Tampa Riverwalk - Page 3

Robert.Maddrey · July 20th, 2007, 04:54 PM

Not so sure about Orlando's rail, considering the issues Disney keeps raising regarding connections.

HARTride 2012 · July 20th, 2007, 05:30 PM

^
Well, Orlando connecting its rail system with Disney would certainly be costly. There were many failed attempts in the past on Disney's part to expand their monorail system to the other parks becuase of cost alone. I could probably go on more about Orlando's rail, but this is not the thread to continue this discussion on. And neither is the Tampa/St. Pete Forum. If you wish to talk about Orlando's rail system, there may be a related thread already posted in the Florida Forum. I'm not trying to pick on you or anything Robert, but I don't want Jason to start ranting at us for going off topic.

In fact, here is the thread for Orlando's light rail system
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=432640

Tallaman · July 20th, 2007, 07:51 PM

To me the Riverwalk is much like the convention center - a large public investment that over the long haul provides exponential returns. Not all public investment does that and that's why many are skeptical, but like the CC hotels and other CC businesses that surround it, the synergy is producing a booming convention business and will support more private business. Although RW will not conduct business in and of itself, it's existence will increase the quality of residential life to generate additional downtown business and may become part of the synergy; not to mention the positive public perception.

HARTride 2012 · July 21st, 2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallaman

To me the Riverwalk is much like the convention center - a large public investment that over the long haul provides exponential returns. Not all public investment does that and that's why many are skeptical, but like the CC hotels and other CC businesses that surround it, the synergy is producing a booming convention business and will support more private business. Although RW will not conduct business in and of itself, it's existence will increase the quality of residential life to generate additional downtown business and may become part of the synergy; not to mention the positive public perception.

At least you don't have to worry about a dumb, leaky roof with the riverwalk. I'm relieved that the city and county have finally come to terms on fixing the convention center roof (or so it seems).

HARTride 2012 · August 1st, 2007, 03:49 PM

Anything new on the old Trump Tower segment of the riverwalk? Is the city still debating whether to build it themselves?

Jasonhouse · August 2nd, 2007, 12:55 AM

^That wouldn't really be feasible.

HARTride 2012 · August 2nd, 2007, 01:35 AM

What? The city building the segment themselves? That's fully understandable. I was just wondering if anyone has heard anything new about it.

FloridaFuture · August 2nd, 2007, 03:21 AM

^Not with the money involved at this time. Although the city is (or was) trying to make a park there, that means they would certainly have to pay for that segment. They may have to allow a developer to build on that site if they don't want the riverwalk to be split at two. That said however, it will be years before the riverwalk is complete, this may be just one of the last segments built. Unfortunate, considering it is a major connecting piece.

HARTride 2012 · August 2nd, 2007, 04:32 PM

^ And that's ONLY if the future mayor even makes the Riverwalk a major issue. If not, then all bets are off.

HARTride 2012 · September 16th, 2007, 01:28 AM

I was trying to find this pic and realized that it was already posted in the TPA Photos thread.

I like Ft. Brooke Park, even though it is small. I can't wait for the history center to be built next to it. It will make the east end of the park look even better.

FloridaFuture · February 3rd, 2008, 04:55 PM

Riverwalk hits stumbling blocks
Not much is expected to be finished in time for the '09 Super Bowl.
By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published February 3, 2008

[Chris Zuppa | Times]
MacDill Riverwalk, a park covering less than an acre, is one of five parks that eventually will be connected by the $40-million Riverwalk.

TAMPA - When the NFL announced three years ago that the Super Bowl would come to Tampa in 2009, Mayor Pam Iorio pledged to fast-track work on a downtown Riverwalk and get as much as possible done in time for the game.

So how much is likely to be done by then?

Not much.

Riverwalk manager Lee Hoffman predicts a continuous section from north of the Tampa Convention Center to near Channelside will be done early next year.

That's about one-third of the planned 2.2-mile linear park along the Hillsborough River.

A sluggish private fundraising campaign, a real estate downturn that's stymied developers who promised to build portions of the park, and limited public money have all conspired to keep construction of the $40-million project at a snail's pace.

Reid Sigmon, executive director of the 2009 Super Bowl Host Committee, said that when the spotlight shines on Tampa next year, it will be clear that "we're a city in progress."

Not only will the Riverwalk still be under construction, but so will the new Curtis Hixon Park that includes a portion of the Riverwalk, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Children's Museum.

