Zoning regs can be structured in all kinds of ways. They don't always have to be used as a gambit by politicans to extract campaign contributions from developers looking for easy profits by sidestepping them. We can actually have zoning regs that are relevant and are actually used to help shape development in a beneficial way that builds quality of life, rather than sacrificing it.
Exactly. But not just that, but they really do little to suggest changes for every proposal. I've read the transcripts from the meetings when there is a sizable project being proposed and they talk about the project, bring up the developer or owner, and then pass it. Rarely do you see them asking if changes can be made to the design. Zoning regulations can go far, but I think they should still have the ability to suggest changes.

Wish it was a little taller and garage more hidden. But at least there are vines.

That looks like the place. They already have a fence around the two blocks this will take up. Glad to see a start date.

St. Leo did move in upstairs. Something I don't consider retail since it's not on the ground floor.

Any idea where we're looking from in that image? Meridian and Cumberland?

It's not as boxy as I envisioned.

Do you think that grassy area will be there?
Or is it just aesthetics for the photo?

^I'm hoping this is a practical joke.

Any idea where we're looking from in that image? Meridian and Cumberland?
Oh wow... I thought that was Bruce B Downs out by Wiregrass.

Any idea where we're looking from in that image? Meridian and Cumberland?
That's where I was thinking it was, but can't be sure with that image.

Any idea if the retail will be along Meridian and/or the other streets?

That's where I was thinking it was, but can't be sure with that image.
Yeah, that's where the view is from.

Any idea if the retail will be along Meridian and/or the other streets?
My guess is it's under the garage, and/or near the leasing office. That's almost always where apartment complexes put it.

But ultimately, it really doesn't matter, since nobody is going to be walking around this place anyways. It's going to be gated with limited ingress/egress. Look at the renders, the buildings are all fenced off, with inward facing resident access. This belongs in some wholly auto dependent suburb, NOT smack dab in the middle of a downtown neighborhood being developed as a 'vibrant, walkable community'.

Groundbreaking for these new apartments in Channelside will be Monday, February 13. Expected to attend are officials from the Related Development Group as well as Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

Also open is Victory Coffee at the Model T building of the Victory Lofts, corner of 12th and Whiting.

Any clue on what time it begins?

Yep, it starts at 10:00 am. Address is 120 Meridian Avenue.

Also open is Victory Coffee at the Model T building of the Victory Lofts, corner of 12th and Whiting.

This is owned by the general contractor that built out Pour House. He's a good dude. Hoping people like and support his business.

Yep, it starts at 10:00 am. Address is 120 Meridian Avenue.
Awesome. Going to have to ask for the day off but I don't want to miss it.

I just saw a post from the Channelside Residents FB page that states the 120 Meridian complex will be called "The Channelside Apartments".

I hope that's incorrect information! That sounds so cheesy...

Whoops, wrote something here meant for a different thread!

That's cool. I didn't know a coffee shop opened up.

Awesome. Going to have to ask for the day off but I don't want to miss it.

I can't make it. Already have my vacation days planned out for the year. :/

If anyone from here actually shows up, I will.

If anyone from here actually shows up, I will.
I actually think I will. More interested in personally meeting Bob than being at the groundbreaking, but two birds, one stone. :)

I actually think I will. More interested in personally meeting Bob than being at the groundbreaking, but two birds, one stone. :)
Well, got the day finally off. So I'll be there.

I'll make sure I am then too!

Awesome! Anyone else thinking they might make it? Being a workday, I don't expect many on here will be able to, but worth the shot. Maybe I can get a free beer at Pour House, ILoveHops? ;)

how was the ground breaking? I drove passed at 9:40 only saw about a dozen folks and one news truck

I don't know if you were there Jason haha, but I showed up about 10 minutes late. Missed Bob and the developer speaking and the only image they had was the one that I posted earlier. Ragin' Sports Bar had some guy walking around passing out fliers, Wicked Wiches food truck was there, and it was a pretty decent size crowd with residents and government officials there.

And I talked to a resident that lives at the Towers of Channelside after laughing about having chicken and waffles for breakfast. I told her about the site and she said she had more renders of the project since the city sent it out to residents..... but I never exchanged emails. :lol: So if you're reading this, please make an account and IM me. :)

That being said. I noticed something while walking around Channelside. All the empty retail space is under the control by the Dohring Group....... while the leased spaces around Channelside is owned by other people that aren't named Abbey or Josh Dohring. What are the Dohrings doing?

I'm sorry man, I had a crap ass day. I had to take care of a class of 18 new hires at 9:30 that I don't normally have to deal with until later. My time was swapped with the guy who is the dept director, so it's not like I could object.

ABC Action News had a clip on it tonight & it's not too hyped up:

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/downtown-tampa-renaissance-continues-with-major-new-apartment-complex

I'm sorry man, I had a crap ass day. I had to take care of a class of 18 new hires at 9:30 that I don't normally have to deal with until later. My time was swapped with the guy who is the dept director, so it's not like I could object.
It's no problem man. Kinda felt like the outsider since it seemed like the officials knew each other and knew the residents. I tried trying to speak to Bob but he was with ABC 11 I believe for a while and then talked to City Council member Saurez and then with a couple other guys. So I just sparked a convo with the resident instead of just standing there hoping fireworks would start going and champagne bottles would be popping. lol

We'll meet up for the SouthGate groundbreaking. :)

Deal!

Maybe I can get a free beer at Pour House, ILoveHops? ;)

You want a beer at 10AM? :lol:
Glad to see another building coming to the area. Channel District is turning a corner for sure. A long awaited grocery store will push things over the edge. Unfortunately I happened to know a beer drinker and plugged in Publix employee. He's telling me that the Channel District isn't on the radar for this year at least.

Hopefully if these new apartments do well (making Channelside more populated), it will create enough demand for a new grocery store. Another possibility is that maybe some renters may like the area enough that they may want to stay and go from renting to owning. Just wishful thinking.

I went the other day -- decent crowd for a ground breaking of an apartment building. Lots of other Towers residents there.

While I agree that Tampa needs a better code to make sure these buildings are better for an urban area -- the park they are putting through the middle of the development is a big step in the right direction.

So I am disappointed in the lack of sidewalk facing retail on Meridian I hope the pedestrian pathway will have retail along it. Too bad it faces the worst designed retail in the world of the Towers. Steps in the right direction is good, but you're right as the economy comes back and building start getting built the city needs to adopt a real code and enforce it.

BTW TampaMike shoot me a message with your email, I have something I'd love to talk to you about.

By Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, February 14, 2012

TAMPA — After a false start by a previous developer, Related Development of Miami broke ground Monday on a $55 million apartment complex in the Channel District.
Within 18 months, the project — known for now simply as the Channelside apartments — is expected to open with 356 units, two parking garages and 4,800 square feet of stores.
"This is one more indication that downtown is alive, it's well, it's vibrant, and there's a demand for residential living," Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said at the ground breaking ceremony, an event common during the real estate boom but rare recently.
The project is on the east side of Meridian Avenue, between Cumberland Avenue and Whiting Street, and will include an unusual amenity. In a narrow north-south strip where 11th Street used to run, the complex will have a small public park, an uncommon bit of green space in the Channel District.
"It's going to be a great connection between the waterfront and the central core of the Channel District," Related Development president and CEO Steve Patterson said. "It's not just for the residents who live here. It's for the entire neighborhood."
To the make the park possible, the city vacated part of 11th Street. The developer will create the park and dedicate it back to the city, but the complex will maintain the park, which will be about 60 feet wide by 400 feet long.
Neighbors from the Towers of Channelside condominiums welcomed the project, and not only because the park will give them a place to walk their dogs.
When 11th Street was open, it was a favorite parking spot for patrons of the nightclubs at Channelside Bay Plaza. Trouble was, when the bars closed and everyone returned to their cars, the noise was "pretty wild at 3 o'clock in the morning," said Tom Mulryan, 69, a resident of the Towers of Channelside.
But more important, residents say, is what the project can do for the Channel District.
"I think it'll be a tremendous improvement, because it will bring in a lot of retail that heretofore hasn't surfaced," Mulryan said.
Ultimately, residents hope the neighborhood's population will reach the critical mass necessary to attract a grocery store.
The history of the development goes back to 2006, when Sembler Investments announced plans for a project called Seaboard Square with a hotel, condominiums, townhomes, stores and offices. There was to be a 29-story tower flanked by two 25-story buildings.
But after financing for projects of that scale dried up, the property lay fallow behind a chain-link fence.
In December 2010, Related Development bought the 5.8 acres for $6.5 million. One of the reasons the company likes the project is that the Channel District is close to thousands of downtown jobs, and it aims to create a project that will appeal to young professionals.
Rents will start at about $1,200 a month for one-bedroom apartments, which will comprise 40 percent of the units. Studio apartments will account for 10 percent, two-bedroom apartments will make up 40 percent and the remaining 10 percent will consist of two-bedroom apartments with dens.
"We think long term this is going to a wonderful place to be," Patterson said, "so we're kind of celebrating not just a project, but a neighborhood."

Richard Danielson can be reached at Danielson@tampabay.com, (813) 226-3403 or @Danielson_Times on Twitter.

Noooooooo my free parking spot is gone lol.

You want a beer at 10AM? :lol:
Glad to see another building coming to the area. Channel District is turning a corner for sure. A long awaited grocery store will push things over the edge. Unfortunately I happened to know a beer drinker and plugged in Publix employee. He's telling me that the Channel District isn't on the radar for this year at least.
Haha not at 10am. Could had waited until at least noon. ;)

Hopefully if these new apartments do well (making Channelside more populated), it will create enough demand for a new grocery store. Another possibility is that maybe some renters may like the area enough that they may want to stay and go from renting to owning. Just wishful thinking.
The resident I was speaking with widely opened her eyes and nodded in agreement when I brought up how much the area needed a grocery store. I still don't know why Publix isn't interested. I know they take in population account, but how about things like sporting and other events at Tampa Bay Times Forum or travelers before and after their cruise? Maybe someone like me who was there yesterday, would had loved to go into a grocery store and maybe by a cheap lunch like one of Publix's subs. Channelside can't be reviewed the same way a suburban area is reviewed for expanding to, it's apples to oranges.

I went the other day -- decent crowd for a ground breaking of an apartment building. Lots of other Towers residents there.

While I agree that Tampa needs a better code to make sure these buildings are better for an urban area -- the park they are putting through the middle of the development is a big step in the right direction.

So I am disappointed in the lack of sidewalk facing retail on Meridian I hope the pedestrian pathway will have retail along it. Too bad it faces the worst designed retail in the world of the Towers. Steps in the right direction is good, but you're right as the economy comes back and building start getting built the city needs to adopt a real code and enforce it.

