Maybe bitching about every flaw that's in a project or design in this city, but some officials in this city are too high on their horse to even consider our opinions.

THat's my point. THat is Iorio.

That's funny because I walk the Riverwalk all the time. Last Sunday I was at Curtis Hixon and there were 40 people in a yoga class, probably 20 families, a football game, kids in the fountains, dads and sons playing catch, etc etc. Hundreds of people show up for the concerts and movie nights. It's a gem.

You were in a park on the river, not a Riverwalk. It has positive aspects, but it is not a gem. A gem does not have meters right next to the sign on the main street. . . among other things. Only a half assed planning system in a small minded, backwardlooking city would allow that.

You were in a park on the river, not a Riverwalk. It has positive aspects, but it is not a gem. A gem does not have meters right next to the sign on the main street. . . among other things. Only a half assed planning system in a small minded, backwardlooking city would allow that.

No, I was on the completed portion on the channel. The Pavillion bar is right on it and is a great place to catch happy hour, especially with the weather we've been having.

Bitch all you want that the park isn't the best in the world, but I'd rather just make the most of it and enjoy myself. Judging from the crowds, I'm not alone.

The Marriott and the Cotanchobee Park are Greco's work. . . I'd rather have someone who doesn't screw things up all the time - like the original subject of my comment - the Channelside garage extension . . .

I also like to enjoy nice things, but I see no reason to hand out awards for things not well done. Tampa is renown for having low expectations and mediocre results. I, for one, am sick of it. If you are ok with it, that's fine with me.

And the Marriott couldn't had been better designed or Cotanchobee Park couldn't had included more interactive features?

No, they could have. I am not singing Greco's praises - I am saying your singing Iorio's praises for things she did not do.

Oh, and she wants to let them tear down a lot of the Kress block . . . for what . . .for parking like the Maas lot . . .

Her sensibilities are straight out of 1980.

No, they could have. I am not singing Greco's praises - I am saying your singing Iorio's praises for things she did not do.
She did build a new TMA, she did redevelop Curtis Hixon, she did get Riverwalk started. I'm not singing her praises too, I did say that all those things could have been better, but what I'm saying is that she actually got them done. I just imagine what Tampa could be if Pam wasn't elected mayor, would we have these things (even though the're not the bests) accomplished with another one?

Is there a more active local Tampa Bay forum that talks about developments around town and especially what's going on downtown?

Thanks

^This one was very active a couple of years ago (used to get a few hundred posts a day, and thousands of page views daily), back when there were things being built. Now that nothing is really going on, there's nothing much to talk about.

Plus, a number of people are really put off by the recent election (I know I am), which bodes very poorly for future urban growth and transportation enhancements, which are the two main things we talk about here.

Even if this section is slow, its probably busier than all the rest that exist. With the down economy and kill of the transit referendum, this forum will likely be slower than it has been in the past couple months. I'll still be active, but I don't know about others.

Also, can we get a new Channelside thread?

I think a new Channelside thread would be nice.

As a newbie, I don't really wanna read through 101 pages of thread. :)

Besides, with the economy in the tank, I'm guessing a lot of planned stuff has stalled or been cancelled altogether.

Anybody care to do a quick rundown of what's been planned for Channelside in the coming months/years?

I think a new Channelside thread would be nice.

As a newbie, I don't really wanna read through 101 pages of thread. :)

Besides, with the economy in the tank, I'm guessing a lot of planned stuff has stalled or been cancelled altogether.

Anybody care to do a quick rundown of what's been planned for Channelside in the coming months/years?
Honestly, pretty much nothing. Prime Meridian is either postponed or cancelled, Indigo Hotel is likely postponed, The Martin will not be happening any time soon. There was talk about a club opening north of Towers of Channelside, don't know what has happened to that. The only recent development has be the awful parking garage.

Honestly, pretty much nothing. The only recent development has be the awful parking garage.

Awww. You hurt me with your words. :lol: We keep waiting for more businesses to move in near us so that we can make Channel District a destination. We're doing our part by bringing a lot of people that normally wouldn't come to the section of town. It's possible. We don't need more building development, we need to work with what we've got already.

^True enough. The last time came down to Tampa (live in SC now) I went to Channelside just to visit the Pour House and have a Southhampton Pumpkin Ale :)

Nice place you got there ILoveHops :)

--Joey

Awww. You hurt me with your words. :lol: We keep waiting for more businesses to move in near us so that we can make Channel District a destination. We're doing our part by bringing a lot of people that normally wouldn't come to the section of town. It's possible. We don't need more building development, we need to work with what we've got already.
Haha I didn't want ti to come off as hurtful, but it is the truth. I'm just tapping my feet waiting for things to get better so more retail, restaurants, and construction can start!

Just wanted to note that I was down in the Channelside area multiple times over the holiday weekend... And I just can't reiterate enough that the new Port Authority parking garage is an absolute urban planning DISASTER. It utterly and completely destroys the feel of the area near the Aquarium/Channelside complex and makes that stretch verifiably unattractive and unfriendly to pedestrians, especially residents trying to live in their own damn neighborhood. That garage should never have existed in its built form, and in my opinion should immediately be torn down, with the responsible officials losing their jobs in govt and being blacklisted from ever working for local govt again. This sort of breathtaking incompetence MUST be forcibly prevented in the future!

Jasonhouse for City Council.

I know they did a brownfield designation for the Northest site on Channelside this past Thursday, I don't know what that does for any potential development on that site.

^Probably makes it take even longer if anything.

Went by there for the first time this weekend - what an abomination. absolutely horrendous - though, with a bit of creativity, you could retrofit the bottom floor for retail once the idiots who built it are gone.

^Doesn't it look like a totally locked down storage facility? It's all security gates and fences smacking people in the face. on all sides.

And the only passage between the two garages for pedestrians directs people back towards the aquarium, and the passageway is 4' wide, tops. (and pretty much hidden, and is located right where all the traffic goes in and out of the garage, so it's an awesome experience)

This thread has been a little quiet of late, but there are a few Channelside items I've recently heard about that are of interest:

1) The Grand Central at Kennedy developers confirmed in December that they had been working with the Sweetbay grocery chain to place a location in the large retail space at the bottom of the east building of the site, but thay Sweetbay passed on starting a project there at this time. The developers are supposedly still working on getting a grocery store in that space.

2) Club Tampa (on N. 11th St) apparently closed its doors in late November according to this article (which notes it might have closed to make way for a new construction project):

Club Tampa shuts its doors
12/08/2010 16:59:00 Steve Blanchard

The iconic Club Tampa gym and spa quietly closed its doors in late November to make way for new development in the Channelside District of the city. While no official word was given as to why the long-running clothing-optional club catering to gay men closed, it’s believed that it was to make way for new construction—possibly a new condominium complex.

According to property records, the 12,000-plus square-foot building is listed as an industrial property for just under $450,000 and as of Dec. 4, the lot was still for sale. Records indicate the structure was originally built in 1951.

A phone call to the club’s last known phone number was unsuccessful, but other similar businesses in the area verified the closure. Both the Ybor Resort and Spa and the Rainbow Cabaret said Club Tampa had closed its doors.

From http://www.watermarkonline.com/index.php/News/tampa-bay-lgbt-news/4891-Club-Tampa-shuts-its-doors.html

Kennedy Residences was/is proposed for this part of Channelside. Who knows if it is the same project or a whole different one.

The site that burders The Slade has what appears to be a new sign that has 411Meridian.com on it. Orion, has that sign been there for some time or was it recently put up? There's also a public notice sign on the fencing, don't know if that was from the previous meetings about the auto shop or a new public notice.

TampaMike...the sign for the site that borders the Slade that been there for some time, it's actually 211 Meridian - see their site here:

http://www.211meridian.com/

As for the public notice sign, I'm pretty sure that it's the old one from when the car storage lot was trying to get a permanent space there at the corner, but I'll double check later this week.

-Orion

TampaMike...the sign for the site that borders the Slade that been there for some time, it's actually 211 Meridian - see their site here:

http://www.211meridian.com/

As for the public notice sign, I'm pretty sure that it's the old one from when the car storage lot was trying to get a permanent space there at the corner, but I'll double check later this week.

-Orion
Thanks orion. Guess that makes sense since putting the address into Google brought me further up on Meridian.

Thanks.

Stageworks Theatre to receive $125,000 grant for Channel District home
By Amy Scherzer, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, February 18, 2011

CHANNEL DISTRICT — Stageworks Theatre earned a thumbs-up from the Community Redevelopment Agency last week for a $125,000 grant to help pay for its first theater.

The funds will come from property taxes reserved for improvements to a specific neighborhood, in this case the Channel District, where the 27-year-old theater group soon will stage its award-winning and original plays.

"We are thrilled that the City Council acting as the CRA board approved our grant," said Stageworks Theatre board president Andrea Graham.

"We are looking forward to serving as a stimulus for further economic development in the Channel District, our new home."

Channel District resident Henry Lewis stepped up to guarantee the grant, agreeing to repay part of the $125,000 should the theater operate less than an agreed-upon number of annual performances in the next five years.

Graham already has begun to give tours of the 99-seat facility, which is expected to open in July in 8,000 square feet donated by the developers of the Grand Central at Kennedy condominium complex. Rent and other fees also will be waived for up to 60 years.

The grant will be paid later this year, upon completion of the $1.2 million theater.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/stageworks-theatre-to-receive-125000-grant-for-channel-district-home/1152001

Holy crap, FINALLY!

If you or someone you know is interested in renting or owning a condo in Channelside, let me know.

I know someone interested in buying a house on a canal with gulf access.

I know someone interested in buying a house on a canal with gulf access.

Thanks Jasonhouse. Might have worked out if I was awarded my former "marital" home on the Hillsborough River but that was awarded to my EX and is in the final stages of foreclosure since she hasn't paid the mortgage in over a year (of course, she failed to refinance and remove my name so my credit is going down in flames).
The condo is a penthouse unit at The Meridian 1BR with den, 1 1/2 bath, 200 SF covered balcony with private 2 car garage. About 1800 SF (+200 outside)...$1900.00 month, I cover HOA.

good luck renting the place, TPAMAN. my parents really enjoyed living in that unit, and visiting was always nice.

good luck renting the place, TPAMAN. my parents really enjoyed living in that unit, and visiting was always nice.

Thanks Maxim! They are great people and I wish them the best of luck in their relocation.

If you or someone you know is interested in renting or owning a condo in Channelside, let me know.

TPAMAN, let me know your MLS number and I can show a little more exposure on my site(s) and network.

Good luck.

TPAMAN, let me know your MLS number and I can show a little more exposure on my site(s) and network.

Good luck.


I actually do not have it listed as of yet since my current tenants are moving out after the 24th. I normally utilzize Jason at Palermo Realty.

TPAMAN, let me know your MLS number and I can show a little more exposure on my site(s) and network.

Good luck.

Do you happen to know anyone who deals with single family canal homes with direct gulf access? (esp N Pinellas/Pasco)

My parents are very serious about buying, but I don't personally know any Pinellas/Pasco realtors anymore.

Do you happen to know anyone who deals with single family canal homes with direct gulf access? (esp N Pinellas/Pasco)

My parents are very serious about buying, but I don't personally know any Pinellas/Pasco realtors anymore.

I don't know of anyone in that area but I will check with my local realtor.

I actually do not have it listed as of yet since my current tenants are moving out after the 24th. I normally utilzize Jason at Palermo Realty.

TPAMAN, I assumed you were already working with a Realtor, hence asking you the MLS# and I was merely offering you "more" exposure.

Do you happen to know anyone who deals with single family canal homes with direct gulf access? (esp N Pinellas/Pasco)

My parents are very serious about buying, but I don't personally know any Pinellas/Pasco realtors anymore.

Jason, thanks for asking. One of my Realtors know Pinellas very well (she has lived there for many years and have been licensed since 1990). Check my sig and you can see my main site there.

By the way, great discussion regarding the speed train on St Pete Times. I've been keeping an eye out on that discussion. Some people just don't get it.

TPAMAN, I assumed you were already working with a Realtor, hence asking you the MLS# and I was merely offering you "more" exposure.


I really appreciate any and all exposure I can get. Let me know if you know of anyone interested. If not, I will let you know when I have the MLS.

From the Times.....

TAMPA — A bankrupt Channelside condominium project is nearly sold out after owners chopped prices almost in half.

More than 100 luxury condos at The Towers of Channelside have sold since the price cuts a year ago, and moving trucks have become as familiar a sight as the cruise ships docked across the street.

Marvin Meeks, an agent with Urban Living TampaBay, a boutique real estate company, has represented more than 10 buyers since the price cut. He cites that and the condo's location at 1211 E Cumberland Ave., with priceless views of Tampa Bay, as the biggest draws.

"It brought in a lot of people who couldn't afford that lifestyle," Meeks said. "It's been a desired property for some time. It's the only high rise in the area with that view."

In 2008, the luxury tower project seemed destined to fail after the developer filed bankruptcy and lenders seized the buildings.

A court-appointed receiver selected St. Petersburg's JMC Realty Inc. to sell the remaining 136 units last year.

