Place III is hot.

Didn't the developer mention a site for a third project, or at the very least mention one was in the tunnel for later?

The location of Place Phase 3 as it is being called, is Kennedy and Meridian. Occupying the rest of (or most of) the block Slade is on. The first rendering of the tower shows Place Phase 2 to the right of the tower, and what would be Finergy to the left, although it doesn't look like Finergy.

Bueller, thanks for those renderings. It is a hot project and I think it could be in my top 5 right now architecturley in Tampa. Definitley would look good to have a slender tower like this as the district's tallest, which it is the tallest proposal in Channelside right now.

If I remeber correctly it goes up for approval May 24th.

I've heard of several cases recently where speculators are not taking ownership of their units..in fact walking away from their deposits. I'm sure this isn't that abnormal for a project this size but none the less there has to be good reason to walk away from tens of thousands of dollars.

My wifes business just moved in there about a week ago on the 2nd FL and I helped her unpack some things. My first time in there so I was pretty stoked. I was suprised by how much needed to be done with the interior. Looked like alot of electrical, drywall, etc, etc., still needed to be done. I'm not just talking a waal or 2 or a missing receptacle. There was still a ways to go!

The Place just installed decorative (nautical?) street lights all around the premises of phase I, and they were all lit up early this morning. Looks pretty good.

My only beef is that this seems to reinforce that every project will have its own plan for lighting, streetscape, sidewalks, trees, etc. and the Channeside area will (continue to) look disjointed and piecemeal.

I'm guessing that when the TIF funds are ample enough, some of this money will go towards burying the electrical wiring in the district, and then perhaps address the disparate streetscaping issue at that time.

Also, looks like they're doing considerable work on 12th Street between Washington and Cumberland, and preparing for the reopening of that street soon. Looking forward to that.

^I'm glad that everything won't match... If there's one thing I pray doesn't happen, it is that the Channelside district winds up having that phony sanitized look.

Has this image of blu made it to the forums yet?

http://www.condoleaf.com/users/up/.resized_400x487_Blu_Channelside.jpg

No, but I'm certain that is the old design, which has been discarded. Interesting find, though.

I thought Blu was dead....


Interesting render though. The base reminds me of TTT's base.

I thought Blu was dead....


Interesting render though. The base reminds me of TTT's base.

In that form, it is. They've struggled to find something worth building while meeting the demands of the Harbor Island Nazis and the FAA.

I agree on the base.... same thing I thought.

In that form, it is. They've struggled to find something worth building while meeting the demands of the Harbor Island Nazis and the FAA.

I agree on the base.... same thing I thought.

Cool, FAA kills another chance for Tampa to emerge as large US city.
P.O.K Airport isn't even a major freaking airport why can't they reroute the planes to go around the city if they have to go through the city?
Freaking idiocy.

^It was anounced a few days ago that P.O.K. is expending too, and will be adding more terminals. Anyway I think it was more of the Harbor Island Anarchnists more so then the FAA.

lol @ FF...I think that the people on HI should grow up. If you want to live downtown then deal with highrises. If you do not like it sell your house and move to the suburbs. They live downtown so having to deal with traffic and highrises are going to become commonplace. I think that these people should use some of their money and donate it to an effective transit fund so we can have less cars and then they will have no complaint about traffic.

Off topic but on topic a bit. I was on the other forum (SSP) and stumbled on a Hollywood development going up at Hollywood and Vine. Look at this rendering:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/Imyurdada/WholeFoods.jpg

Does anyone else see the Martin in this design? And maybe a touch of The Place Phase 2?

Looks verrry familiar haha...

who is the developer and/or architect?

Gatehouse Capital Corporation and Legacy Partners are the developers. Trying to find the architect.

Looks similar, but I think it is because both are going for the same modern 'Florida' look. I doubt it's the same architect...


btw, I got out and took a good walk around Grand Central and Ventana the other day... Grand Central is pretty hot from the street imo... Love the mix of glass and metal, and all of the streetfront retail spaces... It may take some time, but those will inevitably fill up with something, and once that happens, the area will really start to liven up... Still in need of major populating of the district before it really starts to have some real life to it.

On the topic of P.O.K., I think it is a awful place for a airport. Didn't a plane crash into a house not so long ago and they haven't ruled the airport unsafe? We can't let a damn airport f*ck up Tampa's skyline. Send the pilots to TIA and it's fixed. Too bad if they have to drive another 10-15 minutes so they can fly their plane, just deal with it!

Close the airport... just think of the value of the land that airport sits on

Grand Central is pretty hot from the street imo

I agree, I think it actually is turning out nicer than I had anticipated.

However, most of the Grand Central architectural renderings (on their website and in their advertising) showed a nice row of shade (leafy) trees out front along Kennedy.

The current landscaping consists primarily of a few palm trees planted in the corners of the buildings. The sidewalk along Kennedy - which is continuous and has no open spots for new trees - would seem to indicate that there are no immediate plans to add any shade trees.

It's too bad, because that stretch of Kennedy - from Meridian to Channelside - could certainly benefit from some nice shade trees to brake up and soften the large "wall" made up of Grand Central and Ventana.

On the topic of P.O.K., I think it is a awful place for a airport. Didn't a plane crash into a house not so long ago and they haven't ruled the airport unsafe? We can't let a damn airport f*ck up Tampa's skyline. Send the pilots to TIA and it's fixed. Too bad if they have to drive another 10-15 minutes so they can fly their plane, just deal with it!

It isn't that simple, as it's been explained countless times... further, having a skyline doesn't bring in huge amounts of money - having an airport so close to DT does...

I dislike it, but it has several reasons for existence and, frankly, they are more important in the eyes of non-skyscraper enthusiasts than building a few taller buildings. Tampa's skyline isn't weak because of the height limit around Channelside/The Crosstown... it's weak because there isn't density that could thrive in those areas. You don't need 500+ ft buildings on every lot to have a compelling skyline...

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/21/images/TP_267577_PRAT_PLANELAND_1.jpg

POK has had more than a few troubles. This was from earlier today (http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2007/05/troubled_plane_.html).

It's a shame that general aviation and development have to collide like this. POK is not exactly a business powerhouse. TIA is much closer to the city than most airports in large cities. LAX, ORD or JFK for example.

I watched that live. It was freaky.

Looks like they're getting ready to re-open 11th Street between Kennedy and Madison, and Madison from Channelside to Meridian ... the GC@Kennedy crews are reshaping the streets, tearing down the fences, and moving the construction equipment. They've also nearly emptied the garage in the West Building and the front eight floors look nearly complete, so move-ins there should come in June.

Seaport apartments are going up FAST ... there are probably 100 workers out there today, and one of the buildings is already up to the second floor.

Jasonhouse, do you know any more about The Slade ... it doesn't look like that's a "done deal" after all. They tore down one building about a week ago, but there has been no activity since, and I have yet to see anyone enter the Sales Center, even on the weekends.

Finally, things at Grand Central seem to be moving along. According to the developer, who was hosting an open house this weekend, over 110 of the properties on the first building closed. There are 390 properties total between the two buildings, but the East Building is two floors shorter, so fewer units. I'm guessing maybe 170 here, so the majority closed. They were marketing 20 units this weekend which are back on the market through the developer, and there was a good crowd up on the pool deck this weekend. It's getting busier, and the latest word (rumor) is that we're close to getting Trader Joe's as the grocery store. That'd be great, but with everything else that has happened, I'll believe it when I see it.

A Trader Joe's would be awesome. It would be the first in Florida though, so like yourself I'll believe it after I shop there.

Kentski, I can tell you that the Slade is in the process of moving their sales offices from the current location over to the 3rd floor of Henry Lewis' City Blue building (119 N 11th).

Construction crews should be completing the build out of the new offices within the next couple weeks. Soon after the move, they should commence on demo of the remaining buildings.

Jasonhouse, do you know any more about The Slade ... it doesn't look like that's a "done deal" after all. They tore down one building about a week ago, but there has been no activity since, and I have yet to see anyone enter the Sales Center, even on the weekends.

I really can't talk about that one, but let's just say that I don't think my company would be getting paid to do the work we're doing for them if it wasn't going to occur.

Developers Scrap Over Plan
By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 23, 2007

CHANNEL DISTRICT - Two developers are at odds over their condominium projects.

Fida Sirdar will ask the city council on Thursday for zoning approval for his third Channel District project, a 38-story condo tower at Kennedy Boulevard and Meridian Avenue.

But at a May 16 community meeting, Miami developer Juan Porro said Sirdar's unnamed project would block some views at his eight-story, retail-condo complex, The Slade, which will wrap around Meridian near Kennedy and Washington Street.

A fuming Porro, who arrived midmeeting from a flight, said he was waiting to see plans provided by Sirdar to determine how his soon-to-be-built Slade would be affected.

'I will not support the project,' he said later.

But city urban planner Wilson Stair said Sirdar's plans have been filed with the city for months. He said the Channel District has quickly become an urban setting, and 'developers need to look at what possibly is going next door and plan for it.'

Porro also said Sirdar's project doesn't include open space: 'The project will hurt the community.'

Wilson said Sirdar's 1.3-acre site is too small for a park.

'We have been working with them Sirdar's Key Developers so this building will activate the street,' he said. 'They have really softened it up, adding landscaping and cafes, instead of something sterile.'

Resident and business owner Henry Lewis brought a letter from the Channel District Council board, of which he's a member, stating that the board doesn't believe Sirdar's project is neighborhood-friendly.

Lewis, who leases space in his City Blue Print Co., 207 N. 11{+t}{+h} St., to Porro for The Slade sales office, said Sirdar isn't contributing to the community in exchange for getting city waivers on the height and density of his project.

Michael Chen, the city's Channel District liaison, said the neighborhood hasn't voted on whether it supports Sirdar's project.

Sirdar, who also is developing The Place at Channelside, said his 259-condo tower will resemble a piece of sculpture in its design.

He also said his decision to bring the project up to the highest certification from the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council, involving efficient water and energy use, will cost $6 million to $7 million upfront, in addition to the base cost of $120 million for the condo building and garage.

'I'm taken aback by the criticism,' Sirdar said.

In other Channel District news, Chen said street paving and curb work should be finished by August. He said the cost would about equal the $240,000 in local tax dollars set aside for the repair work.

As for hiring a district arts adviser, Chen said consultants first would need to be hired to advise residents on selecting someone to promote the arts.

'This has taken forever,' city Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena said in exasperation.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/may/23/developers-scrap-over-plan/?news

Porro dumbfounds me for thinking that Slade's views would be kept forever. It was obvious that it wouldn't be long until more dense and urban towers got in their way.

Anyway it seems like Sirdar is doing the right hting, adding in landscapes and retail. (with hopefully finally getting some on Meridian) It is not like Sidar isn't use to fighting for his projects though, if you remeber what happened with Place Phase 2, he'll get it approved.

What view does the Slade have anyway? If he isn't happy...he can always build taller! I hope the tower gets approved and built!

Is this the tower we have been calling Place III?

Is this the tower we have been calling Place III?

Yes it is.

This rendering originally posted by bueller is a good indicator. Slade is the white building behind the tower on the left side. Although it won't be that white in real life, I assume that is just for rendering purposes.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/JordanA_015/theplace3gq5.jpg

lolololol.... I'm not going to get into the specifics of it, but let's just say that Porro has either known, or should have known for months that this was coming...


ps.... this is why the boxy slab concept that the folks at Wilson Miller came up with in the Channel District master plan wasn't going to work... Once a lot gets built with a slab, then nothing around it can be developed, else the people in the existing slab feel like they're living in a kennel.

^^ Exactly!

Come to think of it, why doesn't he just change the name from the Slade to "The Slab?" It sure as hell resembles one!

Ventana and the Place Phase I -- Have closings begun, yet, on these buildings? They look close to being complete, particularly Ventana.

Ventana closed about 7-9 units last week. The interior of the units are quite nice, but the H.O.A. fees and all are quite astonishing. The builder has them subsidized for 2007 & 2008, with 2009 being at the stabilized rate.

The Place, on the other hand, just announced another delay of closings. Closings were supposed to start two weeks ago, but are now being pushed back. They don't have their final inspections, C.O. or condo docs filed yet, so I still think they have another 3-4 weeks to go (minimum). The building is looking great though...





Ventana and the Place Phase I -- Have closings begun, yet, on these buildings? They look close to being complete, particularly Ventana.

Ventana closed about 7-9 units last week. The interior of the units are quite nice, but the H.O.A. fees and all are quite astonishing. The builder has them subsidized for 2007 & 2008, with 2009 being at the stabilized rate.