That's okay, said Paul Catoe, who heads Tampa Bay and Company, the county's convention and visitors bureau.

If those amenities were done in time for the Super Bowl, they would likely be used for game-related events. But the host committee, NFL and private groups will schedule parties and meetings everywhere from St. Petersburg to Orlando.

The new park and the Riverwalk, he said, are for the community, not the Super Bowl.

Iorio said construction on the Riverwalk is "proceeding in a methodical fashion."

"I have always said it will be done piece by piece in a partnership with the private sector," she said. "I am always more concerned with the end result- a quality Riverwalk."

The Riverwalk dates back to the 1970s, when then-Mayor Bill Poe hatched the idea. Mayors since then have taken steps to make the vision real, with Iorio the first to make it a priority.

She hired Hoffman, who earns $98,000 a year, in 2004 to coordinate the effort.

Hoffman said when he visited riverwalks in cities such as Chattanooga, Tenn., and Fort Lauderdale, he couldn't understand why it took them so long to build their projects.

"Now I understand," he said. "The process is slow and cumbersome."

Iorio set a private fundraising goal of $24-million, with public costs set at about $16-million.

The city has spent about $4.1-million so far for Riverwalk construction - largely from gas tax money, not property taxes - with plans to cap expenses at $5.4-million.

The Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist approved $2-million for it last year. Iorio hopes the state contribution will reach $5.5-million.

And the federal government has kicked in about $4.7-million, topping a goal of $3-million.

The $15-million remake of Curtis Hixon Park, slated to begin this month, also will include a section of the Riverwalk.

The not-for-profit Friends of the Riverwalk in September hired Alex Petrilak - who is paid $110,000 a year by the private group - to lead efforts to raise $20-million from the private sector. So far, the campaign has netted about $3.5-million in contributions, pledges and in-kind donations, Petrilak said.

"This is a patient process in raising private sector funds," Petrilak said. "Donors want to see that this is not going to be a bunch of passive parks, but a place where there is something continuously going on."

Developers with projects along the Hillsborough River have pledged to build more than a mile of the Riverwalk at a cost of about $4-million.

But the Heights, a multifamily community slated for north of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, has been slowed by the real estate slump.

Developers of the Trump Tower were supposed to build a piece of the Riverwalk, but that project has also been plagued by delays.

Iorio had considered buying the Trump Tower's riverfront property, but at a cost of $6-million, that idea was abandoned, Hoffman said.

"I'm really hoping that Trump will come about," he said.

For Dick Beard, who chairs Tampa's Super Bowl Host Committee, the slow pace on the Riverwalk is less of a concern than the fact that the renovation of Curtis Hixon Park won't be finished in time for the game.

"If the big park was finished, it would give us a little bit better place for a big local event," he said.

In the days before last year's Super Bowl in Miami, Motorola sponsored activities on a mile-long stretch of Ocean Drive in South Beach. The street teemed with people and entertainment throughout the weekend and provided a central location for partying and star-gazing.

Beard said he has been talking to Motorola about something similar in Tampa.

"We've got to find someplace like that where people can go and get in the action, and that's going to be hard," he said. "We don't have the perfect place."

Iorio said it would have been nice to have the park along with the portion of the Riverwalk and art and children's museums it will hold done before the Super Bowl, but they took time to coordinate and design.

"These are projects that will last for generations," she said. "It is more important to me that they be done right than to rush for the sake of a special event.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/03/Hi...s_stumbl.shtml

TamHavPolis · February 3rd, 2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallaman

To me the Riverwalk is much like the convention center - a large public investment that over the long haul provides exponential returns. Not all public investment does that and that's why many are skeptical, but like the CC hotels and other CC businesses that surround it, the synergy is producing a booming convention business and will support more private business. Although RW will not conduct business in and of itself, it's existence will increase the quality of residential life to generate additional downtown business and may become part of the synergy; not to mention the positive public perception.

I hope you're right, but no one abandons, neglects and underuses its parks like Tampa. Take, for instance, the park next to the beer can. It was an interesting park. Neat location. But for years under Greco rule, the park just sat there, rotting. Then the city came in and cut down all the trees.

As parks go, Tampa doesn't have much, and doesn't seem to appreciate what it has. I've seen two notable exceptions - Bayshore (literally "Bayshore Linear Park"), which after years of disrepair was patched up and improved in the 90s, provides some nice scenery and a great place to go jogging. It'd be nice if there were more trees, but...

