No need to pick on Urbanite. He was just stating a pretty obvious truth. Most people will not go to gay restaurant - just like most people will not frequent a gay bar or a stay at a gay hotel. I am not trying to be prejudiced or intolerant just stating a fact in our society today. That you may want that to change is another story. Now just because most people would not patronize such establishments doesn’t mean they’d heave Molotov cocktails at them either. The reality is that most people don’t like to veer out of their comfort zone – that’s why most people would choose to eat at an Italian restaurant rather than in a Turkish one. Now obviously, if someone were in Turkey, that would be a completely different story…

No need to pick on Urbanite. He was just stating a pretty obvious truth. Most people will not go to gay restaurant - just like most people will not frequent a gay bar or a stay at a gay hotel. I am not trying to be prejudiced or intolerant just stating a fact in our society today. That you may want that to change is another story. Now just because most people would not patronize such establishments doesn’t mean they’d heave Molotov cocktails at them either. The reality is that most people don’t like to veer out of their comfort zone – that’s why most people would choose to eat at an Italian restaurant rather than in a Turkish one. Now obviously, if someone were in Turkey, that would be a completely different story…

Wow. Again I have to ask, how do you know that "most people" will not go to a gay restaurant? Have you personally surveyed "most people"? Are you projecting your own biases onto others? Stop and really think about it.

Dude it's obvious...just like most straight people would never set foot in a gay bar. One need not do a survey for something that is just basic common sense. I am not saying it is right or wrong - it is just the way it is.

Wow. Again I have to ask, how do you know that "most people" will not go to a gay restaurant? Have you personally surveyed "most people"? Are you projecting your own biases onto others? Stop and really think about it.
Remember the public uproar when the gay community wanted to have a gathering downtown? That happened what, about 4 years ago? I doubt many minds have been changed around here since then.

I'll be surprised if there isn't some kind of minor uproar from the wingnuts once the general public finds out that a pro-gay establishment will be taking up space in a development subsidized by taxpayers.

What the hell does that even mean "a gay restaurant". Is the owner gay? If so who cares. A lot of restaurants are owned by gays. Is the food geared toward gays. Do gays eat different food. I guess I'm too old. I understand gay clubs or hotels that cater to gays, but the restaurant thing has me confused.

By the way isn't there already a hamburger place on the first floor of Centro. I am really surprised they would rent to another burger joint when they already have one.

Dude it's obvious...just like most straight people would never set foot in a gay bar. One need not do a survey for something that is just basic common sense. I am not saying it is right or wrong - it is just the way it is.

Perhaps in your world "it is just the way it is", but my point is, I know lots of other straight folks like me that don't feel the way you do about gay restaurants or other establishments. I get very uncomfortable when someone makes broad, sweeping statements about the habits of straight people that don't reflect my views at all.

^I thought that he's talking about what he thinks the general public will think of the concept, not what his personal outlook on the concept is. (is it just me, or did that sound like something Rumsfeld would say? lol)

How exactly do they cater to "open minded" people at a hamburger place? I think if it is a gay version of Hooters they probably will limit their market quite a bit.

^I thought that he's talking about what he thinks the general public will think of the concept, not what his personal outlook on the concept is. (is it just me, or did that sound like something Rumsfeld would say? lol)


That is exactly what I was saying originally, I don't have to survey people or anything it's common knowledge. Somebody mentioned the comfort zone of people, that is a true thing. I will probably never go to a gay bar because I am not gay nor do I have any gay friends. It doesn't mean that I am homophobic and will protest outside the gay places like those crazy religious people. I don't really understand the concept of a gay restaurant I mean what are they going to do hang rainbows everywhere?? I seriously don't see how that works I mean if the owner is gay well then I doubt anyone will care.

Thank you Jasonhouse & I-275westcoastfl - that is exactly what I was trying to say. Again I was not trying to pass judgment. Also I did not say that no straight people would ever eat there just most straight people, if indeed it is a gay oriented restaurant, would not. And there is a big difference between a gay oriented restaurant and a gay owned restaurant (or any other business for that matter). I think most people could care less who owns an establishment. I have no idea who owns the vast majority of restaurants I eat in much less the details of their personnel lives, but I would not be interested in eating in a gay themed or gay orientated restaurant any more than I would be interested in going to a gay bar or a staying at a gay hotel. It’s just not my thing – no offense.

WOW...obviously no one on this board has been to a Hamburger Marys...its as FUN establishment, different establishment, not a "burger joint" as there are many otehr types of foods...is it a Coyote Ugly?..NO...is it a Hooters?...NO..its a one of a kind, entertaining establishment with good food, and good fun one of a kind service, that is 'different' than all the rest....so try it out when it opens, if you dont like the food, if you dont like the service, if you dont like the atmosphere, then dont go back...dont we do this already for almost anywhere we go??

I've been to Hamburger Mary's in Ft Lauderdale a couple times. I'd estimate the clientele was about 40% gay and 60% straight. Families with kids, old folks. Unless you guys think that the people of Tampa will react drastically different to this restaurant than those in Ft Lauderdale, I don't think it will be a big issue.

A gay hamburger? Too funny. I'd try it out. I'd take my wife with me though.

you'd think they'd come up with a hot dog restaurant.the logo,slogan possibilities would be endless.

you'd think they'd come up with a hot dog restaurant.the logo,slogan possibilities would be endless.

Big and Lean's Hot Dogs?

I have never understood gay specific products. I can understand a gay bar because its nice to know that all the guys in the bar are gay so you can hit on anyone you like. But other than that why do there have to be gay specific things. I don't care how gay friendly a restaurant is, I want good food. Hell, if the food is good Ill go to a restaurant run by a homophobe. Same with the hotel, what service can I get in a gay hotel that I can't get in a regular hotel. I have checked into a single room with my boyfriend many times in the US，Hong Kong, and in China, nobody even batted an eye. So in short, I am offended by target gay companies where it is totally unnecessary.

^Interesting point there.

I have never understood gay specific products. I can understand a gay bar because its nice to know that all the guys in the bar are gay so you can hit on anyone you like. But other than that why do there have to be gay specific things. I don't care how gay friendly a restaurant is, I want good food. Hell, if the food is good Ill go to a restaurant run by a homophobe. Same with the hotel, what service can I get in a gay hotel that I can't get in a regular hotel. I have checked into a single room with my boyfriend many times in the US，Hong Kong, and in China, nobody even batted an eye. So in short, I am offended by target gay companies where it is totally unnecessary.

Probably when the day comes that there is no more discrimination against gays, there will be no more need for gay-specific things.

Probably when the day comes that there is no more discrimination against gays, there will be no more need for gay-specific things.

There is no discrimination in the restaurant industry! Or the hotel industry. If any reataurant or hotel chain mistreated gays, it would be a PR nightmere. There may be discrimination in church but I don't go to church. IF there was a restaurant with good food and a raging homophobe boss, I would not make any confrontations and enjoy my food. Food is the point of the restaurant, accomodation is the point of the hotel. Nobody has to know I am gay, and if they find out ( or I wear my fabulous Faye Wong drag outfit) no business would shun me. I have been to Waffle House in a deeeeep V neck shirt and they served me up delicious waffles just the same as they served the truckers.

I have never understood gay specific products. I can understand a gay bar because its nice to know that all the guys in the bar are gay so you can hit on anyone you like. But other than that why do there have to be gay specific things. I don't care how gay friendly a restaurant is, I want good food. Hell, if the food is good Ill go to a restaurant run by a homophobe. Same with the hotel, what service can I get in a gay hotel that I can't get in a regular hotel. I have checked into a single room with my boyfriend many times in the US，Hong Kong, and in China, nobody even batted an eye. So in short, I am offended by target gay companies where it is totally unnecessary.

I think its called a 'niche'. Hooters has a niche, Berns has a niche, Press Box has a niche, Chuck E Cheese has a niche....and Hamburger Marys has a niche. I think in todays business world, and very crowded restaurant business, you need one of these 'niches'....just saying

^Very true...

I think its called a 'niche'. Hooters has a niche, Berns has a niche, Press Box has a niche, Chuck E Cheese has a niche....and Hamburger Marys has a niche. I think in todays business world, and very crowded restaurant business, you need one of these 'niches'....just saying

Any rough timeframe on when they're going to open?

the fall

^^ Im visiting Tampa in the fall, just i'm time for me to visit

Fall is the best time to visit, just when it starts to cool down.