BTW TampaMike shoot me a message with your email, I have something I'd love to talk to you about.
Message sent. There is many good qualities of this project I like. The park being one and also I like them disguising the parking garages, kinda like one of my pet peeves. Height and retail is my dislikes. Happy that there is some included, but the location is wrong. And I guess for the residents, the height is a good thing. But you have to realize you live in a city that will grow and develop, and something 20 stories high will look a lot better for a city instead of 4 stories. Not saying Tampa is anywhere near NYC, but does anyone think a 4 story building would be approved in Manhattan, not being some flagship store?
Noooooooo my free parking spot is gone lol.
:lol: I guess bad news for you, but sure as hell needs something besides being used for free parking. Hopefully the run down warehouses buildings are next.

I actually think Channelside needs more density but the height should be closer to 8 stories on average as the place and Grand Central are. Take the Towers for instance -- they are the only big residential towers in channel side but actually have fewer people and lower density that The Place, Grand Central and possibly Ventana and The Slade.

Also the area is a great place to build slightly more neighborhood feel downtown than the skyscrapers of Element Skypoint and the office buildings. However there is no doubt 4 stories is too short and I would venture to guess that in 15 years that building has a good chance of coming down for a tall building that could overlook a stadium in Channelside. I know not everyone is fans of the stadium where con agra is -- but it seems to be the popular choice of a lot of people compared to up north.

What does make me happy about the project is that it kick starts some development down here and will add another 600 to 800 residents -- kicking the channel side area alone to around 2,500 people or more -- combine with downtown it would be closing in on 5,000 people. I think when we see 5,000 or more residents in Downtown the math will start working correctly for a grocery store. When you factor in all the mode of transportation (walking, driving) and all the neighborhoods that would be served. Otherwise I bet we're waiting for the land on bayshore to become too valuable to house Publix.

Height isn't the problem with this project, it is the lack of density, which significantly diminishes the taxable value of the property, which diminishes the tax base of the entire neighborhood. This is a significant part of how poorly implemented urban neighborhoods decline later on, when the infrastructure has aged, but there isn't enough of a tax base to pay to renew it, without massive redevelopment of the whole neighborhood. Suburban densities built on infrastructure designed for urban densities inevitably sentences everyone to either a higher tax rate to maintain the same quality of life, or a steadily declining quality of life over time.

:lol: I guess bad news for you, but sure as hell needs something besides being used for free parking. Hopefully the run down warehouses buildings are next.
Well I don't go there as much as I used to lol, still aside from the park I'm not a fan of this project. I guess its better than an empty dirty lot.

Lets just hope the residents that move in to this apartment project don't oppose something taller on the corner of 12th and Cumberland.

Another thing is maybe the people in the towers were ok with the apartments, because it serves as a buffer to them. Has there been any news of them being upset about the apartments? Mike, as far as a Publix that would also get business from cruise passengers, good point, but it would need to be close to the ships (I'm assuming the passengers want convenience & not have to walk several blocks) so where could it be located?

Lets just hope the residents that move in to this apartment project don't oppose something taller on the corner of 12th and Cumberland.

They are renters. If they don't like it, they can move.

Another thing is maybe the people in the towers were ok with the apartments, because it serves as a buffer to them. Has there been any news of them being upset about the apartments? Mike, as far as a Publix that would also get business from cruise passengers, good point, but it would need to be close to the ships (I'm assuming the passengers want convenience & not have to walk several blocks) so where could it be located?

For a time, a grocery store was part of the schematics for a project proposed on the lot adjacent to the Channelside shops. Then HI residents bitched that it would generate too much traffic for their tender sensibilities, and that was the end of that.

You'd think they would be glad to have a grocery so close that they could "drive" to. I think that's when Dingfelder kissed the asses of HI nimbys. Now it's someone else.

You'd think they would be glad to have a grocery so close that they could "drive" to. I think that's when Dingfelder kissed the asses of HI nimbys. Now it's someone else.

Bayshore Publix is about half a mile from HI. One in Channelside would not be much closer. That said, the traffic issue is pathetic considering the location and all the other more high-traffic things around there (Forum, Convention Center, huge hotel and condo towers, etc).

Gotta love it when political jellyfish masquerading as leadership lets about 50 people adversely impact the quality of life for thousands of people, for many years.

Bayshore Publix is about half a mile from HI. One in Channelside would not be much closer. That said, the traffic issue is pathetic considering the location and all the other more high-traffic things around there (Forum, Convention Center, huge hotel and condo towers, etc).
The Bayshore Publix would still be closer to HI if Grand Central opened a grocery store. But with that said, people have opinions and preferences and they might choose a Sweetbay or Whole Foods over a Publix, even if it is further away. And I still believe those electric golf carts drive around, so residents could just call them up from HI, take a drive over to a Whole Foods, and don't have to worry about walking with 5 bags. Heck, the people that do the electric carts could even partner up with _____ grocery store and have a call and delivery service, where someone calls and tells the store what they would like to have purchased and someone delivers it to their residence.

The Bayshore Publix would still be closer to HI if Grand Central opened a grocery store. But with that said, people have opinions and preferences and they might choose a Sweetbay or Whole Foods over a Publix, even if it is further away. And I still believe those electric golf carts drive around, so residents could just call them up from HI, take a drive over to a Whole Foods, and don't have to worry about walking with 5 bags. Heck, the people that do the electric carts could even partner up with _____ grocery store and have a call and delivery service, where someone calls and tells the store what they would like to have purchased and someone delivers it to their residence.

It's not just distance, but traffic flow. It's basically impossible for Bayshore publix to affect their area and is not that to get to get back from. One just across the bridge will always create NIMBYism -- but they wont care what happens at Kennedy -- but that is not why the store will be up north.

One of the major things people forget with urban grocery stores is that while much of their population will walk there from their homes, like I would, many others would drive, and other would take the bus (or trolley ... Ha!). This means that consideration also needs to go to people who will pick things up their way home. That is why grocery stores are always talked about for things like Encore and Grand Central they both feed into the freeways and crosstown. They'll also be easier to get to from harbor island than the Bayshore Publix because of the roads, but Davis Island will still use Bayshore.

Another thing is maybe the people in the towers were ok with the apartments, because it serves as a buffer to them. Has there been any news of them being upset about the apartments? Mike, as far as a Publix that would also get business from cruise passengers, good point, but it would need to be close to the ships (I'm assuming the passengers want convenience & not have to walk several blocks) so where could it be located?

As for the Towers residents ... yeah they are going to fight to keep their views. That is expected. But condos lose on that ALL the time. And they wanted almost anything there more than an empty lot. The real reason this is so low density is economy and lending. That said the towers are set so far back and meridian is so wide that they will always have a great view of downtown whether con agra it ends up being tall building part of downtown or becomes a baseball stadium (my preference) the residents here would throw a massive party to get rid of that even if it was a tower taller than them. I expect this was the only lot they would go to the mat over.

Gotta love it when political jellyfish masquerading as leadership lets about 50 people adversely impact the quality of life for thousands of people, for many years.

While I agree the leadership does this all the time I don't think the city council or city overall are the only reason were stuck with this. The city would have loved an 8 story + building and wouldn't have cared about Towers residents (they complain about everything) but it would have cost much more and I am not sure Regions would have lent them the money for that in Tampa.

The economy is going to force things on us for the next couple years. The best hope is this building breaking ground will encourage the Meridian and other owners to start building again and all those plans are much higher density and are far less dead than the project that was slated for that lot.

I know that people have tried to influence council and leaders before as people have said but there are a few differences in the politics of the city right now that actually make it a lot easier.

^I was referring to the discussion regarding a former project on the parcel next to the shops at the SE corner of Meridian and Channelside (where valet parking is). A well planned mixed-use twin tower condo/retail project was slated to go there, the developer tried to get approval from the city, and was shot down because literally a handful of people from Harbour Island objected, based on ridiculous claims of the project causing 'gridlock' on their neighborhood streets. Mind you, Harbour Island is across a bridge, is gated off, and is a dead end. Nobody on the city council asked the obvious question of how on earth the project would create 'gridlock' on HI considering these facts. There was no traffic study to prove their assertion, there was no examples of this problem cropping up on a different local project, or anywhere else for that matter. It was simply a handful of people who make large campaign donations getting their way, directly to the detriment of everyone else. And there are many, many stories about similar projects being shot down on even flimsier justifications.

If you think you're going to convince local leaders to do their damn job by making reasoned, logical, or even popular arguments about the virtues of planning ahead and getting things right the first time, you're sorely mistaken. Bribes and cronyism work here. Logic, reason and market forces do not.

Was anyone but the developer organized to support that development? Was the port even doing it's job? who called Rick Danielson? What was the meeting turnout pro? What was ... There is about seventeen questions here.

Look I don't disagree politics sucks but on the city level it's pretty easy to move. For example you know how "large" these bribes are? It's chump change. City council campaigns cost less than $75,000 last time. Why I don't have that lying around and neither does anyone else here -- it's not hard to raise. And trust me the people who want these mixed use development have and give a lot more money than the residents of harbor island.

HI residents were organized and the pro-development group was not. Simple as that.

However one reality that will always be true -- more of them vote than people who live downtown, ybor, or seminal heights. And so harbor island and south tampa wield even more political power on top of the corruption. That is basically impossible to change it's a lot easier to scare a city council member then get people to vote or get active -- though it can be done.

Anyways on a final note -- only 2 (mulhern and miranda) of the entire elected official group here were even part of that decision. There are a couple that are better than that crew so that is already a start.

^I was referring to the discussion regarding a former project on the parcel next to the shops at the SE corner of Meridian and Channelside (where valet parking is). A well planned mixed-use twin tower condo/retail project was slated to go there, the developer tried to get approval from the city, and was shot down because literally a handful of people from Harbour Island objected, based on ridiculous claims of the project causing 'gridlock' on their neighborhood streets. Mind you, Harbour Island is across a bridge, is gated off, and is a dead end. Nobody on the city council asked the obvious question of how on earth the project would create 'gridlock' on HI considering these facts. There was no traffic study to prove their assertion, there was no examples of this problem cropping up on a different local project, or anywhere else for that matter. It was simply a handful of people who make large campaign donations getting their way, directly to the detriment of everyone else. And there are many, many stories about similar projects being shot down on even flimsier justifications.

If you think you're going to convince local leaders to do their damn job by making reasoned, logical, or even popular arguments about the virtues of planning ahead and getting things right the first time, you're sorely mistaken. Bribes and cronyism work here. Logic, reason and market forces do not.

I know this may have already been mentioned, but to build anything there would require the east entrance of HI to have a turn lane into it and a gap cut out of the median so that HI residents could make a left turn to get back onto their utopia fake island. Another thing is what the hell do they do about all the traffic from events at the Forum?

I know this may have already been mentioned, but to build anything there would require the east entrance of HI to have a turn lane into it and a gap cut out of the median so that HI residents could make a left turn to get back onto their utopia fake island. Another thing is what the hell do they do about all the traffic from events at the Forum?