And Kate Jackson Park on Rome and Morrison. I used to go there as a kid and they always had a decent playground. Now they've got a nice fountain, basketball courts, a renovated rec center...

There may be other decent parks in town, but my 'hood is Hyde Park/Palma Ceia. A lot of the suburban parks I've seen are shoddy, overrated lawns, and some larger parks are in neighborhoods where I don't typically go.

TamHavPolis · February 3rd, 2008, 06:52 PM

And as a note, I think the photo above of MacDill "Park" illustrates the way I view the typical park in Tampa. The city has a blank lot that developers do nothing with, so they level the lot, throw down some well-manicured St. Augustine grass, a lot of concrete, a flag pole and marble sign or two, and a few sparse ornamental trees, and call it a park. And no one uses it, ever, except for maybe somebody who needs a place to sleep.

The fact of the matter is, Tampa is sunny and hot. You would think that planting shade trees would be a good idea.

FloridaFuture · February 3rd, 2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamHavPolis

The fact of the matter is, Tampa is sunny and hot. You would think that planting shade trees would be a good idea.

Well, all along the edge of the park there appears to be shade trees planted. They're just not grown to usefullness yet. Having some open grass areas are nice. I will agree with you that downtown needs another heavely forested park, preferrably on the Riverwalk. The Curtis hixon design is more open as well, as is Ft. Brooke though it does have some shaded parts.

Lykes Park, for example has a nice amount of shade.

Also, a dog park is needed.

TamHavPolis · February 3rd, 2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloridaFuture

Well, all along the edge of the park there appears to be shade trees planted. They're just not grown to usefullness yet. Having some open grass areas are nice. I will agree with you that downtown needs another heavely forested park, preferrably on the Riverwalk. The Curtis hixon design is more open as well, as is Ft. Brooke though it does have some shaded parts.

Lykes Park, for example has a nice amount of shade.

Also, a dog park is needed.

I hear you. Hey, I would love a park where I could go walk my dog, or play chess, or just sit and read in the shade. All the parks with significant shade I've seen are primarily playgrounds for the younguns, and I don't feel quite right as the lone bachelor at those parks, even if I'm minding my own business. I get stares from soccer moms as if being a single guy in the park means I must be up to no good.

jonknee · February 3rd, 2008, 10:34 PM

Here's a pic of the progress for the River Walk underneath the Platt street bridge (right across from Publix). This will be nice as that isn't the safest street to cross, people come flying by with little visibility because of the bridge bump.

However, right up from this is the Trump site which is currently completely closed. So it won't be immediately useful. That's definitely the key because with that it's not much until it's hooked into MacDill and then TMA.

koopalicious · February 3rd, 2008, 10:37 PM

Nothing we didn't already know in that article. Wasn't most of the Super Bowl stuff around the stadium last time anyway?

THP, there's a dog park along Marti, right next to the Crosstown. And if you haven't been, I'd recommend Riverfront. Its actually quite nice, and there are lots of benches in the shade.

Quegiebo · February 4th, 2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamHavPolis

I hear you. Hey, I would love a park where I could go walk my dog, or play chess, or just sit and read in the shade. All the parks with significant shade I've seen are primarily playgrounds for the younguns, and I don't feel quite right as the lone bachelor at those parks, even if I'm minding my own business. I get stares from soccer moms as if being a single guy in the park means I must be up to no good.

Damn - that's rough!

though I completely understand what you mean, Tam. How unfortunate it is, I'd say...

just don't be passin' out candy, now, hear!?!? and keep the dog on a leash...

TamHavPolis · February 5th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quegiebo

Damn - that's rough!

though I completely understand what you mean, Tam. How unfortunate it is, I'd say...

just don't be passin' out candy, now, hear!?!? and keep the dog on a leash...

Hey, the only thing I'm paying attention to are said soccer moms. Aw yeah...

Eh, at least this city isn't as "family-friendly" as Orlando. EVERYONE was married there, and it almost seemed assumed that a single 28-year-old guy was either a sociopath or didn't like women.

AKBTampa · February 5th, 2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamHavPolis

Eh, at least this city isn't as "family-friendly" as Orlando. EVERYONE was married there, and it almost seemed assumed that a single 28-year-old guy was either a sociopath or didn't like women.

Aha, the Disney effect strikes again!!! Man there must be something wrong w/ us 28 year old single people!

