to evolve and be responsive to things they are hearing."

The consultant still supports its height recommendations, Chen said, but alternatives will range from consistent limits throughout the district to none at all.

City officials hope the model will help people get a better sense of the neighborhood's possibilities.

"I would like to see a model of our entire urban core, including downtown and Hyde Park up North Boulevard," Saul-Sena said. "We're dealing with height issues in the context of a neighborhood. And that is where a model is tremendously helpful. Two-dimensional drawings are not as useful."

WilsonMiller, at the City Council's urging, also prepared an animated movie of the proposed Channel District to show how the neighborhood will look at street level. Sirdar said he was a little disappointed that his model didn't persuade the council to vote in favor of his project.
"We are trying to bring a world-class vision to this city based on our international expertise," said Sirdar, who has done projects in London, Toronto and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "This model is a planning tool for the entire neighborhood."

The models and movies are great for getting a general sense of how a neighborhood might look, but they can't be used to make zoning decisions on individual projects, Chen said. Zoning laws are technical and complex, and the models and movies don't provide the detail and accuracy necessary to be a basis for a legal decision.

Still, other cities, such as Toronto and Boston, have scale models of their cities that can be updated as new projects are approved.

"It's for urban design purposes," said Jessica Shumaker, a spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. "It gives a good idea of how dense a building should be, how tall it should be."

Boston's model takes up most of a sizable conference room.

"It's a pretty popular attraction. A lot of outside groups come in just to see it," she said.

Boston's urban design department also creates 3-D computer models to see how buildings work together.

A scale model of downtown Tampa, the Channel District and surrounding areas, built by University of South Florida School of Architecture students to support the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics, is on display at the Tampa Downtown Partnership's marketing offices. The Olympic elements were removed, and the model has been updated with miniatures of new and proposed buildings. It's in an office storefront on Tampa Street at Jackson Street.

"We use it as a place to meet with potential developers and anyone who's interesting in knowing what's going on downtown," said Christine Burdick, president of the Partnership, noting that the minicity also catches the attention of passers-by. "We know people look at it because there are always fingerprints and forehead prints on the glass."

Pres_of_2036

March 28th, 2006, 05:10 AM

Where did all the rest of the posts go?

I-275westcoastfl

March 28th, 2006, 06:51 AM

wow they just disapeared, thats crazy

John F

March 28th, 2006, 06:59 AM

They were archived. Check the first post of the thread.

Jasonhouse

March 28th, 2006, 07:00 AM

It's called pruning.. Something I'm finally able to do, now that the server has been upgraded and shaken down.

Links to past interations of this thread can be found in the first post of this thread, where they have always been.

I also hope to update the development list soon (and finally create one for the Pinellas thread), but in all honesty, I can't do it alone.

TallTampa

March 28th, 2006, 01:27 PM

How can I help?

youngkg

March 28th, 2006, 04:09 PM

Jasonhouse,

I have been trying to keep an updated development list for downtown tampa on my site http://www.tampaurban.com/development.aspx. This might help.

Jasonhouse

March 28th, 2006, 07:44 PM

^yes, that will help some...

All I would need from folks wanting to help is to look at the list on the first page, see the kind of info posted for a project, and then create a similar synopsis for any project not included in the list... I will update the existing list...

Just post it within this thread, and then I will copy/paste into the first post. (will cite contributor)

ps... If there is a website for the project, proving that url in the synopsis would be great.

Pres_of_2036

March 29th, 2006, 01:44 AM

Looking at the link. Any word what is happening to the Tampa Towers, when will they go to city council to get it approved?

John F

March 29th, 2006, 02:44 AM

Pres_of_2036

March 29th, 2006, 03:26 AM

NPR Guy --

It's all speculation / wishful thinking. That project has not been formally announced and having it on that link was sort of a wishful-thinking endorsement (IMHO).

Amon Investments is just messing around and throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks. They've had single tower designs as well as the twin tower designs (last time someone looked -- they were messing with single tower designs again).

I wouldn't take that project seriously at all right now. It's just a speculative design / wishful thinking.

But for the sake of saying so, I do believe that someone from Amon had said nothing will happen until or after 2007 (this was in the Times article that resulted in Amon tucking tail and tearing down the Tampa Towers web site).
The last update that I heard about this was that it was proposed now and not a out of the blue rendering for a fabolous project. Also, the tower that was shown on the website was not the actual tower, but got accidently put on that project, but was another project that Amon was working on

They also said they were trying to get city approval of this project by June and get this thing started by Late of this year or Early 2007.

TallTampa

March 29th, 2006, 10:57 PM

I'm not sure if this is a new developer for the old 02 Condos site or a new name for Downtown Channelside. Anyone know? www.bluchannelside.com

FLHawk

March 30th, 2006, 12:06 AM

That's the new name for Downtown Channelside, planned for the lot next to the Channelside shops, right on the water.

No new concrete plans on the retooling of the O2 project, other than the developers have changed hands somewhat, and the height will supposedly be different in the new proposal, which has not yet been made public.

Last I heard, the City Council has put up a roadblock for Byrd Corp on Blu, saying that this project will cause too much extra traffic and the developer needs to figure out something to alleviate these potential 'traffic backlogs' coming off Harbour Island.

Sounds to me like some of the wealthier Islanders may be flexing their collective muscle with the Council, as they don't like waiting at the Beneficial Bridge red lights in their morning commutes.

robbie

March 30th, 2006, 02:20 AM

Dingfelder was againt it mainly because of potential traffic problems. Hmm..I wonder how many election votes he gets from Harbor Island.

Maxim98

March 30th, 2006, 03:42 AM

Dingfelder was againt it mainly because of potential traffic problems. Hmm..I wonder how many election votes he gets from Harbor Island.

Hopefully not enough for re-election. :tongue3:

Jasonhouse

March 30th, 2006, 05:30 AM

^Meh... We could certainly do worse than Dingfelder. On the whole, I kinda like the guy.

FloridaFuture

March 30th, 2006, 02:27 PM

^Meh... We could certainly do worse than Dingfelder. On the whole, I kinda like the guy.

Agreed, we could have Rhonda Storms replace him although that would never happen.

FloridaFuture

March 30th, 2006, 02:38 PM

Here's a list that could be possibly used for the new development list of all Tampa projects.

Downtown-
Former Four Seasons-62 stories, proposed, not confirmed just rumored
Tampa Tower- 51 stories, proposed, 625 feet, construction timetable unknown
Trump Tower Tampa- 52 stories, U/C, 591 feet, Sold Out, Completion ‘07/’08
Grant Block-44 stories, approved, groundbreaking expected by summer
Tampa City Lofts- 37 stories, proposed,469 feet, groundbreaking next year
Novare Twin Towers- 2x34 stories, proposed, 440/465 feet, ground breaking by late ‘06
Wood/Mass tower-33 stories, approved, demolition nearly complete, groundbreaking expected this summer/fall
Skypoint-32 stories, U/C, ~400 feet, Sold Out
Kress Block- 27, 23 stories, approved, controversy brewing over historic designation
The Royal- 27 stories, proposed, groundbreaking expected next year
Embassy Suites- 20 stories, U/C, topped out completion by this summer, addition maybe added to project though
Floridian Rennovation- 19 stories, U/C, Historic renovation into hotel
Residence @ Franklin- 8 stories, U/C, topped out, completion by this summer, nearly sold out
Citilofts- 4 stories, proposed