That is an interesting point. The trolley means that left turn lane back to harbor island is a difficult thing to do. I am not well verse in traffic solutions. But it sounds like we wont have to worry about this for a long time after that crappy garage went up instead.

A cut in the median on Beneficial Dr for lefthand egress is no trouble at all. There is plenty of distance from the bridge to the intersection at Channelside Dr to have the cut, and then still have room for queueing for lefthand turns onto Channelside from Beneficial Dr. And if space was tight, the speed limit on Beneficial could be dropped to 30mph from 40mph, (which is already too high in my opinion), which would reduce the length of the braking zone for Channelside Dr by quite a bit.

What there would not be room for (and wouldn't be needed imo), would be to have SB Beneficial Dr vehicles make a righthand turn onto the site. That would require queueing in the other direction, whereas lefthand turns onto SB beneficial Dr will only require the median cut.

The traffic for forum events is usually confined to the hours around 6-11. They definitely slow things down, but it's tolerable most of the time. As a former HI resident it was slightly annoying. I am more laid back and most other residents (frankly speaking, older folks) were closer to the pissed off side of the spectrum.

There's so much unused land between the cross town and meridian that I would hope some reworking of the roadways could alleviate any development traffic woes.

In other news, with the food truck Thursday picking up and a few new restaurants popping up in GC and Model T I'm optimistic that the economy is such that small businesses will continue to slowly fill the retail space in channelside in the next 2 years.

However it is sad that we don't have something in the works for all those empty lots before the RNC this fall. It can't look good to all those folks coming into town.

PS. if something was build at Meridian & Channelside Dr access could be provided by turning into the complex from the Cumberland and Meridian intersection. They'd have to cut the train tracks short by a few hundred feet, though.

They could also build up Cumberland coming from the West.

Grand Central at Kennedy sees traction in the condo market

Jane Meinhardt
Staff Writer - Tampa Bay Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/print-edition/2012/03/09/grand-central-at-kennedy-sees-traction.html?page=all

TAMPA — Condominium buyers are flocking to Grand Central at Kennedy, snapping up units at higher prices and in higher numbers than during 2011.

The increase in transactions at the two-building development hints at a substantial shift. It marks greater traction in the condo market in South Tampa and the Channelside district after years of stagnant sales and forced conversions to rental apartments.

It also is an indicator of a sellers’ market.

“We need more listings,” said Rae Catanese, a Realtor at Prudential Tropical Realty who writes the Tampa Real Estate Insider blog. “The market has turned around in South Tampa. We don’t have any inventory. If you’re a seller, now is the time to sell.”

She has clients who are making offers the day a South Tampa condo comes on the market only to find they are among many making offers. Clients sometimes have to offer more than listing prices.

The South Tampa condo inventory is at its lowest level in about six years, Catanese said.

In most cases, condominiums are selling at 40 to 50 percent of the prices during the real estate boom, said Catanese, a Realtor in South Tampa for 10 years.

About half her buyers are from northern states, several are overseas and the remainder live in the Bay area.


Higher prices, more buyers

Many of the buyers at Grand Central are in their 50s and looking to downsize after their children have left home, said co-developer Ken Stoltenberg, a director at Mercury Advisors in Tampa. He is beginning to believe that the residential real estate downturn is “either at the bottom or near it.”


Grand Central is a mixed-use urban infill project with 392 residential units. The $170 million development was converted to rental apartments several years ago when the condo market went south, but Stoltenberg said 140 units are available for sales.

In 2011, 22 units were sold. So far this year, 39 units have closed or are under contract. Four were sold last weekend.


The number of sales is even more remarkable because of prices.

Since December, Grand Central prices have steadily increased, as have the sales.

“We’re really not negotiating on prices either,” Stoltenberg said. “Buyers generally take them at the price we’re selling them for. We have an accept-or-reject policy for when buyers don’t want to pay the full price.”

Grand Central prices on select units — two-bedroom, two-bath condominiums — have increased from roughly $170 a square foot last year to $200 a square foot, starting in December. Prices increased 5 percent across the board, he said.

The average sale price for a unit currently is $185,000.

The majority of Grand Central buyers are financing their units, but some are cash buyers. HomeBanc has been an active lender, Stoltenberg said.


Mixed-use appeals

One reason Grand Central is appealing to buyers is that the development does not have rental restrictions, Catanese said. The development does not require a certain number of units to be owner-occupied.

Stoltenberg believes a major appeal is Grand Central’s mixed-use aspect, which has been successful in attracting tenants.

The complex has 70,000 square feet of office space and 108,000 square feet of retail. Commercial tenants offer residents a gamut of products and services.

Saint Leo University, based in Pasco County, opened an adult education facility with five classrooms and a support center for online students in about 16,000 square feet at the complex last year.

Powerhouse Gym has expanded several times on the ground floor and leases about 35,000 square feet.

Pour House bar, 1120 East café, Sea Dog Cantina, dry cleaners, a real estate company and insurance brokers are among commercial tenants in the complex. Bo Concepts, a furniture store, plans to move into 5,300 square feet, and a beauty salon is opening.

Stageworks Theatre opened last year in 8,000 square feet donated by Stoltenberg and Frank Bombeeck, Grand Central co-developer.

“Channelside projects create a critical mass of people,” Stoltenberg said. “Now we’re starting to see public realm improvements so it’s starting to look like a neighborhood.”

Imagine the excitement there would be downtown right now if HSR was U/C, instead of dead.

Thank God we have 'small government' Republicans in charge to make sure that govt never impedes economic growth and expansion.

I agree. Such a tragedy. HSR would be the catalyst for a new downtown boom. I hope the next govornor will be someone else who puts HSR back on the agenda and reaches a new deal with the federal government, that, hopefully will also be mass-transit-friendly.

HSR should have been dead from the get-go, florida is not Calibroka.

HSR is nothing but pork barrel spending just like these wars.

Pork barrel spending is green lighting another highway (http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/road-jd-alexander-fought-tucked-state-budget) to nowhere that lines the pockets of the politicians pushing it. Funding mass transit in one of the busiest corridors in the state is smart planning. The studies that were completed since the cancellation (http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/masstransit/article1156210.ece) by our governor have backed that up. It was cancelled because of politics, not because it was a bad project.

^^
Please stop backing up your points with facts! Keep it based on emotions only please!

Sorry, but I had to delete them posts. It's the same typical BS from skyscraperhighrise and hpal. And it's not that I disagree with them and their views, every time it's "high speed rail is wasteful spending" and I don't wnat my tax money funding this 'liberal' project" and nothing else. One time is fine, still annoying, but fine. But you reach the broken record after a while with the same thing over and over again.....

Thank you. Never hesitate to delete trolling like that. (and yes, when someone posts the same exact thing literally hundreds of times over and over and over, it is trolling)

You know, enough is enough about high speed rail. A colleague of mine in London does research on this - let's add some economics, rather than politics, to the debate -

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-0475.2010.00521.x/full

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1288058

http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=3284478

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165176509002043

http://ideas.repec.org/p/hce/wpaper/012.html

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9787.2010.00694.x/full

Granted, these are from one individual - but an individual considered an expert on the topic. These are a few recent (no earlier than 2010) picks...

I should add that he comes out in favor of some rail investments, but not according to mainstream arguments (as in, downtown redevelopment near rail projects is not necessarily economically efficient, but can still be fiscally rational according to other metrics).

Pork barrel spending is green lighting another highway (http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/road-jd-alexander-fought-tucked-state-budget) to nowhere that lines the pockets of the politicians pushing it. Funding mass transit in one of the busiest corridors in the state is smart planning. The studies that were completed since the cancellation (http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/masstransit/article1156210.ece) by our governor have backed that up. It was cancelled because of politics, not because it was a bad project.

Cause it was not the way to do it, we don't have that much money, we need to stop wasteful government spending, if we don't, we're in trouble.

We have a spending problem in america and in florida, we borrow too much, we spend too much.

It's time to learn a lesson and that lesson today is that we're broke.

Cause it was not the way to do it, we don't have that much money, we need to stop wasteful government spending, if we don't, we're in trouble.

We have a spending problem in america and in florida, we borrow too much, we spend too much.

It's time to learn a lesson and that lesson today is that we're broke.
Oh it's time to learn a lesson alright.

DROP THE BAN HAMMER!

So how's the stick apartments coming along?

So how's the stick apartments coming along?

Barely put one hole in the ground, I'll post pics tomorrow.

So how's the stick apartments coming along?

As of a few minutes ago...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ixIZy6aZuuk/T33jzb0i78I/AAAAAAAAB10/4fY3uQJfJkY/s1024/csrelated.jpg

Ah, my nightmare is coming true. LOL. Big thanks for your photos.

Vinik group offers to buy Channelside

By Mark Puente, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 05, 2012 01:54

TAMPA – Lightning owner Jeff Vinik wants to buy another of the city's crown jewels.

Vinik is a member of a group that submitted an offer Wednesday to purchase the financially troubled Channelside Bay Plaza. The entertainment complex sits adjacent to the Lightning's home, the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Vinik's partners are Andrew Wright, CEO and founder of Franklin Street, one of the fastest growing commercial real estate firms in Florida; and Anthony Everett, founder and president of Everett Realty Services. He is the son Tampa real estate icon Toni Everett.

Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett confirmed that Vinik is part of the group.

Wright also confirmed the partnership, saying: "We're excited about the opportunity,'' but he declined to say anything further out of respect for the process.

The amount of the Vinik group's bid was not revealed.

Channelside was designed as an upscale specialty retail center with restaurants and entertainment when it opened beside the Florida Aquarium in early 2001. The 234,520 square-foot center has been struggling to boost its occupancy during the recession.

Channelside has been on the market since April 2011, and the deadline for receiving bids was Wednesday. It is not known if other bids were made.

The Tampa Port Authority owns the land under the center and has to approve any offer.

Charles Klug, counsel for the Port, said a bank officials will meet next week to discuss the bids before offers are sent to the Port.

Before picking a buyer, Port officials will examine the financial, marketing and business plans of all bidders. The Port, Klug said, prefers a local buyer. He said the process of selecting a buyer will take about a month.

Klug said he is excited about Vinik making an offer since the team owner has a stake in the Channel District.

"As a neighbor, he is interested in what goes on down there," Klug said. "We're looking for someone who has long-range plans."

Rumors of Vinik's interest have circulated since late last year, given his reputation of strong civic involvement during his tenure as owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League. Vinik bankrolled about $40 million in recent renovations at the Forum and has been a major donor to area charities.

When Vinik bought the Lightning in 2010, he was considered one of Boston's richest people with a net worth of more than $500 million. The former Fidelity Investments stock picker now operates his own hedge fund, Asset Management LP.

In January, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn told the Tampa Bay Times that he would welcome any additional involvement in downtown by Vinik, whom he called the kind of professional sports owner that Tampa loves to see.