What's included in the HOA fees? I know that at Grand Central the rates look pretty high until you factor in heating/cooling/internet/phone/cable are all included. That's in addition to the usual water/gas and what not.

Wanna note that David P. over at www.tamparail.org has a quicktime video of the development along Channelside drive (and the Trolley route). The video is supposed to be an argument for the 1/3rd of a mile expansion of the trolley system

The Martin has opened its sale center...

The developers of Grand Central at Kennedy have opened the sales center for their next project called The Martin at Meridian. Located at 1115 E. Twiggs Street is the sales center. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. visitors will be able to tour a full size model of a studio unit and review a model of the entire building.

http://www.tampasdowntown.com/newsletter.aspx?newid=67

What's included in the HOA fees? I know that at Grand Central the rates look pretty high until you factor in heating/cooling/internet/phone/cable are all included. That's in addition to the usual water/gas and what not.

You're right about Grand Central.. Once you take a look at the cable, internet, phone, A/C, hot/cold water being included, their fees don't seem all that bad (assuming you wanted cable/internet/phone). For Ventana, their smallest unit (1 Bed/Den/2 Bath) will be just over $500/month once the developer guarantee period ends. I believe they include cable tv, but that's it.

I imagine higher fees would be expected in a smaller building that still contains all the amenities of the larger ones. Fewer units to share the expenses of the association. Still, Ventana is a very nice condo building, just reserved for those willing to pay a premium for the more intimate community feel.

I read a press release last week that The Place will be the first condo building in Tampa to be wired exclusively for Verizon Fios.. It also inferred that the HOA will include Fios digital tv and internet service, with internet speeds at 30 Mbps (That’s fast!).

The Martin has opened its sale center...

The developers of Grand Central at Kennedy have opened the sales center for their next project called The Martin at Meridian. Located at 1115 E. Twiggs Street is the sales center. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. visitors will be able to tour a full size model of a studio unit and review a model of the entire building.

http://www.tampasdowntown.com/newsletter.aspx?newid=67


Thes sales center for The Martin has actually been open for a few months, now. When I reported to that building in late February to do my walkthrough of Grand Central, the sales center had been operational for at least a month. They had a great model of a studio condo that you could walk through. They also had a scale model of the building that you could view.

I read a press release last week that The Place will be the first condo building in Tampa to be wired exclusively for Verizon Fios.. It also inferred that the HOA will include Fios digital tv and internet service, with internet speeds at 30 Mbps (That’s fast!).

That's great to hear. More of these buildings should be running fiber. My parents have FiOS (they are in N Tampa) and it's amazingly fast. But it is Fiber To the Premesis so you need it coming to your door. That's why you can't get it in multiple occupancy buildings.

I'm guessing that Element will be doing the same thing since they have advertised very high-speed internet.

http://www.urbanstudio.com/indexflash.html

Just notice this website and has pretty great renders of Navio, Del Villar, The Martin, Grand Central, and The Kennedy Residences of Channelside. It also has a great map of developements that are happening in Channelside. Although I don't know what the 2 towers on the Port side of Kennedy are.

Just go to "Portfolio" and it will bring you to a mass of things to pick and you can easily notice all the projects.

Yes it is.

This rendering originally posted by bueller is a good indicator. Slade is the white building behind the tower on the left side. Although it won't be that white in real life, I assume that is just for rendering purposes.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/JordanA_015/theplace3gq5.jpg
Are we sure that this is Place Phase III? Because I just came of the website of Hariri Pontarini Architects and it shows the same render and calls it "Great Gulf I". I don't know if this architect is with the other, but I just thought it was weird.

We've seen renderings for Great Gulf, but it looked very different.

Also, isn't Navio dead?

Imagine the density Channelside would have if all of these projects were going up... many of them aren't so great aesthetically, but just imagine...

We've seen renderings for Great Gulf, but it looked very different.
Well, looking back at the website, the developer is also working w/ the developers of Place I and II, so this might be III if it isn't called the Great Gulf.


http://www.hariripontarini.com/#5

Hmm, maybe they made a mistake on their website. There are two images for the Great Gulf, of different buildings. One is the building we have been calling Place III.

Are we sure that this is Place Phase III? Because I just came of the website of Hariri Pontarini Architects and it shows the same render and calls it "Great Gulf I". I don't know if this architect is with the other, but I just thought it was weird.

Also, the apparent location of the tower in the rendering right next to Slade matches that of what has been described in articles about the project. I'm also thinking it is just a mix up by Hariri Pontarini.

Also, isn't Navio dead?

Imagine the density Channelside would have if all of these projects were going up... many of them aren't so great aesthetically, but just imagine...
While I really dig the look of Navio, I also really wish that Navio and the Martin were both redesigned to be taller, thinner towers, instead of hulking 250ft slabs...

The greedy flippers are getting nervous about The Place. Ha!

Buyers file suit to back out of condo deals before completion

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/02/Business/Buyers_file_suit_to_b.shtml

In what could be a sign of things to come in the sluggish housing market, a prominent Tampa condominium project faces 34 lawsuits from buyers trying to back out of their deals.

The Place at Channelside, along with about a dozen other condo projects, has led a residential renaissance of the city. But unlike some pie-in-the-sky deals like Trump Tower Tampa, the Place at Channelside is weeks from completion.

That's the problem: Some buyers who paid top dollar in 2004 and 2005 are afraid to take possession of what they fear is a depreciating asset in the housing slump.

"They locked in at the height of the condo boom and the units are not worth what they paid, " said Tampa lawyer Harry Coe, who represents seven buyers.

Coe's clients put down deposits from $35, 000 to $40, 000. To justify the 11th-hour jitters, buyers have invoked a federal law requiring completion of condos from two years of the contract date.

Key Developers Group started construction in April 2005 on the 245 units in two, eight-story buildings at Channelside Drive and Washington Street. Buyers sued after the two-year deadline expired.

Developer Fida Sirdar said construction was knocked off schedule by Hurricane Katrina, a PVC pipe shortage and soil problems. Condos, which cost about $180, 000 to $1.5-million, start closing June 18.

Sirdar blamed the suits on a small group of buyers acting in bad faith. "They will either have to buy or forfeit their deposits. It's as simple as that, " he said.

Maybe it is depreciating a little now, but these people should realize once the slump is over soon, and the neighborhood has more completed projects, values are going to go way up.

Actually from what I haer values in downtown have dropped less percentage wise then in the burbs.

^That is all true.

Yeah, these people are sort of... silly. I hope their claims will hold up in court, to be honest. Hopefully Sirdar doesn't refund their deposits.

This Craigslist ad might shed some light why some buyers are so upset at not getting amazing [immediate] returns on The Place...

http://tampa.craigslist.org/rfs/343526142.html

This is your chance to make a killing!! No joke! We put deposits on Six 2bed/2ba condos at The Place At Channelside, the premier residential desination in the downtown,Channelside District! We put these deposits down 2 years ago and now they are ready! They are currently selling for $500.00 a sqft we locked in two years ago in the $300's. Do the math, that's an easy small fortune for you!! They are assignable but are closing this month!! We are keeping three for our selves but here is your chance to make big $$. They range from 1245sqft to 1745sqft! You need to act fast on this!! These are going to go fast!! Example: 1245sqftx500.00=$622,000! We locked in at $369,900!! Are you kidding me!!!
First come first serve! Money talks!

This person claims to have 6 units reserved! ha. Flip flip flip bankrupt. Kind of hard to believe the developer let someone buy so many though.

^It says "we"... Who knows who was buying what...

The guy posting the ad is a realtor with Signature Realty... This guy has violated a number of FREC rules with this ad, including not disclosing that he's a licensed real estate agent, misrepresentation/possible fraud (the current values are not at $500.00/ft), and offering real estate with a claim that most likely triggers a "securities" offering status.

I for one am a big supporter of The Place, Grand Central, and all of the CBD/Channelside in general, but its idiots like these that I wish would just go away...

Very sloppy for a real estate agent... Very sloppy. Probably hired by sloppy "investors" who became over extended. Regardless of the idiots, The Place looks great and I'm excited for it to open.

Wow, I would delete that per my own longstanding policy on not endorsing idiocy around here (except my own, of course...lol), but I'm leaving it up and folks can make up their own minds about it.

Man hurt in Channelside stabbing

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3399563&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Last Edited: Tuesday, 05 Jun 2007, 5:24 AM EDT
Created: Monday, 04 Jun 2007, 10:52 PM EDT
TAMPA – Tampa police are investigating a late-night stabbing that occurred at a popular entertainment complex on Monday.

Investigators say a man was stabbed repeatedly in front of the Grille 29 Restaurant at the Channelside entertainment complex at around 10:30 p.m.

Officers say the victim was stabbed repeatedly in the head, and he has serious injuries. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment.

The man's attacker ran away from the scene.

There's no word yet on the motive for the attack, or the victim's condition.

I certainly hope that Channelside doesn't go the way of Ybor.... I've always enjoyed Channelside's perceived safer environment, but if this stuff starts becoming commonplace, we can kiss the Channel District future goodbye.

I drive through the Channel District almost every day and also find it a bit odd that graffiti seems to be rampant and occurring on a daily basis... Has anyone seen the Victory Lofts parking garage wall? Graffiti vandals painted a 15' x 10' (approx) area. Def. not the high-end urban residential feel I was expecting... This isn't to say that it will never happen (it is urban), but it seems to be rampant.

I'd like to see one of the developers offer up one of those empty retail spaces for a police substation. Anyone else think this is a good idea? It's worked well for other neighborhoods, like Carrollwood/Northdale.

^^ I think it's an absolute necessity. Yes, it's a good idea, ditampa.

Are any of the developments in channelside providing security? Does anyone know?

The main police station is like 4 blocks away from Channelside! A sub station would be ridiculous. And besides, nothing kills the fun of an entertainment district like a police station. Channelside (the complex) always has a lot of cops around anyway.

The main police station is like 4 blocks away from Channelside! A sub station would be ridiculous. And besides, nothing kills the fun of an entertainment district like a police station. Channelside (the complex) always has a lot of cops around anyway.

I'm not suggesting they have a full-blown police office, but a small substation where police can offer a presence that currently doesn't exist. It's worked for other areas of Tampa... The officers assigned to that area use the office to do paperwork, etc. They're never open all the time, but they are excellent in letting would be criminals know they might get caught... It's a wiin-win. The city gets free space and the residents get some additional level of comfort.

Police officers inside the Channelside complex are great, but that doesn't have the same effect on the 1000+ residents that will be calling the Channel District home.

Here's a map from the TPD website that shows crime in CBD/Channelside for the month of March. As you can see, Channelside, is not the problem. It's actually the safest place to be in the neighborhood. If I zoomed out a bit more you see almost the whole party area of Ybor is red, the worst on their scale. If you want a sub station anywhere, it should be in Ybor. I hear there is lots of space available in Centro...

http://jongales.com/pics/downtown-tampa-crime-march-2007.gif

FYI most of the crimes appear to be assaults and DUI with some stolen property tossed in for good measure. Auto thefts are not a problem in all of CBD/Channelside/Ybor (surprisingly). If you want to play with it yourself, the website is here (http://www.tampagov.net/appl_police_crime_activity_maps/mappage.asp). It's really adjustable and impressed me the first time I saw it (which is fairly hard to do with a web app considering that's my profession).

I certainly hope that Channelside doesn't go the way of Ybor.... I've always enjoyed Channelside's perceived safer environment, but if this stuff starts becoming commonplace, we can kiss the Channel District future goodbye.



I'd like to see one of the developers offer up one of those empty retail spaces for a police substation. Anyone else think this is a good idea? It's worked well for other neighborhoods, like Carrollwood/Northdale.
I'm sorry, but this is an overreaction which verges on paranoia imho. And no, it makes no sense whatsoever to pay for a police substation, when the police HQ is like 7 blocks away. if Channelside residents dumbly want to blow their TIF money on such a thing, go for it... Just dont' expect general funds to pay for something not even remotely needed. The city has blown enough money destroying Ybor with their half-assed schemes, I pray they leave Channelside the hell alone.

Just frickin' RELAX people. People will be people no matter where they live.




[edit... THANK YOU for the crime stats Jonkee... makes my point for me]

Let me just state that I'm all for a healthy debate and discussion, and don't take any of the points presented here personally. (I hope you all don't thnk I am, at least)

I have to ask though, what is the explanation for why their is a constant problem with grafitti in the Channel District and not downtown/harbour island? It concerns me that I see new structures (i.e. Victory Lofts and City Blue Building) with grafitti already painted on them.