JMC's Cheryl McCormick Brown and Steve McAuliffe urged the project's current owners — four banks and a hedge fund — to slash prices. The owners agreed to an across the board 45 percent price cut; they took it a step further and paid homeowner association fees for vacant units so new buyers weren't saddled with the costs.

McAuliffe and Brown have exceeded the owners' goal of selling eight condos a month.

The pricing strategy turned units originally listed at more than $305,000 into relative bargains at $168,000; a "grand penthouse'' unit dropped from about $1.6 million to $899,000.

Now, only 29 of 257 units remain in the two 28-story buildings, including five of the eight grand penthouses.

Prices for the remaining units will not go lower, Brown said.

"There is no room for negotiation, she said. "We're reaching the right people."

The sales success means that The Towers of Channelside is emerging from bankruptcy and will be turned over to the homeowners association.

Deep prices cuts have been the key to selling everything from suburban homes to waterfront condos across the bay area. The owners of Signature Place and 400 Beach, luxury towers on Beach Drive NE in St. Petersburg, whacked prices last year in order to sell the remaining units.

"We needed to bring it down to pre-bubble prices," McAuliffe about the Towers' current prices.

So, who is buying these condos? People with a lot of cash or the means to secure loans.

The owners were serious about selling the units and offered financing, McAuliffe said.

Although the buildings aren't completely full, Brown said restaurants and retail stores near the Port of Tampa are faring better since people are moving into the area. She predicts continued growth.

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

That's great that they are selling. There were probably a few people that wanted to buy, but were waiting for the price to drop to a steal price. I just hope they are solid & permanent buyers, not flippers. Once they buy, they have to start paying the maint fees and assessments, even if they are flippers so the older permanent residents are not stuck paying for upkeep of emptiness. I've checked out some of the units for sale on line & youtube and honestly there were only about two or three that were staged decently to appeal. The bathrooms look like the developers got a mass Home Depot special on materials. Remember Bay Citi? They said the towers were "Bayshore on a budget". That holds true imo. Anyway, if I could live there I'd prefer the west tower. I think it has better views even though there's nothing on the land south of Con Agra.

Developer wants to build apartments in Tampa's Channelside district.
By Mark Puente, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Saturday, March 12, 2011

Cranes could rise above the Channelside district this fall if a developer wins approval to build a multifamily residential project.

The Miami-based Related Group hopes to construct 360 apartments on vacant land just north of the Towers of Channelside. The four-story units could eventually be switched to condominiums.

The firm sees long-term potential in the Channelside district because of it's proximity to many downtown jobs, said Steve Patterson, president and chief executive of Related Development LLC.

Rents would range from about $1,250 to $2,200. The four buildings and two parking garages would take about two years to build. Patterson said the project's cost will not be determined until plans are finalized.

Although the project is in the early stages, the company would like to break ground in the third quarter. Patterson said feedback from district residents has been favorable.

"We feel good about this," he said.

The firm bought the land, 5.8 acres, from Regions Bank for $6.5 million in December.

The project would border 12th Street, Whiting Street and Meridian and Cumberland avenues.

The city has been working with the company to shape its plans, said Mark Huey, Tampa's economic development administrator. The project has the potential to draw hundreds of residents to the district and attract even more retail and service operations, he said.

"We're excited that they believe in the progress of this district," Huey said. "It is very positive news."

The public, Huey said, can learn about the proposed plans at the Florida Aquarium on March 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Multifamily buildings are the hottest commodity in the real estate market, and experts expect the sector to be the top performer in commercial real estate this year. Very few apartment buildings have been built recently in Tampa Bay.

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

[Last modified: Mar 11, 2011 07:58 PM]

Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times

(From: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/developer-wants-to-build-apartments-in-tampas-channelside-district/1156764 )

1. 4 stories? Has Tampa gone stupid?

2. Between 12th and Meridian? Please tell me that is a typo.

3. Email the city this is a stupid proposal, even in a sluggish economy.

Yeah, those cranes really will rise for those 4 story aprtments...

BTW, I edited your post orion to add the title and such to your article. That stuff needs to be in any article posted on these forums. :)

Those residents are going to have a great view of the..... parking garage.

Double the height and then we will be talking.

Double the height and then we will be talking.
Or do what I suggested to Mark Huey in my email and have Related Group design the project so you can add more floors to it once the market rebounds.

Although the project is in the early stages, the company would like to break ground in the third quarter. Patterson said feedback from district residents has been favorable.

"We feel good about this," he said.

The firm bought the land, 5.8 acres, from Regions Bank for $6.5 million in December.

The project would border 12th Street, Whiting Street and Meridian and Cumberland avenues.

The city has been working with the company to shape its plans, said Mark Huey, Tampa's economic development administrator. The project has the potential to draw hundreds of residents to the district and attract even more retail and service operations, he said.

"We're excited that they believe in the progress of this district," Huey said. "It is very positive news."

Two things -

1) Are the residents that stupid, and
2) if you knew Mr. Huey and Iorio's
"vision", you would not be surprised.

1. 4 stories? Has Tampa gone stupid?

2. Between 12th and Meridian? Please tell me that is a typo.

3. Email the city this is a stupid proposal, even in a sluggish economy.
With the wording "four buildings and two parking garages", I'm almost certain that this project encompasses both the Seaboard Square land and the land that between 12th and 11th Streets. :bash: :ohno: :rant:

The city has been working with the company to shape its plans, said Mark Huey, Tampa's economic development administrator. The project has the potential to draw hundreds of residents to the district and attract even more retail and service operations, he said.
Now that's job creation we can believe in. LOL!



"We're excited that they believe in the progress of this district," Huey said. "It is very positive news."
My God. He thinks a single-use suburban apartment complex plopped downtown is

A) excting.
B) progress.
C) positive news.

Here's to hoping Buckhorn's first order of business is firing this incompetent hack.

I don't agree with you guys. Why does everything have to be high rise?
4 stories is quite alright for me. Just look at the neigbourhood on the northern end of Harbour Island which is 4 stories. That's one of my favorite developments.

It doesn't have to be a highrise, it simply has to be a good urban project.

I don't agree with you guys. Why does everything have to be high rise?
4 stories is quite alright for me. Just look at the neigbourhood on the northern end of Harbour Island which is 4 stories. That's one of my favorite developments.
Look how much space these 4 story apartment buildings and parking garages are taking. We're going to allow this to go through, the economy will rebound and the housing market will improve, and we'll be asking ourselves why we even allowed a 4 story project to even happen here. You have had Prime Meridian across Meridian planned, Del Villar a block or two away, Seaboard Square which had I believe a ~20 story tower planned, and of course Towers of Channelside just across Cumberland. This area has seen taller projects planned and I don't agree that we must reduce our standards because of the economy. This space has gone vacant for how many years?

I disagree that I may be overeacting on this, even though I know you didn't say that. I can't see what is wrong in having all this in one tower between 11th and 12th Streets and having some empty space next to the tower for Related Group build another (taller) tower for more condo's/apartments.

I thought Related was known for high-rise projects. Now they are coming to Tampa with this piece of crap? There's nothing wrong with low rise, but they need to be in other places, not in Channelside or DT. There is plenty of land off of Kennedy left that is close enough to DT to build townhouses and low rise apartments. Look around at the area where West End (N. Hyde Park) is. There's lots of acres of vacant land. This seems to be the new trend in Tampa (four stories is the new 30 stories).

It doesn't have to be a highrise, it simply has to be a good urban project.

Exactly - and I doubt it will be. It will probably be like the apartments near the crosstown - which have no retail and are pretty uninviting. And it better not look like generic apartments.

It is the City of Tampa's settling for low quality and low expectations again.

Just FYI - Related Group's webpage Tag:

"The Related Group - Redefining Cities And Skylines" http://www.relatedgroup.com/

Pour House 1 Year Anniversary is next Saturday. :)

The groundbreaking ceremony for Channelside's upcoming park at Washington and 12th St is this Wednesday:

http://www.tampasdowntown.com/userfiles/files/Monday%20Morning%20Memo/2011/March/Channel_District_Park_Invitation.pdf

From the Distruct CRA Manager

Mike;

I agree that the density that this project is proposing is not what we had envisioned. However, their proposed project does meet zoning guidelines and they have the legal right to develop the project as planned.

They are seeing an opportunity to provide rental housing where there is a perceived need. Unfortunately, because of lending guidelines and the carrying costs of trying to sell out a large, vertical project; we probably will not see another dense vertical project for several years.

Thank you for your e-mail

Basically, we know that it doesn't respresent the vision we had for Channelside but we're not really going to do anything about it.

Isn't Slade rental? And isn't Grand Central also rental at the moment? If those aren't sold out, where is the need that they're talking about?

It's the landowner's prerogative to decide if there is demand or not.

I don't really much care for the fact that the project is quite sprawling, given the location, but if a shorter project can produce similar density as a taller project, then so be it. So long as lots are filled in properly at street level, it doesn't matter nearly so much how tall/dense the project is... What I loathe is that this project gives every indication that it will wall off Meridian with what is all but certain to be a fence, or series of walls, with nothing of interest for pedestrians whatsoever.

This hearkens back to the original debate over what Meridian should look like when it was built to coincide with the Selmon reversible lanes project. I couldn't understand how they could debate the exact way the road should be built, when they had no idea what the plan was for what would be along the road. Reminds me of the Port Authority garage extension too. Since there's nothing binding on the books regulating what gets built with more precision than what we have, nobody is obligated to follow jack shit. The rules don't matter anyways, when the city council will overrule them and allow bad development when it suits them anyways. (ala TGH on Kennedy)

And we can certainly see the results of that myopia taking shape. If this trend of utter planning incompetence persists through the buildout of the neighborhood, what exactly will the endearing traits of Channelside be? Does anyone know?

I still don't see why it is diffecult to build a project that can handle an addition to it in the future. Is it that diffecult that I'm not realizing? It sounds easy in my mind. Build a project that can fit in the number of units proposed in one or two towers, included the parking in those towers, and allow the possibility to add on when the market approves to allow more apartments or even convert to condos. Doesn't seem so hard and would probably cut the amount of land be used now by half.

You're right, there is nothing saying what goes for Channelside. If I was on the CRA or in the city government, that would change. Something needs to be there for future developers and architects to say what goes for Channelside. A Master Plan would had not allowed the Port Tampa Parking Garage extension to happen where it is or even how it developed. A Master Plan would had not even allowed the thought of a two-story club happening in the middle of Channelside in its own structure. And a Master Plan would not allow for a 4-story project taking up that much space. And over everything, the CRA and the City Council would need to stick with it and not be budged to allow something that shouldn't be in a district of Tampa that has so much potential and possibilities that can be squashed with crappy decisions.

I still don't see why it is diffecult to build a project that can handle an addition to it in the future. Is it that diffecult that I'm not realizing?
With the parking regs here in the building code, that would only work on parcels where parking can also be expanded later, or in the case of the USF training facility, where parking regs have been waived since it's adjacent to a massive garage.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/mar/23/231512/officials-break-ground-for-channel-district-park/

KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 23, 2011

Updated: 03:12 pm

CHANNEL DISTRICT - The empty lot is a flat, dirt-hard patch of ground where once a condominium high-rise was proposed.

Fate changed that plan, and today residents watched as ground was broken for the Channel District's first park, tucked into a quiet block along Washington and 12th Streets.

"I can remember old broken warehouses and rats -- big, big rats -- not people with dogs," said Andy Scaglione, advisory committee chairman for Channel District's special tax district.

Within the next seven months, the half-acre lot will be turned green with grass, a palm garden and native landscaping. Residents will be able to walk along a pathway, sit beneath a shaded pavilion, observe a seagrass sculpture and meet their neighbors.

Resident Francine Messano brought her 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Flora, to the groundbreaking. Since the dog was a puppy she has been waiting for the park to become a reality.

"A lot of us do have dogs," Messano said. "It's a great way for the community to come together, to know other neighbors. People come and go but everybody walks their dogs."

The park's cost is about $1 million. The money comes from a portion of property taxes collected within the Channel District. The taxes must be re-invested in community projects.

The district was created in 2006, transforming in the past five years from a warehouse district sandwiched between Ybor City and downtown into an urban residential community. Among the condominium projects that have risen are Grand Central at Kennedy, Ventana, The Place, The Towers of Channelside and The Slade.

Among those attending today's groundbreaking were Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, newly-elected District 3 City Councilwoman Yvonne Yolie Capin and Tampa Downtown Partnership President Christine Burdick.

Iorio noted the city in recent years has added more than three acres of green space to downtown including Curtis Hixon Park.

"We want a vibrant place to live but you've got to provide green space," she said. "This is really going to unify the Channel District in a big way."

The city bought the site in 2009 from Atlanta-based Novare Channelside for about $805,000. The park, at 112-114 N. 12th St., is along the intersection with Washington Street, and is comparable in size to Massey Park.

In the past year the city has worked on an $8.7 million storm-water project to improve drainage across about 39 acres of public rights of way within Channel District. Part of that project included pipe installation on Washington near the proposed park.

Burdick said the underground project might not be sexy but "it's really important to have a neighborhood that works below ground as well as above".