"If Mr. Vinik was interested, I would love to see that transaction take place," Buckhorn said then. "It would make sense for the Lightning. It would make sense for Channelside."

Buckhorn suggested that any new Channelside owner take what is a "poorly designed complex" and orient it more to the waterfront.

Guy Revelle, a partner in four venues, including Splitsville and Stump's Supper Club, is the complex's biggest tenant. Aware of the rumors and Vinik's local history, Revelle was enthusiastic about the possibility of the sale.

"That would be the best thing that could happen," Revelle said. "I'd love to have a local owner who cares about Tampa and who would be here for the long term. That is what it's all about."

Revelle, who has operated the restaurants for a decade, said they shattered sales records last year as the economy improved. But Channelside, he said, is suffering with out-of-state landlords.

"The landlords from New York don't care about Channelside," said Revelle, who is nicknamed the "Mayor of Channelside" by other business operators. "It's only an investment. They are not vested here."

The center is anchored by a 10-screen cinema. But the biggest crowds show up for special events tied to holidays and sports events at the nearby Forum.

Many street-side properties are vacant. But the center rallies around businesses like Splitsville, Stumps Supper Club and Hooters. A flow of passengers from the adjacent cruise ships also spend money at Channelside.

A Chicago unit of a Japanese financial services company, ORIX Real Estate Equities, originally developed Channelside on land leased from the Tampa Port Authority in a partnership with the Hogan Group, a Tampa real estate firm. Price tag: $49 million.

New York real estate firm Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. bought the complex in 2006, but later failed to make payments on its $27 million bank loan. That prompted the bank that owned the property, Anglo Irish Bank of Dublin took back the property in 2010. The Irish government now owns the bank.

The Port Authority's staff has feuded with Ashkenazy and charged that it let the center fall into disrepair, violated city fire codes and didn't pay the Port for giving shoppers free parking in its lots.

Chuck Taylor, the court-appointed receiver for the center, said last April that annual rent payments were running $700,000 short of covering Channelside's operating expenses.

The mix of restaurants, theaters and lifestyle/apparel shops, entertainment centers was a tricky and relatively untested phenomenon in 2001 when developers elbowed each other to nail down tenants for Channelside, Centro Ybor in nearby Ybor City and BayWalk in St. Petersburg.

All three projects opened within months of each other in 2001 and all three were taken back by the lenders.

After losing most tenants and falling into foreclosure, BayWalk was bought last year by Bill Edwards, a longtime mortgage magnate and music producer. He has become downtown St. Petersburg's preeminent entertainment and development player.

Edwards paid $5.2 million for BayWalk— about $3 million less than its initial sale price.

Forgive me if this was in here before but ABC action news had a segment tonight about the Channelside metal works company. Check out the website. The round stairway with the travertine tiles was very impressive.

http://www.rusticsteel.com/

We got ongoing conversation about Channelside Bay Plaza on the Attractions and Enteertainment subforum:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=90208965 (jump to the last page)

Bill Edwards also put in a bid for Channelside Plaza.

Sorry. Didn't see there was a whole thread on Invision Tampa started before I posted. *deleted*

Also, the Mayor completed ribbon cutting today for six new Channel District businesses today at 10:30. Did anyone go here? I couldn't make it and we weren't on the list anyway.

Also, the Mayor completed ribbon cutting today for six new Channel District businesses today at 10:30. Did anyone go here? I couldn't make it and we weren't on the list anyway.

I went for about half of it. Decent crowd, good amount of media. Spent about 20 minutes at each place. He actually rode a Segway down the street to Victory Coffee and the new architecture office on 12th St.

Should had told me this was happening, would had made sure to get there on time and visit the new places. :)

What are these six new businesses and which buildings are they in?

What are these six new businesses and which buildings are they in?
Some of them are ones that have already been mentioned here, like the Ragin' Grill and the Victory Coffee businesses. Salon 1.0, Eleventwenty, Mulligan Shuttle, Twelfth Street Studios and Sea Dog Cantina were the other 4 (5). The Mulligan Shuttle I don't believe was one of the grand opening places, but never heard of it before.

Some of them are ones that have already been mentioned here, like the Ragin' Grill and the Victory Coffee businesses. Salon 1.0, Eleventwenty, Mulligan Shuttle, Twelfth Street Studios and Sea Dog Cantina were the other 4 (5). The Mulligan Shuttle I don't believe was one of the grand opening places, but never heard of it before.

Sorry about not posting it earlier. Sometimes I think of this forum as the place to not post positive news ;)

I'll email you and post it here next time something goes on. There will be two more at Grand Central in the next couple months minimum.

New photo from everyone's favorite building

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2frjjZ6zk1rso946o1_500.jpg

^^
Thanks for the progress updates (or lack thereof :)).

By the way, I noticed that Related's site has a slightly different render than the one TM posted a few pages back... and it shows at least some retail on Meridian.

^^
Thanks for the progress updates (or lack thereof :)).

By the way, I noticed that Related's site has a slightly different render than the one TM posted a few pages back... and it shows at least some retail on Meridian.

From what I understand there is some retail on meridian and in the 11st. pedestrian walkway. Cumberland and 12th St. are the parts that will lose out. It's only 4,800 Sq. Feet of retail total.

Btw, I could be wrong, but I think they're counting their own leasing office as part of that space. lol!

1. So 11th St. will be made into a pedestrian corridor Kevin?

2. Looks like the older rendering still included the retail but the "Coffee" plastered above it was skewed out by what can be considered bright lighting lol. But I do notice that the new render has some of the vines removed from the garage, which sucks. Because the rendering looks horrible with the garage.

Btw, I could be wrong, but I think they're counting their own leasing office as part of that space. lol!

Likely, and sad. But hey it's employees that might go to Victory Coffee to get a pour over right? Lol. I wish there was more retail, saldana from what I hear from developers their excuse is that banker don't want to rent to mixed use if they can avoid it. I am not sure that is the entire story, but I feel like other might know more about that.

1. So 11th St. will be made into a pedestrian corridor Kevin?

That's what I've heard, but I also was told by someone else in the District that they thought it would be open to traffic. I dunno, but I do know it will be at minimum a public space open the the entire neighborhood.

2. Looks like the older rendering still included the retail but the "Coffee" plastered above it was skewed out by what can be considered bright lighting lol. But I do notice that the new render has some of the vines removed from the garage, which sucks. Because the rendering looks horrible with the garage.

Wow didnt even notice that. Seems like every developers fab trick to make garages look nice. Trammel Crow did it too on SouthGate. It's hard for anyone to demand you follow through on growing plants I guess.

Thought I'd throw this in here about the ribbon cutting. I think the mayor may be fluffing up Channelside just a little. Anyway, good luck with all these small buisnesses.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/six-ribbon-cuttings-underscore-commercial-gains-in-tampas-channel-district/1224781

So 11th St. will be made into a pedestrian corridor Kevin?

That would be typically stupid of Tampa

I saw this and I went "YES! YES! YES!" :D

Channelside Bay Plaza hotel complex possible
By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune
Published: April 19, 2012

TAMPA --
Under one proposal for remaking Channelside Bay Plaza, the downtown shopping and entertainment complex would become a 30-story hotel tower surrounded by restaurants, a grocery store and two movie theaters spilling into the neighborhood nearby.

The proposal, put forward by M&J Wilkow Properties Inc. of Chicago, offers a glimpse into competing plans that will be considered by both the bank holding the mortgage on the financially troubled complex and by the owner of the property, the Tampa Port Authority.

How this particular vision plays out was cast into doubt Wednesday when two bidders on the project confirmed they have joined forces — M&J Wilkow and a group including Bill Edwards, operator of downtown St. Petersburg's BayWalk shopping and entertainment complex.

All bidders have sought to keep their proposals confidential, but these two confirmed their involvement, as did a third group that includes Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik.

The original M&J Wilkow proposal was obtained by the Tribune after it was sent by mistake to the Tampa Port Authority, making it a public record. The 44-page plan includes a bid price, budget details and names of local partners, all of which are being redone with the decision to join forces.

The proposed budget for the project now is in the range of $75 million, and depending on the elements of the bid, the group could break ground on parts of it very soon.

"Ours is a plan that's intended to be a long-term, sustainable, more diverse set of uses," said David Harvey, vice president of M&J Wilkow, who said his bid was similar to the one submitted by his new partners.

They include Edwards, who recently took over the struggling BayWalk shops; real estate executive Lee Arnold; Rick Michaels, chairman and chief executive of Communications Equity Associates; and Ken Jones, executive vice president of Communications Equity Associates and the leader of the host committee for this summer's Republican National Convention in Tampa.

"Our plan was compatible with their vision," Harvey said. "And it's always nice to have someone who likes your plan but who also has money there."

M&J Wilkow, which already operates the Centro Ybor office, retail and entertainment complex, would remain a major developer on the project, Harvey said. The hotel, projected to have up to 600 rooms, could be as tall as 30 stories, but he would provide no additional details.

Still, blueprints attached to the original M&J Wilkow bid provide a hint at the direction the partners are going.

* * * * *
Besides taking over the existing Channelside retail complex, M&J Wilkow envisioned folding in a swath of property across the street to the north, including two parking garages plus a now-empty lot to the west in addition to the property between The Florida Aquarium and the water.

The new complex would include a 4,000-seat movie theater, a 300-seat "motion" theater with seats that move along with the movie, a 6,000-seat special event theater, up to 1,000,000 square feet of office space, a 100,000-square-foot museum and an 80,000-square-foot "theme anchor" tenant.

By comparison, a Walmart Supercenter is about 100,000 square feet.

The Channelside complex is adjacent to Tampa's busy passenger cruise terminal, but it has many vacancies and has struggled to survive as a retail and entertainment destination. Businesses now operating there include the Splitsville bowling complex, Hooters bar and restaurant and Tinatapa's.

Even before partnering with the Edwards group, M&J Wilkow wasn't planning to go it alone.

Another backer of its bid is Dilip Kanji, president of Impact Properties Inc. in Tampa, which operates the Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor City and developed The Westin Tampa Bay hotel on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The Westin was the most recent major national-brand hotel built in the region.

Impact Properties would operate the hotel, according to the original bid package, and still would in the combined bid.

Atlanta-based Batson-Cook Development Co. also is involved in the bid. The company has worked on a series of local construction projects, including the Towers of Channelside condo skyscrapers. Another backer is Jim Dunphy of Tampa's Dunphy Properties, which worked on projects such as Cypress Crossings in New Tampa.

* * * * *
The takeover process could unfold much like a residential short sale but with a political dimension.

The Tampa Port Authority owns the land under the complex, and the Irish Bank Resolution Corp. Ltd. holds the mortgage on the property above ground. The bank recently received bids to take over the mortgage and soon will send the port authority a list of proposals it is willing to accept. The port can veto the winning bid.

As early as this week, the port could receive the complete list of bidders, said port attorney Charles Klug. The port then will ask for formal presentations from the bidders, though some already have started lobbying port authority board members.