Yes, I'll be the first to admit my proposal/suggestion is extreme, but I'd rather the city (or TIF District) be proactive and demonstrate that crime, on any level, will not be ignored in the Channel District (they should demonstrate that everywhere). I just get the sense that the bad apples that are tarnishing Ybor are thinking Channelside will be their next playground.

My background is in development and have spoken with many people (residents and business owners) who already think people are crazy to live in the Channel District (I disagree). Their perception of dirty air, bad streets, poor drainage, industrial surroundings already leaves a big question mark as to the livability.

All we need is to add the perception of crime to rule out the Channel District as a place for developers/buyers to make a large investment in. I can tell you first hand that as a developer, there would be a lot of other places I'd invest my money if the Channel District started to gain the perception of med/high crime. Perception is bigger than reality...

Thanks for the crime stats map by the way. It's interesting to see just how much crime occurs in Ybor. Quite shocking.

I always thought that wall on Victory was asking for trouble, it was left unpainted and it fronts andeserted lot with no foot or vehicle traffic. On top of that it is unlit. It took a while to get tagged, Victory isn't new, so I wouldn't call the problem "rampant". The larger projects in the area [will] have their own security, Grand Central already does for example.

The folks at Victory should have already painted over it and installed some lighting. Unless they like it, graffiti certainly does add to that loft feel :).

All we need is to add the perception of crime to rule out the Channel District as a place for developers/buyers to make a large investment in. I can tell you first hand that as a developer, there would be a lot of other places I'd invest my money if the Channel District started to gain the perception of med/high crime. Perception is bigger than reality...

If folks don't want Channelside to have the stigma of being crime ridden, when the reality is that it isn't, then perhaps people shouldn't fly off on a tizzy every single time something goes down... (not talking about you at all bro, I'm speaking of the community in general)


Or hmm, maybe people should get a grip, and realize that shit happens no matter what we do. You cannot stop it, you can only control it. IT IS UNDER CONTROL, and the statistics bear that out (yes, even in Ybor).

meh. After checking out the crime stats, maybe a substation is a bit hasty, but I do agree that it can work as a deterrence.

Thanks for the link, jonknee. :)

Let me just state that I'm all for a healthy debate and discussion, and don't take any of the points presented here personally. (I hope you all don't thnk I am, at least)

I have to ask though, what is the explanation for why their is a constant problem with grafitti in the Channel District and not downtown/harbour island? It concerns me that I see new structures (i.e. Victory Lofts and City Blue Building) with grafitti already painted on them.

Yes, I'll be the first to admit my proposal/suggestion is extreme, but I'd rather the city (or TIF District) be proactive and demonstrate that crime, on any level, will not be ignored in the Channel District (they should demonstrate that everywhere). I just get the sense that the bad apples that are tarnishing Ybor are thinking Channelside will be their next playground.

My background is in development and have spoken with many people (residents and business owners) who already think people are crazy to live in the Channel District (I disagree). Their perception of dirty air, bad streets, poor drainage, industrial surroundings already leaves a big question mark as to the livability.

All we need is to add the perception of crime to rule out the Channel District as a place for developers/buyers to make a large investment in. I can tell you first hand that as a developer, there would be a lot of other places I'd invest my money if the Channel District started to gain the perception of med/high crime. Perception is bigger than reality...

Thanks for the crime stats map by the way. It's interesting to see just how much crime occurs in Ybor. Quite shocking.


I would think crime would actually decrease as more people move into the area... more eyes watching the bad guys would deter them from the vandalism.

substation? Why the hell not just have officers on foot through downtown? Shit, it's not like this is a distant suburb, or a great distance to cover (between the Police Department and Channelside).

It ain't no thing.

That would be really cool.

What federal law requires completion of a condo in 2 years? Seems odd that the feds would be involved with this type of issue?

34 out of 245, seems like a lot, and these are only the buyers which have filed suit so far?

If a developer keeps a $50,000 deposit, does that mean the developer would be willing to sell for $50,000 less than the 2005 price?

The greedy flippers are getting nervous about The Place. Ha!

Buyers file suit to back out of condo deals before completion

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/02/Business/Buyers_file_suit_to_b.shtml

In what could be a sign of things to come in the sluggish housing market, a prominent Tampa condominium project faces 34 lawsuits from buyers trying to back out of their deals.

The Place at Channelside, along with about a dozen other condo projects, has led a residential renaissance of the city. But unlike some pie-in-the-sky deals like Trump Tower Tampa, the Place at Channelside is weeks from completion.

That's the problem: Some buyers who paid top dollar in 2004 and 2005 are afraid to take possession of what they fear is a depreciating asset in the housing slump.

"They locked in at the height of the condo boom and the units are not worth what they paid, " said Tampa lawyer Harry Coe, who represents seven buyers.

Coe's clients put down deposits from $35, 000 to $40, 000. To justify the 11th-hour jitters, buyers have invoked a federal law requiring completion of condos from two years of the contract date.

Key Developers Group started construction in April 2005 on the 245 units in two, eight-story buildings at Channelside Drive and Washington Street. Buyers sued after the two-year deadline expired.

Developer Fida Sirdar said construction was knocked off schedule by Hurricane Katrina, a PVC pipe shortage and soil problems. Condos, which cost about $180, 000 to $1.5-million, start closing June 18.

Sirdar blamed the suits on a small group of buyers acting in bad faith. "They will either have to buy or forfeit their deposits. It's as simple as that, " he said.

If a developer keeps a $50,000 deposit, does that mean the developer would be willing to sell for $50,000 less than the 2005 price?

The developer will try to get as much for the unit as possible so no, he wouldn't give you a better price by $50,000 automatic. It's possible prices have dropped that much since '05 in general and/or the market demands a lower price for the units but it wouldn't be a $50,000 decrease.

Sounds like unless the development has gone down in value from original contract price, developers should welcome walk-aways, as they keep the deposit, and sell at the same or higher price.

I wonder if under that federal law, the buyers get all of their deposits back.

I had my Attorney review the contracts for my clients and the devopers are in the right. They can and will keep the deposits from the buyers. The federal law that says they must complete the project within 2 years is loaded with time extensions for weather delays, product shortages, etc. and they buyers don't have a leg to stand on. They are/were just like Vegas gamblers and now that they've seen the dealers cards want there money back with no risk. Too Bad:cry: They never should have gambled on real estate if they weren't prepared to close and hold the property for several years before realizing a gain. The smart ones will do just that. Close, rent/hold and sell when the district matures in 4-5 years.

I had my Attorney review the contracts for my clients and the devopers are in the right. They can and will keep the deposits from the buyers. The federal law that says they must complete the project within 2 years is loaded with time extensions for weather delays, product shortages, etc. and they buyers don't have a leg to stand on. They are/were just like Vegas gamblers and now that they've seen the dealers cards want there money back with no risk. Too Bad:cry: They never should have gambled on real estate if they weren't prepared to close and hold the property for several years before realizing a gain. The smart ones will do just that. Close, rent/hold and sell when the district matures in 4-5 years.

I hate to say it, but I am laughing at those who speculated in the real estate market. They drove up the prices for the rest of us, so now they deserve to pay the price of their foolishness.

I had my Attorney review the contracts for my clients and the devopers are in the right. They can and will keep the deposits from the buyers. The federal law that says they must complete the project within 2 years is loaded with time extensions for weather delays, product shortages, etc. and they buyers don't have a leg to stand on. They are/were just like Vegas gamblers and now that they've seen the dealers cards want there money back with no risk. Too Bad:cry: They never should have gambled on real estate if they weren't prepared to close and hold the property for several years before realizing a gain. The smart ones will do just that. Close, rent/hold and sell when the district matures in 4-5 years.

Makes sense. The law was created to protect consumers from crooked developers who take money and don't get projects finished. *Cough* SimDag *Cough*

I'm from Missouri, what is the number or citation to this law? with a little research we should be able to determine if they will get their money back.

Most of those preconstruction deals do not include a financing contingency; it doesn't seem right to require someone to wait an infinity to close. Stuff happens, incomes go down, couples divorce, financing gets tighter, interest rates go up. There probably is some cut-off point which allows a buyer out.

If the lawyers are worth their pay, deadlines and what not should be in the contract signed by both parties. Timing is one of the basics for almost any contract.

Just a few updates ...

Pirates Cove still isn't open. Met the owner yesterday, and he said they're scheduled for a July 4th weekend opening. Looks like it could be pretty cool ...

Zelda's Cafe and Deli isn't open yet either. Also met the owner, who is the former chef of the Tampa Yacht Club, and he said that the city's architectural committee is making him change a lot of stuff he didn't expect. I'm pretty psyched about this place -- his words were "I'm going to be making gourmet food on the go which changes daily ... so don't worry about cooking"

The Slade's original sales office closed mid-week and now there's fence around that building as well. They've torn down about half of the area, so hope they get started up again soon. By the way, City Blue (the offices where the Slade moved into) was installing sidewalks around their building yesterday.

Seaport is going up FAST!!!! One building already to the third floor and three others under construction.

Grand Central (where I live) has gotten a lot more residents and office workers. I'd say about 50 cars in the garage during the day from the offices, and on weekends, the pool area is hopping (probably 50-60 people or so last weekend).

Ventana has definitely had some move ins -- still haven't seen anyone, but 4-5 condos have patio furniture/plants outside.

The Place, at a distance, doesn't look great ... but looks fantastic when you are right in front of it. Still, if they don't build Place II, that one corner is going to look awful.

Place Phase 3, the tallest ever approved project in Channelside was indeed approved last night according to http://www.villagerealestate.blogspot.com/:

Key Developers brought a much anticipate green project to city council for rezoning tonight. Located at Kennedy and Meridian, the building will be LEED certified, which involves efficient water and energy use. In exchange for the certification, they received huge height and density concessions. There was dissension primarily from the adjacent project, The Slade which will be impacted on 2 sides by the 7 story parking garage- site plan below, Key Dev project in grey. The project looks great and was approved by city council. On a side note: Is WilsonMiller in every developers payroll? and why have the become the de facto authority on urban architecture.


The renderings of the project we've already seen plus some sort of site plan we haven't are over at village real estate.

I really hope they build the Place Phase II and III. I agree with that kentski that the corner there would look awful without Phase II being built. I do wonder about the color they chose, but maybe it will grow on me when the building is complete. Channelside is really coming together.

I like the green, because when it comes to using a "different" color, that green is about as safe as it gets imo...

I'm having a hard time understanding exactly where The Place Phase III would be built. They say at the corner of Kennedy and Meridian, but isn't the Slade going to be right at the corner of Kennedy and Meridian?

Think of the Slade as a backwards "L" - the top is the corner of Kennedy and 11th St, then goes down to the corner of Washington and 11th St, and then West to the corner of Washington and Meridian.

That leaves the last corner of the block - Kennedy and Meridian - for the Key Developers project.

Hence the Slade's objections to the project... They were asking for it though.

Ok, I was thinking that the "circular" corner of the Slade was going to be positioned right at Meridian and Kennedy. It appears, though, that the characteristic corners of the Slade will be at 11th and Kennedy and at 11th and Washington.

Even though the Place Phase III will be right on top of The Slade, I think the projects will compliment each other. I really hope Phase III is built.

I'm having a hard time understanding exactly where The Place Phase III would be built. They say at the corner of Kennedy and Meridian, but isn't the Slade going to be right at the corner of Kennedy and Meridian?

Use this site plan posted at VRE:
The bottom left of the plan is the intersection of Meridian and Kennedy. The grey shaded in portion is Place Phase 3. The rest of the block which is colored white is Slade. Slade only does not touch the intersection of Kennedy and Meridian on that block, while that is the only itersection Place Phase 3 is at.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/JordanA_015/site.jpg

So really, the block with Slade and Place Phase 3 will be 6-8 story slabness between Slade and the parking garage of Place 3. With a single 38 story tower at one corner. Similar thing with Place 1, 2 and Model T building on its block.

Channelside blocks are larger so in order to build up density I would really prefer 3-4 towers per block. I guess that's what happens though when the government drastically changes the development strategy mid-way through a boom.

^ This is Tampa...we can't get things right now matter what we do.

Hence the Slade's objections to the project... They were asking for it though.
Yes, it was quite myopic to propose a project on their parcel, when there was still a buildable parcel bewteen them and their valuable westward vista.

Tampa's nascent developers are learning real fast about view corridors, and how other projects can kill their views, if they don't account for potential blockage in their designs... Not too smart imo.