Sorry about the crappy link. Anyway, I guess this is good news for the district............


TAMPA, FL – Saint Leo University has leased 16,335 square feet of space in Grand Central at Kennedy, one of Tampa’s premier locations in the Channelside District. Saint Leo is taking space at 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. The entire Grand Central at Kennedy property occupies two addresses, 1120 E. Kennedy and 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd, at the corner of Meridian Avenue.

Managing Director Clay Witherspoon and Director Trey Carswell of Lane Witherspoon & Carswell Commercial Real Estate Advisors negotiated the lease on behalf of the landlord, and Scott Hileman of Nye Commercial Advisors represented Saint Leo University.

Saint Leo University (www.saintleo.edu) was chartered in 1889 in the Pasco County town of Saint Leo, FL, approximately 30 miles north of Tampa. That location, called University Campus, continues to function as the university’s traditional main campus and headquarters. Saint Leo University also enrolls students at 17 regional education centers in seven states, and through the university’s Center for Online Learning. The university is a leader in the field of online education and one of the nation’s foremost providers of higher education to the military. Saint Leo’s second-floor suite at Grand Central will be employed to support expansion of its continuing education and online programs.

Grand Central at Kennedy is Tampa’s first urban neighborhood concept. It has 72,000 square feet of second floor office space, 118,000 square feet of first floor retail space and its 392 upscale residential units are 98 percent occupied. One feature that is especially appealing to tenants and visitors––Grand Central at Kennedy has more onsite parking than any other downtown location.

ABOUT LANE WITHERSPOON & CARSWELL AND L&W COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Lane Witherspoon & Carswell has over 4 million square feet of listings and is a client-focused, full-service brokerage firm that provides market expertise to landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers of office, industrial and retail properties. L&W has 1.8 million square feet under management and delivers unparalleled customer service to both the owners and their tenants while maximizing the value of the assets. Both companies were established in 2007 in Tampa, Florida.

or more information, visit www.lwccommercial.com.

http://madduxpress.com/2011/03/23/saint-leo-university-moving-into-channelside-district%e2%80%99s-grand-central-at-kennedy-21941

this is great news

I'm surprised a deli/produce/pharmacy type place still hasn't popped up in downtown somewhere. Or at least a grocery service.

I'm surprised a deli/produce/pharmacy type place still hasn't popped up in downtown somewhere. Or at least a grocery service.

There's a good chance a gourmet type sundry is opening up soonish. I've heart meat/cheese/wine/etc, but not sure how extensive the deli type items would be.

Where is this rumored placed located

Near my office on Franklin and Polk. I'll keep you guys updated as I hear more.

Thanks for the update man. My wife and I were talking about how such a thing would be great for this area. We live in skypoint and thought it would be cool if a place like Whaley's old market opened up near here or something similar

You have a real chicken and egg dance with new urbanization. You need people to support a market (since most people won't drive into a downtown to grocery shop it needs to be largely self sustaining from people within walking distance) but that is among the biggest impediments to attracting people to the core. Something like a "Trader Joe's" or other destination type shopping might flourish among people that would have to drive in since there are no others nearby.

I used to work downtown and remember one girl in particular who said something like "I wouldn't mind living downtown but I have no idea where I would grocery shop. There isn't one in walking distance unless you count CVS."

I told her, just because downtown is geared (slightly) more to pedestrians than to drivers doesn't mean you HAVE to walk. I mean she drives as it is about two miles now to the grocery store. Moreover, I contend DT residents do have a grocery store within walking distance. To prove the point, I walked down from Skypoint to Publix at Platt St got a sub and some snacks, and made it back within the hour. Admittedly, that would be less ideal to do on a daily basis.

All of that is to say, I hope we get two grocery stores. One in Channelside one in Northwest Downtown (the River Arts District).

--Joey

I used to work downtown and remember one girl in particular who said something like "I wouldn't mind living downtown but I have no idea where I would grocery shop. There isn't one in walking distance unless you count CVS."

I told her, just because downtown is geared (slightly) more to pedestrians than to drivers doesn't mean you HAVE to walk. I mean she drives as it is about two miles now to the grocery store. Moreover, I contend DT residents do have a grocery store within walking distance. To prove the point, I walked down from Skypoint to Publix at Platt St got a sub and some snacks, and made it back within the hour. Admittedly, that would be less ideal to do on a daily basis.

All of that is to say, I hope we get two grocery stores. One in Channelside one in Northwest Downtown (the River Arts District).

--Joey

My car's in the shop, so I have been going to Publix on my bike. It's a quick trip, though not the best bike ride (Brorein and Platt are adrenaline inducing sprints).

You have a real chicken and egg dance with new urbanization. You need people to support a market (since most people won't drive into a downtown to grocery shop it needs to be largely self sustaining from people within walking distance) but that is among the biggest impediments to attracting people to the core. Something like a "Trader Joe's" or other destination type shopping might flourish among people that would have to drive in since there are no others nearby.

I used to work downtown and remember one girl in particular who said something like "I wouldn't mind living downtown but I have no idea where I would grocery shop. There isn't one in walking distance unless you count CVS."

I told her, just because downtown is geared (slightly) more to pedestrians than to drivers doesn't mean you HAVE to walk. I mean she drives as it is about two miles now to the grocery store. Moreover, I contend DT residents do have a grocery store within walking distance. To prove the point, I walked down from Skypoint to Publix at Platt St got a sub and some snacks, and made it back within the hour. Admittedly, that would be less ideal to do on a daily basis.

All of that is to say, I hope we get two grocery stores. One in Channelside one in Northwest Downtown (the River Arts District).

--Joey

In terms of scale, not product selection, I think something in the 3-5k sqft range would work well for the core/Arts District. Which if I'm not mistaken, is basically what's being considered. The population of potential customers should be able to sustain the expected sales for that size of a business easily. They need to be smart though. They would definitely need to do prepared foods, and hopefully be able to do something like cafe seating to draw people to the location for other reasons. Someone mentioned the old Whaleys market, but I was thinking more like a smaller version of the failed Alessi grocer/deli/bakery concept from years ago. Does anyone else remember it?

A full blown supermarket built over around Grand Central should do well too, it's just a matter of someone getting the balls to do it in my opinion. That store should draw well from Harbour Island, all of DT, Ybor, Tampa Heights. Plus the location would play well with DT workers commuting to Brandon and beyond. I'm sure we'll see something not too long from now. If Grand Central isn't a good fit for a grocer's needs, then there's more than enough land around there that someone will pre-sign a grocer and slap some rentals on top and build it.

I've been 100% negative on Tampa development in general for a long while now, but I'm bullish on DT getting a proper grocery store sooner, rather than later. I have a hunch a deal gets done this year, so maybe it would open next year. No way do I see DT getting past 2013 without a proper grocery store.

Tampa Downtown Partnership did a survey last year asking both residents and workers numerous questions about the current condition of Downtown/Channel District and what they expect in the future. One of the questions was, "If available or more prevalent, how likely would you be to participate in or utilize the following in Downtown Tampa?" The majority of residents and workers said that waterfront dining was their number one choice. I was surprised to see that an indoor urban shopping mall was #2 for both residents and workers.

With both residents and workers saying that they would use an indoor urban shopping mall in Downtown Tampa, should that be a priority for Tampa? Should a indoor urban shopping mall be built by itself or should it be included with something like a hotel or residential project?

Survey Results (Pg. 10 has the results I previously mentioned)
http://www.tampasdowntown.com/userfiles/files/15th%20Annual%20Development%20Forum/HCP.pdf

My car's in the shop, so I have been going to Publix on my bike. It's a quick trip, though not the best bike ride (Brorein and Platt are adrenaline inducing sprints).

Sorry to hear that, been there, done that.

I've actually biked down Bayshore & through DT several times. Including to Publix on Platt, Britton Plaza, and a few other places.

I am shocked that Streetcar satisfaction went down for people who live Downtown.

The only thing I can think is that with higher occupancy comes more dissatisfaction that the streetcar can't be used for commuting (Eg, Channelside or Harbour Island). I don't believe the prices have gone up since 2008 and we have had an extension since.

--Joey

KATHY STEELE
The Tampa Tribune
Published: April 6, 2011

CHANNEL DISTRICT - Several years ago developers envisioned a condominium tower on 11th Street amid other high-rises that sprouted in the district as the real estate market soared.
City officials approved a re-zoning application from WestBay City Homes, once the property owners of 110 S. 11th St., to accommodate the high-rise residential building.
Then the economy soured. The condominium craze in Channel District and downtown Tampa ended.
Regions Bank acquired the 11th Street property in a 2009 foreclosure.
Now a Miami-based development company, Related Development, is stepping in with a scaled-back plan that takes into account the current real estate market but looks toward a rebounding economy with two years.
Instead of a condominium tower, Related Development plans to build 360 apartments in a four-story complex. If the market comes back, the apartments would be converted to condominiums.
Hillsborough County records show RD Channelside, listed at the same Miami address as Related Development, bought the site in 2010 for $6.5 million from Regions Bank.
Retail Development representatives have been meeting with city staffers to finalize the project. They hope to break ground by October, or perhaps sooner.
"I think we just about have this nailed down," said Steve Patterson, president of Related Development. "We don't want any grass to grow on this."
He met recently with about 30 Channel District residents to discuss the project. Most lived at nearby Victory Lofts, 101 N. 12th St., and had questions about construction noise and dust, and the screening of unsightly rooftop air conditioning units.
Company representatives said they would work with residents to minimize inconveniences.
The apartments will be leased at the high-end of affordable rates, Patterson said, with qualified renters likely having annual incomes of about $75,000.
The four-story complex, at an estimated cost of about $50 million, will have two parking garages, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a park and public art. And 4,800 square feet will be leased for shops.
About $200,000 in public art will be included, though how much art will be installed in the park is not determined, Patterson said.
"We want to do something very nice here," he said. "It's going to be very art driven."
The apartments could be ready for occupancy by mid-2013.
ksteele@tampatrib.com

^Damn. And they're higher end, which means that they won't be torn down for many years.

Well, the bright side is this development should bring another 500-600 downtown residents, and further boosts the neighborhood TIF funds. They should really be able to get some stuff done now... (when are they going to build a real neighborhood park, not a dog park, or a sit-n-stare? You know, a park with a playground, basketball court, maybe a couple of tennis or racquetball courts, or sand volley ball, and a place to have impromptu cookouts and gatherings.)

Part of the downside is the project defeats the entire purpose of why millions extra were spent making Meridian conducive to dense neighborhood of urban mixed-use, walkable development. You can bet your house that this place will be gated/walled off and will continue the dead zone theme along the southern end of Meridian that Towers at Channelside and that misplaced law office already started.

I am shocked that Streetcar satisfaction went down for people who live Downtown.

The only thing I can think is that with higher occupancy comes more dissatisfaction that the streetcar can't be used for commuting (Eg, Channelside or Harbour Island). I don't believe the prices have gone up since 2008 and we have had an extension since.

--Joey
It's the schedule that pisses people off. Can't use it to get to work because it doesn't run early enough. Can't use it to go out because it doesn't run late enough. Can't really use it in the summer, because it's so effing hot and the times between streetcars is too long. Many riders will deal with the heat, or a long wait, but only those who have no other alternate means of transportation will suffer with both.

I myself have taken flak after convincing friends to take it when they go downtown... And then they do something like park in Ybor, go out to eat and then ride to Channelside for a late movie, only to be stuck having to take a cab back. (this was after they paid for round trip/day pass, so they were double tweaked)

And I'm bad. I still ALWAYS buy a day pass when I take the streetcar, and then when I'm done, I give it to someone else. :D

^Damn. And they're higher end, which means that they won't be torn down for many years.

Well, the bright side is this development should bring another 500-600 downtown residents, and further boosts the neighborhood TIF funds. They should really be able to get some stuff done now... (when are they going to build a real neighborhood park, not a dog park, or a sit-n-stare? You know, a park with a playground, basketball court, maybe a couple of tennis or racquetball courts, or sand volley ball, and a place to have impromptu cookouts and gatherings.)

Part of the downside is the project defeats the entire purpose of why millions extra were spent making Meridian conducive to dense neighborhood of urban mixed-use, walkable development. You can bet your house that this place will be gated/walled off and will continue the dead zone theme along the southern end of Meridian that Towers at Channelside and that misplaced law office already started.


It's the schedule that pisses people off. Can't use it to get to work because it doesn't run early enough. Can't use it to go out because it doesn't run late enough. Can't really use it in the summer, because it's so effing hot and the times between streetcars is too long. Many riders will deal with the heat, or a long wait, but only those who have no other alternate means of transportation will suffer with both.

I myself have taken flak after convincing friends to take it when they go downtown... And then they do something like park in Ybor, go out to eat and then ride to Channelside for a late movie, only to be stuck having to take a cab back. (this was after they paid for round trip/day pass, so they were double tweaked)

And I'm bad. I still ALWAYS buy a day pass when I take the streetcar, and then when I'm done, I give it to someone else. :D

I hope it's as nice and fancy as they say, but still I can't picture a four story horizontal box right next to 29 story twin towers. Another thing, where is all this "high end" rental base coming from? If you are making over 70K here, why would you rent? As for the people that live there that would complain about noise and dust, etc....GET OVER IT. Construction does not revolve around you & there were several other proposed condo's that could have been built in the area anyway that would have been loud and dusty too. If you live in an urban area, things like this will happen. It's Channelside, not Lutz.