Channelside-
Telecognvergence Center-45 stories, approved ,550 feet, groundbreaking expected late ‘06/ early ‘07
Newks-30 stories, approved, ~400 feet, groundbreaking expected after hockey season concludes
Towers @ Channelside- 2x30 stories, U/C, 337 feet, completion late ‘07
Blu Channelside- 2x30 stories, approved, 310 feet, being redesigned, groundbreaking expected this summer/fall
Seaport Channelside- 8 story village and possibly 30 story tower, trunks on site, groundbreaking expected in the summer
Novare Channelside-25 stories, proposed, controversy over developer
Place Phase 2- 28 stories, proposed, on hold (no thanks to city council)
Martin- 22 stories, approved, groundbreaking late this year
Plaza at Harbor Island-3x20 stories, U/C
Grand Central- 14,12 stories, U/C, will contain grocery store and lots of retail, completion mid ‘07
Ventana- 2x11 stories, U/C, completion mid ‘07
Seaboard Square- 2x4, 16,18 stories, proposed, recently redesigned
Place Phase 1- 8 stories, U/C, nearly sold out
Slade (Cobalt)- 8 stories, proposed, groundbreaking expected this summer/fall
Laffyatte Lofts- 7 stories, proposed, groundbreaking expected this summer/fall
Meridian- 6 stories, U/C, nearly completed if it hasn’t been already
1000 Channelside- 4 stories, U/C, topped out, 9 out of 10 units sold
Former O2- Unknown, being redesigned to due FAA
Pinnacle-53 stories, proposed observation deck, same property as O2, might be dead

Bayshore/ Hyde Park-
View- 26 stories, proposed, possibly will be reconsidered by council but for now is an 6 story office project
Phases 2 (C) and 3 of Parkside- 26, 19, stories, proposed, parkside already completed, ground breaking expected this year for 26 story tower
Alagon- 24 stories, U/C, nearly completed
Bellamy-23 stories, U/C, nearly completed
Historic Hyde Park Condo-34(?) stories, approved, timetable unknown
UT Dorm- 11 stories, U/C, topped out
UT Dorm- 7 stories, approved
Wood Partner Condos- 8 stories, proposed, groundbreaking expected this year
Verano- 7 stories, approved, groundbreaking expected this year
Valencia- 7,5x3 stories, approved
Hospital Expansion- 10 stories, U/C, nearly complete

Westshore/Rocky Point-
Tampa Bay 1- 21, 2x15 stories, approved
Westin- 12 stories, U/C, completion in ‘07
Oasis- Unknown, redesigning underway
New Port- 14 stories, U/C, large village
Westshore Yacht Club- 5x12 stories, U/C, large village
Former Quorum Hotel- 8,9,10 stories, proposed

Pres_of_2036

March 30th, 2006, 04:14 PM

I Still believe Tampa Towers is a 2 tower project, I'll email the guy to find out for us. Because on the projects page it had only one tower on the project, but that was a different tower on a different project and the rest of the pics should 2 towers.

FLAWDA-FELLA

March 30th, 2006, 05:08 PM

Jasonhouse

March 30th, 2006, 06:40 PM

Ok, so the one thing I don't understand at this point...

Where are the office projects? I keep hearing about how the office market is tightening, and Tampa's office market was supposed to have a "breakout year" this year... And we know that the overall local vacancy rate is indeed dropping, and rental rates are at their highest level in years... And buildings are selling for record price after record price...

So... Where is the new construction?

Tallaman

March 30th, 2006, 06:56 PM

Tallaman

March 30th, 2006, 07:06 PM

Quegiebo

March 30th, 2006, 07:55 PM

Wow! Great job FF! The only crucial info missing that I'd like to see is use and # units. Thanks for the update - it's a very impressive list. With all of the projects around north Franklin, I wonder which ones will make it to the finish line and which will fall out.

On office construction - I'm hopeful the improving office market alone will drive some new projects. But it may help when some of the condo projects fall out, the land will become available for offices. On the other side, when the new projects are completed and residents move in, wealthy residents and available workforce may also drive new office high-rise development.

I agree, Tallaman. During this morning's council meeting, the Wilson-Miller study identified 35 blocks in Tampa's CBD as available for new projects. The presenter argued that height has limited "lot" development within the CBD because smaller projects would require more land and would fill in the empty lots downtown. :bash: dooh, da dooooooh...

I wasn't aware that Tampa was on a time schedule and must fill in all of those lots before they turned into big pumpkins. :cheers:

This Wilson-Miller guy is something else. :sleepy:

Quegiebo

March 30th, 2006, 08:00 PM

Agreed, we could have Rhonda Storms replace him although that would never happen.

I think we would all rather sit around in a circle and take turns chewing shards of glass! :runaway:

b.t.w. thanks for the update list, FloridaFuture. That must have taken some time! :)

smiley

March 30th, 2006, 08:20 PM

The presenter argued that height has limited "lot" development within the CBD because smaller projects would require more land and would fill in the empty lots downtown

I do not understand this, either what he said or how it is explained . . .can you elaborate.

Quegiebo

March 30th, 2006, 09:00 PM

^^ Let me give this a shot.
Basically, Saul-Sena doesn't like all of the empty lots downtown and was questioning why developers want to build so high in Channelside when there's all of this space in the CBD. He said the reason why there are so many empty lots downtown is because when you build tall and you can't fill the bldgs in the CBD because the demand isn't there, the result is no new projects offered and a lot of empty lots. He argues that's why Tampa didn't see additional projects for such a long time.

He believes that if you built shorter towers, however, they would fill up quicker and thus there would be a shortage of office/residential space and an increase in demand. Increased demand would call for additional projects which would allow for faster development in the empty lots which would make Tampa more asthetically pleasing.

In other words, height increases density - when the demand is not there and you have 1/2 empty towers - 1. it supresses market value - 2. it supresses the need for additional projects and 3. it leaves Tampa's downtown less attractive for investors with ugly empty lots. He doesn't want to see the same thing occur in Channelside.

I understand his point of view, but I don't see the need to fill up all of the lots on a time schedule. If they stay empty (or as parking lots), then so be it. . .

smiley

March 30th, 2006, 09:12 PM

Umm, I understand but it may not be feasible to build medium buildings and if you restrict height then people still will not build. They will hold on longer until a new administration lets them build higher. That is what happened with teh Trump lot which was the subject of proposals for about 25 years.

smiley

March 30th, 2006, 09:13 PM

What are we now going to have a socialist planned economy?

Email them before the meeting:

tampacitycouncil@tampagov.net

FloridaFuture

March 30th, 2006, 11:37 PM

^^Maybe developers would build in the CBD if the city council didnt scare them away with restrictions and demandments. If the council want developer to build there then put some money into the area. Build a parking gurage to get rid of the lots and build some parks and add better landscaping.

moxwax

March 31st, 2006, 04:16 AM

BTW, when did the Teleconvergence Center get downgraded to 45 stories? In earlier updates FLHawk listed it as a 55 story tower and I recall reading that as its proposed height in other places as well.
It changes form article to article. This project is so mysterious that I don't think anyone knows how tall it's going to be, what's going to be in it, or even if it's going to be built for that matter...

smiley

March 31st, 2006, 04:53 AM

Well, the reporting is pretty steady between 500-550 feet. I don't care how many floors 'cause it will probably never happen - though the surper bowl might help a bit with the money men

Jasonhouse

March 31st, 2006, 06:11 AM

On office construction - I'm hopeful the improving office market alone will drive some new projects. But it may help when some of the condo projects fall out, the land will become available for offices. On the other side, when the new projects are completed and residents move in, wealthy residents and available workforce may also drive new office high-rise development.