I think Slade should have been a point tower to begin with...then maybe their views wouldn't get blocked. I don't think anyone can really count on their views...except maybe the people on Bayshore.

^The problem there is, nobody bothers to think of what the views will be in the future, even though pricing is heavily influenced by the allure of a view.

Problem is they (Slade) were working within the rules of the "vision" for Channelside - short and box-like - a vision that has gone out the window several times over. I'm sure other Devs that have not broken ground are revisiting their designs and will be coming before council to request new zoning -read:taller-point which I think is what should have been allowed all along. Slade's timing was just off- if they could build taller no doubt they would.

Even if the new development followed the old rules the Slade would have lost their views on those 2 sides. Am I wrong? Scratch the tower and the views are still blocked right>?

The rest of the new project is still as high as the slade.

Very true. The Place 3 is going to be as tall in the base portion if not a little taller.

Looks like this will be replacing the Hurricane Pass Outfitters (going out of business).

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jun/20/bz-channelsides-owner-still-entertaining-offers/?news-money

Channelside's Owner Still Entertaining Offers
By TED JACKOVICS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2007

TAMPA - The owner of Channelside Bay Plaza has discussed selling the retail, restaurant, and entertainment complex, but no deal appears imminent.

Joel Suskin, chief financial officer of the private real estate investment firm that holds $4 billion of property, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., said offers for property Ashkenazy owns 'happen all the time.'

The company owns a number of high-profile retail outlets including Barney's in Manhattan and Union Station in Washington. Ashkenazy obtained the Channelside complex in 2005 from Orix Real Estate Equities for an undisclosed sum. The company leases the Channelside land from the Tampa Port Authority.

A commercial broker said his firm is one of two that have been working for Ashkenazy for about a year to interest prospective buyers in the 4.5 acre complex near downtown Tampa.

'We have had some preliminary meetings with various capital sources, but no financials have been delivered,' said Jim Michalak, manager partner of Tampa-based Plaza Advisors.

In recent months the complex, which is operated by a company Ashkenazy formed called Channelside Bay Mall LLC, has been the source of contention about whether some new tenants have followed the city and county's vision of a family-oriented retail, restaurant and entertainment venue.

Those issues came to public light last month at port authority meeting.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who serves as a port authority commissioner, and some Channelside tenants questioned the operating company's oversight after reports of public rowdiness outside venues that serve alcohol.

On Tuesday, Iorio said conditions at the complex seem to have improved.

Channelside Bay Mall's Tampa-based attorney told the port authority in a letter dated June 4 that it would comply with the port's request not to lease any more first floor space to bars.

The letter from Jaime Austrich also said the landlord asked the owner of two Channelside nightclubs, McGraw's and Slingshots, to cease an Internet marketing promotion that offers patrons 'Free shots all night long Friday and Saturday!' The promotion has been dropped, Austrich said. The lawyer also said in the letter that Channelside is moving to hire off-duty Tampa police officers to beef up security on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, Guy Revelle, an investor in four other businesses at Channelside - Splitsville, Stump's Supper Club, Tinatapa's and Howl at the Moon - said at Tuesday's port meeting that business at the complex remained fragile and patrons' perceptions of the atmosphere there remain critical to its future success.

'We don't want to see a tipping point' in business, Revelle said.

V. Stephen Cohen, Revelle's Tampa-based attorney, said in a letter to the port authority Monday that his client wants to know what the authority intends to do if a new tenant planned at the complex, Wet Willie's, opens as a bar.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817 and tjackovics@tampatrib.com.

Vandals Targeting Channel District

By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2007

CHANNEL DISTRICT Artist Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations left his vehicle out one night recently and woke up to considerable damage.

Sembler Investment developer Darian Johnson can't keep three warehouses and three sheds - slated to be demolished along Meridian Avenue for a mixed-use complex - clean of graffiti.

Then there's the nightclubs and bars at Channelside, the nearby retail and entertainment complex.

'Every morning, there's new vandalism,' Victory Lofts resident Francine Messano said. 'About 2 or 3 a.m., we have groups of people roaming through our neighborhood.'

Channel District Council members vented about the unrelenting crime in the area at the monthly meeting held last week at The Florida Aquarium.

'The police are doing what they can, but this hasn't stopped vandalism,' said Ken Stoltenberg, the developer of a trio of residential projects who also lives in the Channel District.

What disturbs Bill White, founding president of the 15-year-old council, is as more residents move in and the area's popularity grows, the image will suffer.

'We're a family neighborhood,' he said, 'not a party place.'

Stoltenberg proposed hiring extra duty Tampa Police Department officers 'because security is a paramount issue.'

'This may or may not be the way to go,' he said.

Shannon Zytczak, the department's extra duty office manager, said a number of communities hire officers at rates beginning at $32 an hour. The officers have arrest authority and drive marked vehicles.

'It's an extra deterrent,' she said. 'They pay attention to details such as a resident leaving a garage door up or someone running stop signs.'

Neighborhoods such as Beach Park or Heritage Isles employ the officers 'when they are getting hit with a lot by crime, and this works very effectively,' Zytczak said.

Meanwhile, residents such as Messano said they will continue to report vandalism.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jun/27/st-vandals-targeting-channel-district/?news

For all of those who said I was crazy for believing the Channel District was having crime issues that warranted additional police and community crime prevention, this article evidences exactly what my concerns are....

I don't live in the Channel District right now, but I am there at least 2-3 times a day and can easily see the evidence of criminal activity. Potential residents, visitors, and developers are surely seeing the same thing I'm 100% certain that this will have a negative impact for future growth of the district, unless something is done asap to stop it.

For the developers and residents to actually step up and proclaim the problem, these crime issues are having a much greater impact than many of the people on this forum stated they believed a couple of weeks ago. Developer and residents historically don't go public with criminal issues in their neighborhoods, unless they are already seeing the negative impacts.

I realize we're not talking rapes, murders, and other violent crimes here, but we are talking about quality of life (such as feeling reasonably secure in your neighborhood and not spending thousands a month/year to repair damage from vandals).

Vandals Targeting Channel District

CHANNEL DISTRICT Artist Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations left his vehicle out one night recently and woke up to considerable damage........

'Every morning, there's new vandalism,' Victory Lofts resident Francine Messano said. 'About 2 or 3 a.m., we have groups of people roaming through our neighborhood.'

As a resident of the Channel District, I see the graffiti issue as a temporary problem. Although I'm not thrilled when new graffiti appears in the neighborhood, it has almost exclusively (with a few exceptions) been confined to abandoned buildings or the cinderblock wall facing an empty lot next to Victory Lofts.

The recent demolition of the empty warehouses that will eventually be the home of the Slade have taken away a good percentage of their "canvas." Demo of the Sembler properties would help as well.

I believe as more people move into the area, the increased general foot traffic and presence on the streeet of residents, plus the additional security officers, will help decrease the problem.

Messano has a tendency to exagerate the issues in order for them to be addressed, which seems to be working.

The problem is these are low class clubs. Low class clubs attract low class people.

The problem is these are low class clubs. Low class clubs attract low class people.

Which Tampa (and surrounding areas) have an overabundance of. Clubs or no clubs, just like in Ybor, the close proximity to the ghetto will probably always make this sort of thing a problem. Hopefully it remains non-violent crime.

'We're a family neighborhood,' he said, 'not a party place.'

I have seen tons of families living in Channelside... Actually wait, I haven't seen any. None. There are 5 bars and no play grounds. It's about as kid friendly as Sun City Center. Give me a break.

^LOLOLOL... I was coming to post the same quote and add a "say what???" to the mix...

As is usually the case around here, we have residents spouting off who don't know what they are talking about, essentially wind up being the ones giving the area a bad name (because as in this case, they grossly overstate the reality of the problem).

You're living downtown, in a former industrial area which has only begun to be redeveloped into a mixed residential and entertainment destination... WHAT did you think you were going to experience?

'We're a family neighborhood,' he said, 'not a party place.'

He must be confusing what he WANTS the district to be and what it IS. No resident could really be that dellusional.

It's remarkable that almost without exception it's the people who seem to be clueless about a neighborhood are the ones that put in the time to be on the associations and councils.

Channelside has never been a family neighborhood and I don't think that has even been a stated goal. Ever. One of the big selling points is that it's *not* a family neighborhood (no baseballs hitting your car, stroller derbies on the weekend, kids in the pool, etc). One look at the floor plans or amenities of any building in the district shows that. It's designed for singles or couples. Bottom line.

Does anyone know if residents have started moving into "The Place"? It looks like there are some lights on in some of the condos.

According to Craigslist there are units in The Place that are move-in ready.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/search/hhh?query=the+place+channelside

Has anyone had a chance to snap a few recent shots of The Place? I'm curious as to how it has turned out.

Does anyone know if residents have started moving into "The Place"? It looks like there are some lights on in some of the condos.

As of last Sunday, when I was walking by, a car was pulling out and one of the construction guys says to me "Can you believe there are people living in here?" I asked him how many and he said "six" -- don't know how he knew that number, but people have moved in.

The Place has turned out very nice, especially after they added the landscaping and lighting a few weeks ago. I will snap some shots this weekend and post them if I get the chance.

I've been pretty pleased with all of the recent projects - Grand Central, Ventana and the Place. Hope this trend continues.

Other Channelside news - they've almost completely demolished the warehouses on the corner of 11th and Washington where the Slade will be going up later this year. Unfortunately, they must have hit a main water line in yesterday's demo, as it was a good-sized gusher that required the fire dept and water dept around 5:30 pm.

The Place has turned out very nice, especially after they added the landscaping and lighting a few weeks ago. I will snap some shots this weekend and post them if I get the chance.

I've been pretty pleased with all of the recent projects - Grand Central, Ventana and the Place. Hope this trend continues.

Other Channelside news - they've almost completely demolished the warehouses on the corner of 11th and Washington where the Slade will be going up later this year. Unfortunately, they must have hit a main water line in yesterday's demo, as it was a good-sized gusher that required the fire dept and water dept around 5:30 pm.

I was in the Channel District right by the Slade when they hit it, about 3pm or so. It was odd though, the water was gushing up through an area that the building used to occupy... (Right on the Southeast corner of the building) I thought fire hydrants/water mains had to be in the right-of-way.

Is anyone going to the Channelside Party on July 4th?
I plan on hitting it up or atleast going somewhere where I can see the fireworks over the city.

Sit on top of the Channelside Parking Garage (if security allows it). Or the 15th Street garage in YBor City. Just Kidding.

Is anyone going to the Channelside Party on July 4th?
I plan on hitting it up or atleast going somewhere where I can see the fireworks over the city.
Odds are good.

Update on the Slade...

As most people know, I cannot make extensive or detailed commentary on this project... However, I can note that this project is definitely moving forward and has about a 99.5% of getting built some time in the not-too-distant future.

Well, they cleared and now appear to be leveling the lot - so that would seem to be the case

Right now, This channel is relagated to industry and Cruise operations. I think at least the Channelside Dr side will eventually become commercial/residential use. Do any of you all think it will eventually fill up with more cruiseship docks or maybe become a marina in part or all?

^The Fairmont proposal was going to utilize the channel. I don't think we ever found out how exactly before the project died, but it was probably some docks.

It does provide an interesting border for development for the area. Really frames it in.

seems like the port could move further south down the shore perhaps create fingers of land in to the bay to create more space for land facilities. That may reduce the pressure to use Ybor channel for it's current use.

The land surrounding the northern rim of Ybor Channel, pretty much all the way around to Sahlman Drive is in the process of being rezoned, with much of it being applied to be rezoned CBD100, or whatever it's called. (the highest allowable use downtown)

Anyone driven by the Towers of Channelside lately? They look almost exactly like they did a few months ago. I was by on a weekday last week and there weren't signs of any workers present.

I'm guessing they will miss the scheduled opening of August 2007 (according to the latest update on their website) by a long shot. The street level is still heavily in construction, not to mention the amenities deck.

Here's a photo of said deck taken a few weeks ago:

http://images.craigslist.org/010301010309010403200707099b3dc8f61286061392009e8e.jpg

Jonknee, I noticed the same thing about TOC as well. It appears like the inside of the units have been progressing very nicely, but the outside sure needs a real boost.

On a slightly different subject, has anyone noticed The Place? No closings have been recorded yet (by the Clerk's office). I been driving by often and have seen no signs of anyone living there (no furniture on the balconies, no moving trucks, etc). I thought closings were supposed to start last month?