July 20th, 2007, 04:54 PM	#41
Robert.Maddrey Native Floridian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 817 Likes (Received): 0	Not so sure about Orlando's rail, considering the issues Disney keeps raising regarding connections. __________________ Robert W. Maddrey Editor & Owner Down Shift Magazine >> My Photos of Tampa <<

July 20th, 2007, 05:30 PM	#42
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	^ Well, Orlando connecting its rail system with Disney would certainly be costly. There were many failed attempts in the past on Disney's part to expand their monorail system to the other parks becuase of cost alone. I could probably go on more about Orlando's rail, but this is not the thread to continue this discussion on. And neither is the Tampa/St. Pete Forum. If you wish to talk about Orlando's rail system, there may be a related thread already posted in the Florida Forum. I'm not trying to pick on you or anything Robert, but I don't want Jason to start ranting at us for going off topic. In fact, here is the thread for Orlando's light rail system http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=432640 Last edited by HARTride 2012; July 20th, 2007 at 05:36 PM.

February 3rd, 2008, 10:34 PM	#56
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	Here's a pic of the progress for the River Walk underneath the Platt street bridge (right across from Publix). This will be nice as that isn't the safest street to cross, people come flying by with little visibility because of the bridge bump. However, right up from this is the Trump site which is currently completely closed. So it won't be immediately useful. That's definitely the key because with that it's not much until it's hooked into MacDill and then TMA. __________________ What I've been up to in the kitchen

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July 20th, 2007, 07:51 PM	#43
Tallaman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 241 Likes (Received): 0	To me the Riverwalk is much like the convention center - a large public investment that over the long haul provides exponential returns. Not all public investment does that and that's why many are skeptical, but like the CC hotels and other CC businesses that surround it, the synergy is producing a booming convention business and will support more private business. Although RW will not conduct business in and of itself, it's existence will increase the quality of residential life to generate additional downtown business and may become part of the synergy; not to mention the positive public perception.

August 1st, 2007, 03:49 PM	#45
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	Anything new on the old Trump Tower segment of the riverwalk? Is the city still debating whether to build it themselves?

August 2nd, 2007, 12:55 AM	#46
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,270 Likes (Received): 7	^That wouldn't really be feasible.

August 2nd, 2007, 01:35 AM	#47
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	What? The city building the segment themselves? That's fully understandable. I was just wondering if anyone has heard anything new about it.

August 2nd, 2007, 03:21 AM	#48
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	^Not with the money involved at this time. Although the city is (or was) trying to make a park there, that means they would certainly have to pay for that segment. They may have to allow a developer to build on that site if they don't want the riverwalk to be split at two. That said however, it will be years before the riverwalk is complete, this may be just one of the last segments built. Unfortunate, considering it is a major connecting piece.

August 2nd, 2007, 04:32 PM	#49
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	^ And that's ONLY if the future mayor even makes the Riverwalk a major issue. If not, then all bets are off.

September 16th, 2007, 01:28 AM	#50
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	I was trying to find this pic and realized that it was already posted in the TPA Photos thread. I like Ft. Brooke Park, even though it is small. I can't wait for the history center to be built next to it. It will make the east end of the park look even better.