I'm waiting for renders before really diving into this proposal again. I still think this project is going against what the city envisioned for Channelside 10 years ago.

And once they're converted to condos, would you really want to buy a condo with views being or potentially being blocked on all sides of the project? Its only a matter of the economy and interest until the site across Meridian (former Prime Meridian lot) has a proposal and I expect something higher than 20 stories being proposed there. You got Towers of Channelside to the south, parking garage to the east, and really not a view to the north. And

Jasonhouse, what happened to that talk a while back of having height guidelines for Channelside? Didn't you say you wanted taller projects in this location in the past? So since we've been going the wrong way in this belief, we should continue doing so by approving this project?

I'm waiting for renders before really diving into this proposal again. I still think this project is going against what the city envisioned for Channelside 10 years ago.

And once they're converted to condos, would you really want to buy a condo with views being or potentially being blocked on all sides of the project? Its only a matter of the economy and interest until the site across Meridian (former Prime Meridian lot) has a proposal and I expect something higher than 20 stories being proposed there. You got Towers of Channelside to the south, parking garage to the east, and really not a view to the north. And

Jasonhouse, what happened to that talk a while back of having height guidelines for Channelside? Didn't you say you wanted taller projects in this location in the past? So since we've been going the wrong way in this belief, we should continue doing so by approving this project?

My guess is there will continue to be only small things proposed in Channelside. TOC is as tall as we will get. Prime Meridian at 20 floors and O2 twin 40 story condos never happened. It's going to take many years (if ever) before anything big and tall is proposed again.

^Wanna make a bet on that?

What would be the difference between these apartments and Seaport? Is Seaport as high-end as these ones are mentioned to be?

^Wanna make a bet on that?

Ha Ha. No, not really. I'm just pissed that in Tampa small shit gets approved and built quickly, while big things start out as a hot proposal, they end up as pipe dreams that never happen. Sometimes you see construction on something that you didn't even know was being built because there was no announcement of it. You sound more optimistic, so what do you thing will be going up (and I mean up) especially in Channelside?

What would be the difference between these apartments and Seaport? Is Seaport as high-end as these ones are mentioned to be?
No idea, but with a suggested price range significantly higher than Seaport's, even though they're building in a vastly cheaper construction environment, they had better be nicer.

Do you happen to know anyone who deals with single family canal homes with direct gulf access? (esp N Pinellas/Pasco)

My parents are very serious about buying, but I don't personally know any Pinellas/Pasco realtors anymore.
Hi Jason,

I sent you a message regarding a listing for a home in New Port Richey on a canal with direct gulf access. Wasn't sure if you got it or not so I figured I would re-post here. If you need any contact information for the seller or what not let me know. It is my girlfriend's parent's house:
http://www.weichert.com/34899582/

Towers of Channelside nearly sold out
By Mark Puente, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 26, 2011 04:33 PM

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/towers-of-channelside-nearly-sold-out/1166124

The Towers of Channelside in Tampa are nearly sold out. All that remains is the 28th floor penthouse, priced at $760,000, the last condo listed for sale in the luxury complex.

The near sellout comes one year after the owners chopped prices almost in half. In 2008, the luxury tower project seemed destined to fail after the developer filed bankruptcy and lenders seized the buildings. A court-appointed receiver selected St. Petersburg's JMC Realty Inc. to sell the remaining 137 units last year.

Steve McAuliffe of JMC said they hoped to sell the units in one year, adding, "It was an aggressive goal, but it proves the buyers are there."

The price slashing turned units originally listed at more than $305,000 into relative bargains at $168,000; a "grand penthouse'' unit dropped from about $1.6 million to $899,000.

The St. Petersburg Times reported last month that 29 of the 257 units, including five of the eight grand penthouses, remained on the market. Now just the penthouse remains.


[Last modified: Apr 26, 2011 04:50 PM]

I wonder who is buying them (what age groups?) and if they intend to flip when the market is right. One thing I learned from this (as well as Signature Place in St. Pete) is don't buy in pre-construction, inflated hype times. Just wait until the developer goes into bankruptcy, demand almost totally disappears, then they start selling them really cheap.

One thing I learned from this (as well as Signature Place in St. Pete) is don't buy in pre-construction, inflated hype times. Just wait until the developer goes into bankruptcy, demand almost totally disappears, then they start selling them really cheap.

That only works if you're buying at the end of the bubble--there are plenty of buildings that didn't have developers go into bankruptcy and had sweet pre-construction prices (especially if you then sold to one of the schlubs who bought at the peak).

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1169270.ece


Miami developer proposes apartment complex for Channel District

TAMPA — In the heady days of the real estate boom, developers picked two vacant lots in the Channel District as the ideal spot for a flashy mixed-use project anchored by a 29-story tower.

Today the financing for such mega-projects has evaporated, and the lots are surrounded by a chain-link fence.

Now a new developer has bought the land and proposes something more modest, though still welcome at City Hall.

Related Development of Miami is working on plans for a four-story, 360-unit apartment complex immediately north of the Towers of Channelside.

"We constantly hear that times are tough out there," Tampa economic development administrator Mark Huey told City Council members Thursday. So when a private developer wants to make a "very significant investment" in a redevelopment area, "it's good news."

Five years ago, Sembler Investments pursued plans for a project known as Seaboard Square on the site.

Plans then called for a complex of low- and high-rise buildings that included a hotel, condominiums, townhomes, stores and offices.

That project never happened, and in December, Related bought the 5.8 acres for $6.5 million. Company president and chief executive Steve Patterson has said the Channel District is promising because it's close to many downtown jobs.

The project would be east of N Meridian Avenue, between E Cumberland Avenue and E Whiting Street.

Construction could begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with developed apartments ready nine months to a year after that, city officials said. Rents would range from about $1,250 to $2,200.

The project, which does not have a name yet, would include a couple of parking garages and a park.

To create that park, Related Development is asking the city to vacate 11th Street. Related would pay to create the park, and the developer or subsequent owners of the property would maintain the park for 49 years.

A development agreement and a request to vacate part of 11th Street are expected to go to the City Council for consideration on May 19.

"One of the things we need most in the Channel District is more green space," said Bob McDonaugh, the city's redevelopment manager for the district and downtown.

Neighbors like the idea, McDonaugh said, because 11th Street is not a through street and is used for parking by patrons of the nightclubs at Channelside at Bay Plaza.

At closing time, those patrons make a lot of noise going to their cars, so a public park sounds good by comparison, McDonaugh said.

That's true, said Andy Bolnick, president of the Towers of Channelside Condominium Association.

"I haven't heard of anybody that's not pleased," he said.

^ouch. The Times was only two months late reporting that one.

Yeah I hear President Kennedy is planning on sending people to the moon too...

Yeah I hear President Kennedy is planning on sending people to the moon too...

If Sputnik does not drop a nuke on us first.

I still want a render before making a final decion, but I still think it's too little for an area like Channelside. Even if we're dealing with a lagging economy.

Interesting that the Times is so wanting Channelside to suck and fail.

Downtown Tampa bustling with more residents
By Justin George, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, May 15, 2011
TAMPA — Downtown became a lonely place for those who moved into the gleaming skyscrapers built just before the economy crashed.
These new urbanites basically had their own concierge at SkyPoint on Ashley Drive. Parking was never a problem at Grand Central on Kennedy Boulevard.
Those who expected hustle and bustle found desolation instead.
"It was nice having our own personal elevator," said Mark Alma, who moved into Grand Central in 2007.
Investor demand fueled the boom that built Tampa's mid- and high-rises in the last decade. But when credit dried up and buyers dissipated, developers were stuck with hundreds of brand-new units that they couldn't unload. The 2010 census found that more than one of six Florida homes were vacant — the most in the nation.
So it came as a surprise in April when the Tampa Downtown Partnership reported that 85 percent of downtown homes were occupied — 3 percentage points higher than the state average.
For Alma, it was the fulfillment of his faith in downtown. He and his partner had sold their rural Lutz home, bought a unit in Grand Central while it was still a dirt plot and rented a Harbour Island apartment for three years — just so they could walk to a park bench on the weekends to watch their 11th-floor, one-bedroom, unit go up. They closed in 2007, paying $457,900, and never walked away when their home's value dropped by half and their neighborhood seemed empty.
"It's exactly what we thought it was going to be," Alma said.
• • •
Of the 4,325 residential units downtown, all but about 600 are occupied, said Sean Coniglio, managing partner of HCP & Associates, which ran the survey using postal addresses, real estate data and Downtown Partnership statistics.
Drivers circle blocks for parking downtown, the Florida Orchestra entertains a packed park on the waterfront, and lines form for crepes at the Tampa Downtown Market on Fridays.
"People are interested in living in an urban area which has remained, nationwide, fairly popular," said Paul Ayres, downtown partnership marketing director. "People are looking to stay closer to work to save on gas. People want to be closer to entertainment venues so they don't have to drive, and downtown offers that."
While the economy stopped high-rise construction and the sales of new lofts and urban apartments, developers, banks and creditors rallied by filling once-empty towers with renters and bargain hunters.
Michelle Jordan, an agent with Prudential Tropical Realty who specializes in the downtown area, said renters are a good portion of Channel District residents. "When the market crashed," she said, "(developers) got smart and began renting."
But buyers are also getting active. The Towers of Channelside, which cut its prices by half, has sold or closed on all but one of its 257 units, according to the complex. Some units were priced for as low as $168,000. Grand Central at the Kennedy has been full for years, SkyPoint has sold all of its brand-new units and its sister tower, Element, is at least 80 percent full, Ayres said.
Besides pricing, the city's ability to transform downtown from a sterile business center pocked by boarded-up buildings into a thriving waterfront entertainment center also lured residents downtown, the survey found. More than 70 percent cited arts and entertainment opportunities and downtown restaurants as top reasons that attracted them to the urban lifestyle.
Since 2008, major segments of Riverwalk opened up the waterfront. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park underwent a $42 million reconstruction that turned the park into downtown's living room. The boxy Glazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art became architectural and cultural beacons. The Tampa Bay History Center and Cotanchobee Fort Brooke park expanded. The downtown streetcar line was extended. Dozens of restaurants and bars opened.
In 2008, downtown homes were an investment. Now, people just want them as homes. "It's a shift," Ayres said. "A mind shift."
• • •
At City Bike on Cass Street, business has been steady from urbanites looking for bicycle baskets, messenger bags and hangers to tack bikes to their apartment walls, mechanic Micah Daw said. Fresh, a panini deli, salad and cereal bar that opened in August on Franklin Street, has seen a steady increase of dinner diners — a rarity downtown just three years ago. "When we opened, I vowed to stay open until at least 8 o'clock," manager Bryan Goodell said. "Our evening business is picking up."
Goodell lived in the nearby Element for about a year until he got married and moved into his wife's house in the fall. When he lived downtown, he said, he had to drive to get dinner. Now, options abound, from the health-conscious Pizza Fusion in SkyPoint to the Metro Restaurant and Lounge near Fresh. Sixty-nine restaurants now serve dinner, according to the downtown partnership.
"I'm not surprised at all," Goodell said of the number of people living downtown. "It's beautiful down here."
• • •
Carson Hardy, 21, and his girlfriend, Mykie Shapiro, 22, are some of the fresh faces downtown. They moved into a one-bedroom on the 25th floor of SkyPoint, with views of the Hillsborough River, in late April.
Hardy, who is from Bradenton, graduated from the University of South Florida this month and will be an accounting intern at a downtown firm. Like many downtown residents, they are renters. They looked at apartments in South Tampa, but found the sophistication and "grownup" urban experience too good to pass up. They have a pool outside on the eighth floor. They have a waterfront park with fountains across the street where they can watch sunsets.
"We liked the idea of a larger building, and this is close to everything you need. The trolleys take you everywhere, and the cabs are a $3 ride," he said. "It's just a little more fun, a little more exciting and the trend is everyone is moving down here, and as the population grows downtown, there's more reasons to be down here."
Justin George can be reached at (813) 226-3368 or jgeorge@sptimes.com.

[Last modified: May 14, 2011 10:51 PM]

I wouldn't really say "bustling". Really didn't think this much rental was going on around there. Last I heard about Element was that it was almost empty but not lately. That explains why more lights are on in it when you drive by from I275. I hope the rents can go to rent-to-own soon, that's if they want to stay.