I'm really talking about any appreciable office construction, be it in Westhore, DT or along I-75... There are some small projects around town, but sfaik, the midrise Progress Energy project in DT St Pete is easily the largest (and of course tallest) office project u/c in the entire region.

renner01

March 31st, 2006, 12:26 PM

Location: Tampa, FL
Address: bordered by Spruce and O'Brien streets.
Floors: 0
Units: 0
Office Space: 400,000 sqft
Retail Space: 30,000 sqft
Year (start): waiting for faa
Year (end): two to three years to complete

http://www.guardianfire.com/tools/jobmanager/jobImages/AvionParkWestshore_Rendering.jpg

Developer: McKibbon
John McKibbon, (813) 241-2399
www.mckibbon.com/

Additional Info
New office park slated for Westshore
Larry Halstead
McKibbon Hotel Management Inc. plans to build an office/retail park just south of Tampa International Airport. Avion Park of Westshore will be a complex of three mid-rise hotels, four restaurants, 30,000 square feet of retail stores and more than 400,000 square feet of office space. Of that, 80,000 square feet of office space will be divided into 7,000-10,000 square feet offices for small business to own their own space, John McKibbon, CEO, said in a release.

The property is bordered by Spruce and O'Brien streets. The new development will have the closest new offices and hotels to TIA and the International Plaza and Westshore Plaza shopping malls.

McKibbon Hotel Management is waiting for Federal Aviation Administration approval before breaking ground, as the tallest building would be the same height as Corporate Center I and comes under FAA height jurisdiction.

The project is expected to take two to three years to complete, said Karen McKinney, corporate communications director.

Tampa-based McKibbon Hotel Management is an owner and/or operator of more than 40 mid and upscale hotels from Arkansas to Florida.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tam...08/daily61.html
===================================================
LATEST NEWS
Tampa Bay Business Journal - Sep 7 2005 1:22 PM EDT Wednesday
McKibbon flies ahead after FAA clearance
Larry Halstead
The final administrative hurdle for McKibbon Hotel Management Inc. has been cleared, and its office and retail development is ready for takeoff.

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the site plan for the construction of Avion Park just south of Tampa International Airport, Karen McKinney, McKibbon spokeswoman, said.

The FAA has jurisdiction over the height of buildings around TIA.

The next step for the complex is site clearing and development and then the groundbreaking ceremony in about 45-60 days, the company said.

The 1.2 million-square-foot project covers 19 acres along Spruce Street, bordered by Laurel and O'Brien streets and will contain a mixed use of office, retail and hotel space.

One of the three planned hotels will be a Hilton Garden Inn, McKinney said. No financial details are available yet because the configuration of the remaining two hotels is unknown at this time.
=======================================
LATEST NEWS
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August 12, 2005
New office park slated for Westshore
Larry Halstead

McKibbon Hotel Management Inc. plans to build an office/retail park just south of Tampa International Airport.

Avion Park of Westshore will be a complex of three mid-rise hotels, four restaurants, 30,000 square feet of retail stores and more than 400,000 square feet of office space. Of that, 80,000 square feet of office space will be divided into 7,000-10,000 square feet offices for small business to own their own space, John McKibbon, CEO, said in a release.

The property is bordered by Spruce and O'Brien streets. The new development will have the closest new offices and hotels to TIA and the International Plaza and Westshore Plaza shopping malls.

McKibbon Hotel Management is waiting for Federal Aviation Administration approval before breaking ground, as the tallest building would be the same height as Corporate Center I and comes under FAA height jurisdiction.

The project is expected to take two to three years to complete, said Karen McKinney, corporate communications director.

Tampa-based McKibbon Hotel Management is an owner and/or operator of more than 40 mid and upscale hotels from Arkansas to Florida
=========================================
LATEST NEWS
December 21, 2005
Business Pulse Survey: From a business perspective, should the Patriot Act be left to expire or should it be renewed? Click here to vote

Tampa Bay Business Journal - 10:15 AM EST Wednesday
McKibbon sells hotels to Tennessee REIT

The McKibbon Hotel Group has sold five of its hotels, containing 435 rooms, to Equity Inns Inc. for $45.5 million.

The price includes an assumption of $15.7 million of existing debt on the units.

Three of the hotels are in Florida, a Residence Inn in Tampa, a SpringHill Suites in Sarasota and a Courtyard by Marriott in Orlando. The other two hotels are a Residence Inn in Mobile, Ala. and a TownePlace Suites in Savannah, Ga.

The five hotels have an average age of seven years. McKibbon Hotel Management will continue to manage the properties under similar terms as previously negotiated management agreements.

The deal is expected to close at the end of the first quarter of 2006.

McKibbon Hotel Management operates more than 40 hotels in seven states, including 10 in the Tampa Bay area. Among its latest projects is an office/retail park adjacent to Tampa International Airport that will take two to three years to complete.

Equity Inns (NYSE: ENN) is a REIT that focuses on the upscale extended stay, all-suite and midscale limited-service segments of the hotel industry. It was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Germantown, Tenn.

Maxim98

March 31st, 2006, 11:44 PM

What a waste of land.

Jasonhouse

April 1st, 2006, 12:39 AM

No, that project is not U/C... at least not as of about 3 weeks ago, when I last drove by the site.

smiley

April 1st, 2006, 01:01 AM

1) they cleared teh site - taht is something. Second, it is not a waste of land. You can't build up (runways) and you won't get residential (airplanes) so this pretty much is the best use.

Maxim98

April 1st, 2006, 03:53 PM

1) they cleared teh site - taht is something. Second, it is not a waste of land. You can't build up (runways) and you won't get residential (airplanes) so this pretty much is the best use.

Meh, I think they could squeeze more density out of it. I'm also growingly increasingly frustrated with surface lots lining the front; I think everything should be garaged or the lots placed in back of the buildings.

Picky? Yes. I just have high expectations of the area. Land isn't exactly cheap or abundant in Westshore.

Pres_of_2036

April 1st, 2006, 04:11 PM

I like it

FloridaFuture

April 1st, 2006, 05:21 PM

I like it

Agreed, and hopefully eventually the surface parking will be turned into a gurage and/or another office tower or two.

smiley

April 1st, 2006, 06:09 PM

Look, I would like an urban neighborhood as much as anyone, but those out parcels on Spruce are likely to stay that was forever. There is no neighborhood to feed an urban environment there - other parts of westshore, maybe, but not there. I actually thik it is lucky that that area does not stay rental car lots forever - like the south side of the Westshore, BoyScout/Spruce intersection

Jahi98

April 2nd, 2006, 10:06 PM

Not a bad project. Normally, I'd think that they should've added an apartment building in there, but that might not work at that particular location due to its location so close to the airport.

jzquince69

April 3rd, 2006, 09:26 PM

is there a map of where riverwalk will go? has it already been posted, or is it best to google map it?

Maxim98

April 3rd, 2006, 10:08 PM

Speaking of Riverwalk, is it going to be connected to Bayshore?

Dave01walk

April 4th, 2006, 12:28 AM

Here's a descent map of the riverwalk

http://www.tampagov.net/dept_Public_Works/riverwalk/projects/index.asp

Casey

April 5th, 2006, 04:32 PM

High-Rise Moves In On Trump Territory
Published: Apr 5, 2006

TAMPA - A developer on Tuesday took the first step in proposing a high-rise condominium tower that could rival Trump Tower Tampa in number of units and possibly height.