I often suggest coming here between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Travel is about as cheap as it gets during the year, the weather up north is turning and may be cold occasionally in some places, while the weather in Florida is still warm (usually highs in low to mid 80s), the beach is still doable, and there's much less rain, humidity and so on.

I am Tampa born and raised, I like summer heat.

I'm from PA and naturally run a low body temperature, which makes me sweat very easily. I have always hated the heat.

I am Tampa born and raised, I like summer heat.

Yup, I'm born and raised here too. I don't mind the heat as long as there is a breeze. :)

I grew up here and over time I hate the heat more and more.

Well Shanghai, is worse, especially since I don't have a car here and have to walk everywhere. Plus people don't blast the AC here like they do in Florida.

I love the heat - it keeps the Yankees away!

I don't like doing anything outdoors if its real hot. The beach is an exception of course.

It was never the heat so much that bothered me it was the lack of cool weather to offset the summers. Its one thing I really like about Atlanta is that summer is nice and hot (around 90) great for the pool, but fall and spring are nice and cool. Winter is cold by Florida standards, but very nice nonetheless. Its nice to be able to actually buy and wear the cool sweaters and scarfs at Banana Republic and the Gap. It doesn't take long to aclimate either.

Sorry, but cold is bad all the time. Anything below 70 degrees is uncomfortable. I have lived in a northern city and I want no more of it! Where I am living now is like Atlanta, I am not looking forward to winter.

Sorry, but cold is bad all the time. Anything below 70 degrees is uncomfortable. I have lived in a northern city and I want no more of it! Where I am living now is like Atlanta, I am not looking forward to winter.

I agree. Every winter I bitch that I need to move further south. LOL

Haha I love the cold weather here, sometimes I wish it was colder in the winter here.

Cold temps in Tampa don't bother me because you just have to wait a few days/hours for it to be tolerable again. I remember many days going to school at 7am all bundled up freezing barely able to walk to the car and then by lunchtime the sun would be out and it would be pretty nice out. Its rare that there is like a whole day where its freezing all day. When I was in Tampa in Dec of 2008, i didn't feel cold one day. But that could also be because I was living in Beijing at the time.

Let's get back to Ybor please.

I was waiting for when you'd say that lol.

Nevermind.

I would like to update everyone on the Project ALEXANDER LOFTS TAMPA.
The project is about 3 months behind the original schedule, 1st due to the rezoning which was pushed from December to late January. 2nd the world economy has made us take our time not to rush into th econstruction end of the project.
The project will commence late fall and have 3-4 months of selective demo for reuse.
The vertical construction to start in the 1st quarter of 2010.
The project is striving for LEED platinum. Providing mass transit in the form of numerous bus stops and the Approval of a on demand Trolley stop. If you would like any more info on the project please ask. As the developer, we are triing to set a stage for historical rejuvenation into the Adamo corridor. Keeping in mind the Historical district, and the ever changing Tampa Skyline.
Wonder how this is doing. Hopefully with the slight good news in the economic area, they are still determined to start construction. Out of the Indigo Hotel, Port Parking Garage, and Prime Meridian; I would say I like this the most.

Anyone going to Guavaween on Saturday? Looks like the weather will be pretty good for it.

Not this year. I need a break from it.

Anyone going to Guavaween on Saturday? Looks like the weather will be pretty good for it.

YES!! I thought i was getting a bit too old for Guavaween, but went last year, and was VERY VERY pleased by how entertaining and fun it was. Gone are the days when you could barely walk down 7th avenue due to the 100k plus crowds(i think last year there were close to 40k)--organized events, stages, bringing back the 'stumble' ....its a night full of laughs and good times....throw on a full costume, or just something...

Someone told me that Hamburger Mary's in Centro Ybor is open.....anyone heard for sure?

Yep, confirmed it on their Facebook Fanpage.

City OKs incentives for growth in Ybor
By KATHY STEELE
ksteele@tampatrib.com
Published: December 23, 2009

YBOR CITY - City council members recently approved a fee reimbursement program to bolster commercial development here.

It mirrors a similar program approved for the Channel District that so far, city officials say, has had no takers.
New businesses or expansions of businesses within Ybor City's two community redevelopment areas can qualify for up to $10,000 in reimbursements on building permits issued before Sept. 30, 2010. The reimbursements must have city approval prior to filing for the building permits.

"It gives an extra incentive to commit," said Mark Huey, the city's economic and development administrator.

Qualifying businesses include retailers such as dry cleaners, grocery and drug stores; restaurants; art galleries; hotels; and bed-and-breakfasts.
Councilman John Dingfelder asked the city to provide a report after six months to analyze how the program is working. He worried the program might be abused.

Ybor's redevelopment manager, Vince Pardo, said applications would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with potential program tweaks as it evolves. He said the re-imbursement for existing businesses likely would be used in situations where a restaurant is struggling and its owner chooses to update the facility. The program is to attract new businesses and also to keep existing ones open, he said.

"We definitely want to be innovative," Dingfelder said.

For information, call the Ybor City Development Corporation's office, (813) 274-7936, or the Channel District's office at (813) 274-8245.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/23/st-city-oks-incentives-for-growth-in-ybor/news/

That is a good thing for YBor, I am glad that the council is letting YBor grow, and wanting it to be more diversified. I wish that they would open a couple more smaller arcades, and pool halls, as well as a few bookstores.

A book store would be nice. Something like the one at the Wiregrass Mall. (can't believe I'm saying that) That's a nice bookstore.

That is a good thing for YBor, I am glad that the council is letting YBor grow, and wanting it to be more diversified. I wish that they would open a couple more smaller arcades, and pool halls, as well as a few bookstores.

That sounds nice and all but then Ybor would become like a real urban city!
That'd be so cool with pool halls, and arcades, and specialty bookstores. This is def a good idea to get some more business diversity in the district

Wonder if everyone just went blind during the whole "It mirrors a similar program approved for the Channel District that so far, city officials say, has had no takers." If no one has taken up the same type of plan that exists in district that contains St. Pete Times Forum, The Port, Channelside Plaza, and hundreds of condos and apartments; how is this going to anything different? Either something is wrong with the plan or seriously no one is interested in opening up their business in Channelside.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2009/12/21/daily50.html

HCC buys Heidt’s former Ybor City buildingTampa Bay Business Journal -
by Janet Leiser Staff writer

An overwhelmed Hillsborough Community College that has seen double-digit enrollment growth over the past two years bought itself a gift: An Ybor City office building.

The 45,000-student college paid $6.5 million on Dec.18 for Heidt & Associates’ former brick headquarters, built in 2007 at a cost of about $12 million, records show.

“We are running out of room,” said HCC spokeswoman Ashley Carl.

Heidt & Associates, a civil engineering firm that designed many well known home communities in the Tampa Bay area, closed in August after a 65-year run. Several former managers have since started Heidt Design LLC.

In September, Provident Life and Accident Insurance Co. sued to foreclose on a $9.3 million loan secured by Heidt’s headquarters. Hillsborough Circuit Court Judge Sam Pendino approved the sale to HCC earlier in December.

“It was a good price,” Carl said of the deal.

Administrative staff will begin moving into the building in January. It’s about two blocks from HCC’s Ybor campus.

The employee moves are expected to free up office space for use as classrooms. But Carl didn’t know how much new classroom space would be available.

“Everyone who has toured the building is so excited about it,” she said.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2009/12/21/daily50.html


The 45,000-student college paid $6.5 million on Dec.18 for Heidt & Associates’ former brick headquarters, built in 2007 at a cost of about $12 million, records show.



45,000! I never expected that, I know it's split between a few campuses but still that's a high enrollment for a community college.

I plan on enrolling soon, course is still up in the air, but I'm leaning toward mass communications.

They got quite a deal, that Heidt & Associates building is beautiful.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/305111-600-0-1.jpg

http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/241790-300-0-1.jpg

http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/241788-300-0-1.jpg

^Yes it is. Here's a link to the street view.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=Heidt+%26+Associates+building&ie=UTF8&hq=Heidt+%26+Associates+building&hnear=Odessa,+FL&ll=27.958834,-82.443147&spn=0,359.998281&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=27.958836,-82.442967&panoid=oYNYSL538uMqpcY4c7bCGg&cbp=12,311.75,,0,-15.39

The current admin bldg is crap. Way too small for anything to function properly.

Hey, what's going on with the Student Svcs bldg after the barrio snafu? Are they still building it or is it on indefinte hold?