The Vinik group includes real estate executives Andrew Wright and Anthony Everett.

Tampa Port Authority Chairman Lawrence Shipp said he's seen presentations from at least one bidder, though he declined to say which. That bid, he said, would radically transform the neighborhood, which he said is needed. "The entire area would have a different look," he said, and incorporate the Riverwalk.

"What we're interested in is what would make it a destination for the region, mix office, commercial, maybe some residential. ... Probably the only irony is that the complex won't be done before the RNC convention this summer."

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn emphasized that local governments will be looking at how much of their own money bidders are willing to invest.

"I expect they'll want something from us, too," Buckhorn said. "But it's likely we'll limit that to things like sidewalks and landscaping.

"To expect a huge investment from the city would be far-fetched."

http://www2.tbo.com/news/business/2012/apr/19/channelside-bay-plaza-hotel-complex-possible-ar-394105/

Await the Harbour Island NIMBYism!!!!!

I saw this and I went "YES! YES! YES!" :D

Await the Harbour Island NIMBYism!!!!!

Hate to be honest with you here, but the likelihood of them doing all of this AND winning the bid is slim. But I think both proposals will make us all happy.

You are excited about the building -- but this will earn it HUGE resident support:

Besides taking over the existing Channelside retail complex, M&J Wilkow envisioned folding in a swath of property across the street to the north, including two parking garages plus a now-empty lot to the west in addition to the property between The Florida Aquarium and the water.

Eh Kevin, don't become another debbie downer on here. lol We'll have to wait what the other bids include and what they have plan, but I love this proposal so far. I don't know about the museum, what could they possibly include? But everything else seems awesome.

Maybe they can bulldoze the parking garages. ;)

The proposed budget for the project now is in the range of $75 million, and depending on the elements of the bid, the group could break ground on parts of it very soon.

Is there a zero missing from that number?

$4 million bid for Channelside rejected
(http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/4-million-bid-for-channelside-rejected/1225828)
By Mark Puente, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 11:14 AM

TAMPA-- A Chicago firm's $4 million bid to buy Channelside Bay Plaza has been rejected.

Chicago-based M&J Wilkow Ltd., the firm that owns and operates Centro Ybor, submitted a $4 million bid on April 4 to the Tampa Port Authority. The plans called for a grocery store and a 30-story hotel to be built near the retail and entertainment complex in the Channel District.

CB Richard Ellis, the commercial real estate firm handling the sale, rejected the offer.

"CBRE has been authorized to report that the offer in question had already been eliminated from consideration," said CBRE spokeswoman Elizabeth Cross. She declined to say why the firm rejected the offer.

Two weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Times revealed that at least two well-connected local groups have submitted bids to buy Channelside. Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has teamed with Andrew Wright, head of Franklin Street, a commercial real estate firm in Tampa, and Anthony Everett, founder and president of Everett Realty Services in Tampa.

The other group includes Bill Edwards, who recently bought St. Petersburg's BayWalk, Rick Michaels, chairman and CEO of Communications Equity Associates in Tampa, and Ken Jones, executive vice president and general counsel for Communications Equity Associates. Real estate titan Lee Arnold, chief executive of Colliers International Tampa Bay, is doing the real estate consulting for the group.

Wilkow's partners in the plan included Dilip Kanji, president of Tampa's Impact Properties Inc., which operates the Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor City; Atlanta-based Batson-Cook Development Co; and Tampa-based Dunphy Properties.

Wilkow paid $11.9 million for Centro Ybor in 2006 and $4 million more to pay off back taxes and other debt.

The $49 million Channelside complex opened in 2001 with few tenants and strong competition from nearby Centro Ybor, which opened about the same time. Channelside, Centro and BayWalk have all had financial struggles.

Anglo Irish Bank of Dublin, took back Channelside in 2010 after the owners defaulted on a $27 million loan. The Irish government now owns the bank. Bids to buy the plaza had to be submitted more than two weeks ago.

The Tampa Port Authority owns the land under the center and has to approve any offer. It expects to get details this week from the bank. The agency and city prefer a local buyer and expect the selection process to take a month.

Mark Puente can be reached at mpuente@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8459. Follow him at Twitter at twitter.com/markpuente.

The TBO article states that the Chicago firm and Edwards teamed up for the $75 million project. So I wonder if Edwards still has a sole bid for the complex or if this means we pretty much have Vinik as the remaining bidder?

The TBO article states that the Chicago firm and Edwards teamed up for the $75 million project. So I wonder if Edwards still has a sole bid for the complex or if this means we pretty much have Vinik as the remaining bidder?

Reading between the lines, I think this means that Chicago's bid was rejected, but they team up with Edwards after that.

It sounded too good to be true. The million square feet of office space made my bullshit-ometer go off.

Is there a zero missing from that number?

I was thinking the exact same thing.

And Mike -- I am not being a Debbie Downer. I just think Vinik is the likely winner and honestly -- I would prefer it. I just believe he'll get done whatever he wants. No need for loans he can pay cash essentially (though he'll use them of course).

Oh I want Vinik to be the chosen bidder too, I just want something to come out of this that isn't 60% or 70%, really want a 90% or higher proposal for this whole plaza. Of course, there is going to be many influences on what happens here. The city will likely want to work with whomever is chosen is opening up the water and extending the Riverwalk up that way. The residents of Harbour Island will likely want something small so traffic is bad.

^DHS regs get in the way of the riverwalk being extended up behind the Aquarium and cruise terminals.

Reading between the lines, I think this means that Chicago's bid was rejected, but they team up with Edwards after that.

This is what I heard elsewhere today.

^DHS regs get in the way of the riverwalk being extended up behind the Aquarium and cruise terminals.

I have heard there are ways, but I don't know the regs. But at minimum it can actually connect with the new plaza more than it
Does now.

This is what I heard elsewhere today.

I also heard that this plan was sent "accidentally" on purpose since Chicago was unprepared for the press war already. But these are all rumors.

Oh I want Vinik to be the chosen bidder too, I just want something to come out of this that isn't 60% or 70%, really want a 90% or higher proposal for this whole plaza. Of course, there is going to be many influences on what happens here. The city will likely want to work with whomever is chosen is opening up the water and extending the Riverwalk up that way. The residents of Harbour Island will likely want something small so traffic is bad.

Honestly -- I think Harbor Island and the residents I my building (the towers) are going to lose this one. Once the deal is worked out I don't see anything stopping it in this political environment not even all 3,700 Harbor Island residents showing up at City Hall.

Didn't have the time to comment yesterday...

The original M&J Wilkow proposal was obtained by the Tribune after it was sent by mistake to the Tampa Port Authority, making it a public record. The 44-page plan includes a bid price, budget details and names of local partners, all of which are being redone with the decision to join forces.

You can really tell that they have their top people on this project... Can't even submit the proposal correctly... Not a good sign.

And my guerss is the rumor that it was actually done on purpose is CYA after the fact.



And I hope that whoever is proposing the maximum use of the facility is who wins the right to purchase it.

http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/apr/21/namaino1-channelside-bid-could-transform-neighborh-ar-394970/

Channelside bid could transform neighborhoodBy RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune
Published: April 21, 2012 Updated: April 21, 2012 - 12:00 AM

TAMPA --
The property is barely the size of a few basketball courts.

But positioned just between the Tampa Bay Times Forum and Channelside, the wedge-shaped parking lot could be the gateway to a huge new neighborhood for at least one bidder hoping to take over the Channelside Bay Plaza complex: Jeff Vinik.

Vinik already owns the Lightning hockey team, and effectively controls Forum operations downtown. Less widely known are his land holdings nearby, and if he prevails in acquiring Channelside, real estate experts say Vinik could transform a mile-long swath of downtown waterfront property into a new neighborhood.

Vinik does have competition for Channelside: Current operators of both Centro Ybor and BayWalk Plaza in St. Petersburg are also bidding on the Channelside shops and have a deep team of local real estate professionals.

Vinik, however, can argue his plans would transform a much wider area.

"The good neighbor is always your best buyer," said Patrick Berman, a commercial real estate broker with Cushman & Wakefield in Tampa. "To be fair, the other group has experience with at least two retail complexes here. Vinik's advantage is a much wider contiguous area. He's given huge support to the local community and already invested heavily in the Forum."

Who gets control of Channelside is now a political as much as a financial matter. Port Authority commissioners should receive a list of potential bidders for the complex soon, and several have expressed hopes to transform a much wider area than just the retail complex.

Starting from the west at Florida Avenue, Vinik controls the ground floor of the massive parking garage next to the Forum. Currently, it's used for storage, but it could be transformed into retail or restaurants.

To the south, he also owns the wide, sloping parking lot where, for instance, circuses stage their elephants before performances.

Then to the east of the Forum, formerly known as the Ice Palace, Vinik controls a wedge-shaped parking lot adjacent to the Tampa Bay History Museum.

If Vinik prevails in acquiring control of Channelside, his holdings would stretch through Channelside, across Channelside Drive to the north, and potentially include the two massive parking garages used for passengers boarding cruise ships.

"Vinik's group will bring a vision and marketing plan that can easily feed off of the Ice Palace," said Lawrence Anderson, a commercial broker who has consulted on Channelside before, and helped place both Nordstrom Rack and the Container Store in Tampa.

"The upgrades made to the Ice Palace certainly demonstrate his financial resolve and commitment to do the job properly. Channelside and the Ice Palace are more valuable when planned, promoted and marketed together. Clearly an example of the sum being worth more than its parts."

Technically, the bids are to take over the defunct $27 million mortgage for the retail complex above ground. The Port Authority owns the land underneath and, by contract, can approve or reject the transfer to another buyer.

The bidding process shifted rapidly ever since the Irish Bank Resolution Corp. Ltd. began an auction earlier this year to take over the loan.

At one point, there were three known bidders: A group led by BayWalk operator Bill Edwards, a group led by Centro Ybor operator M&J Wilkow of Chicago and Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. Then, the Edwards and Wilkow groups decided to merge their bids to take on Vinik.

The bank will soon send the port a list of bids it is willing to accept, and the port is assembling a committee to review formal presentations. Port officials hope to make a decision within a month and choose a winner at May's meeting of the Port Authority board.

Off topic, but it's comical that the Tribune does what it can to not rrefer to the arena as teh Tampa Bay Times Forum

I say we take up a collection and send Vinik a bottle of his favorite spirit. The man's ambition alone has certainly lifted my spirits!

construction on channelside apts kicked up strong in the last week. anyone got pics?

theyve cleared half the lot, got trailers up, guessing foundation prep will begin in a couple weeks

They're certainly taking their sweet ass time with that project.

I say we take up a collection and send Vinik a bottle of his favorite spirit. The man's ambition alone has certainly lifted my spirits!
Build something on the dirt lot adjacent to the parking garage and I will throw in $50.

Build something on the dirt lot adjacent to the parking garage and I will throw in $50.