Planned along the Hillsborough River at one of downtown's primary gateways, the 215-unit high-rise would be named Museum Tower, according to documents filed by Gibraltar Development Corp., which has offices in Clearwater and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The documents also show the company plans to seek city council approval for two stories of parking, a 1,852-square-foot restaurant, and a new segment for the city's Riverwalk project.

The parcel at 100 W. Kennedy Blvd. is less than a half-acre but sits at a prime downtown location on the Hillsborough River and Ashley Drive.

The project's name highlights its spot across from the proposed Tampa Museum of Art location, and public art, perhaps a mural, will be integral in the design.

That artsy image contrasts with its current state. Since 1965, the southeast corner of Kennedy and Ashley has been home to Mercantile Bank, law firms and financial groups inside a squat, eight-story, brown and white office building.

Developers declined to comment on unit pricing and other details Tuesday. Gibraltar spokeswoman Margie Martin said specifics won't be released until the city council reviews the plan. That is scheduled for July 27.

Michael English of Wilson Miller, a planning, design and engineering company involved with the proposal, said it would be a slender glass tower about 50 stories tall.

He expects synergy between the residents and the Tampa Museum of Art.

"It's across the street from the museum," English said. "I would hope residents of the new tower will be patrons of the museum of art."

Museum Tower could be similar in height to 52-story Trump Tower Tampa that just started construction a few blocks south at Ashley Drive and Brorein Street. Developers of the 1.5-acre lot at 111 S. Ashley Drive plan 192 luxury units that will cost $700,000 to $6 million.

In between these parcels is the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel. The six-story, 277-room hotel completed a $10 million renovation in December.

Adding more living space on downtown's western edge creates a true urban area where business, residents and visitors mingle, said Paul Ayres, director of marketing and business development for the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

"We're seeing residential development sprinkle itself around downtown, and that's healthy," he said.

Museum Tower hopes to make the most of its proximity to two high-profile city projects: the art museum and Riverwalk. Tuesday's initial proposal includes a commitment to build part of the 2.4-mile Riverwalk that will link the Channel District to Tampa Heights.

And the Tampa Museum of Art is expected to move from its current location on Ashley Drive to the round and cube buildings on the corner of Ashley and Kennedy. Lawyers hope to have the deal completed by May 1.

Mayor Pam Iorio said the project would be a welcome part of the residential and commercial mix at the busy Kennedy and Ashley intersection.

"Most of downtown is fair market for residential," Iorio said. "People want to live in the thick of things. Anything on the Riverwalk is good for residential. That's a great location."

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBGC8O4NLE.html

randommichael

April 5th, 2006, 04:50 PM

I hope this gets built. Anything replacing that ugly building that I have to look at all day will be good.

smiley

April 5th, 2006, 05:57 PM

Well, it would be nice. I think you should note that these guys are not known for their residential towers though they are trying. They are mostly big box retail.

http://www.gibraltarcorp.com/index.html

of course, past perfromance is not an guarantee of future returns.

TampaTower

April 5th, 2006, 05:57 PM

50 stories on a half acre next to the river :eek2: , that should make for some intense foundation work. does any know or have pics of building of about the same size.

FLHawk

April 5th, 2006, 08:47 PM

OK, if I'm counting correctly, we have a total of 24(?) residential tower projects (more than ten stories tall) either proposed, approved, or under construction in the CBD.

1. SkyPoint - U/C
2. Trump Tower Tampa - U/C
3. Wood Partners - Approved
4. Grant Block - Approved
5. Kress Block - Approved (w/ conditions?)
6. Novare project 1 - Proposed
7. Novare project 2 - Proposed
8. Tampa Towers - Proposed
9. The Royal - Proposed
10. Tower next to the Floridan - Proposed
11. Museum Tower - Proposed

...and add these to the Channelside projects...

12. Towers at Channelside - U/C
13. Grand Central - U/C
14. The Martin - Approved
15. Tower at Seaport Channelside - Approved
16. Blu Channelside - Approved
17. Plaza at Channelside - Proposed
18. Crescent Heights - Proposed
19. Teleconvergance Center - Proposed
20. The Place: Phase II - Proposed
21. Novare project - Proposed

...and North Bayshore...

22. C at One Bayshore - Approved
23. Crescent Resources Towers - Approved

...and Harbour Island...

24. The Plaza at HI - U/C

Dang! Not a bad list. And all in little old Tampa. (I'm sure I missed a few.)
Of course, a good number of these projects will never even make it to the construction phase, and it will be interesting to see which ones get built over the next few years.

Jasonhouse

April 5th, 2006, 11:25 PM

Damn... if even half of all of this gets built, the skyline will hardly be recognizable...

That's as many as 13 buildings of 400ft or more in some form of proposal, rumor or development in the DT area...

robbie

April 6th, 2006, 12:47 AM

FloridaFuture

April 6th, 2006, 12:56 AM

This made the news a couple months ago, although we didn't talk too much about it. If you get a good look at the Merchantile building you will wonder how a 50 story building will fit. It will be extremely skinny. Lets hope there is a really good design. Some of you will prefer a glassy building, others may like a more Trumpish or Bayshorish look. It will block the view of the Bank of America Tower from the Kennedy entrance.

The artcle said it would be a "slender glass tower". Also this building will be way to skinny to toatally block Boa. It sounds like a good project and its a huge plus that the developers plan to pay for a mural and part of the riverwalk. That should help it get approval. :) Some Recent designs of proposals are improving, and i hope this one follows that trend. :)

FloridaFuture

April 6th, 2006, 01:18 AM

Also there's now several 500+ footers on the drawing boards.

Tampa Tower 1- 625 feet
Tampa Tower 2- 625 feet
Pinnacle (if still alive)- 624 feet
Hillsborough River tower- 600 feet
Trump-591 feet
Telecognvergence- 550 feet
Museum Tower-500+ feet

Now realize we'll be lucky to get more then half of these but still...
:eek2:

smiley

April 6th, 2006, 01:54 AM

IT would not block BoA - first, too narrow and would only cover a bit of the building. Second, ashley is relatively wide there and views will easily go around it.

As for that list

tampa Towers aren't really even proposed. The pinnacle is dead. Hillsborough River Tower will never be built as proposed - though a big condo is always possible.

Thus, there are three buildings:

Trump-591 feet
Telecognvergence- 550 feet
Museum Tower-500+ feet

We'll see what gets built - interestingly, they are all waterfront - which is horrible urban planning - the buildings should descend as they go to the water so everyone has a view - but so be it.

Jasonhouse

April 6th, 2006, 02:00 AM

^with regards to the planning... EXACTLY!

youngkg

April 6th, 2006, 03:19 AM

robbie

April 6th, 2006, 03:58 AM

Seems like along the Hillsborough river is getting popular and that can cause a linear skyline.

smiley

April 6th, 2006, 04:35 AM

It is happening like that because they are silly people who do not think rationally. There is no possible justification for allowing a bowl rather than a pyramid.

jvance75

April 6th, 2006, 11:01 AM

50-story condo tower slated near river
The proposed 215-unit project would be located at the tip of the Hillsborough River Bridge along the route for the Riverwalk project.
By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER, Times Staff Writer
Published April 6, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - A half-acre lot that is considered a linchpin to a $40-million pedestrian path linking Tampa Heights to the Channel District is slated for one of the tallest downtown condo towers yet.

Gibraltar Development Corp. filed papers this week to build a 50-story tower southwest of Kennedy Boulevard and Ashley Drive. It's the fourth downtown condo high rise proposed since February.

The proposed 215-unit project is along the route Mayor Pam Iorio is proposing for the 2.4-mile Riverwalk project. The city is requiring that all new construction along the route help pay for the granite path, guardrails, benches, light poles and trash receptacles festooning the project.