"^ouch. The Times was only two months late reporting that one."


they wrote about it in mid march. I gave the reporter a heads up when I heard something about it in our CRA meeting

By MICHAEL SASSO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 02, 2011
Updated: June 02, 2011 - 7:58 AM
TAMPA --
It may be coincidence, but investment funds affiliated with a Denver man who put together the Colorado Rockies baseball stadium deal have purchased land in downtown Tampa.
In fact, the Channel District land in question came up last year as a potential site for a future Tampa Bay Rays stadium.
The new landowners, though, advise not to jump to conclusions. They have no plans for any Major League Baseball stadium, but rather are eyeing the property for parking revenue in the short term and potential multifamily housing in the long term, a manager of the investment funds says.
"We're really looking at this as a parking play," said Michael Baker, who runs two limited liability companies called 514 Channelside Properties and Pinnacle Channelside Properties.
In December and January, those two companies bought roughly 7 acres across from the St. Pete Times Forum for around $9.2 million, county property records show.
The property sits between Nebraska Avenue and Caesar Street. One piece fronts Channelside Drive and houses the building that used to be Newk's Café; the other sits behind it and extends back to a ConAgra Foods manufacturing plant.
What's notable is the umbrella company behind the two LLCs, a Greenwood Village, Colo., firm called Gold Crown Management. A partner in Gold Crown Management is the well-known Denver businessman Raymond Baker, who is the father of the above-mentioned Michael Baker.
Raymond Baker has been involved in Colorado professional sports for years.
He is listed as a senior advisor to the Romani Group, a Denver-area company that manages sports stadium development projects around North America. Baker helped Romani Group on projects including the Denver Broncos' NFL stadium, Invesco Field at Mile High, said company Chief Executive Officer Tim Romani.
Baker also is a longtime chairman of two nonprofit stadium districts, the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District, which owns the Coors Field baseball stadium, and the Metropolitan Football Stadium District, which owns Invesco Field.
As chairman of the baseball district, he helped orchestrate public financing for the Rockies' stadium. Last year, the Tribune interviewed Baker about how Denver was able to get taxpayers from a multicounty region to agree on a stadium tax.
"He was a major player and a major reason why the Rockies were created in Colorado and why Coors Field was built," Romani told the Tribune on Wednesday.
Given Baker's history with stadiums, a couple people familiar with downtown Tampa real estate have been wondering about his intentions.
A year ago, a land broker named Claire Clements made a splash locally by trying to tie up land in the same vicinity for a future Rays stadium. Her purchase options on the land have since expired.
However, Gold Crown Management's investment funds didn't buy the Tampa land with a ballpark in mind, Michael Baker said. And, no one has contacted the Rays, he said.
The company has been eyeing Tampa real estate because of the huge drop in prices recently. For now, it has contracted with Seven One Seven Parking Enterprises to operate pay lots on its property, and it's evaluating the land for multifamily housing, he said.
Romani, the Denver stadium project manager, confirmed that Romani Group is not part of the Tampa land purchase and is not part of any Tampa stadium effort. The Rays generally have declined comment on stadium matters and declined comment for this article.
The investment funds appear to be getting the land at a steal, at least compared with previous land prices. The funds paid just over $28 per square foot for the land, said Tim Wilmath, director of valuation for the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office. During the boom years, downtown land sometimes fetched more than $100 per square foot, he said.

msasso@tampatrib.com

Thought I'd put this article in here but it also could be discussed in the "Ray's planning a new ballpark" thread. I'm interested in what the "multi family housing" plans are. I'm betting it will be horizontal, not vertical.

Please build it......please oh please...easier to drive to when the NY Yankees come....;)

....more.....parking?!?!?!?

^These lots were already being used for parking and event staging.

New developments at Grand Central -
* Powerhouse Gym expanding by an add'l 6700+ sq ft
* Stageworks Theatre opening in July
* Cafe on the Plaza, a new deli, opening next to the Be Seen dry cleaners in September

Stageworks has been "in the works" for years.

Towers sold out, even the penthouses. Articles in both Tribune & Times. Good news for the area.

Can anyone explain to me what "abandoning a certain right-of-way" means and what would it mean for the area between York St. and McKay St.?

I hear Kahwa Coffee is looking at expanding into Downtown Tampa, maybe they'll choose a Channelside location. (Kahwa is very popular in Downtown St.Petersburg)

They're trying to open two downtown Tampa locations.

I hear Kahwa Coffee is looking at expanding into Downtown Tampa, maybe they'll choose a Channelside location. (Kahwa is very popular in Downtown St.Petersburg)

They're trying to open two downtown Tampa locations.
I think a coffee shop will definitely work in Channelside. I'm still amazed on the lack of any retail in Channelside. I know it might be a little separated from the rest of the city, but I find the emptiness of The Place inexcusable. Hasn't there been surveys on what the people of Channelside want? Why isn't anything being done from the results?

I think a coffee shop will definitely work in Channelside. I'm still amazed on the lack of any retail in Channelside. I know it might be a little separated from the rest of the city, but I find the emptiness of The Place inexcusable. Hasn't there been surveys on what the people of Channelside want? Why isn't anything being done from the results?

My guess is it's the chicken or egg dilema. Not enough people and $$$ there yet to support more. Channelside got hit pretty hard by the great recession.

Well, I thought that too, but how long has The Place been open? Almost 6 years now. And what do they have to show from it when it comes to retail? They were open before Grand Central and Grand Central has managed to fill up a good portion of their retail and they're not even on Channelside Drive which I would say is one of the busiest roads in that area.

And I think right now, that area has a considerable amount of residents to warrant some more retail.

I actually ran into this when trying to find when The Place was completed. One of the snippets from a Times article stated that a two-story mural was suppose to be painted on The Place facing Washington St. Now, I've never seen a mural anywhere on that building and can't really find any information if even one existed. My guess if it was supposed to be painted on one of those ugly bare walls that would had been hidden from The Place II. I just think a mural would do something for those walls until they can build Place II or get a new development on that site.

I've worked in Channelside for the past 6 years, if anyone else remembers Jofferey's used to have a coffee shop on the outside of the plaza, they ended up moving to Ybor. Rent is way to high (over 15k a month for my former employer), and the plaza itself has little to nothing to offer people, it's a joke.. The entire top part of the plaza is almost empty, the only things left are the Theater and Thai Thani. There are 5 vacant locations at the top of that plaza...

I've worked in Channelside for the past 6 years, if anyone else remembers Jofferey's used to have a coffee shop on the outside of the plaza, they ended up moving to Ybor. Rent is way to high (over 15k a month for my former employer), and the plaza itself has little to nothing to offer people, it's a joke.. The entire top part of the plaza is almost empty, the only things left are the Theater and Thai Thani. There are 5 vacant locations at the top of that plaza...
And how many people resided in Channelside at the time they moved? Probably would do pretty well now if they were more located in the center of Channelside. Add in Stageworks, who will likely have some employees and visitors venture over before or after, and then current and future workers at the retail stores and restaurants and you have a pretty good number of people that will likely use that coffee shop.

Channelside Plaza is a joke. Only places that I have gone to more than once is Hooters (before a game at the Forum), Splitsville, the Theater, and I believe it's a Coldstone Ice Cream. Besides that, I have either never went there or only went there once and didn't like it. I honestly don't have an answer though what could attract more people. Splitsville IMHO would work better in Ybor. Hooters I really don't care about, I only go there because I know what they have. The theater is the only thing I can think could stay since parents would have a fit if it went to Ybor. And the Ice Cream shop could fit in any of the retail spots in Channelside. $15 k a month isn't helping either, but I don't even think a lower amount would change anything. Maybe plazas just don't work in this area, example: BayWalk.

Channelside Plaza was poorly designed. It should have opend up towards the Aquarium and the Cruise Terminal to invite people. But the architect put its back into that direction. The later opend up hallway connection tried to undo that mistake.

The problem with many attractions built in Tampa was: good project, wrong timing. It started with the Mall on the northern end of Harbour Island which was built when nothing else was around. The Aquarium struggled in its first years, too, same problem: bing built in the middle of nowhere.
Then came the plaza, but no residential development around and fewer cruise passengers than planned.

Now, the residential development was coming, and before it really boomed enough to bring enough life into channelside, the financial crisis hit.

Eventually everything will come together, but we have to be patient.

Once the surface lot next door is developed, and the Related Group does their apartment complex, that should help quite a bit. That would be like another 1,000 people or more within easy walking distance of the plaza. And once the other two corners of Meridian and Channelside are developed, that should help even more. Let's not forget that Channelside isn't even half built out, and that part of downtown alone could easily house another 5-10,000 people or more, depending how densely it's developed.

I just wish iCS would grow up, not out. Hopefully it gets some midrise density at the least in the future. I doubt anything taller than the towers will ever be built there. And "The Place".....looked at some of the units online. Some have a real shitty view of the Fugly Con Agra and they are small and boxy. That may have a lot to do with the vacancy.

I just wish iCS would grow up, not out. Hopefully it gets some midrise density at the least in the future. I doubt anything taller than the towers will ever be built there. And "The Place".....looked at some of the units online. Some have a real shitty view of the Fugly Con Agra and they are small and boxy. That may have a lot to do with the vacancy.

typo. not iCS....I meant CS (Channelside)

I just wish iCS would grow up, not out. Hopefully it gets some midrise density at the least in the future. I doubt anything taller than the towers will ever be built there. And "The Place".....looked at some of the units online. Some have a real shitty view of the Fugly Con Agra and they are small and boxy. That may have a lot to do with the vacancy.
The Place or The Slade? Because the Slade is like right across the street from it. I hope they can get that place closed down in the next couple years. I guess the city isn;t really forcing them out yet since there is many other spaces for development still and if they leave, the city will be waiting for some time for someone to be paying property taxes for that site. Can't say its the worse view since you have the Port to look at if you're on the other side of Channelside.

Also, who's ever in charge of the newsletter for Channelside is really slacking since there hasn't been an updated one since the Winter. Guess you can ask, "What is there to update?" lol

How's the dog park coming along?

How's the dog park coming along?

Completed as far as I know. I see people with their dogs their.

Completed as far as I know. I see people with their dogs their.
Good News. Having two dog parks in Downtown is kind of a accomplish, right? lol

The Place or The Slade? Because the Slade is like right across the street from it. I hope they can get that place closed down in the next couple years. I guess the city isn;t really forcing them out yet since there is many other spaces for development still and if they leave, the city will be waiting for some time for someone to be paying property taxes for that site. Can't say its the worse view since you have the Port to look at if you're on the other side of Channelside.

Also, who's ever in charge of the newsletter for Channelside is really slacking since there hasn't been an updated one since the Winter. Guess you can ask, "What is there to update?" lol

How's the dog park coming along?

I don't live there so I really don't know. Check out some realtor websites for Channelside. You can see pics of the interiors & views from the Place. I have not looked at any of the Slade but I imagine they are small and boxy too & right next to the skanky bath house.

I'd be interesting to see a survey of where Channelside residents work, I'd assume most would work downtown but I could be wrong. It would also be interesting to see what percentage of residents are active streetcar riders.

I'd be interesting to see a survey of where Channelside residents work, I'd assume most would work downtown but I could be wrong. It would also be interesting to see what percentage of residents are active streetcar riders.

My guess is they work all over the place & only some work in DT. It sucks that you still need a car if you live in DT or CS. Tampa just isn't that kind of city yet where you have everything in walking distance. I've seen days where the trolley only had 4 or 5 people on it but the last time I was driving through there, it was almost full right in front of Hooters and there was no events going on so I think it's mostly tourists. If you live in the Slade, Place or GC, Ventana and want to go clubbing in Ybor, then it would be very convenient to take the trolley to and from & not have to drive drunk.

Of the ones that work downtown I would assume most walk to work but I could be wrong. The unfortunate part about the streetcar is that there is no service in the morning.

--Joey

I don't know of any of you guys watch Glee (the TV show) but Puck, one of the stars of the show, was spotted tonight at Tina Tapa's at Channelside. Just a cool celeb spotting in Tampa.

Latest developments I've heard of:

-Mexican restaurant going in on the plaza of GC next to us (Pour House). Should be complete October 1.
-Coffee shop from the owners of Be Seen. Still working on the concept so not 100% sure what's all involved.
-Stageworks ribbon cutting is Aug 11 at 11am. Opening night is Aug 12.
-GC is still working on a grocery store. Had operational reps in looking at the space. Just needs the green light from management. Sounds like they're really close but I've danced to this tune before.

Oh and we're still going strong. Love that we're a place where the people of Channelside can come together to mix and mingle. Had a great night last night and a really strong month. We're very happy with our little corner of the district.

:cheers:

Great to hear! I'm happy that Grand Central is filling out pretty well. Would like it to be faster, but GC is doing way better than the other developments.

And hopefully the grocery store comes through. I think once that's up and running, we can see other retail spots opening up besides places to get a drink or eat. Nothing wrong with it, just wish there was more clothing stores, bookstores, etc for residents and visitors to go to.

Haven't heard any updates on the four-story apartments behind the towers. Hopefully it's dead.

Haven't heard any updates on the four-story apartments behind the towers. Hopefully it's dead.
I'm really hoping so. I really want to see the extra construction jobs and some construction going on in Channelside, but I still think it is a bad proposal for the area. I get density, but what is planned is way too much land for a 4-story project. And I was looking at the property appraiser site yesterday for the Prime Meridian project and noticed that Related Group owns the property south of Victory Lofts as well. So I would expect that further down the line, they might add another 4-story building these as well. Just way too much land being used on 4-story apartment buildings.