Which dirt lot?

I say we take up a collection and send Vinik a bottle of his favorite spirit. The man's ambition alone has certainly lifted my spirits!

There we go! Vinik will be the best thing to happen to Tampa in generations.

Seriously just look to LA and the Staples center area (for good or bad) about the kind of transformation they are aiming for. Leiwicke's (CEO for Vinik at Lightning) brother and they have been looking a similar (in scope) revitalization effort since the Staples center has made so much money for AEG.

Here's the updated photo from the Related apartments site:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m31mb0dmNq1rso946o1_500.jpg

Also permits have been pulled for the corner lot on 12th and Cumberland. Current plans call for 3 or 4 story building with a restaurant, offices, and a rooftop bar. Rumors of the people involved are the Yummy House owners.

Which dirt lot?

Pretty sure he's talking about the lot south of the South Regional Garage and north of the Marriott Waterside.

Pretty sure he's talking about the lot south of the South Regional Garage and north of the Marriott Waterside.

Ah yes. I hope the development extends that far, though I think it's likely to move from the Aquarium to that lot over time. But who knows. We'll see the plans by May 15 it seems.

On another note, I have confirmed the corner lot has been purchased by Tony and Connie Lueng of Sanwa Growers. They purchased it from Yolo, Nights LLC on April 9th (Link (http://www.loopnet.com/sold/3574986/223-S-12th-Street-Tampa-FL-33602/?&SRID=2552118268&PgCxtCurFLKey=CompProfile&PgCxtDir=Down) and Link (http://www.newcompanylisting.com/02-28-12/Hillsborough/wa-338-investments-of-hillsborough-llc.htm)). They are the owners of Yummy House as well. So hopefully channelside will get a good Chinese restaurant instead of another AJA. Plus they live across the channel on Harbor Island so hopefully they'll develop it well.

On another note, I have confirmed the corner lot has been purchased by Tony and Connie Lueng of Sanwa Growers. They purchased it from Yolo, Nights LLC on April 9th (Link and Link). They are the owners of Yummy House as well. So hopefully channelside will get a good Chinese restaurant instead of another AJA. Plus they live across the channel on Harbor Island so hopefully they'll develop it well.

While development of the area is good, there is a disturbing trend of small/short projects in the heart of Channelside. That will really not do the trick. There is nowhere else in Tampa that real density can come without people screaming bloody murder. Thus, I find it less than exciting.

IF it was on Kennedy or Dale Mabry, I would be all for it.

While development of the area is good, there is a disturbing trend of small/short projects in the heart of Channelside. That will really not do the trick. There is nowhere else in Tampa that real density can come without people screaming bloody murder. Thus, I find it less than exciting.

IF it was on Kennedy or Dale Mabry, I would be all for it.

First -- the first two buildings after the recession don't make a trend. Wait until the Channelside plans come out before you say that at least. Maybe you'll be right.

I really doubt that plot would ever get very tall given the size and what is around it I know it's possible for it to be taller but it's not going to happen -- banks won't loan money for that here. I think 6 stories and rooftop bar would actually be better you could see over the garage and the new apartments -- but that takes people with cash like Vinik.

We all agree the neighborhoods need higher density -- but I disagree that some lower density developments mean we shouldn't be happy about it here. You may be fine with chinese food on kennedy -- but I am personally excited for my neighborhood to have a rooftop bar and a chinese food place across the street and owned by people who live in the area.

But it also seems to be shaping up that upper channel district is always going to have more than the lower end. The Towers I live in are not very dense at all for instance. There are about 110 units per acre of lans (about 2 acres total) and believe it or not the Related Properties building will be about the same on their 4.5 acres.

At the other end of the district, Grand Central, The Place, and the Slade are much more what is needed. But there are a ton of warehouses that still need to be torn down up there among other things to make room for density in the future. Which means there will be two hearts to the neighborhood -- the north end at grand central the grocery will be and the waterfront where the new Channelside development will be. Grand Central is fast turning into the neighborhoods town square and those businesses are doing well.

Essentially I am saying zero growth in the next 5 years could kill the neighborhood, but some sub-par growth will keep it around until people will lend to build more Place or Grand Central on the empty lots and warehouses in the north and Channelside in the south. Those two blocks won't kill anyone.

First -- the first two buildings after the recession don't make a trend. Wait until the Channelside plans come out before you say that at least. Maybe you'll be right.

What about every project except two built in Channelside before the recession? Only Grand Central and the Towers have FAR ratios suitable for downtown. Every other project is more in line with recent urban development in Westshore or Hyde Park (albeit slightly taller). The entire Channelside neighborhood has never been developed right... Which is odd considering the city paid for a 'master plan' for Channelside.

And here's my zinger for Smiley... Remember almost a decade ago, I used to gripe about the low density projects being developed in Channelside setting a bad trend, and you used to always say that it was ok, because there is lots of land downtown, and every block filled in with a marginal project means less land, and eventually buildings would be developed to a higher standard over time... Unfortunately, my concerns seem to have taken hold. Once the city let a couple of developers cheap out and build marginal projects, now we're getting nothing but cheaped out, marginal projects.

I do not remember, but I'll accept I said it. Maybe I was wrong then. Maybe I was right for the time or for the project (Though I dont remember so I cant remember why I said it). In any event, things are different now - there is a Channelside and going forward, it needs to be denser - certainly denser than the Related "stick" buildings. . . "stick" construction? Unbelievable. That is a prime example of the mistakes Tampa makes that drives us so crazy in this forum.

Which dirt lot?

Pretty sure he's talking about the lot south of the South Regional Garage and north of the Marriott Waterside.

Ah yes. I hope the development extends that far, though I think it's likely to move from the Aquarium to that lot over time. But who knows. We'll see the plans by May 15 it seems.

On another note, I have confirmed the corner lot has been purchased by Tony and Connie Lueng of Sanwa Growers. They purchased it from Yolo, Nights LLC on April 9th (Link (http://www.loopnet.com/sold/3574986/223-S-12th-Street-Tampa-FL-33602/?&SRID=2552118268&PgCxtCurFLKey=CompProfile&PgCxtDir=Down) and Link (http://www.newcompanylisting.com/02-28-12/Hillsborough/wa-338-investments-of-hillsborough-llc.htm)). They are the owners of Yummy House as well. So hopefully channelside will get a good Chinese restaurant instead of another AJA. Plus they live across the channel on Harbor Island so hopefully they'll develop it well.
Yes, the lot that is south of the parking garage and across from the Marriott is the one I am talking about. I would even take away the garage if I had the power to and make a hotel/retail project connect to the Forum.

While development of the area is good, there is a disturbing trend of small/short projects in the heart of Channelside. That will really not do the trick. There is nowhere else in Tampa that real density can come without people screaming bloody murder. Thus, I find it less than exciting.

IF it was on Kennedy or Dale Mabry, I would be all for it.

First -- the first two buildings after the recession don't make a trend. Wait until the Channelside plans come out before you say that at least. Maybe you'll be right.

I really doubt that plot would ever get very tall given the size and what is around it I know it's possible for it to be taller but it's not going to happen -- banks won't loan money for that here. I think 6 stories and rooftop bar would actually be better you could see over the garage and the new apartments -- but that takes people with cash like Vinik.

We all agree the neighborhoods need higher density -- but I disagree that some lower density developments mean we shouldn't be happy about it here. You may be fine with chinese food on kennedy -- but I am personally excited for my neighborhood to have a rooftop bar and a chinese food place across the street and owned by people who live in the area.

But it also seems to be shaping up that upper channel district is always going to have more than the lower end. The Towers I live in are not very dense at all for instance. There are about 110 units per acre of lans (about 2 acres total) and believe it or not the Related Properties building will be about the same on their 4.5 acres.

At the other end of the district, Grand Central, The Place, and the Slade are much more what is needed. But there are a ton of warehouses that still need to be torn down up there among other things to make room for density in the future. Which means there will be two hearts to the neighborhood -- the north end at grand central the grocery will be and the waterfront where the new Channelside development will be. Grand Central is fast turning into the neighborhoods town square and those businesses are doing well.

Essentially I am saying zero growth in the next 5 years could kill the neighborhood, but some sub-par growth will keep it around until people will lend to build more Place or Grand Central on the empty lots and warehouses in the north and Channelside in the south. Those two blocks won't kill anyone.

What about every project except two built in Channelside before the recession? Only Grand Central and the Towers have FAR ratios suitable for downtown. Every other project is more in line with recent urban development in Westshore or Hyde Park (albeit slightly taller). The entire Channelside neighborhood has never been developed right... Which is odd considering the city paid for a 'master plan' for Channelside.

And here's my zinger for Smiley... Remember almost a decade ago, I used to gripe about the low density projects being developed in Channelside setting a bad trend, and you used to always say that it was ok, because there is lots of land downtown, and every block filled in with a marginal project means less land, and eventually buildings would be developed to a higher standard over time... Unfortunately, my concerns seem to have taken hold. Once the city let a couple of developers cheap out and build marginal projects, now we're getting nothing but cheaped out, marginal projects.

I do not remember, but I'll accept I said it. Maybe I was wrong then. Maybe I was right for the time or for the project (Though I dont remember so I cant remember why I said it). In any event, things are different now - there is a Channelside and going forward, it needs to be denser - certainly denser than the Related "stick" buildings. . . "stick" construction? Unbelievable. That is a prime example of the mistakes Tampa makes that drives us so crazy in this forum.
There is whole blocks within Channelside that are empty and can be developed. You got the whole block across the street from the Slade, south of the Slade, many partial lots that may contain new developments but also include old warehouses, and then we have sites that had proposed developments like the Place II and Del Villar that can still be developed. The Channel District has had projects like Del Villar, The Place III, The Place III, Blu Channelside, The Martin, Newks, Seaboard Square, Navio, Finergy, and a Novare project proposed for the district. There is nothing stopping taller projects from being proposed and actually developing in Channelside. The district started off with redevelopment of former warehouses that turned into 2 story townhouses and we have developments like Grand Central at Kennedy and the Towers existing in Channelside. We will likely see another boom in construction and development in the next coming years and we might get a 4 story apartment project and a 4 story restaurant and office building to start it off, but we will likely see new developments that are 10 stories and up and maybe see some old proposals like the Martin and Del Villar get a new lease on life in the next couple years. Developers will see the signs of life coming into the district with the recent openings of retail and restaurants and be interested by all of it. The time has come and past where Channelside can be called the "next coming neighborhood" for Tampa and now we need to fill it in with what future residents will need.

The problem is, in the mean time, several anchor sites for pedestrian activity clusters to form are being gobbled up by these shit developments. The Related project's site, One Bayshore, the CAMLS site, every parcel UT keeps killing. Even Central Park will be quite the joke once people see what it turns out to be after revisions have slashed its density and amenities. (note that the city's share of expenses for infrastructure didn't go down, just its ability to recoup the investment in a timely manner and actually start adding a net gain to the tax base) These were all sites where good urban development would be likely to spur neighboring complimentary developments. Instead, we're getting developments that don't mesh with their neighbors and basically only add density, not vitality. (case in point, who walks around Channelside now? And if so, where are you walking and what are you doing?)