Dubbed "Museum Tower," the proposed condo tower is also across the street from the office building where the Tampa Museum of Art is planning to move.

"That location is a natural crown for the downtown," said attorney Ron Weaver, who will represent the project when it seeks approval from the City Council on July 27. "It's an ideal river crossing."

Gibraltar plans to have a 1,800-square-foot restaurant or cafe on the ground floor, overlooking the Riverwalk. Weaver said the restaurant would be upscale, like Morton's Steak House or Oystercatchers.

He said it was premature to tell what type of units are planned, but said they will be luxury.

The lot is home now to Riverside Plaza, an office building for insurance companies and law firms. All the leases expire in 2007.

The site is perched at the tip of the Hillsborough River Bridge at Kennedy Boulevard, which spans over a critical stretch of where the Riverwalk is planned.

City planners want pedestrians to walk from the bridge to the walkway, but the bridge is 30 feet higher. So city officials say they will ask Gibraltar to build stairs or an elevator to the bridge.

Officials will review the plans, which include a request for 420 parking spaces. The tower is allowed only 215 as part of a longstanding effort to eliminate parking structures that clutter the riverfront.

But this may not draw objections if the parking is contained in a multideck garage with an attractive facade, said Phil Compton, chair of the Friends of the River community group.

"It's better to have tall buildings on a small lot than a sprawling lot spread out along the river," Compton said. "The last thing we need is to build a surface parking lot along the river."

Lee Hoffman, Riverwalk's development manager, said the Museum Tower comes at a great time.

"This will allow people to stop, rest, eat and drink along the river," Hoffman said. "How many places in Tampa can you do that?"

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/06/Hillsborough/50_story_condo_tower_.shtml

smiley

April 6th, 2006, 04:53 PM

Heights Redevelopment Has Manager
Skip directly to the full story.
Published: Apr 6, 2006

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TAMPA - As plans solidify for a massive residential and commercial project, a former urban planner has been named point man to manage a blighted area destined for redevelopment.

This year, Michael Hatchett was appointed manager of the Tampa Heights Community Redevelopment Area, 77 acres roughly bordered by Ross Avenue to the north, Tampa Street to the east, North Boulevard to the west, and the Hillsborough River and Interstate 275 to the south.

Most of the area is earmarked for The Heights project, which would include 2,100 town houses and condominiums, cafes, restaurants, offices, parks and docks.

"What happens here can have a tremendous impact and completely bring a new economy for Tampa Heights," Hatchett said.

Hatchett will deal with residents and The Heights' developers, and also will manage the pending agreement between the city and developers, such as changes to roads and utilities. The project is awaiting city council approval.

Hatchett, 36, has worked with the city for five years.

José Patiño Girona

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBWT9DDOLE.html

Jasonhouse

April 6th, 2006, 06:51 PM

^ I second that. I don't understand why the city is allowing that to happen in Channelside. The inner-core buildings should be the tallest (30+ stories) and the outer ones on the water shorter (10-29 stories). This would give us a nice cascading effect instead of a wall effect. Plus, most people would have views of the water instead of only the buildings on the water.

Actually, I think it should have been planned kinda like how it is on the edge right now in Channelside... Either public projects (aquarium, port terminals, museums, port HQ) with the rest of it parkland, with another 'shops' type of development north of the new cruise terminal... Nothing taller than like 75ft...

the fist two blocks on the other side of Channelside should have been for more intensive development... required mixed-use, with a mix of retail, office and hotel, wide sidewalk on channelside, and narrow setback otherwise... Build up to 75ft at intersections, and up to 225ft on midblock parcels (residential also allowed on these parcels)...

The parcels lining Meridian and Kennedy would be similar to that described above, but residential would be allowed on any parcels, though all parcels would still be required to be mixed-use...

All other parcels in the district would be limited only by FAA hieght guidelines... However all blocks anywhere in Channelside would be limited to a 75ft podium, with the tower not covering more than some undetermined ratio of the lot area... On these parcels, development could be residential, office, hotel or whatever...

But, since much of the district already has plans submitted for development, or has been developed, it's WAY too late to be trying to reshape things now... The city already blew it bigtime.... Just like they have always done.

smiley

April 6th, 2006, 07:20 PM

Actually, they have most of 11th and meridian to play with - if they did it right they could still do a nice job and step it up toward the CBD (which I just hate as a term, but whatever)

smiley

April 7th, 2006, 08:30 PM

Prepare yourselves:
Airport Prepares For City Expansion
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By TED JACKOVICS tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: Apr 7, 2006

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TAMPA - Local aviation officials said Thursday that they are taking steps to ensure safe flight operations over downtown amid Tampa's ever-growing skyline.

Those issues include height restrictions for new downtown buildings and reducing the number of flights over Davis Islands. Officials also want to relocate Tampa International Airport's air cargo facilities by 2011 onto property next door in Drew Park to make room for a new passenger terminal sometime after 2015.

"It is important that we look at airspace issues with the No. 1 goal keeping the airport functions safe for users at Tampa International and Peter O. Knight Airport," said Louis Miller, Hillsborough County's aviation director. "At the same time, we need to make sure we are good neighbors with the community ... and its development."

Each of the initiatives involves eliminating potential conflicts between Tampa's burgeoning development and airspace and airport use:

∙Tampa International planners have mapped building-height restrictions that the Federal Aviation Administration created in the downtown Community Redevelopment Area. Those restrictions allow buildings 625 feet tall in the center of the city and 300 feet to 450 feet in different parts of the Channel District. Bank of America Plaza and the 100 North Tampa building, both at 42 stories, are downtown Tampa's two tallest buildings. The planned Trump Tower Tampa would be 593 feet tall, or 52 stories.

By studying the airport's map, developers can quickly determine whether their plans are likely to get airport and FAA approval.

Two buildings exceed FAA limits, but the FAA approved the permits after determining there was no safety hazard. That discrepancy apparently came about because of an error in where measurements were made, airport officials said. The new overlay map should help developers making requests, they said.

∙Airport officials also have recommended that the FAA change approach patterns for general aviation aircraft using Peter O. Knight Airport. That will decrease the amount of air traffic over Davis Islands residential areas and provide better approach patterns for pilots flying into low cloud ceilings.

With the new patterns, pilots using direct approaches to Peter O. Knight will remain out of Tampa International approach patterns and avoid overflying MacDill Air Force Base. Most of those approaches will avoid flying over Davis Islands homes.

By rerouting circular approach patterns to Peter O. Knight, pilots can avoid flying over the Channel District, unlike the current circular approach, and will not fly over Davis Islands residences.

"It is a benefit to Davis Islands residents, and [these initiatives] could not come at a better time for downtown's renaissance," Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said.

∙Another initiative is unrelated to airspace but in line with burgeoning traffic at Tampa International. Officials envision a new terminal when annual passenger usage grows from the current 19 million to about 25 million.

At that point - the date will be determined by when the 25 million-passenger threshold approaches - the airport must open a terminal where the current cargo terminal is, near Hillsborough Avenue.

That will require relocating the cargo terminal, and a facility handling the airport's ground support equipment, to a site east of current airport operations. The $30 million project will be completed in 2011.

The airport also plans to build a $25 million four-lane, north-south public boulevard called Cargo Road through Drew Park by 2011.

The airport, which has acquired more than 250 parcels in Drew Park through voluntary negotiations, needs to obtain 10 more for the cargo facility and boulevard expansions.

http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBTL96UPLE.html

smiley

April 7th, 2006, 08:34 PM

Hell, empty space will be better than the rundown barracks there now - and hopefully they can get the residents some better housing without the crime.