^At this point, Tampa is in such sorry shape after decades of shit planning that the city has no choice but to take what they can get. The local economy and real estate market in particular are in such a shambles that any development is literally better than no development right now.

^At this point, Tampa is in such sorry shape after decades of shit planning that the city has no choice but to take what they can get. The local economy and real estate market in particular are in such a shambles that any development is literally better than no development right now.
Agreed that the economy is crap at the moment, but I wouldn't want to waste that land for 4-story apartments. And say if, by chance, the Rays can get funding for a new stadium and St. Pete allows them to leave (for probably some good $$$), they end up on the ConAgra site. Do you really want to have this land transformed into a 4-story apartment complex?

I really want to know why they can't just put this in one tower or at least on the plot of land next to Meridian. Allow the other parcel to sit empty until the market allows for condos and a taller project or sell it to a developer that envisions something bigger.

Agreed that the economy is crap at the moment, but I wouldn't want to waste that land for 4-story apartments. And say if, by chance, the Rays can get funding for a new stadium and St. Pete allows them to leave (for probably some good $$$), they end up on the ConAgra site. Do you really want to have this land transformed into a 4-story apartment complex?

I really want to know why they can't just put this in one tower or at least on the plot of land next to Meridian. Allow the other parcel to sit empty until the market allows for condos and a taller project or sell it to a developer that envisions something bigger.

Taller and bigger don't happen in Tampa. Just think small & that's what we will get.

New video produced by the Florida Aquarium that shows what they hope will be their expansion project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDgc9q7O4XI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

New video produced by the Florida Aquarium that shows what they hope will be their expansion project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDgc9q7O4XI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Glad to see they are adding on to it. I went there back in 95 and thought the place was just ok (not overwhelming though). Plus the Channelside area back then was a dump, but now it's a lot better.

Best staging of Towers I've seen. Love the double doors the best about the place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0hAlrd8uzk

Interesting on "The Place" parking site:

NAI Tampa Bay .NAI Tampa Bay Latest from The Business Journals Commercial real estate markets appear to be improvingNAI Tampa Bay: Gamla-Cedron makes another multifamily buyTampa Housing Authority buys land around Encore Follow this company .recently closed two multifamily development sites in Tampa.

The first site at 1515 S. Howard Ave. consists of four parcels totaling 1.76 acres. The property is set for development as a senior housing project expected to break ground by the end of they year. The land sold for a little more than $1.9 million.

“This was an extremely unique opportunity for the buyer to acquire just under 2 acres in the highly desirable Hyde Park submarket,” said T. Sean Lance, managing director of NAI Tampa Bay. “The site is located one block from Bayshore Boulevard and was previously planned for a condominium project which was never able to materialize before the real estate market crashed.”

The second site consists of two parcels totaling 0.51 acres at 930 & 940 Channelside Drive in the Channel District, next to The Place at Channelside condominiums.

The land was purchased for $955,000.

It will be used to accommodate parking for the condo’s ground-floor commercial space, but could be developed later for a planned second phase of more than 100 additional units, Lance said.

Interesting on "The Place" parking site:

NAI Tampa Bay .NAI Tampa Bay Latest from The Business Journals Commercial real estate markets appear to be improvingNAI Tampa Bay: Gamla-Cedron makes another multifamily buyTampa Housing Authority buys land around Encore Follow this company .recently closed two multifamily development sites in Tampa.

The first site at 1515 S. Howard Ave. consists of four parcels totaling 1.76 acres. The property is set for development as a senior housing project expected to break ground by the end of they year. The land sold for a little more than $1.9 million.

“This was an extremely unique opportunity for the buyer to acquire just under 2 acres in the highly desirable Hyde Park submarket,” said T. Sean Lance, managing director of NAI Tampa Bay. “The site is located one block from Bayshore Boulevard and was previously planned for a condominium project which was never able to materialize before the real estate market crashed.”

The second site consists of two parcels totaling 0.51 acres at 930 & 940 Channelside Drive in the Channel District, next to The Place at Channelside condominiums.

The land was purchased for $955,000.

It will be used to accommodate parking for the condo’s ground-floor commercial space, but could be developed later for a planned second phase of more than 100 additional units, Lance said.
Nothing new really. I don't think the developers have ever walked away from Phase II of the Place, but just put it on the shelves for now with the economy. I will probably say that Phase III is likely cancelled, although I'm not 100% sure. Not that same amount of trust in the market that there was in 2004-2006.

Well, I thought that too, but how long has The Place been open? Almost 6 years now. And what do they have to show from it when it comes to retail? They were open before Grand Central and Grand Central has managed to fill up a good portion of their retail and they're not even on Channelside Drive which I would say is one of the busiest roads in that area.

And I think right now, that area has a considerable amount of residents to warrant some more retail.

I actually ran into this when trying to find when The Place was completed. One of the snippets from a Times article stated that a two-story mural was suppose to be painted on The Place facing Washington St. Now, I've never seen a mural anywhere on that building and can't really find any information if even one existed. My guess if it was supposed to be painted on one of those ugly bare walls that would had been hidden from The Place II. I just think a mural would do something for those walls until they can build Place II or get a new development on that site.

The Place has been around a little over 4 years - their first closings on completed residential units were in late June 2007.

I don't think the mural ever got done. I'll look thru some paperwork & see if I can find where it was supposed to be.

Hopefully the city addresses the flooding situation on Meridian just north of Channelside Dr. soon. Pic on the link.

http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/september/317292/Strong-storms-bring-heavy-rain,-flooding-to-Bay-area

The Place has been around a little over 4 years - their first closings on completed residential units were in late June 2007.

I don't think the mural ever got done. I'll look thru some paperwork & see if I can find where it was supposed to be.
My guess was the wall that faces Channelside Dr. Put a mural up, wait for Place I to fill in, and then remove it when Place II begins to be built. Place II has yet to happen and no mural to date from opening.

Best staging of Towers I've seen. Love the double doors the best about the place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0hAlrd8uzk

There are some nice units there. I like the penthouse! :)

Any word on what might be going up on the lot that is currently being cleared at Twiggs and Meridian? I have heard that the Grand Central at Kennedy owns the land. Any idea what they might do with it?

What the Mercury Advisors website says about the project that was proposed for that site:

The Martin at Meridian will be located next to Grand Central at Kennedy. Due to the change in market conditions, the zoning for the site has been adjusted to a higher density. The site is now approved for the construction of up to 650 units. Below are artist's renderings based on the approved zoning. Steps are currently being taken in preparation of future construction for when market conditions improve.
http://www.mercury-advisors.com/images/stories/tmm_1.jpghttp://www.mercury-advisors.com/images/stories/tmm_2.jpg
http://www.mercury-advisors.com/images/stories/tmm_3.jpghttp://www.mercury-advisors.com/images/stories/tmm_4.jpg

Why does virtually everything propsoed/developed in Channelside have to be twin/bifurcated towers?

Lame.

Sure do wish some shops or cafes would come to any of the first floors of these buildings.

Any word on what might be going up on the lot that is currently being cleared at Twiggs and Meridian? I have heard that the Grand Central at Kennedy owns the land. Any idea what they might do with it?
AKBTampa brought this up also in The Martin thread. I emailed Mercury Advisors, never got a response.
Sure do wish some shops or cafes would come to any of the first floors of these buildings.
Same here.

Kinda blah looking but at least there's some height. Better market conditions won't be any time soon.

Kinda blah looking but at least there's some height. Better market conditions won't be any time soon.

Indeed. If they're waiting to build till the economy picks up... then I think we'll be waiting for awhile. Which is alright by me cuz that tower would block my downtown view from Seaport. ;)

Depends if they bring in one or both of the towers as a rental property, or wait to only do condo.

Indeed. If they're waiting to build till the economy picks up... then I think we'll be waiting for awhile. Which is alright by me cuz that tower would block my downtown view from Seaport. ;)

If Seaport had been built taller instead of horizontal maybe you wouldn't have that problem.

Depends if they bring in one or both of the towers as a rental property, or wait to only do condo.

Just realized these are both 24 stories. In these days that is pretty tall and big for Channelside. If built it may look kind of awkward to have the TOC being the tallest of the south side and the Martin on the north side with squatty stuff in the middle. And if they ever go forward with this I'm sure they will knock off some floors.

Jason brought it up years ago how the city failed with the height requirements in Channelside. Having the short squatty stuff in the front, pretty much lining up along Channelside Dr. and have the taller stuff further into the district. Obviously, that is not how Channelside has developed of course.

Seaport really seems like a bad project for the location, especially for anyone who wants a view.... of anything. North view, you have the Selmon Crosstown. South view, you'll have the Martin blocking any view, even though Grand Central does a good part of that already. And there has been proposals to the east near the channel over there, and something will likely happen on that site in the future. Even though I believe it is a brownfield site. West, you have some skyline but still have the Crosstown. Just hope the Expressway Authority building doesn't go vacant, someone buys the lot, and tries to fit a 20 something story building on that site. lol

We've had that Martin design/renderings for over 3 years now.

Sure do wish some shops or cafes would come to any of the first floors of these buildings.

There is a cafe going in next to the dry cleaners. Also a mexican restaurant next to us in the courtyard. Both are currently in build.

I was at the CDC meeting last week, and one of the developers mentioned if everything falls into place (which it seldom does), he'd like to break ground on the 24-story Martin by March 2012. He did mention it would be rentals, and I thought he even said part of it would be a hotel.

There was also some discussion of a grocery store at Grand Central, and my impression was that an announcement was imminent. Now, I don't know if the Encore contract has changed that, or if they are not mutually exclusive.

Finally, the small corner park at Washingon and 12th should be opening up within the week. I can tell you that the dog run area will be an instant hit in the neighborhood.

I was at the CDC meeting last week, and one of the developers mentioned if everything falls into place (which it seldom does), he'd like to break ground on the 24-story Martin by March 2012. He did mention it would be rentals, and I thought he even said part of it would be a hotel.

There was also some discussion of a grocery store at Grand Central, and my impression was that an announcement was imminent. Now, I don't know if the Encore contract has changed that, or if they are not mutually exclusive.

Finally, the small corner park at Washingon and 12th should be opening up within the week. I can tell you that the dog run area will be an instant hit in the neighborhood.
Awesome news, thanks FLHawk for attending the meeting! :)

Just think, if everything "falls into place", we could have cranes up for Encore, The Martin, and the Trammell Crow project. I don't think the Related Group project would warrant cranes, I might be wrong though.

March 2012? That's just around the corner. Thanks FLHawk for sharing. Did they mention if the buildings would be altered in any way from the original plan?

The best part is, my office window has a perfect view of all of it!

The best part is, my office window has a perfect view of all of it!

Well we all know not to get our hopes of high on any "proposal" in Tampa. And yes, I too love watching buildings going up, especially pouring floors.

No, he didn't really mention anything about the project veering from the drawings, but I think those rendering have been around for a while, so who knows?

It is also my understanding that the Related Group project (just north of the Channelside Towers on 11th Street) will be breaking ground before the end of the year, most likely in November.

Here's the most recent unit and population numbers of Channelside and CBD. Excluding the CBD, the population is 2835. And factor that a fraction is residential, I would say the number is around 1,800 to 2,000. I think that with a number like that and including the visitors and tourists, it should be justifiable to have a grocer in Channelside right now.

CBD and Channel District Population
10/20/11

Development Number of Units Population

Grand Central 392 700

Channelside 212 24 46

1000 Channelside 10 5

The Place 244 350

Meridian Lofts 37 46

Victory Lofts 89 133

The Towers of Channelside 257 385

Ventana 84 150

The Slade 280 420

Seaport Channelside 422 600

Arts Center Lofts 42 65

Residences on Franklin 40 35

Skypoint 385 481

The Arlington 11 23

The Element 395 493

Total 2216 3932

I replied to Bob McDonaugh (one that gave population and unit numbers) and has confirmed the Related Group project. I still can't find a single render of this project though! Also, he said this about a grocer in Channelside,

Rule of thumb....20,000 within 2 miles for a grocer. We are just about there. Stay tuned.

Would include all of Ybor, Harbour Islands, Channelside and CBD, Tampa Heights, Davis Island, parts of Bayshore (including the Publix), and University of Tampa. Add Encore that would thousands more and the Related Group project, which would mean around 650 to 700 in increase population by comparing other unit to population numbers, and abracadabra!! :)

^Plus the proposed apts at One Bayshore that are going to get built not too far in the future. Plus Mercury Advisors is eager to start moving forward on the Martin.


Rule of thumb....20,000 within 2 miles for a grocer
If that was the rule of thumb, then there wouldn't be hardly any grocery stores in suburban areas, since many suburbs don't reach that kind of population density.

Not only that, but you have the people that may be outside the 2 mile radius that won't shop for groceries except if it is Whole Foods or Sweetbay. Heck, you can go 3 miles north of Channelside without there being a grocery store, how much residents is that? And I just noticed that Harbour Island wasn't even included with the population number, so there's a couple more thousands in population.

I was also thinking, what's the chance that Meridian Dr. would be shortened to 2 lanes in each direction? When I was typing my latest post in the Riverwalk thread and brought up Meridian Dr., I just thought it was against everything for a true city to have a 6 lane roadway existing at all.