(case in point, who walks around Channelside now? And if so, where are you walking and what are you doing?)

I will speak to this. I walk around Cahnnelside every day as a resident and everytime I do there are other people walking around. The typical pedestrian is walking north to Grand Central's successful mixed use development. Or to Washington Street park or to victory coffee or up meridian to walk downtown. People who live on the norh side are often walking down to Channelside. There are people on the sidewalks every day there.

I don't want to say we should expect shitty development, but Channelside obviously doesn't have that great of a track record to back up an argument. Look at our tallest project in the district, Towers of Channelside. Meridian has the potential to become somewhat of a pedestrian corridor and they f*ck it up by putting in a club, killing 3/4 of anything else happening there. And look at the retail, pushed back from the sidewalks and forces pedestrians to climb up stairs to get to these retail units. The only place that has really done it right or close to right is Grand Central. And not surprisingly..... they're the one that seems to be filled up. The Place is second and yet they can't fill up a half of their development, mainly on the Channelside Dr. side. And it's not really their much as it is the city's. Do you really expect anyone to seriously travel up that way when they have no sidewalk to walk on between the Port Authority Garage and Whiting, right next to traffic? No.

Do expect shitty development, but don't be taken back if it happens in Tampa it seems. If only the city listened.....

I will speak to this. I walk around Cahnnelside every day as a resident and everytime I do there are other people walking around. The typical pedestrian is walking north to Grand Central's successful mixed use development. Or to Washington Street park or to victory coffee or up meridian to walk downtown. People who live on the norh side are often walking down to Channelside. There are people on the sidewalks every day there.
I'll have to agree with Kevin on this. There's always people walking up and down 12th Street and Meridian when I am in Channelside. I won't deny that.

As more people come to the neighborhood, and as the plaza redevelops, I think we'll start to see better and larger developments in the district. Eventually, some of the early adopters of the neighborhood, like those townhouses that Mike mentions, will evolve into grander things as well.

I'm in Channelside regularly and from what I've seen over time, the number of people on the sidewalks isn't congruent to the population. Not for a downtown neighborhood that's supposed to be the city's most 'walkable'.

So long as we start getting some better projects from here on out, that will improve, but im certainly not impressed with the nature of Channelside's development over the past 10 years.

I'm in Channelside regularly and from what I've seen over time, the number of people on the sidewalks isn't congruent to the population.

I've lived in Channelside on 11th Street for 8+ years, so I can certainly confirm that there are people out walking around. Of course, it also depends on what time of day you're talking about. When I take my dog out for a walk after work, there are people out on practically every street in the district, whether heading to the dog park, going to the gym, running, biking, whatever. You're also likely to see more people when the weather is pleasant, as it has been the past week or so, but the same could be said of most neighborhoods. It may or may not be congruent with the population, but I've seen the number steadily growing.

Admittedly, not everyone is going to be pleased with Channelside's development, but a good number of the residents are. Consider that just 9 years ago there were less than 20 people living down here, there were no parks, no coffee shops or restaurants, no gym, no dry cleaners, and Meridian was a sleepy two lane road. Sure, the city has made mistakes along the way, but it has come a long way since 2002. I, for one, am excited to see Vinik's plan for Channelside Plaza and the surrounding properties. I think it could really be the catalyst to take this district to the next level.

I totally agree on the last part regarding Vinik. I haven't seen his plans, but I've talked to a buddy who has and I'm fairly stoked after that lunch.

And speaking of lunch, I hit Hattricks for takeout... Drove around Channelside from 12-12:30 or so... Not a lot of activity in between, but the north and south ends had people milling around. Still pretty sparse, but a whole heck of a lot better than where Tampa was before. Still bugs me when I go to DT Orlando, St Pete and Sarasota and see 5x as many people walking around. I remember 10-15 years ago, they hardly had anyone frequenting the area on foot either.

Drove around Channelside from 12-12:30 or so... Not a lot of activity in between, but the north and south ends had people milling around. S

Because there is really not a reason to be in the middle at that time of day. Retail and restaurant space is really sparse in the middle. Gotta get down there when the actual residents are home to see people out. Hopefully that will change as some of the retail space gets occupied in the recovery.

Steve

I'm still peeved that the Slade's commercial space hasn't filled in yet... with much of anything. I worked on that project dammit!

I'm still peeved that the Slade's commercial space hasn't filled in yet... with much of anything. I worked on that project dammit!

Yeah, I toured the Slade and the rental management turned me off, so I don't know a whole lot about the retail situation.

However, I do know that Grand Central did a lot of things to attract businesses like paying all the impact fees upfront, getting a blanket liquor license for the entire property, creating the courtyard, and a decent amount more. No one else has really filled retail aside from the older condos.

I'm in Channelside regularly and from what I've seen over time, the number of people on the sidewalks isn't congruent to the population.

I've lived in Channelside on 11th Street for 8+ years, so I can certainly confirm that there are people out walking around. Of course, it also depends on what time of day you're talking about. When I take my dog out for a walk after work, there are people out on practically every street in the district, whether heading to the dog park, going to the gym, running, biking, whatever. You're also likely to see more people when the weather is pleasant, as it has been the past week or so, but the same could be said of most neighborhoods. It may or may not be congruent with the population, but I've seen the number steadily growing.

Admittedly, not everyone is going to be pleased with Channelside's development, but a good number of the residents are. Consider that just 9 years ago there were less than 20 people living down here, there were no parks, no coffee shops or restaurants, no gym, no dry cleaners, and Meridian was a sleepy two lane road. Sure, the city has made mistakes along the way, but it has come a long way since 2002. I, for one, am excited to see Vinik's plan for Channelside Plaza and the surrounding properties. I think it could really be the catalyst to take this district to the next level.
Well you hit it on the head. What exists right now are mainly residents that are gone between 7 am to 5 pm. Some work in downtown while others have to drive outside the city for work. That is why Prime Meridian would had been great for Channelside, even if it wasn't the best of designs. Channelside needs to include office and hotel developments within its borders. So you can have life throughout the streets from dawn to dusk and not from 5 pm and onward.

Well you hit it on the head. What exists right now are mainly residents that are gone between 7 am to 5 pm. Some work in downtown while others have to drive outside the city for work. That is why Prime Meridian would had been great for Channelside, even if it wasn't the best of designs. Channelside needs to include office and hotel developments within its borders. So you can have life throughout the streets from dawn to dusk and not from 5 pm and onward.

I think more mixed use like Grand Central would do it though. More than 25% is retail and office. If I have a complaint about the Related building it has less to do with the height (or density of residential units) it has to do with the lack of retail and office space. That is the biggest issue with the new stuff in my opinion.

That is why I am happy about the corner lot. It was slated for 1 story for 3 years and two developers. The new one is talking 3 or 4. With a restaurant that will draw people from downtown for lunch (try finding good chinese food downtown) and offices on the other floors. It's not sexy, but it's the right kind of commercial development.

If I have a complaint about the Related building it has less to do with the height (or density of residential units) it has to do with the lack of retail and office space. That is the biggest issue with the new stuff in my opinion.

With a restaurant that will draw people from downtown for lunch (try finding good chinese food downtown) and offices on the other floors.

The Related density sucks. They could have put all those units in one building and save space for later. Now they have locked up the land for decades. It is lost to retail, office, residential. Anything.

As for people coming from downtown for lunch - dont count on it. Bad parking, cant walk, bad transit options. They can go west a lot faster.

Mixed use is nice - but a proper development is unlikely because the city has no balls.

The last time I was in town, I was very impressed with the overall level of activity compared to in the past. I think you'd see improved street life if the city gave up a southbound traffic lane on Channelside for parallel parking and decent width colored bike lane. Take a lane out north and southbound on Beneficial for parallel parking and a decent colored bike lane too. Its uncomfortable to walk next to a race track, period. And if people can avoid doing it, they will. If traffic is slowed, you'll see more pedestrian activity and therefore more potential customers. Lots of business owners don't get this, that slower traffic yields more customers. Having hundreds of cars speed by does little if they can't read your signage and are afraid of being rear ended while slowing to make a turn. If they could get a street car spur off at Kennedy to DT, then you'd really be able to reduce car usage in the overally DT/Channelside area.

The latest stuff I've read on biking and weather shows that cities with the highest level of biking are cities with the best biking infrastructure, regardless of weather. Its damn cold and wet in Portland and Minneapolis, but they have very high cycling rates. If you put in the infrastructure, people will use alternatives to cars.

chicken vs the egg. I think the growth of residents will spur retail and retail will spur future structural growth... it's going to take another 5 years though.....

PS - someone told me the grand central publix was officially killed off. Is that true?

If anyone is interested, the city will be conducting a walking tour on Thursday May 10th from 4pm to 8:15 in Channel District for us to give our suggestions and inputs on could be done to improve Channelside. Me and Kevin (kmthurman) are already planning to go.

If anyone is interested, the city will be conducting a walking tour on Thursday May 10th from 4pm to 8:15 in Channel District for us to give our suggestions and inputs on could be done to improve Channelside. Me and Kevin (kmthurman) are already planning to go.

Where is this starting out at?

Better question, where will they be at 5 when most of us are off work?

I'm still peeved that the Slade's commercial space hasn't filled in yet... with much of anything. I worked on that project dammit!

So why do some stores look like they're about 6ft deep? I've always wondered that. Maybe its a false wall but some storefront on Meridian looks super shallow. What did they think was going to move in there?

Yeah, I toured the Slade and the rental management turned me off, so I don't know a whole lot about the retail situation.

However, I do know that Grand Central did a lot of things to attract businesses like paying all the impact fees upfront, getting a blanket liquor license for the entire property, creating the courtyard, and a decent amount more. No one else has really filled retail aside from the older condos.

Yep. We toured all the places in the District before settling on GC. They had the best people working to fill the location, they gave incentives and were very willing to negotiate. Meridian on the other hand said, "send us your terms and we'll consider it". Niiiice.

PS - someone told me the grand central publix was officially killed off. Is that true?

Last I heard it was dead for 2012. Maybe revisit later. Who knows. I'll believe it when I'm walking out with a loaf of bread.

^pretty sure it's a false wall... Don't hold me to it, because I haven't looked at that project's plans since 2008, but I don't remember any 'dummy' storefronts or anything like that as part of the plans. At least not at the stage when I was working on them (pre-construction).

Where is this starting out at?

Better question, where will they be at 5 when most of us are off work?
Will start at the Florida Aquarium. The information is that there is actually two tours within the 4 hours. The first 2 hour tour is with the city and the second one is with a city planner.