That is a good thing for YBor, I am glad that the council is letting YBor grow, and wanting it to be more diversified. I wish that they would open a couple more smaller arcades, and pool halls, as well as a few bookstores.
Actually, this is a great indication that their existing rules are NOT encouraging Ybor to grow.

This is why the city now has to beg businesses to move into Ybor; because their growth management policies have been so disastrous, they've successfully killed what was once Tampa's most promising urban neighborhood, and have nearly ruined its newest one (C-side) before it even gets going.

The current admin bldg is crap. Way too small for anything to function properly.

Hey, what's going on with the Student Svcs bldg after the barrio snafu? Are they still building it or is it on indefinte hold?


It's pretty far along, they are putting in windows now, I took this picture today on my way home from work.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4867/yborbuilding.jpg

Looks like a typical Florida government building. Expect it to start falling apart or for people to get sick in it within 5 years.

45,000! I never expected that, I know it's split between a few campuses but still that's a high enrollment for a community college.

I plan on enrolling soon, course is still up in the air, but I'm leaning toward mass communications.

I'll warn you HCC will try to f**k you over. They did to me.

All colleges fuck you over, just be sure to do good research before you enroll everywhere, I've already made a mistake that cost me thousands.

All colleges fuck you over, just be sure to do good research before you enroll everywhere, I've already made a mistake that cost me thousands.
In Summer they took scholarship money I was awarded for spring and just applied it to summer without telling me, then they tell me they paid it back to me cos I had to pay for the classes up front but I never got the money. Turns out they gave the money to a canceled credit card, and I had to go through even more crap to get it. Their Financial Aid department SUCKS and they will take any penny they can take from you. STARTING with that B.S. Higher One Card.
HCC tried to steal $1,200 that I was awarded for Fall and they were trying to tell me I don't have any control over the money that it was theirs. I had to go to extreme lengths to get the money that was supposed to be mine in the first place.
Twice I had to go through all these problems to get money that was awarded in my name. IF you have financial aid of any kind HCC is not the place to go they will screw it up.

So I was driving down 7th Avenue today at lunch, and noticed that the facade of the building just East of the Hampton Inn on 7th is covered in scaffolding and looks like some serious work is being done to it.

Anyone know what's going on with this building? It's located at approximately 1344 East 7th Avenue, next to the Hampton Inn parking lot, on the South side of the street.

So I was driving down 7th Avenue today at lunch, and noticed that the facade of the building just East of the Hampton Inn on 7th is covered in scaffolding and looks like some serious work is being done to it.

Anyone know what's going on with this building? It's located at approximately 1344 East 7th Avenue, next to the Hampton Inn parking lot, on the South side of the street.

Metropolitan Ministries headquarters.

That is what is finally going there? Good lord.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/dining/2010/01/gallery-rasika-to-open-at-site-of-defunct-lolivier-cabaret-in-ybor.html


looks like a good addition to ybor (check out the restaurant's website)...but then again, i thought that about L'Olivier. anyone know why they closed? they seemed to get pretty good business

http://www.buddhaloungetampa.com/

this restaurant is also opening soon (where The Nest was located). Ybor's restaurant scene is a revolving door.

Ybor charms heralded
By KATHY STEELE
ksteele@tampatrib.com
Published: February 24, 2010

YBOR CITY - With its Old World ambiance and European streetscapes, Ybor City is like no other place in Tampa. And Tampa would lose much of its charm without a place such as Ybor.

"There is nothing that has created the flavors of the city (of Tampa) more than Ybor," said preservationist and Seminole Heights resident Suzanne Prieur.

The spring edition of American Bungalow magazine, released this month, features Ybor's immigrant past of cigar factories, social clubs, brick-paved streets, the nearly 90-year-old Giunta farm and a project to "re-create" a swath of Ybor's historical houses and a few businesses that stood in the way of a highway widening.

Photographs for the magazine feature were taken nearly three years ago when Prieur convinced the magazine's publisher, John Brinkmann, that Tampa was fertile bungalow territory.

But she had more in mind than a Seminole Heights tour for Brinkmann and photographer Alex Vertikoff.

"When I invited them here I thought it was really important for them to see the real beginnings of the city," Prieur said.

Brinkmann remembers the Tampa trip fondly, especially a visit with Tessie and Vicki Giunta. The sisters live on about 8 acres of a working farm first plowed by their family in the early 1900s.

"It's kind of a place you worry has evaporated from the American scene, and it hasn't," Brinkmann said.

Ybor is a step back in time to America's melting pot of ethnic, cultural and racial diversity. Immigrants lived and worked in a city of bakeries, grocery stores, millineries and pasta factories. Cigars were king, and hundreds of workers filled factory benches listening to readers, or lectors, as they rolled cigars and afterward headed to the social clubs.

"Even in those early, early days, there was that equality, all the races and cultures side by side with a reader keeping them entertained," Brinkmann said. "It was a fantastic story."

The Ybor articles in the magazine were written by local writers: Elizabeth McCoy, curator for the Ybor City Museum Society; Del Acosta, the city's former historic preservation manager; and Jo-Anne Peck of Preservation Resources, a nonprofit historic preservation consulting firm.

Peck's article is about the relocation and rehabilitation of more than 60 historical structures that stood in the path of a federal highway project to widen Interstate 4.

Eight of the buildings were in Tampa Heights and two were in West Tampa. The remaining 54 structures were in Ybor.

The project showcases what is possible with historic preservation and spurs other residents to spruce up neighborhoods, said Florida Department of Transportation consultant Elaine Illes.

"Economically, as depressed as the city is, you can drive through areas and see people working on their houses," she said.

Federal highway money for the project included about $1.5 million for moving the first 35 structures and about $8.5 million to rehabilitate and deed them to the city. Since then, the state has paid relocation costs and the city has taken on responsibility for marketing the structures for private rehabilitation, often providing low-interest loans from a historic preservation trust fund.

Among recent structures to benefit from the program is a 1908 grocery store that was moved from 14th Avenue to Columbus Drive. It will be rehabilitated and serve as headquarters for Home Encounter, a real estate and investment company.

Another nine structures remain to be moved: two in Tampa Heights and seven in Ybor.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/24/st-ybor-charms-heralded/news/

This place seriously needs some help!

GameWorks closed for business
Published : Monday, 29 Mar 2010, 9:44 PM EDT

TAMPA - People going to GameWorks in Ybor City Monday were greeted with locked doors and a sign saying the business was closed.

"Dear GameWorks guests," the sign reads, "due to circumstances beyond our control, we have been forced to close this GameWorks location…we apologize for any inconvenience."

The small piece of paper taped to the front door confirmed what will be the departure of one of Ybor City's biggest tenants.

Parent company Sega Entertainment USA has also closed down locations in California, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana and Miami.

We spoke to one of the managers who is still reeling from the shock of losing his job.

He says when employees showed up this morning, the doors were locked.

"We tried to call somebody, but there's nobody answering the phone or anything like that," said Mike Burkes. "We called one of the regional managers and he pretty much talked to us, you know told us good luck if we need him or anything like that, give him a call and he'll try to help us out."

GameWorks isn't the only business moving out of Centro Ybor: Victoria's Secret and Starbucks just recently shut down as well.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/0329-gameworks-closed-for-business

Ouch you know you are doing bad when Starbucks left.

Is there anything left in Centro? I'm coming down next week and was thinking of coming by, but it sounds like the place is empty.

All these mega entertainment centers seriously need help...or they'll crash altogether.

Is there anything left in Centro? I'm coming down next week and was thinking of coming by, but it sounds like the place is empty.

I don't think its worth your time Shenise.

I don't think its worth your time Shenise.

Actually, it still is. Just in Centro Ybor alone, there's:
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Samurai Blue
Fresh Mouth
Hamburger Mary's
Rock N' Sports
Teatro's
Marble Slab Creamery
Joffrey's Coffee
Urban Outfitters
The Clothing Store on 7th (blanking on the name)
Cantina something or other on the second floor
The Cigar shop on 7th (blanking on the name)
The new tapas place that took over L'Olivier
The Comedy Club
The new hair place (took over Victoria Secret)
The movie theaters

Pretty much the only empty place (now) will be GameWorks ... and there are a lot of new places in Ybor worth checking out (especially Shrimp and Company -- great, simple seafood -- as well as Buddha Lounge).

Well in Ybor's defense Gameworks and venues like that(arcades) will disappear and become obsolete.

Well in Ybor's defense Gameworks and venues like that(arcades) will disappear and become obsolete.