Nice, Jonknee. One thing I remeber from the rendering of the Towers, is that they had a very large and green amenity deck:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/8finaltowers.jpg

Then again, they do have a nice sized plot of land.

Twin Towers O' Tampa is what I call em.
I love this building though, i can't wait for it to be finished, i wonder why its takin so long.

http://images.craigslist.org/01030601040101040320070709c1a70c9f765cfbf1d5001bcf.jpg

Here's an interior shot taken the same day as the deck, it's on the 20th floor. Other unit shots I have seen seem more complete, but it's variable probably depending on floor. For the number of units and size of this project, you would expect workers to be crawling all over the site... It's always a ghost town when I'm around, there is a security guard or two but that's about it. There isn't fencing around either, so you can see how unfinished the base level is. The last 10% of a building is all details and with the dollar per sq ft prices they charged there are going to be a lot of little details. That should mean tons of workers.

I was/am really excited about this project being done. There is supposed to be a lot of retail. I'm hoping for a good restaurant/cafe, the current crop in Channelside is really bleak. And yea, that amenities deck is definitely tops for the whole area--looks like a resort.

yesterday I was driving through Ybor and Channelside to check out my condo and the others and I saw this guy sitting in a chair outside of Grand Central holding a sign saying Buyer Beware,etc...and a cop was questioning him...anyone know anything about this? or what his gripe with grand central is?

yesterday I was driving through Ybor and Channelside to check out my condo and the others and I saw this guy sitting in a chair outside of Grand Central holding a sign saying Buyer Beware,etc...and a cop was questioning him...anyone know anything about this? or what his gripe with grand central is?

I saw the same guy out there for the last three Saturdays... I stopped and tried to ask him what his beef was all about and he didn't want to say. Very odd... Usually people with signs like that are telling anyone and everyone what their beef is. He did say he was an owner though, so he's technically allowed to be on the property.

^^ Well this is certainly a downer. :( I wonder what's up? I'm surprised that there hasn't been an article about this in the local papers. Seems newsworthy to me. :dunno:

I live there, and I wanted to find out what his gripe was as well, so I asked him last week.

In one word -- NUTJOB!

All he would say is "the developer is in default". When I asked him why, he said "I was supposed to move in December 13, 2006" ... and the conversation just got nuttier from there. Seriously, if you want to have a good laugh (pretty sad actually, as he seems to have some mental illness), call the number he has on his poster and talk to him. He's a total nutcase but, unfortunately, we're stuck with him.

(I think its not even his condo -- I heard a security guard saying that its his daughter's condo).

maybe he wanted to get his deposit back when the market took a downturn and they wouldn't give it back to him even though the project took longer than expected.

Or maybe he won the Pennsylvania lottery and they won't give him his money?

Or maybe he won the Pennsylvania lottery and they won't give him his money?

I see that guy all the time around Gunn hwy and Anderson road walking with his sign

That is funny, because there is a guy with the same sign, everyday, on Sheldon, about a quarter mile before Hillsborough. He sets up a lawn chair and sits (sleeps) for hours at a time. What is his deal?

I wonder if it is the same time, because that is quite a distance from Gunn and Sheldon... old man with white hair and a Santa Clause beard

Well, stuck at the airport so thought I'd update what I've seen this weekend in the 'hood:

(1) Seaport Apartments really coming along (maybe they can build faster because they're apartments? Someone in the biz can let us know?). One building looks topped out, and two others are up to the fourth floors. Barring bad weather, this should be going with rentals by early next year.
(2) I've grown into a fan of The Place, particularly the 12th Street side. Drive down and take a look at the kinda funky park benches they've put in ... I really like it. However, what's going on with the retail spaces? They're barely eight feet deep, so wondering what's going in there? There are people moving in -- I've seen a few moving trucks in the past week.
(3) Jason posted earlier, and has much more knowledge about The Slade than me, but I do now revise my earlier comments about it being 50-50 whether they'll break ground by next year. They're doing considerable demo work -- seems like more than they'd need to do if they're going to keep it vacant. Just the work in the past week has been impressive -- it's almost completely clear and flat, with tons of tow trucks taking away dirt in the mornings.
(4) Pirates Cove is open at Channelside. I spoke to who I think is the new owner, Sean ... I'm psyched about that place. The White Castle equipment is up and functioning, and they're having traditional breakfast offerings in the morning (as Sean said, starting at 7am on cruise days and 10am on other days).
(5) A lot of action at The Towers at Channelside recently, particuarly at the lower retail areas ... walked by today and its starting to look really nice.
(6) I haven't seen anyone at Ventana yet, but I'd say about 1/4 of the balconies have furniture, so people are there.
(7) Grand Central, where I am, is really starting to pick up ... to the point where they have to have a full-time security guard at the pool deck alone on weekends. In the open building, as of last week, 60 of the units were fully occupied. Developers are having a BBQ this Sunday so I'll post more as I hear.
(8) Zelda's is still having problems with the city, and hasn't opened yet.

That's all for now. Off to a plane ...

kentski

The Slade's odds are higher than 50/50, I'll tell you that much.

Ken, great update man.... Thanks for that.

That is funny, because there is a guy with the same sign, everyday, on Sheldon, about a quarter mile before Hillsborough. He sets up a lawn chair and sits (sleeps) for hours at a time. What is his deal?

I wonder if it is the same time, because that is quite a distance from Gunn and Sheldon... old man with white hair and a Santa Clause beard

dont wanna keep it running off topic but too funny i live on sheldon and i see this guy every single day, i dont know how he does it lol..

I noticed for the first time, tonight, that there is a big pile of dirt behind Grand Central and two construction trailers beside the pile of dirt. A sign outside the trailers said "BECK". (This may have been there for a while, but I just hadn't seen it before.) Even so, I was wondering if there is a possibility that there could be construction on the Martin starting soon?

I was actually starting to grow leery that the Martin would ever get off the ground. If you go to the website for Grand Central and the Martin (www.notthesuburbs.com), it now takes you to the Grand Central site by default. Until recently, it would direct you to the Martin site and, to access the Grand Central site, you had to click on the Grand Central "tab". Now it's just the opposite -- as if the developers are mainly focused on Grand Central, getting all the units sold that ended up not closing.

ok back to the thread topic...i was just thinking and i read yesterdays paper i think it was where they were mentioing how Iorio is on the comission for the Port i think it was?!?...anyways, they were stating how they want to keep it family -friendly and nothing like Ybor which is a good idea i think. NOW.....what are the chances that of some of the towers that wont go up due to lack of sales, would any of these developers consider creating any entertainment attractions in the area..its a nice area for it nothing major but it would compliment the riverwalk and channelside already has an IMAX and aquarium....any possibilities of that happening or pretty much a flat out NO!?!

Maybe he uses some of the money to ride a bus to Channelside. It is a possibility.

^^ i don't know who "He" is but I am guessing you don't either...

Slade's property is completely demolished. Only thing left on the block is the section for the GREEN Building that the Slade developer bitched about.....

What did the Slade developer think was going to happen with the extra land? I guess he wanted a park.

A sign outside the trailers said "BECK". (This may have been there for a while, but I just hadn't seen it before.)

Good sign, Beck is a general contractor.

Even so, I was wondering if there is a possibility that there could be construction on the Martin starting soon?

I was actually starting to grow leery that the Martin would ever get off the ground.

It seems like the developer is still moving forward with the Martin. In late June, they picked an architecture firm "The Scott Partnership Architecture" out of Orlando for the project:

Scott Partnership Architecture Designs Mixed-Use Project with Multifamily Component

By Kelly Sheehan, Online News Editor

JUNE 26, 2007 -- Tampa, Fla. -- The Scott Partnership Architecture Inc. (TSPA), an architecture firm headquartered in Orlando, is designing the Martin at Meridian, a 731,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use project in Tampa, Fla. Developed by Mercury Advisors LLC, the project will have condominium and office components.

As the architect of record, TSPA will provide schematic design, design development, construction documents, and permitting with optional construction administration, and observation. Scheduled to break ground in early 2008, the preliminary construction budget for the Martin is estimated at approximately $60 million.

The project is located in the up-and-coming Channelside district of Tampa, which, until recently, consisted of old warehouses that provided storage for the Port Authority Tampa Harbor. The Martin will be a 22-story, contemporary high-rise tower. It will consist of 322 units ranging from 604 to 1,480 square feet. The exterior of the building will be made of glass and concrete.

TSPA also recently designed nearby Grand Central at Kennedy, a 1.5-million mixed-use, high-rise project, as part of the “new urbanist” redevelopment of the Channelside District.

http://www.multi-housingnews.com/photos/2007/06/channel2.jpg

http://www.multi-housingnews.com/photos/2007/06/channel1.jpg

http://www.multi-housingnews.com/multihousing/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003603817

I finally found a shot of The Place. Not the best angle, but at least it gives some of us an idea of what the finished product looks like. You can also see Ventana towering in the background...

I really hope someone here will snap a few decent shots here soon. Channelside is starting to look quite attractive. ;)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1293/839631787_97e964411d_o.jpg

Thanks to Kevin McGuire at Flickr - congrats on your recent marriage. Best of luck! :)

^From that picture it almost appears a very little wall is forming from Place, 1000, and Ventana.

I was actually starting to grow leery that the Martin would ever get off the ground. If you go to the website for Grand Central and the Martin (www.notthesuburbs.com), it now takes you to the Grand Central site by default. Until recently, it would direct you to the Martin site and, to access the Grand Central site, you had to click on the Grand Central "tab". Now it's just the opposite -- as if the developers are mainly focused on Grand Central, getting all the units sold that ended up not closing.

The Martin at Meridian website is still active.

I just wrote a very short article earlier on my blog about this project (although kinda vague). If you can read between the lines, we shall hear about their announcement soon and it's not going to be pleasant.

^From that picture it almost appears a very little wall is forming from Place, 1000, and Ventana.
I didn't even think it was Channelside Dr. So much has changed on that stretch! Pretty amazing!

I drove through tonight and there were a lot of lights on in the East most tower of Towers at Channelside. When those are done they are going to be a great add, even with just some of the balcony lights on it makes a big difference. It also looks like the tops will be lit in a decretive fashion.

That is funny, because there is a guy with the same sign, everyday, on Sheldon, about a quarter mile before Hillsborough. He sets up a lawn chair and sits (sleeps) for hours at a time. What is his deal?

I wonder if it is the same time, because that is quite a distance from Gunn and Sheldon... old man with white hair and a Santa Clause beard

Lol there's more than one apparently, cus he used to be at the corner of 275 and Bearse, then he moved to Fletcher, and the last time I saw him was at Busch and 275.
I actually have never seen him between Gunn and Anderson, my girlfriend lives near Anderson and Gunn, and I'm out there everday.
Never driven on Sheldon that far down, so I've never see him there either.
Don't know. Funny though.


SORRY.

Excellent picture Quegiebo, deffintly adds a lot of perspective on Channelside.
I love it.

I saw the guy at Grand Central with the Buyer Beware sign when I was on the urban homes tour. Pretty wierd stuff.

I saw the guy at Grand Central with the Buyer Beware sign when I was on the urban homes tour. Pretty wierd stuff.

I live in Grand Central and I actually asked this Buyer Beware guy nicely his side of the story. As someone here probably mentioned before, he is mad because the developer did not finish on time December 2006. He wants his deposit back because the developer didn't produce a product as marketed. And then I asked him more questions and he just kept repeating the same thing over and over. :bash:

I was having a beer with Ken, the developer, along with other owners at Grand Central. I nonchalantly mentioned the guy and he stated that the Buyer Beware guy also bought 5 other units from other condo projects.

I have a feeling that we will see this guy once again in the future.

I was on the Urban Tour and saw that guy beiong escorted away by the TPD.

4-way stop at Forum gets boost
A developer's office project may soon change a three-way intersection.

TAMPA - The city of Tampa has plans to create a new four-way intersection near the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown's Channel District.

Although the project has been discussed for years, it may be speeded up by a developer's plans to build a new 20-story office building nearby.

Currently, Cumberland Avenue west of Meridian Avenue dead-ends in a grassy parking lot between the St. Pete Times Forum and the ConAgra flour mill. However, Cumberland continues on the east side of Meridian and runs beneath the Channelside parking garage.

The city's plan would punch Cumberland through to Meridian on the west side, creating a four-way intersection where there's a three-way intersection now.

Monday afternoon, the city entered into an agreement with the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority for access to a sliver of land that the authority controls at Cumberland's dead end.