I just thought it was against everything for a true city to have a 6 lane roadway existing at all.

Only in some idiot planner's fantasy world -
Michigan Avenue - Chicago:
http://www.themagnificentmile.com/images/site/maps_and_travel_tools.jpg
http://api.ning.com/files/6z8IzjTweEYhmtKgzlwOHvG5t56zaDGi2qb6*p3gDTxsF89ekF0nd4GKt7wlJyg8P5cwQO7m9*OmUTYaNgu-wTlpq8ecBnqJ/The_Westin_Michigan_Avenueview.jpg
http://wibiti.com/images/hpmain/764/216764.jpg
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=chicago+michigan+avenue&hl=en&ll=41.889329,-87.624152&spn=0.000592,0.001206&sll=41.88596,-87.626697&sspn=0.032242,0.007444&hq=michigan+avenue&hnear=Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois&t=h&vpsrc=6&fll=41.889128,-87.624176&fspn=0.000592,0.001206&z=20

Haha that's what I thought. Meridian Dr. seems to got the median thing right while Channelside Dr. got the lesser lanes right.

While we're at the topic of Channelside roads, question to any of the Grand Central of Channelside residents. Has anyone brought up the 5 lane debacle of Kennedy Blvd.? I've tried to cross that street many times while down there and it seems like you can't cross while the eastbound traffic is coming and once the eastbound traffic is done, now you have the westbound traffic to deal with. Especially with the new dog park and all, be nice if it was easier for residents to easily cross a street.

With that concern, connecting the whole area with sidewalks and some pedestrian crosswalks on Channelside Dr. would be nice as well.

^My guess is the problem is that there's no time in the light cycle designated for peds.

There was also some discussion of a grocery store at Grand Central, and my impression was that an announcement was imminent.

I'm hearing Q4 2012 opening. No announcement made yet but imminent. There's nothing holding it up from what I understand.

There are also plans in place to add medians to Kennedy to make it more ped-friendly. Should commence within next few months, I believe.

There are also plans in place to add medians to Kennedy to make it more ped-friendly. Should commence within next few months, I believe.
Great News. Once GC has everything in place that will attract many around Channelside (Powerhouse Gym, Pour House, Garage Bar, and Grocery Store), the need to make the trek across Kennedy is going to be crucial.

There are also plans in place to add medians to Kennedy to make it more ped-friendly. Should commence within next few months, I believe.

That would be a rank waste of money. The road is not that wide now. There is little room for a median. Just time the lights properly.

Are the people in Channelside so timid they can't cross a road? What happens when they get to a real city?

That would be a rank waste of money. The road is not that wide now. There is little room for a median. Just time the lights properly.

Are the people in Channelside so timid they can't cross a road? What happens when they get to a real city?
Take out the left turn lane for both directions and you can. Especially the left turn to get onto Channelside Dr., look how long that lane is. Can definitely fit in an elevated median with a crosswalk into that space.

I've never seen that much traffic around there. Is it really necessary?

I've never seen that much traffic around there. Is it really necessary?

Never been to an event at the Forum?

Never been to an event at the Forum?

No never. I get your point. There could be a lot of people from Brandon & other east Hillsborough areas cutting through there. I could imagine.

Try checking out the traffic at rush hour.

Great News. Once GC has everything in place that will attract many around Channelside (Powerhouse Gym, Pour House, Garage Bar, and Grocery Store), the need to make the trek across Kennedy is going to be crucial.

Garage Bar went out of business a couple months back. Execution and definition of brand was their downfall.

That would be a rank waste of money. The road is not that wide now. There is little room for a median. Just time the lights properly.

Are the people in Channelside so timid they can't cross a road? What happens when they get to a real city?

There's plenty of traffic on Kennedy between Meridian and Channelside Drive. I actually think its a great idea. If it makes people in the District feel safer coming up the Grand Central, I'm all for it.

Garage Bar went out of business a couple months back. Execution and definition of brand was their downfall.

Yea, that place was awful. Huge, empty, sterile. Bad food too, it had no chance.

Garage Bar went out of business a couple months back. Execution and definition of brand was their downfall.

Yea, that place was awful. Huge, empty, sterile. Bad food too, it had no chance.
If that's the case, then maybe a good thing they ran out of time. Although considering some of the restaurant ideas that have filled up Channelside Plaza, likely would had lasted a little longer there.

The site of what was the Prime Meridian project is up for zoning on the 10th. Anything expected to go there or what?

What is the zoning for? Proposed for?

What is the zoning for? Proposed for?
The agenda says from CBD-2 to CBD-2, which I have no idea why they would need to rezone it to what it is now. Still trying to understand the whole process of things. CBD-2 is for a highrise though.

No, he didn't really mention anything about the project veering from the drawings, but I think those rendering have been around for a while, so who knows?

It is also my understanding that the Related Group project (just north of the Channelside Towers on 11th Street) will be breaking ground before the end of the year, most likely in November.
Any activity on the Related site yet?

Anyone know if Culpepper Kurland Law Firm is planning opening an office building in Channelside? Was looking over the property appraiser site and notice that they had purchased the empty parcel north of the 12 St./Washington St. intersection.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/6371995671_699a39917d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58228608@N03/6371995671/)
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6372003181_f517c4b76f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58228608@N03/6372003181/)
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6103/6372012063_7f3aeef98a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58228608@N03/6372012063/)
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6371999441_2873a36511_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58228608@N03/6371999441/)
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6118/6372063819_72ec14ffd3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58228608@N03/6372063819/)
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6053/6372078533_e444eb354c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58228608@N03/6372078533/)

Nice little pocket park.

Not bad.

But the chairs are not chained? Those will be gone shortly...

Not bad.

But the chairs are not chained? Those will be gone shortly...

If it's like Curtis Hixon, they are taken in or chained at night.

Really nice little park, way better than the open lot. Now if they could only build a few more like it we would really have a cool concept going on.

Steve

If that's the case, then maybe a good thing they ran out of time. Although considering some of the restaurant ideas that have filled up Channelside Plaza, likely would had lasted a little longer there.

So still waiting on the cafe and the mexican joint to open. They first said October but you know how that goes. If I didn't mention, this is what is replacing the Garage:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ragin-grill-tampa

Park does look nice and seems to fit well with Channelside and even The Place across the street. How big is the dog park and is there two separate areas for certain dogs? I remember the dog park at Curtis Hixon had issues a year or so ago because a bigger dog attacked a smaller dog.

Guessing the Related Group development hasn't started yet?

Plan and Attack
By: Alex Walsh | Web EditorJanuary 01, 2012

http://www.review.net/section/detail/plan-and-attack/

In the long run, selling out the Towers of Channelside will likely end up as a secondary achievement on the resumes of Cheryl McCormick Brown and Steve McAuliffe.

More importantly, their success as a sales team taught the two how best to execute their idea for a new business. The new firm, called McAuliffe & McCormick, is now actively searching for clients with properties that need selling.

In February, the pair was tasked with finding buyers for 137 luxury condos at Towers of Channelside in Tampa — an inventory representing more than half of the building’s total number of units. At the time, McCormick Brown was the Towers’ sales director; McAuliffe was a broker with St. Petersburg-based JMC Realty.

Four months later, all 137 remaining units had been sold, and the duo’s first “clients” — four banks (Wells Fargo, Fifth Third, M&I and PNC) and a hedge fund known as The Madison Group — were pleased.

McAuliffe and McCormick Brown were pleased, too. The two had begun talking about working together more than a year prior to their success with the Towers; and when Ryland Homes, McCormick Brown’s most recent employer, decided to cut back on its marketing operations, the time to act had arrived.

To sell the remaining inventory at Towers of Channelside quickly, McAuliffe and McCormick Brown cut prices by an average of 40% for all empty units. The strategy may sound simple — lower prices spur sales. But as McAuliffe explains, the team’s approach to pricing was anything but guesswork.

McAuliffe looked at 20 years of real estate price data to try to isolate the impact on values caused by the overheated market of the last half-decade. By his count, prices at the Towers were 40% higher than they should be; thus, the aforementioned cuts.

The team also says it was important to cut prices just once, rather than allow them to slowly creep downward over time. Holding new prices steady convinced lurking buyers to stop waiting for further decreases.

The scale of that sale was impressive: If a 40% discount brought in $45 million, that’s $30 million gone from the original price point. But McCormick Brown is confident the banks would have gotten “about half” of the revenues she and McAuliffe generated had they settled on a bulk sale of the properties.

Going forward, that’ll be the key to the sales pitch for McAuliffe & McCormick: the promise of better revenue recovery from working with them, as opposed to a bulk sale.

They’ll also need properties to sell. Like so many Floridians, the two are forced to wait for the owners of distressed properties to decide what to do with those troubled assets.

“It’s definitely wait-and-see,” McCormick Brown says. “It takes a while for a lot of these properties to come to fruition.”

In the meantime, the new company will provide consulting, marketing, and even Web design services to slowly recovering homebuilders looking to grow a little without making a dozen full-time hires. McAuliffe & McCormick will likely remain a two-person company for the foreseeable future, but working with former partners from past projects on individual cases makes the firm flexible in the long run.

In fact, of all the details behind their new business, it’s that diverse line up of supporting cast members that the pair is most reserved about — questions about their partners were met with silence, and then, “Next question, please.”

The new company won’t limit itself to work in the Tampa Bay area; in fact, McAuliffe thinks his firm’s home turf is lagging furthest behind in terms of recovery. “We haven’t seen a lot of progress,” he says.

But despite that slow movement, and with signs of life in other nearby markets, McAuliffe and McCormick Brown remain confident that there’s a need for their business in this market.

“There are definitely buyers out there,” McAuliffe says.

McAuliffe looked at 20 years of real estate price data to try to isolate the impact on values caused by the overheated market of the last half-decade. By his count, prices at the Towers were 40% higher than they should be; thus, the aforementioned cuts.
I think it's hilarious that it's considered a stroke of genius to develop and price housing according to what the target audience's average income is.

here's a video of Channelside where they are showing how the buildings are empty at the street level. I don't like how they are picking on Channelside when there are subdivisions all over the place with foreclosed homes, so it's not just the city. They do make a good point that the windows are tinted, have paper or blinds so you can't see the emptiness. It would look much worse if you could see right through the emptiness of the first floors that were built (maybe overbuilt) for office and retail space.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnXug7fgNJs

So a used car dealership moved into the parking lot of 211 Meridian. To say it looks like shit and totally out of place would be the understatement of the new year.

So a used car dealership moved into the parking lot of 211 Meridian. To say it looks like shit and totally out of place would be the understatement of the new year.
Because that makes sense...... Not even a car dealership, but a used car dealership in Channelside......

Can we eliminate the rules that says that Tampa government officials need to live in Tampa and just allow me to be on the planning board or even city council?

You mean this: http://www.carsinctampa.com/

Are you serious? That's crazy! Can someone take a picture.

Basically a satellite site for them targeting the wanna be yuppies with cheap used "luxury" cars. What a waste of a site but soo typical TAMPA...classless!

Get on your balconies and egg it.

Basically a satellite site for them targeting the wanna be yuppies with cheap used "luxury" cars. What a waste of a site but soo typical TAMPA...classless!

This is just someone using a parking lot while waiting for the land to be sold. It's been going on for quite some time (maybe not direct sales, but they have been keeping cars there for a while). Cars are similarly stored at a lot on Tampa St next to the Dominos.

This is the original dealer, all of their pics are at UT which makes sense since its so close.

http://www.carsinctampa.com/directions.aspx

Well, I guess a car lot paying commercial property taxes is better than an empty lot paying almost no taxes.

It just doesn't make sense because if they ever do have someone interested in renting the building, they'll have to kick out the dealership. Here's the building.

http://www.211meridian.com/

This dealership used to be over by UT on Kennedy in a lot... that looked like a car dealership. Grrrr.

The worst part is that it's right in front of you when you cross over from downtown. Welcome to beautiful Channel District!

Oh and since I'm on a rant, here's a dumbass that doesn't know anything about the district beating up on us. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnXug7fgNJs

I get his point, but why isn't he filming on the exurban fringe of the Bay Area? By all means, channel your contempt for our government into some meaningful discussion, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water...

It just doesn't make sense because if they ever do have someone interested in renting the building, they'll have to kick out the dealership. Here's the building.

http://www.211meridian.com/

This dealership used to be over by UT on Kennedy in a lot... that looked like a car dealership. Grrrr.


The same applies to any business that could be there. The car lot is at least easy to move, most businesses can't literally drive away.

I put that same link on here a few days ago but nobody commented on it. Hops, Grand Central seems to be doing the best out of all that was built and perhaps the Place is the worst (possibly nothing moved in yet there). Channelside was not the only place that got hit by the economy. Look at all the suburban strip malls where the only thing mainly left is the big box made in China stores.

Hardin optimistic about construction work in 2012
.Premium content from Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer Date: Friday, January 13, 2012, 6:00am EST
.
Mark Holan
Staff Writer - Tampa Bay Business Journal
TAMPA — Things are busy at Hardin Construction but not like the early 2000s boom.