Indeed, they actually closed a lot of the locations they had left (with only 8 remaining). So it is not so much Ybor's fault as the company as a whole. I like Centro Ybor and hope it can gain back its glory, but only time will tell. It seems it is morphing back to a less corporate (at least large corp) type venue as Ybor used to be.

Steve

You wanna see empty? Check out Baywalk.

Kentski is right. Although there has been a good amount of turnover at Centro Ybor, whenever one store/restaurant closes (usually the chains or corporate owned) another one eventually opens in its place (typically more independent or local owned). Some space has also been converted to office space.

You wanna see empty? Check out Baywalk.

Kentski is right. Although there has been a good amount of turnover at Centro Ybor, whenever one store/restaurant closes (usually the chains or corporate owned) another one eventually opens in its place (typically more independent or local owned). Some space has also been converted to office space.
Yup Baywalk is DEAD!

Yup Baywalk is DEAD!

Yup Pretty sad. I went there and everything was vacant. Maybe they expanded too much or did not advertise a lot. Baywalk, Channelside and Centro would be more alive if tampa and st pete did not sprawl.

Actually I've spent many a night having a coffee at Joffrey's so that's still worth it. Urban Outfitters are all over the place though, kind of like Gaps.

I disagree on Gameworks though. There are several Dave & Busters up here and all are doing good business. I think Ybor's reputation re-developed (which is stupid because in any decent sized city its normal to have a mixed crowd in the hot areas) and the economy. In the 80s Ybor was scary and alternative, then had that great period in the 90s when it seem like it was solidly gentrifying. Then it slowed, the crowd got a little bit younger and darker and the yuppies ran screaming back to Hyde Park. Throw in DT St.Pete getting a nightlife and then 40% of your customer base doesn't have to show up and you have issues.

As a resident of Ybor, I have to say I personally get the feeling Ybor is heading in a good direction, a little hard to explain but there is a good vibe here right now, to me at least.

Well in Ybor's defense Gameworks and venues like that(arcades) will disappear and become obsolete.

Especially when they refuse to upgrade anything for the entire time they were there. Even my 5yr old daughter was tiring of the old games. The last time we went, we were only there for like 30 minutes before she got bored and we left. Used to be hell getting her out of there. lol

I think Cubanbread is probably right. The neighborhood has swung in different directions for the past forty years. Its probably settling down to a level of normalcy that is good for it and Tampa. It won't be the slums of the 70's, the alternative hangout of the 80s, the party zone of the nineties or the developers' wet dream of the 00s. It just end up being a decent middle-upper middle class neighborhood, ala Westshore or the north end of Palma Ceia. Thats a good thing too. Now if the schools in the area would improve.

Especially when they refuse to upgrade anything for the entire time they were there. Even my 5yr old daughter was tiring of the old games. The last time we went, we were only there for like 30 minutes before she got bored and we left. Used to be hell getting her out of there. lol
I've never been there but the typical place like that use the same games from many years ago. I mean how many people are going to come pay for games that you can play the same quality or better at home basically.


I think Cubanbread is probably right. The neighborhood has swung in different directions for the past forty years. Its probably settling down to a level of normalcy that is good for it and Tampa. It won't be the slums of the 70's, the alternative hangout of the 80s, the party zone of the nineties or the developers' wet dream of the 00s. It just end up being a decent middle-upper middle class neighborhood, ala Westshore or the north end of Palma Ceia. Thats a good thing too. Now if the schools in the area would improve.
It is going more towards normalcy but it still is a neighborhood with a lost identity.

Bay news 9 reported the other day that another arcade was in talks with Centro Ybor about the vacant game works spot, said an announcement should come in a couple weeks.

Dave and Busters would be my first guess.

^Not nearly enough space. A typical Dave and Busters is like 50-60,000sqft. Their smallest location is over 40k sqft.

The Gameworks space was just 28,000sqft.

^Not nearly enough space. A typical Dave and Busters is like 50-60,000sqft. Their smallest location is over 40k sqft.

The Gameworks space was just 28,000sqft.


Don't think there is a chance of them opening a smaller version? I've never actually been to a dave and busters but isn't it essentially the same thing as game works?

Is there any space next to it to expand or is already leased out?

Crossing my fingers it's not a Chuck E' Cheese. :no:

Well the new tenant has been announced, and it's not Dave and Busters OR Chuck E. Cheese, the new tenants in the vacant Gameworks location will be (drum roll please......) GAME WORKS!


how,...uneventful lol



http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/13/tampa-gameworks-reopen/news-breaking/

It apparently won't be Gameworks for long though.

They'll have to come up with some new branding. It would be nice if they did something with a local flair and not just go cheap and try to create some mini-gaming center empire. I like how certain chefs may own like ten restaurants but all are branded individually. Something like the Ybor Gaming Centre, or maybe the Spanish equivalent would be cool.

Marble Slab Creamery shut down at Centro Ybor, and is being replaced by a Pita's Republic.

Also, the building across the street from Larmon Furniture is being rehabbed -- this is a different building from the new Metropolitan Ministries building being put up behind the Hampton Inn. It said the rezoning request is to change it to CO-3.

By the way, haven't seen it mentioned here, but y'all need to check out Shrimp and Co., diagonally across from Columbia -- some of the best and simply prepared seafood I've had in a while. Reasonably priced as well.

My Architecture class is having a party at the Florida Brewing Co. I've never been there any suggestions for brew and food? I'm a big fan of Hops lol

By the way, haven't seen it mentioned here, but y'all need to check out Shrimp and Co., diagonally across from Columbia -- some of the best and simply prepared seafood I've had in a while. Reasonably priced as well.

Absolutely agree...awesome fresh seafood, great atmosphere and service..been busy each time I go which is good, but they must market the palce a bit more....

My Architecture class is having a party at the Florida Brewing Co. I've never been there any suggestions for brew and food? I'm a big fan of Hops lol
I've been there quite a few times... It's all pretty decent imo. I tend towards the Shepherd's Pie, Mojo Pork and the fish n chips.

Oh and they have some kind of cheese dip that's pretty good. I get that with the streak fries instead of the toasted whatever it is they serve it with.

If we're talking about Tampa Bay Brewing Company (it's in Centro), the burgers are pretty good too.

If we're talking about Tampa Bay Brewing Company (it's in Centro), the burgers are pretty good too.

Ya my bad its that lol. Thanks Jason and jonkee!

Scientology wants room for growth in Ybor City
By Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, May 4, 2010

TAMPA — The Church of Scientology is looking to expand its presence in Ybor City.

The church is considering buying or leasing space in Ybor Square, according to a letter to the city of Tampa zoning administrator from Ana Tirabassi, the church's corporate secretary.

Tirabassi wrote that the church has outgrown its current Tampa facilities on Habana Avenue in West Tampa, which the church bought in 2001 and 2003.

"We would very much like to relocate entirely to Ybor City," she wrote.

The church plans to occupy two of the three buildings — the factory and the stemmery, where stems were pulled from tobacco plants —- that make up Ybor Square, and "to leave the existing tenants, Spaghetti Warehouse and Creative Loafing, in the Warehouse Building for the foreseeable future."

In the letter to zoning administrator Cathy Coyle, Tirabassi asked for a decision on whether the church would be allowed under current zoning regulations to use the space for banquets, lectures, films and one-hour Sunday services in addition to offices.

Coyle answered that those uses would be allowed.

Ybor Square, at Ninth Avenue and 13th Street, is the site of the cigar factory complex once owned by the historic district's namesake, Don Vicente Martinez Ybor. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"We have a better-than-average record of maintaining historically significant properties in Tampa and Clearwater, and will continue that record if allowed to occupy this property," Tirabassi wrote.

Previously, the complex included a shopping center. Orlando-based ZOM Corp. bought the buildings in 2000 for nearly $4 million and converted them to offices.

The church is under contract to make a decision on the property by Wednesday, Tirabassi wrote.

Scientology already operates a life improvement center in a 6,600-square-foot Ybor City storefront on Eighth Avenue, bought in 2004 for $1.2 million, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office.

"There was concern by some members of the community when they bought the building on Eighth Avenue," said Vince Pardo, manager of the Ybor City Development Corporation. "Initially, I had some complaints because they were on the streets quite a bit with these personality tests."

He said activities slowed after he talked with church leaders.

"It worked out pretty well, and we've had a pretty good relationship since then," Pardo said. "They've been a good neighbor."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/scientology-wants-room-for-growth-in-ybor-city/1092316

If they even dare to allow this, by my God will I email a angry letter to whomever approves of it. Why would they approve this???