City Casts Critical Eye On Central Park Plan
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By JOHN W. ALLMAN jallman@tampatrib.com

Published: Apr 7, 2006

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TAMPA - Central Park Village, one of the city's oldest and largest public housing communities, took another step toward a radical makeover Thursday.

Tampa City Council members made it clear, though, that things have to be different this time, after a similar plan to reinvigorate the poverty-ridden neighborhood failed in January 2004.

Even as they unanimously declared the area between downtown Tampa and Ybor City overrun with blight, council members' comments showed how frayed relations remain with the Hillsborough County Commission.

Councilwoman Rose Ferlita chastised city staff for not having talked to county commissioners about Thursday's public hearing, the first in a series of meetings needed to designate the 114-acre site as a Community Redevelopment Area.

The commission also must approve designating the CRA, a special taxing district.

"We have to do better with this because we had problems last time," Ferlita said, referring to the shunned effort by the Civitas development group. "We know the territorial issues we've had."

The Civitas proposal to place public housing apartments next to $600,000 condominiums was rejected by commissioners who said they knew little about the details before being asked to approve public funds. The plan had been kept largely secret for two years as it was developed.

The new proposal from the Central Park Group, which includes private investors Don Wallace, Bill Bishop and Bank of America, aims to create a mixed-use, mixed-income community that would include a percentage of public housing amid upscale private condominiums, town homes and retail shopping.

City officials said some communication with the county has taken place, including talks with at least one commissioner, Thomas Scott.

"There are six guys other than Commissioner Scott who are going to weigh in on this," Ferlita replied.

She and District 4 Councilman John Dingfelder briefly considered withdrawing support. Dingfelder went so far as to suggest waiting for the general election in November when the commission's makeup might change.

Ferlita and Kevin White of District 5 are resigning in July to run for county seats.

County Commission Chairman Jim Norman did not return a call Thursday for comment.

Salvatore Territo, senior assistant city attorney, urged the council to move forward. The CRA must be approved by July 1, he said, for officials to take advantage of tax increment financing this year.

Those funds would help pay for infrastructure and encourage private investment in the neighborhood, said Michael Chen, director of the city's Department of Urban Development.

Also in July, the Tampa Housing Authority plans to begin relocating more than 1,300 people from Central Park Village to make way for the property's demolition.

The relocation is expected to last nine months.

"This brings us one step closer to making the redevelopment a reality," said Beth Leytham, spokeswoman for the housing authority. "This is too important a project for the city and the county not to do the right thing."
http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB7UYMWPLE.html

Maxim98

April 7th, 2006, 10:16 PM

625 feet? Thats it?

.....

smiley

April 7th, 2006, 11:06 PM

Well, you know, some moron in a cessna might forget to go in another direction.

It is a little hard to see here, but plainly, the runways don't go straight at "downtown" - they should just ban takeoffs from the 1-19 runway - or whatever it is.
http://66.226.83.248/ap/02638

thehappysmith

April 11th, 2006, 01:51 AM

It's approaches to 17 that are the main problem (17-35 is the shorter N-S runway on the right side of the picture). There's already a DP for departures from 35. Frankly, banning approaches to 17 wouldn't really cause any heartburn. And the reason to do it is to limit approach traffic over Harbour Island, not Davis Island; none of the patterns take you over Davis Island because doing so puts you too close to TPA's airspace.

smiley

April 11th, 2006, 04:27 AM

ok, so it is 17-35 not 1-19 (on the wrong side of the compass N-S line in my guess). But in any event, why not just stop that and everyone is happy. The airport stays, the buildings get built, the whiny folks with expensive houses stay quiet. - (my guess is you can't put jets in there anyway so the big money folks go to TIA whatever the case.)

Jasonhouse

April 11th, 2006, 05:22 AM

^Agreed! If POK doesn't impinge upon DT Tampa's rebirth, then I don't have a problem with it.

Pres_of_2036

April 13th, 2006, 05:08 AM

We need another great proposal, Y WANT A GREAT PROPOSAL!!! :mad: :mad2: :rant:

Jasonhouse

April 13th, 2006, 06:12 PM

^Forget proposals... I just want to see more projects break ground, before the market inevitably cools.

FloridaFuture

April 13th, 2006, 10:54 PM

^Forget proposals... I just want to see more projects break ground, before the market inevitably cools.

Thats what ive benn thinking about. We have a long list of proposals but they're just not getting anywhere fast. I guess thats the case with other cities. I think everything except for O2 or whatever will get done in Channelsdie. But some of the Franklin street stuff and tampa towers i think will be to late but thats just my oppinion.

Pres_of_2036

April 13th, 2006, 11:01 PM

FloridaFuture

April 14th, 2006, 12:10 AM

I wish the Tampa Towers would get passed. Just imagine in the skyline with everything else getting built or proposed. Great tower right there, but most likely never will happen. Atleast we are getting somewhere in Developements in Downtown and Channelside

I dont think there is much of problem of Tampa Towers being passed by the council, but there are more factors involved then that. financing, market, will to build the project etc.

smiley

April 14th, 2006, 06:52 PM

Saying it is "on tap" may be premature - but I like the ideas and am glad they are thinking this way:

Major Expansion On Tap For Aquarium
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By RANDY DIAMOND rdiamond@tampatrib.com

Published: Apr 14, 2006

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TAMPA - The president of The Florida Aquarium hopes to announce next fall a $40 million to $50 million expansion plan that will include new dolphin, sea lion and giant shark exhibits and a revamped remodeled lobby.

Thom Stork said Thursday that he plans to submit a long-range plan to the aquarium's board of directors in October that will include the projects. If the board approves the project, the aquarium would need to raise money from private donors.

"Fresh attractions will give visitors a reason to come back again," Stork said.

Attendance at the attraction has been up the past several years, but the 620,000 visitors last year was still below projections. Aquarium officials had predicted before the facility opened in 1995 that attendance would surpass a million patrons a year.

Stork said he would like to remodel the attraction's two-story lobby in 2008.

He estimates that would cost $10 million. Stork said he wants to install multimedia presentations and interactive displays to liven up guests first impressions of the now "sterile lobby." The area features mostly open space leading to exhibits, except for an ice cream stand and a stingray tank.

Later phases of Stork's proposal are more ambitious. Stork said he'd like to add new dolphin, sea lion and giant shark exhibits in 2010. Doing so could cost an estimated $30 million to $40 million, he said. Focus groups have expressed interest in seeing such creatures, Stork said.

Stork, a former marketing director at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, has pushed to make an aquarium visit more entertaining in efforts to increase visitation.

The last capital project the aquarium undertook was a children's play area in 2004. The aquarium raised $2.4 million in donations and public grants to build it.

http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBQ9QJTZLE.html

Jasonhouse

April 14th, 2006, 07:01 PM

TallTampa

April 14th, 2006, 11:01 PM

^I hope that they can actually get something like that done within the next 3-5 years... But with all of these capital fundraisers tugging at local wallets, something isn't going to make the cut... We simply don't have enough deep corporate pockets to make it all a reality. (like in ATL, where Home Depot dropped BIG money on the mega-arquarium recently built there)
Well, if I had my choice, I'd rather sink money into the Aquarium rather than the proposed Tampa History museum. I can't see that being a huge draw at all. Let's face it, the Aquarium needs more to it. You can spend less than 2 hours there and pretty much see everything. A new addition would be nice, but your point is well taken Jason, we don't have the corporate clout to get it done alone.

smiley

April 14th, 2006, 11:20 PM

We do, but the government is not good at getting it done. We have some very major corps with big operations here and reasons to make life more enjoyable for their workers and make it easier to recruit their workers. We also have some quite rich people - but we just don't pump them for money correctly and they don't cross the bay well.

smiley

April 15th, 2006, 12:40 AM

Oh yea, I forgot that biz journal (which is not online with this weeks articles I think) says that in New Port Tampa Bay, they are already selling the second tower because the first tower had such high demand. . .