The city hurried to get on the Expressway Authority's agenda Monday after it got a rezoning proposal last week for a new office tower near this site, at the northwest corner of Meridian Avenue and Channelside Drive.

The city didn't tell the Expressway Authority when it plans to extend the street. City transportation officials couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

Extending Cumberland Drive would improve the street grid in the area, said Marty Stone, the Expressway Authority's planning director.

"It's been discussed for at least six or seven years. It's always been a great idea, but the city has never had the commitment to do it," Stone said.

In other business Monday, the Expressway Authority formally hired its new executive director, Joseph L. Waggoner Jr., agreeing to pay him $175,000 a year plus a $500 monthly car allowance.

http://sptimes.com/2007/07/24/Hillsborough/4_way_stop_at_Forum_g.shtml

What's the Post Properties project that's being rumored in channelside? Is it just the seaport project or something else?

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBQBWF9Q4F.html

Aquarium Parking Lot May Sprout Park
Published: Jul 30, 2007

TAMPA - With green space at a premium in the Channel District, a 7-acre Florida Aquarium parking lot is being eyed as a potential park site.

Michael Chen, the city's Channel District liaison, recently said the city-owned lot could potentially house underground stormwater vaults, essential for the community's planned infrastructure.

The location of the vaults will be determined when engineering studies are completed; a park on top of the vaults is feasible.

Chen said there are other possibilities for the 500-space lot: an aquarium parking deck and expanded exhibit space, or a multiuse building with a small park.

Thom Stork, the aquarium's chief executive officer, said the facility's 10-year lease with the city for the parking lot has expired and a new one is being negotiated.

"There's no doubt that's valuable land," Stork said. "But I would hope our partnership with the city would be able to determine what the future is for that property."

Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena said she doesn't want a deal struck with a developer before the plea for a park is heard. She wants a public meeting held soon.

"This land is so important to the people who live there," Saul-Sena said.

IMO The appropriate space for a park is the Con Agra site. Is Con Agra a permanent fixture or has there been talk of them leaving.

I think the aquarium needs space to expand. They need more exhibits. If you've been there once, it takes about 45 mins to see everything again. They need new marine life exhibited, maybe Dolphins or Manatees or something.

Here's some additional information to jonknee's post, and according to Ken Stoltenberg, the developer behind the 22-story Martin, this project will break ground before the end of the year. Of all the potential projects...

Land For Park Or Parking?

http://snap.tbo.com/images/photos/100038/2007/07/28/gallery/1680437.jpg
ROBERT BURKE / The Tampa Tribune

Ken Stoltenberg admires a skyline view of downtown Tampa
from a balcony at Grand Central at Kennedy. A highrise condo
unit near Meridian and Kennedy includes a 48 meter pool on
an upper floor and some units have balconies. He's the Director
of Mercury Adv

By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 28, 2007

CHANNEL DISTRICT - When developer Ken Stoltenberg wants to walk his two dogs at his Grand Central at Kennedy condominium, it's no problem. He built a dog walk around the ninth-floor swimming pool.

'Not everyone has access to this,' he said, laughing.

But Stoltenberg does plan a ¾-acre park at his latest residential project, the 22-story The Martin, which will break ground at the end of this year. That means a park - for people and dogs - could be open in 2009 at Twiggs Street and Meridian Drive, next to Grand Central, which opened this spring.

'Parks down here are a critical need,' Stoltenberg said. 'As more and more people move in, we need green space.'

Another developer, Novare, proposes a ½-acre park at its 29-story project on 11th Street, although that tower has been delayed while the Atlanta-based developer and its local partner, intowngroup, focus on their downtown projects, the recently opened SkyPoint and The Element, which is under construction.

So it was little wonder city council members were enthused recently when the city's Channel District liaison, Michael Chen, mentioned that the city owns 7 acres that could become a park.

One hitch: The site is home to 500 parking spaces for The Florida Aquarium.

Chen said that may not always be the case, although 'a wide range of stakeholders for that property would have to come to the table.' He said small parks, possibly of 1 to 2 acres, are part of the neighborhood's strategic action plan.

Chen said the site could potentially house underground stormwater vaults, essential for the community's planned infrastructure. The location of the vaults will be determined when engineering studies are completed; a park on top of the vaults is feasible.

There are other possibilities for the city property, Chen said: an aquarium parking deck and expanded exhibit space or a multiuse building with a small park.

'If we could gain some right to use it the city's land, that would be nice,' said Stoltenberg, who plans a third condominium project, Del Villar on Channelside Drive.

Thom Stork, the aquarium's chief executive officer, said the facility's 10-year lease with the city for the parking lot has expired and a new one is being negotiated.

'There's no doubt that's valuable land,' Stork said. 'But I would hope our partnership with the city would be able to determine what the future is for that property,' he said.

Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena said she doesn't want a deal struck with a developer before the plea for a park is heard.

'Not that this city administration would do that,' she said, 'but some have in the past.'

She wants a public meeting held soon.

'This land is so important to the people who live there,' Saul-Sena said.

Chen said no appraisal or market analysis have been done on the property.

Councilwoman Mary Mulhern said the community needs green space.

'There's nowhere to walk,' she said. 'It's not going to work as a neighborhood with just towers.'

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/28/st-land-for-park-or-parking/?news

Here's the 7-acre parking lot in question:

http://snap.tbo.com/images/photos/100038/2007/07/28/zoom/1680439.jpg
photo by Paul Lamison

Here's another angle with a nice shot of the Florida aquarium

http://snap.tbo.com/images/photos/100038/2007/07/28/zoom/1680438.jpg
photo by Paul Lamison

And for those who are unfamiliar, here's a photo of The Martin.

http://www.tampa4u.com/martin/martin-1.jpg

Once again, Tampa does not disappoint with its myopic/stupid ideas. Ok, say you build a park there - what vistas do you open up? (None because there is a cruiseship terminal there) What do you connect? (nothing) Is it central? (No) Does it do harm? (Yes, it eats into the possibility of growing the aquarium - both exhibit and parking [garage hopefully] space) are there any advantages? (only that they already own it)

Any park should be directed towards the business area to connect the whole of downton, which means they will go forward with this idea - its quick, its easy and its bad - perfect.

Here are a few updated shot of Channelside projects. I've also added corresponding pics from late 2006 to compare apples to apples.

Grand Central Before
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN0617.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN2810.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN2809.jpg


Grand Central After
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3220.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3223.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3226.jpg

Ventana Before
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN0618.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN2798.jpg

Ventana After
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3232.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3231.jpg

The Place I Before
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN0645.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN2801.jpg

The Place I After
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3235.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3241.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3243.jpg

And here's a couple Before pics for The Slade -
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3221.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l313/mbrechwald/DSCN3245.jpg

FLHAWK,

Did you take these pictures today? I was driving around Channelside this afternoon and I saw someone walking around taking pictures of that exact lot. :nuts:

Probably me! Who else would be taking pics of an empty lot??? :lol:

Probably me! Who else would be taking pics of an empty lot??? :lol:

Indeed it was! You also captured me in one of the pics! Haha :lol: :lol:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/Afguy1985/DSCN3223.jpg

Nice work, Hawk! :) Thanks for posting the pics, especially those showing progress of The Place. Looks like the project turned out really nice.

lolol



I was working on The Slade at work today. Something is definitely happening there very soon.

The Slade - I got an email yesterday saying that they're having the Groundbreaking Ceremony sometime in September, and on Sunday, someone was out putting up some nice new signs saying "Coming Soon".

The Place - People have definitely moved in. I'm starting to see plants/patio furniture outside, and I've seen 4-6 units with lights on at night. I wonder how many they've closed on.

Seaport - I sound like a broken record, but this thing is going up way fast. I'll see if I can get some pics this weekend, since I haven't seen any on here before.

^Ok.. I was waiting for something like that... The Slade closes today on their construction financing (with a Top 5 bank, not some fly-by-night hedge fund, which I think is a great sign for the market)... Construction is indeed happening sooner, not later.

I saved a copy of an article in the SP Times that indicates that The Slade will be a 23 story tower developed by Finergy LLC with 256 condos, 110 hotel rooms, and 57,000 s.f. of retail located on Kennedy between 11th and 12th. But the rendering I have shows an eight story building. Can anyone refresh my memory and provide a description of the project? Thanks!

www.thesladeatchannelside.com

By the way, JasonHouse, ate out for lunch today and glanced up at a TV that had a commercial for the Slade (I think on News Channel 8). VERY nice graphics ... was that you or your companies work?

Only saw 10-15 seconds of it, but its apparently on TampaBay on Demand (Channel 400-something) now ... so the Slade is moving forward fast. Looks like Channelside 2.0 might be starting up!

Wow, that is by far the lamest website I have seen in a long time. I guess in order to fit in at the Slade (Cum on Feel the Noize) you have to either be a be-stubbled Italio-Latin lover boy who lounges perpetually in your robe laughing idiotically or some meditative Taoist eating Ramen noodles from expensive (or antifreeze laden from China) pottery.

What if you are a normal person who wants to live in a city? I guess you try another project.

^lol...

Someone asked if I had something to do with the renderings... No, I do not...

The site may be lame, but atleast it appears they will be providing construction updates for us there:

http://www.thesladeatchannelside.com/photos.html

Here is my site picture taken from Grand Central last Sunday:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/JordanA_015/Buildings311.jpg

It looks like with construction apprently starting soon, this project should get its own thread soon...

In City's Shaky Condo Market, Slade Complex Gets Big Boost
Skip directly to the full story.
By SHANNON BEHNKEN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Aug 11, 2007



TAMPA - Can downtown handle yet another condo?

More than a dozen developers with plans to build condominiums are vying for lenders to fund their projects. In this slow housing market, persuading a lender to move forward is becoming a next to impossible pitch to make.

The Miami developer building The Slade at Channelside said it succeeded. It reached the 60 percent sales quota it needed to secure a loan of more than $66 million from Wells Fargo Bank, the company said Friday. With financing in hand, construction on the eight-story, 280-unit complex on the corner of 11th Street and Washington Street is to start Monday.

"We feel we have a very strong project, a great design and a great location," said Juan Porro, president of Cobalt Development Group.

The nod from the lender, Porro added, also may be enough to persuade buyers on the sidelines to deposit down payments on the remaining condos. Units were originally priced from $250,000 to $500,000.

There are 31 residential developments either under construction or planned for downtown. Those represent 11,608 units in the works, according to Tampa records. Thirteen buildings opened in recent years, and many of those condos units are back on the market for sale.

Some real estate experts say downtown may be oversaturated with condos, and developers that don't have financing in place by now may see their projects fizzle. That makes The Slade's accomplishment a feat, said Mark Vitner, an economist with Wachovia, the financial services company based in Charlotte, N.C.

"It's not a slam dunk by any means," Vitner said. "But it certainly increases the chances of this condo getting built."

Wachovia estimates there is an oversupply of 150,000 homes in Florida, 50,000 of which are condos.

Even so, Vitner said he is optimistic about Florida's long-term real estate outlook.

"Florida, and Tampa Bay particularly, remain incredibly attractive places to relocate, and that will ultimately matter more to the success of this and other projects than market conditions."

Others aren't so sure. Jack McCabe, owner of McCabe Research Consulting in Deerfield Beach, watches the condo market in Florida and said he is surprised Wells Fargo approved the loan for the Slade.

"Even in two years when this project is finished, there will still be record inventory and price declines," McCabe said. "It's a possibility prices could drop 20 percent over the next two years. Buyers who contract on a condo at a certain price now may find that prices have dropped below that price by the time they close on the loan."

Porro, of the development company building Slade, said construction money to build condos in this market is drying up, and he agrees that projects without financing now are unlikely to succeed.

He said, though, that he also thinks the financing his project now has is enough to pave the way to reality.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at sbehnken@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7804.

http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBWE00F75F.html

^Just remember, you heard it here over a week ago... sort of... ;)


(I did give a big clue when I said "Top 5 bank", which WF is)

ToC is further along than it looks from the outside, though I guess in recent weeks they have done a lot of street level work.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2007/08/13/story8.html?b=1186977600^1503852

Point of sale: Channelside project's retail condos show some movement
Tampa Bay Business Journal - August 10, 2007
by Michael Hinman

Staff Writer

TAMPA -- The already sizeable retail presence in Tampa's Channel District is getting larger.

Sacchi McGuinness & Hite, the developers behind The Towers of Channelside, have already sold four of its five retail units planned for the project along Channelside Drive, and they have the final one under contract.