If they even dare to allow this, by my God will I email a angry letter to whomever approves of it. Why would they approve this???

Are you kidding? I'm not a Scientologist, nor will I ever be, but have some friends that are. I also walk by their center on 8th Avenue fairly often and have never been approached or bothered.

If they're going to be tax-paying residents of an area of Ybor that's generally empty, more power to them. I'm all for this (as a resident in this area as well).

Absolutely agree...awesome fresh seafood, great atmosphere and service..been busy each time I go which is good, but they must market the palce a bit more....

Hey TampaIAm! We miss your updates on your blog (I speak for a couple of neighbors as well) ... always fair, and good at introducing (or re-introducing) new restaurants in the Tampa area.

But congrats on the new job promotion ... we just need you back blogging!:)

I'm so darn sick of Scientology and its craziness, ugh!

Deleted ... heading out the country and don't feel like continuing an idiotic argument.

Its unconstitutional to not allow them
It is allowed under Amendment #1 which says Congress shall not pass any law respecting or prohibiting any religion. Right to assemble, and right to free speech.

I don't care what any one says or I don't want to start a debate on here, but Scientology is not a religion. I guess it could be considered a assembly, but a religion I think not.

It's a business, you have to pay to get in.

I don't agree with it either, but just because you don't agree with something does not mean you should prevent them from enjoying the same constitutional rights we all enjoy.

Just because they are for profit doesn't mean they aren't a religion. Religion is a set of codes and morals to live by with a story that explains where we come from. Scientology has that, no matter how crazy it seems. And I happen to think most religions are just plain crazy.
I mean people flocked to this country to escape religious persecution and those very same people persecuted the Native Americans for not being the same religion. Its the same shit different time period.

I guess you can always BS it and say the group doesn't fit in view their vision for the area. :)

Deleted ... heading out the country and don't feel like continuing an idiotic argument.

I agree. This discussion is getting idotic and definitely off topic. You'll will be bashed by the mods soon :lol:

Sounds like the renovations are going to be a couple of good projects, specially for that part of Ybor ... http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2010/jun/02/st-signs-of-economic-life/

Also I meant to post this a while back, but Marble slabs Ice cream (or whatever it's called) is gone and is being replaced by Pita Republic, I liked their shakes, but Pita republic is the shit, so the fact I'm going to have one right down the street from me is great!

http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/article1149637.ece

Cool. I hope they can push out the giant gay bath house.

.......yeah, you guessed it! RATS!

Dirty Dining: Muvico Centro Ybor Theaters shut down for rodent activity
Muvico Theater shut down for rodent activity

Posted: 11:19 PM
Last Updated: 2 hours and 25 minutes ago


By: Wendy Ryan
TAMPA - Mike Kennedy is a huge movie buff. He enjoys a good flick at Muvico Centro Ybor Theaters on East 8th Avenue in Ybor City at least once a week.

"I'm going to go see a movie about the band of Fishbone right now for the Gasparilla International Film Festival," Kennedy said.

So he was surprised to hear the state shut down the Muvico Theaters for 24 hours in March because of rodent activity.

"That kind of grosses me out, but I don't come here for food. I come here to see movies," Kennedy admitted.

According to the inspection report from March 11, state inspectors discovered in the kitchen one live mouse, 3 dead mice, 50-75 fresh rodent droppings along the floor boards and 60-75 more rodent droppings in the food storage room. State inspectors took a picture of the mess to document what they found.

And during a visit in November, inspectors noted a build-up of slime in the ice machine, grease accumulated under cooking equipment, and single-service items stored on the floor.

But most movie-goers we spoke to say all this doesn't phase them.

"I'm sure they'll clean it up," Brent Narog said.

"I'd still go see a movie there. I've been wanting to go for a long time," Kendall Ahlberg admitted.

"Yes I would," still go to the theater, said Whit Owens.



http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/money/consumer/dirty_dining/dirty-dining%3A-muvico-centro-ybor-theaters

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 11, 2011

On Wednesday, Ybor City activists plan to ask Hillsborough County commissioners for financial support for three of the Latin Quarter's most significant buildings,
The Cuban Club, Italian Club and Centro Asturiano are historically significant and help generate tourism dollars, but their upkeep and operational costs are more than their club members can bear, said Patrick Manteiga, a member of the Ybor City Roundtable, a nonprofit philanthropic group.
Manteiga, editor of the weekly newspaper La Gaceta, said the clubs that support the buildings used to receive historic preservation grants from the state, but those funds have dried up.
The roundtable doesn't want to press the commission for a specific revenue course, although in the past Manteiga has suggested using tourist bed tax money.
"There's no exact pathway," he said. "What we're telling the county is 'we just want you to say historic tourism is important and these buildings are part of that important tourism fabric and they help generate tourism dollars through tourism and events.'"
The buildings date back to the turn of the last century when immigrant groups, mostly cigar factory workers, formed social clubs to provide activities, medical care, burials and education. In the past 15 years, the buildings were restored to their former grandeur at a cost of over $5 million, according to the roundtable.
But the restorations saddled the clubs with debt.
The Cuban Club has a $1 million mortgage because of the work, Manteiga said. The clubs try to pay the debt, plus utilities and insurance through renting the buildings for events, such as weddings, birthdays, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. But to attract events, the buildings must be maintained and modernized.
"The first projects we did with the state were kind of stabilization projects like trying to stop the water from intruding," Manteiga said. "Then there were projects to restore the buildings to be able to rent."
Commissioner Ken Hagan said he agrees that the buildings are important and deserve financial support from the county.
Three years ago, when Manteiga first made Hagan aware of the clubs' financial difficulties, county staff said tourist tax dollars couldn't be used for that purpose. Hagan said the commission could possibly change the tax guidelines, but he's not sure that is the right path.
"These are extremely historic and culturally significant facilities that warrant consideration of financial support," Hagan said. "But I think the challenge is: What is the appropriate funding source to consider?"
The roundtable members are scheduled to make their presentation to commissioners at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.
msalinero@tampatrib.com (813) 259-8303

"What we're telling the county is 'we just want you to say historic tourism is important and these buildings are part of that important tourism fabric and they help generate tourism dollars through tourism and events.'"

If this is the case, then these facilities should be able to quantify exactly how much impact they provide, based on the number of out-of-town events and guests they host throughout the year. Then, the county will know how much money is made in 'bonus' tax revenues, and thus how much these facilities are worth to the community in terms of economic impact.

Taxpayer resources are scarce and the days of the squeaky wheel getting the grease absolutely MUST come to an end. If they're worth it economically, then they must first prove it.


Oh, and btw, all of the other historic districts in the south that are comparable to Ybor City self-fund their preservation efforts through private non-profit foundations. Taxpayers aren't forced to pay for any of it. Why are Hillsborough taxpayers being propositioned to pay private debt that nobody else is?

I got that nugget from an older article about the lack of preservation funding for Ybor City.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1011176.ece

From ABC Action News by Bill Logan........

TAMPA - When it storms around here, we're always watching where the water goes. Flooding intersections and engines and leaving us with wading woes or worse.
But a couple of weeks back, once the rains receeded, we spied a crack in the crust that's formed over Tampa's somewhat scandalous and storied past.
"As quick as it opened up... it got covered quickly," said Tampa native Manny Alvarez -- pointing at a freshly re-planted sidewalk planter along 7th Avenue in Ybor City. "And,it's a shame," he said.
What Manny and his friend Sammy Campisi are talking about isn't even visible now, but we have obtained some shots showing a jumble of bricks under that planter and an entrance to what's *under 7th Avenue...
"Basically, there's some hollow tunnels under there," said Manny. "And the water was making its way down and (it) opened up a big hole here."
"Right," agreed Campisi. "We had some erosion going on and it exposed what me and Manny believe was the opening," he said -- pointing to the small depression in the soil that had been poured full with a dump truck load of dirt and tamped down by City workers within a day of our stumbling on the find.
As kids growing up here, these guys heard all the stories about bootleggers and speakeasies and the secret "Underground Ybor" that allowed subterranean subterfuge during prohibition and beyond.
"The tunnel system was never exposed during the entire prohibition," said Campisi. "Some of the cellars and some of the basements were... but never this transport system."
Some archival footage from the ABC Action News vaults showed a series of tunnels and rooms UNDER the old Blue Ribbon Market (which burned down in 2000) and whose footprint along 7th Avenue is now part of that parking lot that was showing signs of erosion a couple of weeks ago.
We found that while there are no firm or formal maps of the tunnels, their presence has been confirmed by those who've been inside
"I know that we were below ground level," said Campisi. "And I remember the red brick arch that led this way... under 7th Avenue to the Las Novidas building."
After the Blue Ribbon Market burned down, that door to the past was shut.
Today, while there is some digging here, it's only to put up parking signs... So Manny and Sammy and the rest of us can only point to what was once -- and what we may never ever see again.
Safety issues and families' saving face are forcing the openings -- however slight -- to be shut
"We can see it," said Manny. "And its kind of a shame."

here's the link. There's a video too with Bill Logan

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/rain-exposes-openings-to-ybor-city-underground...-offering-a-glimpse-of-the-past

Saw the story on ABC Action News and really wish they allowed the public to get a glimpse of it. Be a great addition to any historic tour of Ybor City.