“We won’t ever see that again,” said Page W. McKee, senior vice president.

But Hardin recently hired six project engineers and assistant supervisors, while several senior level executives have returned to Tampa after weathering the recession in Atlanta and Texas. “We could be hiring another half dozen people if we secure a few more projects,” McKee said.

Hardin is vying to build a 375-unit apartment project on Bayshore Boulevard for Crescent Resources .Crescent Resources Latest from The Business Journals Cousins Properties places bet on PromenadeMansfield named Crescent Resources CEOCox & Schepp files for bankruptcy protection Follow this company .of Charlotte, N.C. “We are very optimistic we will be chosen,” McKee said.

Hardin has been selected to build The Martin at Meridian, up to 650 units next to Grand Central at Kennedy in the Channel District.

Mercury Advisors of Tampa is developing the project. Construction could begin in March or April, McKee said.
“Right now we are building 3,200 hotel rooms nationwide, half of them in Florida,” McKee said.

The largest project is the 1,984-key Art of Animation Resort at Disney .Disney Latest from The Business Journals 'Lone Ranger' starts shooting in February Disney Wonder expected at Port of MiamiGambling on Florida’s future Follow this company .in Orlando. The 1.2-million-square-foot, 69-acre resort is based on design themes from “The Lion King,” “Cars,” “Finding Nemo” and “The Little Mermaid.” It is set to open in June.

Resort renovation
Hardin is renovating the 112-room Shephard’s Beach Resort in Clearwater, and the $20.2 million renovation of the main terminal at Tampa International Airport .Tampa International Airport Latest from The Business Journals Financed & Finished: Tourism makes an impactHumana takes large new lease in Westshore’s MetWestAviation Authority to reconsider ,000 pay hike for Lopano Follow this company .. It is also building the first residential tower at the mixed-use Encore development downtown.

About the time the $26 million Ella opens later this year, developers hope to break ground on a second tower. Other buildings, such as a hotel and grocery store, are also planned for the 40-acre site. “I hope we are there for a long time,” McKee said.

Hardin acquired Tampa’s Mathews Construction .Mathews Construction Latest from The Business Journals Largo activity: Pinch A Penny moving to new headquartersHardin Construction Co. to acquire Tampa’s Mathews ConstructionHardin to buy Tampa’s Mathews Construction Follow this company .in 2010, and the local firm has been incorporated as a division. Last year the Mathews division completed the 46,000-square-foot office and 209,000-square-foot warehouse for Pinch A Penny in Largo.

“It’s good to keep clients that Mathews had done work with in the past,” McKee said. “That division is geared more toward smaller projects.”

McKee is generally optimistic about 2012. He expects the trend in multifamily construction to continue because of pent-up demand and low construction costs.

“It’s a good time to build,” he said. “And the apartment units can be converted to the condo market when the market is ready.”

Hardin will continue to pursue aviation and education projects, which it added during the recession to maintain workflow. “We would love to see office construction come back,” McKee said.

That's kinda hard to read. You copy/pasted a bunch of headers for links to other articles.

I deleted them and just looked and don't see the headers on mine?

That's kinda hard to read. You copy/pasted a bunch of headers for links to other articles.

Better?

There's a couple more "paragraphs" that include headliners for different topics in the post still. But I hope the timeline actually plays out and he isn't throwing a date out there.

I was in Downtown Tampa today and it looked great seeing three cruise ships docked at Channelside. Don't know if it's great for the residents there :lol: but seeing the port area that busy is really nice and great for the city

Better?
Yes thank you. :)

Lightning approached about Channelside, but no deal struck


http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/lightning-approached-about-channelside-but-no-deal-struck/1210563


TAMPA — Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has been approached and is considering taking a stake in the long-troubled Channelside entertainment complex that lies adjacent to the Lightning's home ice, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Lightning officials confirmed Friday.

However, they said, rumors swirling Friday that a deal has been struck go too far.

"We do have a keen interest with everything that goes on in our neighborhood, and we'd like to see Channelside be successful," Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said. "To say today that we are taking on a business interest is not correct."

Lightning chief executive officer Tod Leiweke noted that a number of potential buyers are looking "and they think we would be a good marketing partner" given the team's proximity to Channelside.

One recurring rumor is that a dual sports deal could occur, whereby Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg would buy the New York Mets and sell the Rays to Vinik, who would then relocate the Rays from St. Petersburg to his newly acquired Channelside territory.

It's chatter the Lightning hopes to squelch.

"Our organization enjoys a strong friendship with the Tampa Bay Rays and we look forward to deepening those bonds," Wickett said. "We wish them continued success on and off the field, but any speculation that we are interested in anything more is unfounded and untrue."

Some community leaders have advocated Vinik as a buyer to rejuvenate Channelside given his reputation as a strong civic backer during his tenure as Lightning owner. Vinik bankrolled about $40 million in recent renovations at the Forum and has been a major donor to area charities.

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

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

Buckhorn said he has not talked to Vinik or anyone in the Lightning organization about the idea.

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

"You blow out that back wall," Buckhorn said, and a new owner could not only open up views to the water, but could make Riverwalk rise over the port's operations and let Channelside open on the Riverwalk.

Any deal would involve the Tampa Port Authority, which owns the land under Channelside. Port spokesman Andy Fobes declined to speculate about a local buyer. Chuck Taylor, the court-appointed receiver managing Channelside, also said he had been told nothing about a sale of the complex involving Vinik.

The downtown complex has been in limbo for years, struggling to boost its occupancy during the recession.

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

Private equity giant Lone Star Funds of Texas subsequently negotiated with Anglo Irish to buy a package of nonperforming and subperforming loans, including the Channelside note. Fobes said the port is still awaiting confirmation that the deal with Lone Star has been finalized

What do you think Channelside needs in order to attract more people?

At least 1000 hotel rooms and 1,000,000 sq ft of office space built above and adjacent to the complex.

What do you think Channelside needs in order to attract more people?
Sidewalks along every street before anything else really. I think it's an embarrassment that for a neighborhood the city envision being it's "master project", Channelside doesn't have sidewalks along every street. Even near TofC, Channelside doesn't have sidewalks. If you want to attract more people, then start with that first.

Grocery store of course, hotel rooms, office space, something that adds more traffic besides the weekends and night time. Grocery store will have more people walking from the TofC and The Place. Hotel rooms will add more people walking any part of the day, even at 3 am. Office will add a 11 am to 1 pm traffic time that will have employees walking to the Channelside Plaza or elsewhere in Channelside for lunch.

But before anything, please add sidewalks on every street!

Supposedly Ragin' Grill is to open tomorrow. There's a nice lighted sign for the restaurant that faces Meridian. Not sure why the Garage didn't do this. All the best to them. We need more successful businesses in the Channel District.

We're coming up on two years in March. Love our little corner bar.

If you can come out to the food truck rally, it's this Thursday (always third Thursday of the month). http://www.tampabaymarkets.com/flicks-and-food-trucks

Supposedly Ragin' Grill is to open tomorrow. There's a nice lighted sign for the restaurant that faces Meridian. Not sure why the Garage didn't do this. All the best to them. We need more successful businesses in the Channel District.

We're coming up on two years in March. Love our little corner bar.

If you can come out to the food truck rally, it's this Thursday (always third Thursday of the month). http://www.tampabaymarkets.com/flicks-and-food-trucks

How's the Mexican place? Been meaning to try it out.

How's the Mexican place? Been meaning to try it out.

Food is really good. The owner (John) is behind the grill every time I go in there. He's very hands on. A great addition to Grand Central.

Food truck rally was crazy last night. Packed 3 deep at the bar the whole night. About 13 trucks were there. Great food, great beer, a band and indie movies made for a great night.

Oh and Ragin Grill had their VIP party on Weds. Great BBQ. They hope to open Monday.

Cafe 1120 is supposed to open Monday 1/23 too.

Really glad to see at least some parts of the neighborhood starting to gel together. There's still a desperate need for nuts and bolts retail, but having eateries and watering holes is just as fundamental.

Oh and Ragin Grill had their VIP party on Weds. Great BBQ. They hope to open Monday.

Cafe 1120 is supposed to open Monday 1/23 too.

How much of GC first floor is now occupied/filled? Rough estimate?

Between Pour House, Sea Dog, 1120 Cafe, Ragin Grill, Be Seen dry cleaners, Powerhouse Gym, Stageworks and a possible Paul Mitchell hair salon, I'd say we're about 40%. There's still a huge void in the east building waiting for Publix to announce.

Food is really good. The owner (John) is behind the grill every time I go in there. He's very hands on. A great addition to Grand Central.


I went over the weekend and was disappointed. I guess I was under the impression it was a Mexican restaurant. It was a pretty generic place with a few Mexican themed items, but a lot of other stuff (chicken wings for example). The tacos I had were very Americanized, flour tortillas, what appeared to be shredded cheese blend, etc.

Between Pour House, Sea Dog, 1120 Cafe, Ragin Grill, Be Seen dry cleaners, Powerhouse Gym, Stageworks and a possible Paul Mitchell hair salon, I'd say we're about 40%. There's still a huge void in the east building waiting for Publix to announce.

That's pretty good I guess. As for a Publix, that would be great but Publix does not know how to be urban.

^? Ever been to Miami Beach?

i would say that Publix prefers cheaper locations so that they can better compete with the soulsuckers at Wal Mart.

That's pretty good I guess. As for a Publix, that would be great but Publix does not know how to be urban.

They do have a location in Hyde Park with a parking garage above the store. That's fairly progressive as far as grocery stores go in this area.

I thought St. Leo University opened up space in Grand Central, did that never happen?

I thought St. Leo University opened up space in Grand Central, did that never happen?

I believe that's above grade.

I'm mildly surprised that no new rental project has started any meaningful work yet.

I'm mildly surprised that no new rental project has started any meaningful work yet.

Weren't you working on something a few weeks back in the area?

I know people who were working on something a while back. The kind of work being done indicated that something would be getting built fairly soon.

I would have thought the Related Group project would had started by now. Don't know how they are on timelines and if they really stick with them, but I thought it was mentioned they would had started in December?

I would have thought the Related Group project would had started by now. Don't know how they are on timelines and if they really stick with them, but I thought it was mentioned they would had started in December?

" Related Group will break ground Monday February 13 at 10 am to start construction on their 400 unit luxury rental project on the vacant lots north of Tower 2. "

I received this in a newsletter a few days ago.

Aha! Ok, that makes perfect sense.

What newsletter was that from?

Aha! Ok, that makes perfect sense.

What newsletter was that from?

It was a Towers of Channelside newsletter.

Wait, is this the project breaking ground?

http://relatedgroup.com/2011/11/channelside/

http://relatedgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ChannelSiderotatingbanner.jpg

The residences will be constructed in four four-story stick frame buildings with 4,800 leasable square feet of retail and will be parked by two separate four story precast concrete parking garages.The project will have six unit types, which includes 33 studios, 186 one bedrooms and 133 two bedrooms. The project is designed by MSA Architects and includes an expansive pool/sun deck area, unique Urban Pathway, gym, spa, event meeting/dining room, a double-height club lounge and individual landscaped courtyards at each residential building

Wait, is this the project breaking ground?

Yep.

Another Tyvek piece of shit. What a waste of land.

Nice to see a vacant lot filled in, and the retail is good.......

How the fu*@ did they get approval to build the garage and residential units as separate buildings? And only 4 floors tall?? Oh well, at least it is a vacant lot filled in. Welcome to Tampa.

Well, even if you look at their other properties (like the Flagler Village project), you can notice we got the shit end of the stick with this one. And not saying the proposal is bad but, just like CAMLS, it's the location. I think the city council all needs to take a lesson on what developments belong in a Downtown and CBD and what types don't. Maybe we won't have this issue any longer..

lolololol... You got it... We get the 'short end of the stick' from developers, because our 'leaders' let them.

I think the city council all needs to take a lesson on what developments belong in a Downtown and CBD and what types don't. Maybe we won't have this issue any longer..
Still, what are they going to be able to do about it?

1. Have a plan for growth.

2a. Zone according to the plan.

2b. Build infrastructure according to the plan.

3. STICK TO THE PLAN.

^^
Ultimately, though, it is still private property.

I think all of the things you mentioned are good, and I am certainly looking forward to having a proper downtown master plan, but a plan is not reality. It is only going to provide a certain set of guidelines.

And that said, I still don't see how much it would change with this particular site - a reasonably dense residential project with a retail component and a park.

Zoning regs can be structured in all kinds of ways. They don't always have to be used as a gambit by politicans to extract campaign contributions from developers looking for easy profits by sidestepping them. We can actually have zoning regs that are relevant and are actually used to help shape development in a beneficial way that builds quality of life, rather than sacrificing it.

Better image on what is being built for the project. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the structure in the back is a parking garage covered in vines. I remember a while back talking about parking garages and bringing up the idea of covering the garages up with vines, I believe they have a couple like that down in Miami anyways. So I can't complain.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6804741737_df3321fcd5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tampamike/6804741737/)
Related (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tampamike/6804741737/) by TampaMike2 (http://www.flickr.com/people/tampamike/), on Flickr