"We think all these buyers add to the overall quality of our development," said Michael McGuiness, one of the developers of the twin 29-story condominium towers. "We're practically the only developer closing on retail, and we're already 4-for-4."

A chance for smaller retailers
McGuiness wouldn't name the buyers but did reveal that 5,000 square feet of retail space will be occupied by a restaurant and lounge, another 2,500 square feet is dedicated to a pizza shop and a 1,300-square-foot space will host a liquor package store.

State records show three of the four transactions, the most expensive going to Tower Holdings LLC for $1.1 million. Two other units were sold to CS Commercial LLC and Cumberland LLC for $880,000 and $619,000 respectively.

A fourth unit encompassing 3,500 square feet hasn't been announced yet, and the largest unit of 27,000 square feet is earmarked for a health club and a Starbucks location, McGuiness said.

"I think there's potential for smaller retailers like these for that particular area," said David Conn, a senior VP and retail specialist for CB Richard Ellis. "With the proximity to Harbour Island and the new condos in the Channel area, if someone puts in the right [retail] offering, they will have a chance, certainly."

Unit closings for the first condo tower started Monday, and move-ins are expected to begin later this month, McGuiness said. The first retail tenants could be opening their doors as early as Thanksgiving.

I'm glad that the ToC is finally nearing completion. I hope lots of people move in over the next decade. :)

A few updates ...

The West building of Grand Central started closings last week. According to the property management site, 11 condos have already moved in. Just went over to the building yesterday, and still needs a lot of work (no carpet, fitness center still very incomplete) but it is in much better shape than what we faced moving into the East building.

And the Slade looks like it is officially under construction. They've moved beyond just clearing and prepping the site. Lots of stuff going on today (pardon me, as I don't know construction, but they're boring lots of deep holes with water, and pouring what looks like sandy gravel into the holes). It's now 100% "a go".

Seaport is almost topped out ... two buildings have the tops of the fifth floors complete (can't remember if this is a five- or six-story building).

The Place definitely has residents ... on the 12th Street side, there are 6-8 patios with furniture now.

Zelda's has been open for about two weeks now. Decent sandwiches, but great daily specials. Check it out.

We're getting there, folks ...

Word on the street is the ToC will be getting a Red Brick Pizza.

^Hopefully it's good and not overpriced. I have no idea... I do know that NYPD ain't bad...

Red Brick Pizza is gourmet pizza. Its good and would make a great addition.

I'm always a little skeptical of 'gourmet pizza'. In my experience, that usually indicates something that is loosely defined as pizza at best...

Is it real pizza done well, or is it one of these 'creative' places, where they throw sea urchin and feta cheese on your pie and charge you $30 for it? bletch!!!



And btw, this again is the kind of discussion that should be occurring in the Skyway Lounge, NOT the development news thread. That is why I created the lounge... So that people could have community/neighborhood type discussions, without fouling up the rest of the forum... We gotta figure out a way to make sure that happens...

As Jason said, this should be in the lounge, but Red Brick (http://www.redbrickpizza.com/api/Index.cfm/cms.page/i/342/t/Pizza-Menu/) actually looks pretty neat. It's gourmet as in Neapolitan style (really thin crust, bakes in a wood fired oven for a minute or two) with fresh ingredients. You could go there on an evening date, which probably wouldn't be a good idea with NYPD.

Ok, last comment on pizza - if you want "gourmet" pizza, go to italy - where it is pretty normal but awesome. Otherwise, pizza is pizza. . .

More to the point - until they make the streets in Channeslide more pedestriam friendly the connection between the norht end of 12th and the south side will be lame and these stores will have limited customer base.

Yea, I know it's not far, but it seems far because it is not nice and there is nothing to see. . . yet

^Where are the wide sidewalks, shade and landscaping, which encourages foot traffic?

Well, I certainly agree that it will be some time before Channelside area is considered "pedestrian-friendly," but I can guarantee you as a resident that it's not a problem walking a couple blocks for a good slice of 'za.

The problem is crossing Cumberland. The CDC petitioned the city to paint crosswalk stripes (at the very least) at the corner of 12th and Cumberland, where the cars come zipping around the corner from Channelside Dr roundabout to the parking garage. It's a small step, but I think more needs to be done.

I also feel the city should put an additional ped Xing on Channelside in between the large sign (w/ lit up blue letters) and the entrance. This is where all the residents walking down 11th street (and some garage parkers) tend to cross.

I think we should do something with the pedestrian traffic like they have done on Marco Island. Pedestrians set off sensors when approaching an intersection and lights surrounding the crosswalk flash so people know to stop. It was the neatest thing I had ever seen.

^That requires allowing government to be funded enough to actually do its job for starters, and also requires forward thinking and creativity... All of which is lacking around here.

"Even in two years when this project is finished, there will still be record inventory and price declines," McCabe said. "It's a possibility prices could drop 20 percent over the next two years. Buyers who contract on a condo at a certain price now may find that prices have dropped below that price by the time they close on the loan."

If this happens, can the buyer renegotiate the price or can they back out and get their deposit back if it appraises for less than the price they signed their contract for?

I think we should do something with the pedestrian traffic like they have done on Marco Island. Pedestrians set off sensors when approaching an intersection and lights surrounding the crosswalk flash so people know to stop. It was the neatest thing I had ever seen.

You know, Pinellas has a good design down on Clearwater beach -- or at least before they started that stupid project that destroyed most of the parking. Timed cross walk signals that gave ample warning for pedestrians, crosswalks and warning signs without the zone-lights going off. The whole trick was to have the need because of the number of pedestrians in the area. That need will dictate everything else -- and right now there is virtually no need throughout downtown (let alone channelside)

^I think it's counterintuitive to expect the traffic to come before the infrastructure exists to serve it.

In a perfect setting, there would be enough pre-need movement to equip the area for pedestrian traffic. I guess that I just believe things still can be fixed in the future to better serve. It's not like they'd be widening Channelside Drive and then have to downsize it to better cater to local residents.

But the counter point is that where there is a strong need for better pedestrian friendly designs (the arena and at the Convention Center) the city has been absent on improving things much... And in fact, those pedestrians that are drawn to both venues have been vilified by the residents of Harbour Island because they block road traffic....

And thus we come back to the local paradox that dictates things all too often -- who is more important, the guy who walks or the guy who drives?

Did anyone else notice that the Martin's webpage now calls the units "apartments"? If Mercury Advisors has decided to go the apartment route until the market improves, that's still good for the Channel District (by time it's completed, hopefully the recently opened buildings will have stabilized). It also will help keep some momentum going, along with the Slade.

I know a couple of people here are relatively close to Ken S. at Mercury... Have you all heard anything to confirm this or have additional details?

Hmm. Their website (http://www.mercury-advisors.com/) talks about three projects and calls both Grand Central and Del Villar condominiums while the Martin has "residential units". Seems like you're onto something.

Another addition to our portfolio is The Martin at Meridian. This complex will consist of approximately 10,000 sq.ft. of office space and 322 residential units. Below you will find an artist's rendering of this project. The Martin at Meridian will be located next to Grand Central at Kennedy (see above). Construction start is anticipated in the 1st / 2nd quarter of 2008.

Did anyone else notice that the Martin's webpage now calls the units "apartments"? If Mercury Advisors has decided to go the apartment route until the market improves, that's still good for the Channel District (by time it's completed, hopefully the recently opened buildings will have stabilized). It also will help keep some momentum going, along with the Slade.

I know a couple of people here are relatively close to Ken S. at Mercury... Have you all heard anything to confirm this or have additional details?

I placed a hint on my condo blog (http://www.condoleaf.com/condo-news/) on July 20, 2007. It was a very subtle hint as I received the news directly. You can also see the post on this thread on the very same day.

Did anyone else notice that the Martin's webpage now calls the units "apartments"? If Mercury Advisors has decided to go the apartment route until the market improves, that's still good for the Channel District (by time it's completed, hopefully the recently opened buildings will have stabilized). It also will help keep some momentum going, along with the Slade.

I know a couple of people here are relatively close to Ken S. at Mercury... Have you all heard anything to confirm this or have additional details?


Wow! You are right. The website ( www.notthesuburbs.com (http://www.notthesuburbs.com) ) does, indeed, now call these units apartments rather than condos. Very interesting

Final some details on Towers at Channelside. Apparently people are moving in (news to me) and most of the retail is announced. Time for Skypoint to cough up the deats.


http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/31/Citytimes/Towers_of_Channelside.shtml

Towers of Channelside promise a martini, a good meal, a workout, more

CHANNEL DISTRICT - As residents filter into condo highrises nearby, retail plans are taking shape at the Towers of Channelside, promising posh dining, a pizza restaurant and a health clubjust east of downtown and north of the Channelside entertainment complex.

A developer talked this week about plans for the 257-unit development with two 29-story towers on E Cumberland Avenue. A 7,000-square-foot high-end lounge and restaurant called Aja will anchor the ground floor space. The two-story lounge will open between late January and early March, said Robert Solomon, a partner in the project.

"It's a very, very high end lounge," he said, where customers will be able to order a nice meal as late as 2:15 a.m. Solomon said the interior is being designed by an architect friend, Kirk Blaschke, who studied under the legendary Frank Gehry.

"Kirk and I visited the nicest lounges in Philly, New York and Los Angeles just to get ideas, what people are doing," he said.

A Red Brick Pizza franchise will also move into the complex, part of a long-planned Florida expansion of the company that is based in Palmdale, Calif.

A health club called Channel Club and Spa will take a 26,750-square-foot chunk of the second floor, said Michael McGuinness, a managing partner at the Towers of Channelside.

Plans are not firm for two remaining spaces. But Thomas Everett Lamb, who recently closed on a 1,235-square-foot retail unit, said he has had several recent inquiries from parties looking to lease or purchase it. One was interested in putting in an upscale salon and spa; another, a sundries store; yet another, a liquor store. A buyer looking for professional office space also has shown interest, Lamb said.

"I think now people are seeing that those towers are certainly not speculation," said Lamb, who is known around Tampa for designing high-end homes. "They're there, there are people moving in, and the job they've done is pretty terrific."

Solomon, one of the partners in Aja, envisions Harbour Island residents walking across the bridge to visit the complex.

"I believe it's important that we make it the best, that we bring quality," he said. "It's a fantastic area. We want to take extra special care of the (residents). We're going to make it their place."

While the Towers of Channelside retail space is filling up, two other major developments have yet to announce any tenants.

Since early summer, condo buyers have been moving into SkyPoint, the 32-story downtown residential building developed by Novare-Intown Group. But the developer is not ready to release information about retail tenants, a public relations agent hired by SkyPoint said this week.

And Grand Central at Kennedy, a 392-unit building at Kennedy Boulevard about three blocks north of the Towers of Channelside, changed its strategy three weeks ago. The developer decided to sell its retail spaces as "retail condominiums" instead of leasing them.

Some residents have moved in, but developers don't expect to close on any of Grand Central's 110,000 square feet of retail space until next year, said Don Seligman, sales agent and senior vice president of the Orlando-based Quest Co.

"We are now taking reservations," Seligman said.

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 22:36:31]

Did anyone else notice that the Martin's webpage now calls the units "apartments"? If Mercury Advisors has decided to go the apartment route until the market improves, that's still good for the Channel District (by time it's completed, hopefully the recently opened buildings will have stabilized). It also will help keep some momentum going, along with the Slade.

I know a couple of people here are relatively close to Ken S. at Mercury... Have you all heard anything to confirm this or have additional details?
This has been known for weeks, hasn't it?

^^^ News to me, maybe I just didn't catch it earlier.

Um, got an email from Frank Bombeeck about Del Villar here:


Dear Mr. Kramer,

We are currently working on our civil engineering and architectural drawings. This will be a 2008 project.

Kind regards,
Frank Bombeeck

So, Hopefully we will have a final render by Dec., Maybe Nov.

Did anyone else notice that the Martin's webpage now calls the units "apartments"? If Mercury Advisors has decided to go the apartment route until the market improves, that's still good for the Channel District (by time it's completed, hopefully the recently opened buildings will have stabilized). It also will help keep some momentum going, along with the Slade.

I know a couple of people here are relatively close to Ken S. at Mercury... Have you all heard anything to confirm this or have additional details?

It's official. They're focusing on selling their remaining inventory at Grand Central, then hoping to launch Del Villar next year. Smart move, I think, especially with The Slade breaking ground ... there would be far too much inventory around here if The Martin had broken around the same time as well.

Plus (I'm not in the know here, so correct me if I'm wrong), aren't the standards for building apartments easier in Florida than condos? Could he build The Martin as apartments faster and cheaper, then convert to condos when the market corrects again?