Cool. I hope they can push out the giant gay bath house.

Why?

Why?

They have glory holes there.

^It hurts property values by limiting the pool of prospective buyers.

^Nonsense. See Key West, Fire Island, Provincetown, San Francisco, Montreal, etc.

They have glory holes there.

So don't go there? I have never been and it doesn't bother me, no hassles at all. I doubt most neighbors even know it exists.

^Agreed. If a prospective buyer doesn't like the amenities offered by a particular neighborhood, then they should buy elsewhere.

^Nonsense. See Key West, Fire Island, Provincetown, San Francisco, Montreal, etc.
If you have empirical evidence proving that prospective real estate buyers do not care about the nature and use of surrounding properties, and do not allow their buying decisions to be influenced by such information, I'm sure the Nobel people have a prize to give you.

So don't go there? I have never been and it doesn't bother me, no hassles at all. I doubt most neighbors even know it exists.

I don't go. It is also not noticeable.

But it can't stop me from THINKING ALL THAT SIN IS GOING ON DOWN THE STREET FROM ME. I can't stop tossing and turning at night thinking of those people... carrying on!

^Agreed. If a prospective buyer doesn't like the amenities offered by a particular neighborhood, then they should buy elsewhere.


If you have empirical evidence proving that prospective real estate buyers do not care about the nature and use of surrounding properties, and do not allow their buying decisions to be influenced by such information, I'm sure the Nobel people have a prize to give you.

The proof is in the pudding. Gay districts the world over are credited with invigorating downtrodden districts, leading to gentrification. The research is well documented, a simple google search on your part will suffice.

I don't go. It is also not noticeable.

But it can't stop me from THINKING ALL THAT SIN IS GOING ON DOWN THE STREET FROM ME. I can't stop tossing and turning at night thinking of those people... carrying on!

Are you serious? You know people are doing the same thing in your condo building (I assume you're in a Channelside condo) right?

I don't go. It is also not noticeable.

But it can't stop me from THINKING ALL THAT SIN IS GOING ON DOWN THE STREET FROM ME. I can't stop tossing and turning at night thinking of those people... carrying on!

Yo are you serious? Maybe you should move to Utah...

LOL I was joking. Sorry if the sarcasm was hard to detect.

There really needs to be an international agreement on a sarcasm font. It would help greatly.

There really needs to be an international agreement on a sarcasm font. It would help greatly.

haha agreed :)

The problem with sarcasm in text is that most peole indicate it in person with tone of voice. Doesn't work online.

The proof is in the pudding. Gay districts the world over are credited with invigorating downtrodden districts, leading to gentrification. The research is well documented, a simple google search on your part will suffice.
You think that happens strictly because the people doing the moving are gay? Funny, I thought it had to do with an influx of money, not homosexuality.

^Not "strictly" because of, and certainly not in spite of, as was implied.

You think that happens strictly because the people doing the moving are gay? Funny, I thought it had to do with an influx of money, not homosexuality.

No it absolutely has to do with homosexuality.

Seriously.

Homosexuals are tailor made for starting the revitalization of urban districts.

1.) If you are gay you probably don't have kids which means two things
a.) You aren't as concerned about crime
b.) You don't care how crappy the schools are
2.) Urban areas that are blighted give you the chance to open a gay bar with minimal complaining and nose tweaking that would happen in the suburbs. There is a reason the gay bars are in the urban corridor of Tampa.

Even single young people without kids might be reluctant to buy (vs rent) in a transitional neighborhood because they know that 5-7 years down the line they may very well be parents.

--Joey

No it absolutely has to do with homosexuality.

Seriously.

Homosexuals are tailor made for starting the revitalization of urban districts.

1.) If you are gay you probably don't have kids which means two things
a.) You aren't as concerned about crime
b.) You don't care how crappy the schools are
2.) Urban areas that are blighted give you the chance to open a gay bar with minimal complaining and nose tweaking that would happen in the suburbs. There is a reason the gay bars are in the urban corridor of Tampa.

Even single young people without kids might be reluctant to buy (vs rent) in a transitional neighborhood because they know that 5-7 years down the line they may very well be parents.

--Joey

The bar argument is weak, other clubs were there before the gay clubs and even then I'd bet there are more "hood" bars and clubs than gay clubs in Tampa. In fact I don't think Tampa's urban corridor is a good example since that area is still pretty crappy. I know Gulfport in St. Pete had gays move in and revitalize the area making it artsy and such. Even more important they took some run down historic homes and made them nice and the area better overall. But Jason is right its not so much homosexuality as it is money coming in, certain people seeing possibilities in an area, taking a risk and pumping money into an area which was lacking just that.

The schools argument I can give to you, I mean after all most of them won't have kids, some may adopt but not too many. Gays don't care about crime? I can't see that happening, especially the feminine ones.. lol.. Jokes aside I think anybody who is single and is looking to buy will care about crime. For me I would think do I want somebody breaking into house/condo while I'm not there or vandalize my car if I park on the street. For a woman it would be would they be able to walk around at night or for a gay being targeted for being gay, I'm pretty sure that is a big concern for them. You could say since gays likely don't have kids they have more disposable income soo they have more money to pump into their own place and the local businesses. In fact that is probably the best argument you could get, kids are expensive.. lol

No it absolutely has to do with homosexuality.

Seriously.

Homosexuals are tailor made for starting the revitalization of urban districts.

1.) If you are gay you probably don't have kids which means two things
a.) You aren't as concerned about crime
b.) You don't care how crappy the schools are
2.) Urban areas that are blighted give you the chance to open a gay bar with minimal complaining and nose tweaking that would happen in the suburbs. There is a reason the gay bars are in the urban corridor of Tampa.

Even single young people without kids might be reluctant to buy (vs rent) in a transitional neighborhood because they know that 5-7 years down the line they may very well be parents.

--Joey

you have a really naive (perverse?) understanding of why gay people (as if they are some solid, homogenous, coherent group of people) move where they do, and why gentrification thus happens! :lol:

You think that happens strictly because the people doing the moving are gay? Funny, I thought it had to do with an influx of money, not homosexuality.

definitely has to do with capital (rent gap theories, filter models, marxist analyses, etc are still perfectly good for explaining - at least in the abstract - why gentrification happens), but when it comes to this influx of capital, there are definitely successive stages that are based on shifting, overlapping and highly *political* affiliations (as in, when a yuppie insists on leveraging his purchasing power in purchasing a small downtown condo over a suburban home, he does so because he has 'cultural requirements' - he was diversity, the 'multiculturalism' of urban life, diverse amenities, etc etc -- you can amplify this idea of 'cultural requirements' - and all of the politics entailed - and use it to understand location decisions for a good number of people you'd consider the 'gentry', i.e. those who exploit the rent gap).

but it's certainly not just 'gays' - it's much more a class issue, one that splinters alliances within the gay community, actually.

but, in theory - and if you ask richard florida (but don't, because he's a tool), in practice - yes, just add gays, shake, and bake -- instant upper middle class urban enclave.

^Agreed. If a prospective buyer doesn't like the amenities offered by a particular neighborhood, then they should buy elsewhere.


If you have empirical evidence proving that prospective real estate buyers do not care about the nature and use of surrounding properties, and do not allow their buying decisions to be influenced by such information, I'm sure the Nobel people have a prize to give you.

People absolutely do. That's why suburbs exist - in all of their exclusive banality - but also why hip 'multicultural' districts are thriving. With lifestyle politics (yay for individualism) representing the core of today's politics (what class conflict? institutional racism? huh? etc), it shouldn't really come as a surprise to see such a diversification of preferences, and thus the production of particular (but never 'unique', in the sense that this is a common phenomenon) districts. Ybor will do just fine -- it'll thrive.