Anyone notice the Westshore Yacht Club condo going up - and a few on the Pinellas side. Now if they could just clean up Gandy Blvd - which is ugly as all hell on both sides.

robbie

April 15th, 2006, 02:26 AM

You're right. That area needs to be cleaned up. The more you go south on Westshore, the shittier it looks.

FLHawk

April 15th, 2006, 03:56 AM

Well, you got to spend money to make money, right? The Georgia Aquarium undoubtedly cost a pretty penny, but they had a million visitors in like the first three months. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is a huge draw, and other aquariums around the country are considered big success (Baltimore, Monterey, et.al.).

I'd love to see something with a little more "wow" factor. The aquarium is just OK as is, although the outdoor area for kids was a smart addition.

The old excuse for poor attendance was that they stuck it in a desolate corner of downtown, which was difficult to find, and there was nothing else around it. OK, so it's still in the corner of downtown, but it's now surrounded by other attractions. I think it needs to continue improving and diversifying in order to make it the main attraction of the Channel District for visitors and residents.

tampamobster21

April 16th, 2006, 03:09 AM

I am new to this forum, but I am not stranger to Tampa. I have lived here for five years, but was not looking for a Tampa forum. Now that I see that there is so much more construction going on, I feel I need to share my part. I was downtown today and I saw the Wood Partners project, and I have pics, but I have to convert the photos to be put on the web. Nice to see Tampa finally realize its full potential, but I think the city planners and the council need to be changed out.

Dave01walk

April 16th, 2006, 06:25 AM

Welcome aboard Tampamobster21, send the pics to Jasonhouse. He'll post them for you. He'll give you his address.

Jasonhouse

April 16th, 2006, 07:04 AM

jasonhouse@skyscrapercity.info... not too many pics though please, because it takes me a while too...:)

And this goes for anyone... I generally try to post just pics of projects, or renders... But I'm happy to lend a hand to someone who doesn't have an imagehost, but has a couple building pics to share with the forum. :)

tampamobster21

April 17th, 2006, 04:42 AM

Thanx Jason for the address. I will head it Wood Brothers project.

Dave01walk

April 17th, 2006, 07:55 PM

I thought this was pretty neat. On Ventana's website they show updated constrcution photos for April.

http://www.ventanatampa.com/updates/04_05_constr/index.html

FloridaFuture

April 17th, 2006, 08:04 PM

I thought this was pretty neat. On Ventana's website they show updated constrcution photos for April.

http://www.ventanatampa.com/updates/04_05_constr/index.html

Cool Pics. Looks like they've started on the tower portions. Sweet.

Maxim98

April 17th, 2006, 11:11 PM

FloridaFuture

April 17th, 2006, 11:30 PM

Any chance we could update the first post with all the info? If we work together on it, it won't be a chore for Jason or any one person. We have so many of those dark horse projects (like the one on page 1) that need to be included, the Novarre Projects, Wood, Tampa Tours, the *other* Four Season proposal, etc. As iffy as some may be, its nice to have a fresh list. I'd also suggest we remove Crescent and the old 4 Seasons.

Actually I've got the whole list with rendering on a word document. I'm not the most computer savy, however,and i havent successfully posted pictures yet, so I'm going to try and get help and e-mail it to Jason ASAP, or try to post them we'll see. It may be a few days. I always keep a running list on a Word ducument, and I just completed some editing today. It's missing number of units, and estimated construction dates but it has approved/proposed/UC, # of floors, name, genaral location, height if avaliable, and rendering if avaliable. I'm almost done with a list for St. Pete too.

Jasonhouse

April 18th, 2006, 12:08 AM

^email me the word document... I'm quite handy with such programs.

I would LOVE to have the list updated, but I just don't have the time to camp out for hours on end like I used to.

Maxim98

April 18th, 2006, 12:18 AM

Great. Can't wait to see it!! :)

Pres_of_2036

April 18th, 2006, 04:24 AM

I got a question, where do you all here about new projects so fast?

tampamobster21

April 18th, 2006, 04:51 AM

We check all of the forums, and read the paper.

Dave01walk

April 18th, 2006, 10:19 PM

Channelside 2025 could have 12,000 residents

For 14 years, downtown Tampa accounted for less than 1 percent of all of Hillsborough County's residential growth. But with the addition of at least two major residential towers in Tampa's predominant business district as well as the explosive growth in the Channelside district, that data will soon be ancient history.

The Channel District, for many years just a hub for shipping and warehousing, is now leading the charge as the nexus of downtown growth where it is expected to have a $500 million impact in ad valorem tax revenue over the next 20 years, said R. Christopher Jones, president and chief economist with Florida Economic Advisors LLC of Valrico.

"We struggled for years to find (Channelside's) economic identity," Jones told participants at a Tampa Downtown Partnership breakfast Tuesday. "Basically after 9/11, in the early part of the decade, we really began to see more ownership and investment in Channelside, and venues like the (Florida) Aquarium and the (St. Pete Times) Forum really began to provide a real catalyst there."

Up to recently, Channelside had about 2.5 million square feet of inventory across 150 acres. Over the next two decades, the area can expect to see that figure quadruple, as 12 million square feet of new development occurs with residential construction accounting for 70 percent of that total, Jones said.

The Channel District of 2025 could include 6,300 dwelling units, 12,000 permanent residents, 8,800 employees and 1.5 million annual visitors, Jones said. Right now, Channelside gets about 750,000 visitors.

A lot of the interest in the Channelside area, which already has more than 3,000 units under some form of development, is coming from the international community, Jones said. The opportunities for mixed-use projects, as well as a clear overall plan to develop it are fueling the interest from overseas investors. A lot of those opportunities are coming from the fact that people will actually be living in the Channel District, not just making the commute there.

"Seven out of every 10 square feet will be residential," Jones said. A lot of the price points could go as high as $450 a square foot in today's dollars, but there is an effort to create affordable housing in the Channel District as well, Jones said.

"There are some really interesting and groundbreaking projects under way right now to get people to move into the Channel district who are local, and who are working class folks making a typical workforce wage," Jones said, referring to families with incomes in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. "We have to get everyone interested in this area, and we can't do that unless we could actually have people afford a unit coming in here."

Tampa's downtown currently ranks as the third largest office market in the Tampa Bay region with 12.5 percent of the inventory behind the Westshore area and the Interstate 75 corridor, Jones said. If planned projects come to fruition, Channelside is expected to equal the size of Tampa's downtown in the next two decades.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2006/04/17/daily27.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Pres_of_2036

April 18th, 2006, 10:46 PM

Condo plan causes alarm
A proposal to build 1,500 condos would overwhelm Bruce B. Downs and schools, residents of Tampa Palms say.

TAMPA PALMS - They're talking about renting charter buses and distributing fliers, forming ad-hoc committees and painting signs.
Residents here are in an uproar over a condominium development proposed near their neighborhood, saying its construction would bring a slew of problems.

The owners of 644 acres on Bruce B. Downs, just south of Amberly Drive, want to rezone the wetlands for commercial use.