Standards aside, you don't have to deal with 350 different people and their personal preferences with umpteen details. That has to save a lot of time and money. There are a lot fewer variables when you're the only client.

So, Is the Martin not going to even break ground as apartments this year (or next year), and the emphasis is going to be on Del Villar condos, only? Or are they planning on breaking ground soon on the Martin as apartments followed by Del Villar as condos?

So, Is the Martin not going to even break ground as apartments this year (or next year), and the emphasis is going to be on Del Villar condos, only? Or are they planning on breaking ground soon on the Martin as apartments followed by Del Villar as condos?

From what I understand, it will be the Martin first (they haven't even started selling the Del Villar nor have a sales office), but I don't know if it will break ground this year (it's already September!). I'd say 1st/2nd Quarter of next year.

Remember, it'll be right across the street from Seaport, so I'd bet they'd want to wait until most of those apartments are rented.

^That would surely occur during Martin's construction... I suspect Mercury will start their project not long after Seaport finishes... Being right across the street and all, Seaport is in the way.(pretty sure Martin's construction will require lane closure, like GC@K did)

If they wait until Seaport is completely finished construction before they start the Martin, I would suspect they will be waiting for another year... Although, Seaport is almost topped out (one more floor to go), it's going to be a while before that place is ready to be occupied.

However, i don't think Seaport is causing any lane closures on Twiggs, which is the street that it shares with the Martin. It's set back far enough to where traffic is flowing freely on Twiggs... I would think that they would also try to keep Twiggs open during the construction of the Martin and maybe re-close Madison, if necessary.

Florida Aquarium may lose parking spaces to build park
Sunday, September 2, 2007

TAMPA (BAY News 9) -- The 10-year lease has run out on the Florida Aquarium's city-owned seven acre parking lot , which has room for about 500 vehicles.

The city is now deciding what's the best way to use the land in the future.

If the city decides to turn a portion of the land into a park, it could leave the aquarium in a parking pinch.

The growth of Tampa's Channelside district has brought in attractions like the Florida Aquarium, new businesses and most notably new residents.

But city council member Linda Saul-Sena said it's missing one key ingredient.

"Fifteen years ago when we opened the aquarium there were no residents in the channel district," said Linda Saul-Sena, Tampa city council. Now we have a lot of people moving in, they need a public park."

But the aquarium wants to renew the lease and continue letting it's 700,000 annual customers park there.

"Parking is obviously very important to us. It's important to our guests," said Tom Wagner, Florida Aquarium spokesperson. "And it's important to the residents here in Channelside."

Part of the seven acre parking lot may also be used to accommodate some of the aquarium's expansion plans.

Wagner said the facility is looking to expand it's exhibit space in the coming years.

But with the nearest park more than half-a-mile away behind the St. Pete Times Forum, the city's Channelside liason Michael Chen said the parking lot may be a thing of the past.

"Surface parking in Channelside is probably too expensive and somewhat of a waste of the land area itself," said
Michael Chen, Channelside Liason. "So we may have to go with structured parking and accommodate the needs of everyone through that."

So at this early stage, it appears the parking lot space may have to be shared, a portion becoming a park, with a new aquarium parking garage built next to it.

The city's expected to schedule a public meeting to get input about the issue.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/9/2/284812.html?title=Florida+Aquarium+may+lose+parking+spaces+to+build+park

===========
I'd say, build a parking garage for the aquarium and let Channelside have its park. Another park in Channelside would be a welcome sight.

As much parking as possible should be underground.

The aquarium does a good job in its parking lot of having some displays of plants with identifiacation signs. The city and the aqaurium could always partner to make at least a portion of the park educational.

channelside doesn't need a park. hahaha there aren't any kids living in channelside! people don't even use the parks in more populated parts of tampa. drive by most parks in tampa and you wouldn't even see a single soul utilizing them. how bout just improving curtis hixon park!?! how bout putting a hotel there instead? (not exactly sure how big the area they're referring to is)

I have already explained why a park there is a stupid idea - which means it is very likely. . . Then in a few years they will start knashing their teeth about lower attendance at the aquarium. . .

The park is, indeed, a disastrous idea.

Urbanite has pretty much rounded up what I was going to say. What will the purpose of the park be anyways? Most residents moving into the Channelside Area don't have kids and if they think that tourists will bring them to a park in the 90+ weather than to Gameworks or the movie theatre, then they are out of their minds. Build a damn parking garage and leave the rest of the parcel up for future development, not no stupid waste of money park.

You don't have to be a kid to appreciate some green space in an urban center of a city. IMO Is it the best sport for a park? Probably not, but Channelside does need a sizeable park, even if it is just to plan ahead to attract future FAMILIES with kids.

I appreciate green space but a park in channelside isn't a good fit, especially that location. every neighborhood doesn't have to have a park. they can make channelside green by putting grass on the medians,around buildings with some trees (not just palm trees)....if this space is directly on the water,it would be a good place for ferry service to and from downtown st pete.

I appreciate green space but a park in channelside isn't a good fit, especially that location. every neighborhood doesn't have to have a park. they can make channelside green by putting grass on the medians,around buildings with some trees (not just palm trees)....if this space is directly on the water,it would be a good place for ferry service to and from downtown st pete.

I disagree with at except maybe that the location is bad. It's nice to being able to walk around something other then on the sides of streets. It would also provide a nice space for some sizeable community outdoor activities. (Gaslight park may be getting a market for example) The Martin and Novare Channelside projects both include small (less then 1/2 acre) parks represeting the Northen and Central sections of the district. It'd be nice for the southern part to have a larger one. Maybe the future History Museum parking lot or the Blu site. You could run a DT ferry out of the Blu site. Starship already operates there.

You want a walkable community. You don't want Liverpool, England with every piece of land paved over and what not. Even an unused park with some trees that actually provide canopies and shade instead of ornamental tropical value would be welcome.

That location is arguable for a park. I always thought a core-channelside location was more important... Something central and in the middle of the density, not on the fringe of the district, near cultural, commercial and industrial interests.

idiotic location, pure and simple

So what if the location is bad? Build a d**m garage for the aquarium and let Channelside get its park. I'm sure there will be a creative design for it.

^^ "Just do it" is no solution.

A garage is definitely a good idea, that lot is huge and a waste of space. But a park not so much. I say leave it alone and wait for future development. But some retail slots in the bottom of the garage would be nice...

Florida Aquarium may lose parking spaces to build park
Sunday, September 2, 2007

TAMPA (BAY News 9) -- The 10-year lease has run out on the Florida Aquarium's city-owned seven acre parking lot , which has room for about 500 vehicles.

The city is now deciding what's the best way to use the land in the future.

If the city decides to turn a portion of the land into a park, it could leave the aquarium in a parking pinch.

The growth of Tampa's Channelside district has brought in attractions like the Florida Aquarium, new businesses and most notably new residents.

But city council member Linda Saul-Sena said it's missing one key ingredient.

"Fifteen years ago when we opened the aquarium there were no residents in the channel district," said Linda Saul-Sena, Tampa city council. Now we have a lot of people moving in, they need a public park."


For the love of God, please don't foul up the Aquarium's ability to expand... Didn't we learn our lesson with the dum-dum location of the TCC?



And I'm getting a little concerned that Linda Saul Senna seems to be pretty consistent about coming out on the wrong side of most any planning issue involving Tampa's urban spaces. At least in the end, she often comes around, or at least is respectable about having an opposing viewpoint (unlike say, Rhonda Storms).

idiotic location, pure and simple

yup.

a park is essential - to argue otherwise is, well, stupid.

this is a foul spot, though. yes, i realize that this is all the city has to work with. my advice? pursue a garage/mixed use option that is tastefully designed with the urban dweller in mind - green and amicable.

then pursue a better location for a park.

an open field in this spot would be useless. instead, make it utilitarian. making it useful AND attractive (spacious setbacks, plush landscaping) would be most desirable.

Or maybe they could pull a novare style parking garage with a park on the top?
Bahah. Guys don't you remember? Channelside IS a family neighborhood.

Certainly some impressive families in all of those 1 and 2 bedroom units...

For the love of God, please don't foul up the Aquarium's ability to expand... Didn't we learn our lesson with the dum-dum location of the TCC?



And I'm getting a little concerned that Linda Saul Senna seems to be pretty consistent about coming out on the wrong side of most any planning issue involving Tampa's urban spaces. At least in the end, she often comes around, or at least is respectable about having an opposing viewpoint (unlike say, Rhonda Storms).

I agree with the point about Saul-Sena. I have no clue where she gets her urban planning ideas from. For example, the Ashley Drive "pedestrian improvement" proposal. But this park thing really isn't that bad in my opinion. I understand its not the best location for a park, but it will be needed down the road as Channelside population increases.

As for Rhonda Storms, she has no regard for anything our citizens say, let alone any "good" politician. I don't understand why our people elected her to the state senate, where more than likely, she does absolutely NOTHING for the people. I wonder how many people she has insulted lately?

Saul-Sena is an urban planner. She is obsessed with the "village" idea, which is nice for residential neighborhoods - but not for mixed use, truly urban areas. She does not seems to get the distinction.

Curtis Hixon park isn't good enough or close enough??!!

Curtis Hixon Park don't have all that much. Which is why I'm glad they're going to redevelop that land (hehe).

Saul-Sena is an urban planner. She is obsessed with the "village" idea, which is nice for residential neighborhoods - but not for mixed use, truly urban areas. She does not seems to get the distinction.

Agreed. I still don't understand why she voted against IKEA either.

it's got grass on a waterfront..what do you want? monkey bars?

and lets not forget the Fort Brooke Park behind the Forum which is very nice

^^^
Yes, Ft. Brooke is very nice.

Fort Brooke can be nice when its not so hot out. It really lacks any shade what so ever.

Fort Brooke can be nice when its not so hot out. It really lacks any shade what so ever.

That's true.

what do you want? monkey bars?

:lol: Priceless.

Well, maybe a bit of landscaping would be nice for C.H. Actually, I like the redvelopment plan that is set up for the park.

Does anyone have a subscribtion to the Tampa Bay Biz Journal? There is an article about the Slade I want, but I do not want a partial article. It is about the lender.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2007/09/17/story7.html

Here is the link for someone who has a subscribtion.

Tidbit on Slade from the downtown partnership:

Also, beginning construction soon with its official groundbreaking on September 25th, Slade at Channelside will add 280 units to downtown’s growing residential collection.

http://www.tampasdowntown.com/newsletter.aspx?newid=67

Also, in case anyone wants to check it out, laurenvale18 told me this over at urbanplanet:

The Slade is having an official groundbreaking event 9/25 w/ the mayor speaking, etc. The land is cleared and construction vehicles have been there for the past few weeks. Sales are now at 60% They are also celebrating the unveiling of a fully furnished model unit in the Sales Gallery across from the build site.

And the event flyer from Slade's site:

http://www.thesladeatchannelside.com/imgs/groundbreakevite.jpg

^^
That's a neat rendering.

I like that building structure between the 2 main buildings.

^lol... That's a parking garage with some ground floor retail. On the west side along Meridian.

SFAIK, I'll be at the groundbreaking as my company's rep.

^lol... That's a parking garage with some ground floor retail. On the west side along Meridian.

SFAIK, I'll be at the groundbreaking as my company's rep.
well....still looks good! :D

Great disguise for parking.

The Place I is looking good.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/501534291_83336b99ca_b.jpg

http://flickr.com/photos/7376187@N06/501534291/

^^ Are these your photos. There are some great ones in this album

The Place I is looking good.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/501534291_83336b99ca_b.jpg

http://flickr.com/photos/7376187@N06/501534291/

^Nope.

My album is elsewhere. ;-) Nothing recent from me - I'm on the West Coast until summer.

Working from home now and, returning from lunch, there's a lot of demolition that just started today at 11th/Cumberland/Meridian (two bulldozers going full speed and a couple of the smaller old warehouses are already down) ... is Seaboard Square underway?

Other projects ... Slade is going well ... 40-50 workers out there today, along with lots of activity at Seaport (looks like the sixth floor is almost topped out in two buildings, and poured concete for the ground floor in the third building).

According to the condo manager at Grand Central, "140 units" now occupied here, but they're also now marketing the condos as rentals as well ... it's now a "sales/rental center" on the ninth floor. When I asked about retail, he mentioned that "Sweetbay has been inquiring recently" though, like previous rumours, I'll believe it when I see it.

SeaBoard Square is just about topped out....I'm not sure what your looking at...