The people who don't want to go there will go to Wesley Chapel, and those who do? They'll exoticize it or do whatever the hell else middle class white folk who move to less traditional areas do.


As far as this gay thesis goes, though, it'd be really lovely if there actually were a correlation between the spatial concentration of gay penises and the desirability of an area -- you could write an academic book on the 'geographies of phallic desire' or something on 'the popularity of male genitalia in location decisions'

Maxim98 I think my explanation was a little simplistic but do you disagree with the basic points? Gentrification is almost always led by gays and artists.

--Joey

I love how gentrification is being associated with the gay and arts population. I have found that a lot of single professionals will move to an area under development because of low cost of housing with close proximity to work and entertainment. It's not exclusive to the gay and arts communities.

Maxim98 I think my explanation was a little simplistic but do you disagree with the basic points? Gentrification is almost always led by gays and artists.

--Joey

I do disagree, because it's class driven -- not by gays or artists per se. To see it as a gay issue is to miss the obvious facts that 1. not all gay populations make the same location decisions -- there are huge differences within the lgbt community and 2. such an approach instrumentalizes gay people, or the other creative types. Thus you get urban policy that tries to attract the 'creative class' in a futile way - based on a false analytic premise.

^Bingo.

Maxim98 I think my explanation was a little simplistic but do you disagree with the basic points? Gentrification is almost always led by gays and artists.

--Joey

If you had stipulated that gays specifically help to spur gentrification in rundown historic neighborhoods that are rehabbed not redeveloped, I could have somewhat agreed with your blanket statement that "Gentrification is almost always led by gays and artists." But as it is, I can't agree with something that isn't true.

Check out the definition...

Gentrification: n.

The upgrading of urban property in a deteriorated area, usually resulting in the dispersal of the current residents and their replacement by a more affluent population.


Gentrification:
The displacement of lower-income residents by higher-income residents in a neighborhood. Generally occurs when an older neighborhood is rehabilitated or revitalized.


If anyone can find a widely accepted definition of the word "gentrification" that specifies that it almost always occurs on account of gays, I'm sure that the real estate industry would love to know about it.





And I'm still waiting for verifiable evidence that when an adult business such as a gay bath house is located in a redeveloping neighborhood, it has no negative impact on desirability of that neighborhood with prospective buyers considering relocating there. If a statement of fact is to be considered valid, then it must withstand scrutiny.

I do disagree, because it's class driven -- not by gays or artists per se. To see it as a gay issue is to miss the obvious facts that 1. not all gay populations make the same location decisions -- there are huge differences within the lgbt community and 2. such an approach instrumentalizes gay people, or the other creative types. Thus you get urban policy that tries to attract the 'creative class' in a futile way - based on a false analytic premise.

I think you misunderstood me. I am saying that when gentrification happens it is almost always gays and artists that start it. I did not say that almost all gays and artists live in the same neighborhoods nor did I say that all gays are the same.

Young people absolutely contribute as well.

--Joey

If a statement of fact is to be considered valid, then it must withstand scrutiny.

I couldn't agree more, and because it was you who stated that the gay establishment would marginalize potential buyers, it is your obligation to provide empirical evidence of this claim, that you state as a fact.

I'm sure you can ask some random people if they want to live near an adult business and pretty much get the same answer I'm suggesting here.


I think you misunderstood me. I am saying that when gentrification happens it is almost always gays and artists that start it.
You're just being ridiculous now.

Ybor-based tech firm Savtira will add 265 jobs, relocate to downtown Tampa

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/economicdevelopment/ybor-based-tech-firm-savtira-will-add-265-jobs-relocate-to-downtown-tampa/1185529

TAMPA — A fast-expanding, Ybor City-based technology company says it will quadruple in size, with plans to hire at least 265 employees in the next 18 months and relocate its headquarters to a downtown tower this year.

In this struggling economy, it seems not all news is gloomy.

"Savtira is experiencing explosive growth, making it necessary for us to headquarter in a location with enough space for our employees and equipment," said Timothy Roberts, CEO of Savtira Corp.

The company, currently with 72 full-time employees, will retain its Ybor presence and, in fact, expand this weekend into an adjacent three-story building.

Its engineering and customer service staff will remain at the expanded Ybor location. Senior Savtira executives and marketing managers will move downtown to a commercial high-rise by the fourth quarter, Roberts said in an interview.

The additional 265 jobs will offer wages averaging $81,448, twice that of the metro area's average pay, delighting city and county economic development officials.

Savtira was offered tax incentives for the jobs expansion, though Roberts said he cannot disclose those details.

The new jobs range from proposal writer and graphic designer to websphere project coordinator and brand manager.

Savtira provides a digital platform and e-commerce support to retailers and a wide range of other businesses. Roberts, who has started other companies, acknowledged he had not anticipated the pace of growth and demand his company is trying to handle.

Savtira, he said, was on a "digital frontier" at a time when a vast number of traditional companies are trying to migrate their customers online. The Tampa company specializes in providing "cloud computing" services, which means Savtira's corporate clients maintain their online operations and digital presence remotely on Savtira's computers, rather than in-house.

"It's exciting. There's great energy and spirit. It's hard to sleep," Roberts said of the company's boom times. "Everybody works 20 hours a day. But we are hitting all our projections — as an entrepreneur it's hard to do that — coming under budget, revenues growing faster than anticipated and the pipeline (of demand for services) is absolutely ridiculous."

Savtira had set up its Ybor headquarters in January with 65 employees in an 8,000-square-foot building on Palm Avenue.

Roberts, who praised everyone from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Enterprise Florida to area economic development officials, would make a perfect poster child for selling the business virtues of Tampa.

"I am from St. Louis and I thought they were supportive," he said. "The support here has been bigger and better."

Good news for Downtown and Ybor!

Great news indeed. I'm still iffy on all these tax incentives, wish the city and region attracted companies for things like education and transportation than because of the $$$. CNN did a story today of two cities in California that were only 250 miles apart and one city had the highest unemployment rate of the state and the other had the lowest unemployment rate. They interviewed a family in the lowest unemployment rate city and they said they moved there due to the schools and light rail system, as well as others.

And after the last debacle with Pricewater getting the tax incentives only to find that the jobs weren't at risk, I'm more iffy about tax incentives.

Not to be a downer, but I wouldn't touch Savtira with a ten foot pole. Any tech company that can't explain what it really does but yet seems to have a lot of big plans is suspicious. Doubly so outside of a tech hub. Check out their site, it's a bunch of non-sense that reads like a web 2.0 mad lib.

Savtira seems to combine a bunch of buzzwords and the lack of any real sales or product. I can't find anything they have actually done and they haven't said who the investors are. The announcements are all strange biz dev "partnership" deals that don't amount to much. It will be interesting to see how he hits $1B in revenue (http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/article1149637.ece) by 2015...

I'd love to be wrong and see hundreds of jobs, but I'm highly skeptical.

^Even if the company does actually produce something and create good local jobs, it already seems clear to me that the company will be sold off as soon as it is mature enough to be acquisition target. We've seen it happen over and over with local companies over the years.

Not to be a downer, but I wouldn't touch Savtira with a ten foot pole. Any tech company that can't explain what it really does but yet seems to have a lot of big plans is suspicious. Doubly so outside of a tech hub. Check out their site, it's a bunch of non-sense that reads like a web 2.0 mad lib.

Savtira seems to combine a bunch of buzzwords and the lack of any real sales or product. I can't find anything they have actually done and they haven't said who the investors are. The announcements are all strange biz dev "partnership" deals that don't amount to much. It will be interesting to see how he hits $1B in revenue (http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/article1149637.ece) by 2015...

I'd love to be wrong and see hundreds of jobs, but I'm highly skeptical.

I hate to say I'm right, but Satvira was indeed a scam. The Dept of Labor is investigating the company not paying its employees and it's shedding staff right and left.


As feds demand Savtira fix employee back pay, questions about its survival


By Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist
In Print: Tuesday, April 17, 2012

TAMPA — Consider this a cautionary tale.

A local company emerges on the promise of a new technology and lots of jobs. The company garners millions in government incentives and some big local industry awards.

Less than two years later, it can't pay its employees. The Labor Department is investigating. The whole mess is rekindling the troubled past of the company's founder and top executive. In response, he claims the company is "at war," fighting evil investors and even some ex-employees trying to bankrupt the company and then buy it on the cheap.