The Giunta Group, well-known developers, filed a rezoning request with Hillsborough County last month in hopes of building almost 1,500 condos on 60 acres.

Although planners for the developer hope to meet with the community, several homeowners groups oppose the idea. They predict the condos would bring 3,000 more vehicles to an already clogged Bruce B. Downs and as many as 700 new students to local schools.

"This is an absolutely appalling plan,'' said Bill Edwards, president of the Tampa Palms Owners Association. "They can't be serious.''

Edwards appeared before the Tampa Palms Community Development District meeting Wednesday, which drew leaders from other neighborhood groups as well.

Opponents say New Tampa already lacks adequate park spaces and ball fields for children.

And the buildings, which may reach seven stories because the units would sit atop a parking garage, would be an eyesore, they say.

The rezoning request says the condo buildings would have three to five stories above parking.

Tom Macri, association vice president for the nearby North Oaks condominiums, said the new condos would be among the highest structures in northern Tampa.

"We don't think the quality of life is going to be the same,'' he said.

Whether the developer can win these communities over remains to be seen.

Ty Maxey of Englehardt, Hammer & Associates, the project planners, said his office is planning a meeting with neighboring residents to discuss the project.

"We haven't set a meeting time yet,'' he said.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/16/Northoftampa/Condo_plan_causes_ala.shtml

tampamobster21

April 19th, 2006, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by smiley
You know 1) someone could post the article rather than the link and 2) it is nice and I like it, but I just don't find it the earthshatteringly awesome project that so many others seems to see. That being said, if they actually build it, it will be a nice addition.

http://media.tbo.com/photos/trib/2006/apr/0413stdistrict.jpg

District Moving To New Heights?
By JANIS D. FROELICH jfroelich@tampatrib.com

Published: Apr 13, 2006

CHANNEL DISTRICT - Tensions have been the norm for the past year or so in the Channel District as developers jockey for property and their right to build.

But when Channel District Council President Genie White stood up at a recent town hall meeting and cracked a joke, it was evident harmony is prevailing.

The new united front may bode well for developer Fida Sirdar, whose second phase of The Place at Channelside is up for city council zoning approval today.

Sirdar wants to build a 33-story, 350-foot tower at Washington Street and Channelside Drive, an area zoned for building's up to 60 feet tall.

"I don't care if Fida wants to build the Eiffel Tower," White said at the meeting at the Tampa Port Authority, prompting laughter. "It's OK with me, as long as he gives us something back."

White referred to amenities promised by developers, including Sirdar's offer of sidewalk art display cases, murals and fountains. Another developer, Ken Stoltenberg, will include a community theater at his under-construction Grand Central at Kennedy, and a small park at The Martin, soon to be built.

White said the community wants projects to be "fun and well designed."

Sirdar said he's pleased by the e-mails and calls he has received since the town hall meeting, after working for 16 months to gain project approval. He delayed seeking council approval for his project's second phase last year partly because he lacked neighborhood unity.

"All the stakeholders are in sync now,' he said, adding that he received assurances from the Channel District Council and another neighborhood group, United Residents of Channelside.

"It's not just my project I'm working for, but the overall vision of what the Channel District could become," said Sirdar, whose first-phase project will be completed in April 2007.

At the town hall session March 30, Trent Green, an associate professor in the University of South Florida's school of architecture and design, presented a model of the Channel District.

The model, as large as a formal dining room table, showed projects ranging from conceptual to recently built in the unfolding neighborhood, which is predicted to become the city's densest.

The 20-year population estimate ranges from 12,000 to 26,000, according to consultants.

Before the meeting, Green said he recently visited Vancouver, British Columbia, where tall buildings are slim and spread throughout the city, leaving room for green space.

"That city has really figured out the high-rises," he said.

The city council is considering a plan that would set varying height limits throughout the Channel District.

A year ago, resident Francine Messano said, the community thought small buildings were great.

"Now that seems to be over," she said.

She wants towers to be slender and use less of their site.

Andy Scaglione, who for 22 years has owned a 1-acre lot near the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, said he has opposed large developments.

"Now I have to back off," he said. "I no longer want a low district."

He said the area would look good with a variety of building heights.

"All of us want a world-class neighborhood," said lawyer Truett Gardner, whose family helped develop the new Meridian condominium complex. Gardner also has a financial interest in a 25-story project proposed for 110 N. 12th St.

"I think there's been a revolution," he said of residents' change in attitude. "How much fun is that?"
http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBKEA56YLE.html

thehappysmith

April 19th, 2006, 04:05 AM

Condo plan causes alarm
A proposal to build 1,500 condos would overwhelm Bruce B. Downs and schools, residents of Tampa Palms say.

I support the current residents on this, not because I agree with their fortress mentality (once I move in, nobody is allowed to follow), but because the site is a wetland. I've decided I'm going to start protesting every suburban development that occurs on a wetland until infil takes over. I'm going to make signs and everything! I bet my protests will have no effect whatsoever! But at least I'll sleep better at night.

tampamobster21

April 19th, 2006, 10:55 AM

ok so your saying that you want land to have as your own to build a house of your own meanwhile protesting for other development?

tampamobster21

April 19th, 2006, 11:46 AM

ok everyone, guess what! New building announced.

http://tampaciti.com/

youngkg

April 19th, 2006, 02:33 PM

ok everyone, guess what! New building announced.

http://tampaciti.com/

This is old news... it was already posted in this forum a few weeks back.

Dave01walk

April 19th, 2006, 02:36 PM

Does anybody know if this is still going on or not. I thought this was dead but them I saw an advertisement for it in today's Moneysence section. I know it was supposed to be 2 towers, but I thought both were dead.

http://www.westinresidencestampa.com/

I haven't been by Rocky Point in a while so I don't know what activity, if any other than the Veterens Expressway construction.

Maxim98

April 19th, 2006, 05:19 PM

smiley

April 19th, 2006, 05:32 PM

They are redesigning the project. I think they killed the condo tower for now and are going with the hotel. From what I remember of the article a few months ago, the hotel is a go.

and, yes, that is a different (and in my opinion better looking) design

youngkg

April 19th, 2006, 05:36 PM

USF Health South

http://www.gost.biz/tampaurban/images/towers/usf_health_south1.jpg http://www.gost.biz/tampaurban/images/towers/usf_health_south2.jpg

7 stories at TGH/Davis Island
Construction Begins April 2006
Comprehensive speciality care and headquarters for in-patient medical and resident learning.

Tallaman

April 19th, 2006, 06:39 PM

Plans filed for condo tower on site in Channel District
The developer will seek a zoning change from commercial to mixed use for 20-story project on a half acre.
By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER, Times Staff Writer
Published April 19, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA - The row of construction cranes lining the Channel District could grow longer.

The Massachusetts development firm 101 Meridian Corp. filed plans this week at City Hall to build a 200-foot-tall condo tower on a half acre at 102 Whiting St.

Its director, Thampy "Tom" Kurian, will seek approval from council members in September to change the zoning from commercial to mixed use.

The project would have 125 units and be up to 20 stories high, Kurian said. Prices for the units would be in the upper $300,000s, he said, and be marketed for downtown professionals.

It's early, so specifics haven't been determined yet, he added. But architectural plans filed with the city depict the first seven stories of the building as reserved for 233 parking spaces. Kurian said the ground floor would have a restaurant cafe.

The project would replace three buildings. Two are empty, and one is used as storage for costumes and props by the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Kurian bought the three lots for a total of $650,000 in the 1990s.

"I know the mark