Where will it be at 5? I don't know. Probably up north by Grande Central by that time. Start of at the Aquarium, move to the plaza, and then work up from there. Be nice if we got word of what the bidders had planned for the plaza,

I'll try and head over around 4

link to a press release RE: walking tour?

I'd like to pass it along or have some contact information. Thanks!

found it:

Thursday, May 10, 2012 – 4 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Optional Walking Tour: 4:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Break: 5:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Neighborhood Charette: 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Florida Aquarium (Channel District)

http://invisiontampa.tumblr.com/post/21439853553/change-begins-in-your-backyard

http://www.invisiontampa.com/news.html

^^
Does one have to register for this?

I was going to say no HART until I checked again on the Invision site and found that we do have to RSVP.

InVisionTampa@gmail.com

Oops. :lol:

^^
Oh I see. I was considering to go as well, but I can't guarantee I will be free that day, so I don't want to make a commitment if I can't go.

Aquarium reels in $1M gift

By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 08, 2012

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/may/08/namaino1-aquarium-reels-in-1m-gift-ar-401074/

An ambitious effort to raise $15 million for a new education and research center at The Florida Aquarium reached the halfway point on Monday when the Lakeland family that founded Publix donated $1 million.

City officials hope expanding the aquarium will encourage downtown development, which began to dry up during the recession that has held the city and nation in its grip for the last few years. Condominium projects along the Channel District faded, and some shops in and around Channelside Bay Plaza closed.

But that grip is showing signs of loosening, and there is talk of revitalizing the Channelside plaza. In turn, donations are beginning to stream in to the aquarium for its expansion.

The Rising Tides fundraising campaign got an additional $1.5 million from two anonymous donors who wanted to kick in money along with Carol and Barney Barnett, who made a symbolic $1 million check presentation Monday in front of about 50 dignitaries and aquarium employees.

With snaggle-toothed sand tiger sharks circling in the tank behind them in the Coral Reef Gallery, Tom Hall, chairman of Rising Tides, said the construction project will begin in September and continue in phases for four years.

"We have to grow," he said.

The project will add about 100,000 square feet to the aquarium and be built atop existing facilities, not outward.

The entire project is funded through private donations, Hall said.

He said that during the last 17 years, the aquarium has become an anchor of Channel District development, and the expansion will continue the effort to revive the south side of downtown Tampa.

"We want to be a part of this renaissance of downtown Tampa," Hall said.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn echoed those sentiments.

He said he was working as an assistant in the mayor's office when the aquarium was built, and expansion of the facility is a key factor in "the resurgence of downtown."

The area will be showcased in August, when the Republican National Convention takes place downtown.

"The whole world will be watching this August," the mayor said, "and one of the iconic images will be The Florida Aquarium."

Aquarium president and CEO Thom Stork said this is the first major expansion project in the aquarium's history, and it will boost marine biology educational opportunities for children, teachers and researchers.

"This is an exciting time to be at the aquarium and in Tampa," he said.

The fundraising campaign began a year ago with a $2.6 million donation from The Mosaic Company.

Carol Barnett said she and her family have been a part of the aquarium since the beginning, having made initial contributions to get the facility built.

"I'm so proud of what this aquarium has done," she said, referring to the educational resources it provides to students and marine biology teachers and researchers.

hows the view of channelside apartment construction these days?

hows the view of channelside apartment construction these days?

Not too much has changed. They started laying plumbing lines yesterday in the southwest corner. That's about it.

So did anyone go to the little gathering they had last Thursday? If so, what all happened?

So did anyone go to the little gathering they had last Thursday? If so, what all happened?
Me and Kevin went, Kevin had to leave after the walking tour due to work related issues. Nothing interesting happened obviously or I would had posted it here :) From what the people in charged said, this was their smallest crowd they had so far. All the other ones had up to 30 attendees while during the tour there was about 12 people and about 20 by the time we went back to the Aquarium and did some group exercises.

Me and Kevin went, Kevin had to leave after the walking tour due to work related issues. Nothing interesting happened obviously or I would had posted it here :) From what the people in charged said, this was their smallest crowd they had so far. All the other ones had up to 30 attendees while during the tour there was about 12 people and about 20 by the time we went back to the Aquarium and did some group exercises.

From what I understand the size of the crowd was actually not untypical, which AECOM is all but confirming when they say there were 5 to 10 less than the other ones ;)

Sorry I had to go, I don't work a ton right now, but I do have to work when they call.

So it went like I figured it would... Thanks for the rundown. :)

The girlfriend and I went. It wasnt exactly what we expected but we did meet some other Channelside residents which was cool.

The girlfriend and I went. It wasnt exactly what we expected but we did meet some other Channelside residents which was cool.
There was only two couples there and I'm only guessing that you were the younger one. :)

During the walking tour yes. Once we sat down for the workshop though another younger couple sat with us.

I honestly had more interest in the walking tour though, just listening to the residents speak about their knowledge of the area was much more informative.

Northside filling up, Southside is so lagging....

Ventana condominium sells last ground-floor commercial space
Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer
Date: Friday, May 25, 2012, 6:00am EDT


TAMPA — A Tampa veterinarian has bought the last of six ground-floor commercial spaces at the Ventana condominium in the Channel District.

The “sold out” sticker over the broker’s sign could signal more retail and other commercial activity for the downtown submarket.

Dr. Tim D. Hodge will join Zaritsky Law Group; Le Mouton Noir Bakehouse, a French café expected to open in July; and a small franchise business run by Tom Cook and Linda Cook.....

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/print-edition/2012/05/25/ventana-condominium-sells-last.html

You're right, the Grand Central / Ventana area has been doing pretty well lately. I know the owner of Le Mouton Noir, and am excited about what they're bringing to the neighborhood.

The north/south dynamics could change in the near future, however. I read this week that the Port has officially invited Vinick's development group to present a formal proposal of their plans for the Channelside Plaza and surrounding areas. Can't seem to find the article online, however, but it said the Vinick group beat out the other group. Can't wait to see what they have in mind.

^That article is already posted here somewhere.

No, it hasn't. But I found it and here it is. A lot of rehashing, but does confirm Vinik's group beat out the other group.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/lightning-owner-jeff-vinik-emerges-as-frontrunner-to-buy-channelside-bay/1231226

Lightning owner Jeff Vinik emerges as frontrunner to buy Channelside Bay PlazaBy Mark Puente, Times Staff Writer

TAMPA — A group led by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has emerged as the frontrunner to buy the troubled Channelside Bay Plaza.

Vinik's group has been asked to make a formal presentation to the Tampa Port Authority, said Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett. He declined to discuss the presentation or the group's plans for Channelside.

The port owns the land underneath the center and has the power to approve or veto the deal. The next board meeting is June 19.

The port prefers a local buyer with deep pockets to rejuvenate the center, which could also spur more development in the Channel District.

When Vinik bought the Lightning in 2010, he was considered one of Boston's richest people, with a net worth of more than $500 million. The deal to buy the hockey team and the Tampa Bay Times Forum lease included 5.5 acres of land around the arena. The land could be used for new development tied to Channelside.

The Channelside complex is one of the most coveted pieces of real estate available in the Tampa Bay region, but the public might not learn how much the winning bidder spends to secure the property. The winning bidder will be paying the bank that currently owns the mortgage on the property. The port's interest isn't in the price, but in what the winning bidder intends to do with the property.

"The Port Authority does not want to know the bid price since it is irrelevant to the qualifications to the Port Authority's review of the proposals," said Charles Klug, counsel for the port.

"We are interested in what the proposers intend to do with the property and what financial resources they have to make improvements to the property and market it, not the bid price."

Vinik has teamed with Andrew Wright, head of Tampa commercial real estate firm Franklin Street, and Anthony Everett, founder and president of Everett Realty Services in Tampa.

Last month, two other groups also submitted bids to buy Channelside: Bill Edwards, who recently bought St. Petersburg's BayWalk, teamed with Rick Michaels, chairman and CEO of Communications Equity Associates in Tampa, and Ken Jones, executive vice president and general counsel for Communications Equity Associates; the other group was headed by a group led by Centro Ybor property manager M&J Wilkow of Chicago.

Edwards and Wilkow eventually joined forces to compete against Vinik.

Edwards declined to comment on Monday, but Jones said, "I have all the respect and admiration for Jeff Vinik. This community can use a few more guys like him."

Channelside has been in limbo for years. The port had expected to have already received information on bids from the Anglo Irish Bank of Dublin. It took back Channelside in 2010 after the previous owners defaulted on a $27 million loan. The Irish government now owns the bank.

Developers designed Channelside as an upscale specialty retail center with restaurants and entertainment when it opened beside the Florida Aquarium in early 2001. The 234,520-square-foot center struggled to boost occupancy during the recession. When listed for sale in April 2011, it was 78 percent occupied, according to real estate data.

Mark Puente can be reached at mpuente@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8459. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/markpuente.



[Last modified: May 21, 2012 09:23 PM]

HERE IS THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM BIZJOURNALS:

Ventana condominium sells last ground-floor commercial space
Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer
Date: Friday, May 25, 2012, 6:00am EDT


TAMPA — A Tampa veterinarian has bought the last of six ground-floor commercial spaces at the Ventana condominium in the Channel District.

The “sold out” sticker over the broker’s sign could signal more retail and other commercial activity for the downtown submarket.

Dr. Tim D. Hodge will join Zaritsky Law Group; Le Mouton Noir Bakehouse, a French café expected to open in July; and a small franchise business run by Tom Cook and Linda Cook.

Purchase prices for the unfinished shell space at 1112 Channelside Drive ranged from $67 per square foot to just under $80 per square foot, said A.L. Commercial Inc. broker Christopher Parrado.

“I think Channelside is becoming what it was envisioned to be several years ago,” Parrado said.

He suggested new ownership for the financially troubled Channelside Bay Plaza could be key to the area’s continued recovery.

Not waiting for that to happen, Related Development LLC of Miami has broken ground on the 356-unit Channelside Apartments at 120 Meridian Ave.
Room to Grow

The 84-unit Ventana condominium was built in 2007, just as real estate and the rest of the economy began to collapse. The building is one of few in Channelside that is completely sold out.

Ventana offered just over 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space in six units. Related’s much larger Channelside Apartments will offer 4,800 square feet of leasable retail space.

The law firm and café each bought two units at Ventana.

“It’s a great, up-and-coming location that is a mile from the courthouse,” said attorney Michael Zaritsky, who spent a year looking for about 1,300 square feet for the firm he started nearly three years ago.

He weighed renting and buying.

In October, Zaritsky paid $198,300 for 2,536 square feet of space, plus covered parking for seven cars. “I wanted room to grow,” he said.

Like others with an interest in the Channel District, Zaritsky dreams of the day the area gets a full-service grocery store, and maybe a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

Zaritsky hired TriMar Construction Inc. to build out his handsome office. He declined to reveal the price.

AMG Tampa Bay manages the building.