It wasn't supposed to be this way for Ybor City-based Savtira Corp.

On Monday, federal labor officials notified the company that it was violating fair labor standards. It faces potential fines and possible court action if it does not make good on back pay owed its employees.

Worse, Savtira's angry workers — some owed thousands of dollars — and the company's troubling performance are reviving concerns about past reported problems with several troubled or failed companies run by Savtira founder and chief executive officer Timothy Roberts.

At least three companies — Broadband Infrastructure Group in St. Louis and, later, Infinium Labs and Gamestreamer, both in Sarasota — faced lawsuits, a Securities and Exchange Commission sanction for a stock scheme or failure after raising tens of millions of dollars from investors.

In Tampa, leaders looked at Savtira as an emerging hotshot to celebrate. In November, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, the region's tech-promoting organization, named Savtira its "emerging technology company of the year." And Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn called the company "one of Tampa's success stories."

Savtira convinced state and local leaders of its bright future to win $2.65 million in incentives if it can create 265 jobs with high wages.

That now seems unlikely. Savtira's staff has diminished from more than 100 to 63 in recent months. Many have fled to other jobs and steadier paychecks or were callously fired by text message over a weekend.

Yet Savtira arrived with a big splash just as Tampa Bay's forlorn economy searched for positive business news. The company won converts — including many of the people it hired, lured by bigger salaries — a bit too quickly and without a closer look.

The company designs e-commerce platforms for businesses selling goods and digital products such as music over the Internet. It started missing payroll and caught the Department of Labor's attention in January. Now some employees are owed four to six weeks of back pay, and some managers who agreed to join at the start-up and work initially for 25 percent of their compensation (supposedly to be repaid when the company began to make money) have never been reimbursed.

At the heart of Savtira's puzzling trajectory is the mercurial Roberts. He's described as a consummate salesman who's bigger on hype than on substance when it comes to company products that work and funding sources that deliver.

In an interview Monday evening, Roberts, 42, painted a more positive image. He insisted Savtira will survive but acknowledged it's hitting a rough spot. And weak fundraising hurt cash flow, which in turn hurt the ability to meet payroll.

The real culprit, Roberts claimed, is a group of "greedy investors and some ex-employees" that are bad-mouthing Savtira, hurting its ability to raise new money and persuade customers to buy the company's products.

"It's been a lot of dirty tricks," Roberts said. He wouldn't identify his opponents but said the company is preparing to file suit in court. "It's a true battle. We are at war, and they are invading the castle."

Roberts also lamented the difficulty of building a start-up in Florida, as much as he appreciates the local support. He said, "There are times I kick myself and wish I had started the company in California," where investors are more plentiful and can simply hop into a car to visit the company.

On Monday, Roberts also commented on the Labor Department's demands in an email to Savtira staffers. "We have our hands forced and will have to involuntarily send everyone home until we complete our funding and catch up on the outstanding pay."

Roberts often sends emails to defend late payrolls that say something very similar to "the check is in the mail."

In one update, a Roberts email said that British investor "Sir Michael Marshall is making a wire for 500K today." In another, Roberts told staffers that "Terry/Joe/Todd are at the factoring company closing on 500K dollars right now. They are racing to get money in bank today and cut payroll."

For now, the tale of Savtira differs dramatically, whether Roberts or many of his distraught workers have the microphone. Can this company be saved?

... And bankrupt. Pump and dump that never got dumped.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/struggling-savtira-corp-seeks-chapter-11-bankruptcy/1227702

Struggling Savtira Corp. seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Pressed by creditors, federal labor regulators and a recent spate of bad publicity, Tampa e-commerce business Savtira Corp. said it is filing for bankruptcy protection.

"We were forced to file Chapter 11," Savtira CEO Tim Roberts said in an e-mailed statement sent Sunday night. "This is actually a protection bubble around the company to ward off this hostile takeover attempt." Roberts told the Tampa Bay Times earlier that "greedy investors" were pushing the firm to fail in order to buy its assets on the cheap.

"We feel confident we will come out of this quickly and fully funded," Roberts stated.

The firm faces demands from the Department of Labor to pay back wages to its employees and multiple lawsuits from vendors seeking to be paid for staffing and other services.

The firm, based in Ybor City at 2101 E. Palm Ave. had made bold statements earlier promising fast growth and hundreds of jobs.

lol!

Nice call on that one. Sounded a bit hokey... And it was.

And they expect more incentives. Bob made the right decision and made it clear he and the city wouldn't go after them if they had the intentions to leave.

Baseball museum stars Lopez home

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 15, 2012

TAMPA --
A museum dedicated to Tampa's rich baseball history is coming to Ybor City and could eventually be housed in Baseball Hall of Famer Al Lopez's family home.

On Wednesday, members of the Ybor City Museum Society will ask Hillsborough County commissioners to lease land at the northeast corner of Ninth Avenue and 19th Street to Tampa. The city then would sublet it to the museum society for the baseball museum.

"I think the Al Lopez Baseball Museum will not only serve as a tribute to a major league baseball legend, it will increase tourism and serve as an economic engine for the Ybor City area," said Hillsborough Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who has been working with the museum society on the effort.

The Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to move Lopez's childhood home, now at 1210 E.12th St., to the leased site, across from Centennial Park. The land is at the southwest corner of the old county Environmental Protection Commission site and is a parking area for the sheriff's office.

"What we want to do is create a museum for Al and other baseball greats we have in our county," said Mary Alvarez, treasurer for the Ybor City Museum Society and a former Tampa councilwoman.

Once the lease is granted, it will take the transportation department about six months to move the house and an additional year for the museum society to rehabilitate the structure. The society will use grants or loans for the rehabilitation work and operations. No county money will be needed.

In the meantime, the museum society plans to open a baseball exhibit on Oct. 18 called "For the Love of the Game" at the Ybor City Museum State Park. The exhibit will be kept and shown in the former Ferlita Bakery until the Lopez house is ready. The society also will solicit memorabilia from throughout the city and county.

"The concept is trying to keep the Al Lopez house in Ybor," said Chantal Hevia, president and chief executive officer of the Ybor City Museum Society. "Not only did he live there, but it will provide a beautiful tie-in that baseball had to Ybor City and West Tampa."

Lopez was the first Tampa native to play in the major leagues. When he retired as a player in 1947, he held the record for the most games played as a catcher: 1,918. He then turned to managing and won American League pennants with the 1954 Cleveland Indians and the 1959 Chicago White Sox. Both teams lost in the World Series.

Lopez's mother, Faustina, and father, Modesto, moved into the house about 1910 or 1912, said Al Lopez Jr. His father was the eighth of nine children. Family members lived in the house until 1959, he said.

Lopez Jr. said he had heard rumors that there were plans to save the house, which was acquired by the DOT to make way for Interstate 4 expansion.

"Anything that is meant to honor my dad or help honor the past of the Latin community is a wonderful thing," Lopez Jr. said. "But I haven't been made aware of it."

Hevia, the society CEO, said the museum will focus on baseball in the Tampa area, including the teams representing cigar factories or different ethnic groups in the first half of the 20th century.

The museum will feature famous major leaguers who hail from this area. Two of those players, Fred McGriff and Tino Martinez, said Monday they were excited about the prospect of a local baseball museum.

"I've always said Tampa has to be one of the greatest towns in America for producing baseball talent," McGriff said. "There's a long story to be told there; we need to keep telling that story."

Martinez said that when he was growing up he looked up to earlier Tampa players such as Lou Piniella and Steve Garvey.

"I'm curious to know more about the players who came before us," Martinez said, "and I know I'm going to follow the players from here who are coming up now."


http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/may/15/namaino1-baseball-museum-stars-lopez-home-ar-403774/

I think this is really great!

You get to visit Al Lopez's home, except it's been moved to make way for a widened road... Yep, sounds like Tampa alright.



And I love the outreach to the Lopez family...
Lopez Jr. said he had heard rumors that there were plans to save the house, which was acquired by the DOT to make way for Interstate 4 expansion.

"Anything that is meant to honor my dad or help honor the past of the Latin community is a wonderful thing," Lopez Jr. said. "But I haven't been made aware of it."

You get to visit Al Lopez's home, except it's been moved to make way for a widened road... Yep, sounds like Tampa alright.
a) they're saving and renovating an historic property
b) creating a worthwhile museum
c) losing some surface parking on a corner lot

Seriously, how is this a bad thing?

It's not a bad thing at all, I'm just being my usual cynical self.