February 3rd, 2008, 04:55 PM	#51
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	Riverwalk hits stumbling blocks Not much is expected to be finished in time for the '09 Super Bowl. By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer Published February 3, 2008 [Chris Zuppa \| Times] MacDill Riverwalk, a park covering less than an acre, is one of five parks that eventually will be connected by the $40-million Riverwalk. TAMPA - When the NFL announced three years ago that the Super Bowl would come to Tampa in 2009, Mayor Pam Iorio pledged to fast-track work on a downtown Riverwalk and get as much as possible done in time for the game. So how much is likely to be done by then? Not much. Riverwalk manager Lee Hoffman predicts a continuous section from north of the Tampa Convention Center to near Channelside will be done early next year. That's about one-third of the planned 2.2-mile linear park along the Hillsborough River. A sluggish private fundraising campaign, a real estate downturn that's stymied developers who promised to build portions of the park, and limited public money have all conspired to keep construction of the $40-million project at a snail's pace. Reid Sigmon, executive director of the 2009 Super Bowl Host Committee, said that when the spotlight shines on Tampa next year, it will be clear that "we're a city in progress." Not only will the Riverwalk still be under construction, but so will the new Curtis Hixon Park that includes a portion of the Riverwalk, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Children's Museum. That's okay, said Paul Catoe, who heads Tampa Bay and Company, the county's convention and visitors bureau. If those amenities were done in time for the Super Bowl, they would likely be used for game-related events. But the host committee, NFL and private groups will schedule parties and meetings everywhere from St. Petersburg to Orlando. The new park and the Riverwalk, he said, are for the community, not the Super Bowl. Iorio said construction on the Riverwalk is "proceeding in a methodical fashion." "I have always said it will be done piece by piece in a partnership with the private sector," she said. "I am always more concerned with the end result- a quality Riverwalk." The Riverwalk dates back to the 1970s, when then-Mayor Bill Poe hatched the idea. Mayors since then have taken steps to make the vision real, with Iorio the first to make it a priority. She hired Hoffman, who earns $98,000 a year, in 2004 to coordinate the effort. Hoffman said when he visited riverwalks in cities such as Chattanooga, Tenn., and Fort Lauderdale, he couldn't understand why it took them so long to build their projects. "Now I understand," he said. "The process is slow and cumbersome." Iorio set a private fundraising goal of $24-million, with public costs set at about $16-million. The city has spent about $4.1-million so far for Riverwalk construction - largely from gas tax money, not property taxes - with plans to cap expenses at $5.4-million. The Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist approved $2-million for it last year. Iorio hopes the state contribution will reach $5.5-million. And the federal government has kicked in about $4.7-million, topping a goal of $3-million. The $15-million remake of Curtis Hixon Park, slated to begin this month, also will include a section of the Riverwalk. The not-for-profit Friends of the Riverwalk in September hired Alex Petrilak - who is paid $110,000 a year by the private group - to lead efforts to raise $20-million from the private sector. So far, the campaign has netted about $3.5-million in contributions, pledges and in-kind donations, Petrilak said. "This is a patient process in raising private sector funds," Petrilak said. "Donors want to see that this is not going to be a bunch of passive parks, but a place where there is something continuously going on." Developers with projects along the Hillsborough River have pledged to build more than a mile of the Riverwalk at a cost of about $4-million. But the Heights, a multifamily community slated for north of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, has been slowed by the real estate slump. Developers of the Trump Tower were supposed to build a piece of the Riverwalk, but that project has also been plagued by delays. Iorio had considered buying the Trump Tower's riverfront property, but at a cost of $6-million, that idea was abandoned, Hoffman said. "I'm really hoping that Trump will come about," he said. For Dick Beard, who chairs Tampa's Super Bowl Host Committee, the slow pace on the Riverwalk is less of a concern than the fact that the renovation of Curtis Hixon Park won't be finished in time for the game. "If the big park was finished, it would give us a little bit better place for a big local event," he said. In the days before last year's Super Bowl in Miami, Motorola sponsored activities on a mile-long stretch of Ocean Drive in South Beach. The street teemed with people and entertainment throughout the weekend and provided a central location for partying and star-gazing. Beard said he has been talking to Motorola about something similar in Tampa. "We've got to find someplace like that where people can go and get in the action, and that's going to be hard," he said. "We don't have the perfect place." Iorio said it would have been nice to have the park along with the portion of the Riverwalk and art and children's museums it will hold done before the Super Bowl, but they took time to coordinate and design. "These are projects that will last for generations," she said. "It is more important to me that they be done right than to rush for the sake of a special event. Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401. http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/03/Hi...s_stumbl.shtml

February 3rd, 2008, 06:52 PM	#53
TamHavPolis Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, FL/Indianapolis, IN Posts: 130 Likes (Received): 0	And as a note, I think the photo above of MacDill "Park" illustrates the way I view the typical park in Tampa. The city has a blank lot that developers do nothing with, so they level the lot, throw down some well-manicured St. Augustine grass, a lot of concrete, a flag pole and marble sign or two, and a few sparse ornamental trees, and call it a park. And no one uses it, ever, except for maybe somebody who needs a place to sleep. The fact of the matter is, Tampa is sunny and hot. You would think that planting shade trees would be a good idea.

February 3rd, 2008, 10:37 PM	#57
koopalicious Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 409 Likes (Received): 4	Nothing we didn't already know in that article. Wasn't most of the Super Bowl stuff around the stadium last time anyway? THP, there's a dog park along Marti, right next to the Crosstown. And if you haven't been, I'd recommend Riverfront. Its actually quite nice, and there are lots of benches in the shade.