BOB BUCKHORN Tampa Mayor
JEFF VINIK Tampa Bay Lightning Owner
A Conversation with Two of Tampa’s Visionaries
Building Half a City
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HOME OF DELICIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL THINGS ANTHROPOLOGIE BARTACO BUDDY BREW COFFEE BLUEMERCURY BLUE MOON TRADING CO CINEBISTRO DOWNTOWN DOGS GOODY GOODY J. MCLAUGHLIN JUXTAPOSE APPAREL & STUDIO LONDON PHILIPS LULULEMON SCOUT & MOLLY’S PAPER SOURCE SALT PINES SUR LA TABLE WEST ELM VINEYARD VINES AND MORE
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FEATURES 12 32 36
TRAVEL Forget pitching a tent and go “glamping” at one of Central Florida’s luxury campgrounds
CLEAN WATER Learn more about the history of Tampa Bay’s water quality
THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN TAMPA TAMPA Magazine’s exclusive interview with Jeff Vinik and Mayor Bob Buckhorn
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PRIVATE SCHOOL FEATURE
54
PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Some helpful tips and tricks can make choosing a private school for your child a little easier Start planning for next school year with a handy guide to Tampa’s private schools
DEPARTMENTS 14
NECESSITIES Stock up on the latest gear for your next camping adventure
16
FOOD Bring back childhood memories with a s’mores dish upgraded for adult taste buds
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NATURE Like their human counterparts, certain birds make Florida their home for the winter
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WATER Reel in a fresh catch straight from Tampa Bay to enjoy for dinner this season
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ART Go through the (stained) glass with glassblower Duncan McClellan
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SHOPPING Get inspiration for your music festival looks this spring
28
HISTORY As Tampa’s skyline grows, its original skyscraper, Park Tower, is keeping up with the times
30
HOME Give your dining room a whole new feel with upscale place settings
34
FITNESS Take a spin at a local aerial yoga class
36 14
Grab a waterproof yet breathable tent for your next Central Florida camping trip
THE LOCAL 58
about the cover
SOCIAL SCENE Last month’s social happenings are this month’s eye candy
JEFF VINIK Tampa Bay Lightning Owner
A Conversation with Two of Tampa’s Visionaries
Building Half a City
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Events around Tampa this February/March
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*SPP is a joint venture between Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investment, LLC
XCLUS I •E
• THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN •
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64 AROUND TOWN
TAMPA Magazine had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik for an exclusive interview about the changes coming to Downtown Tampa in the next five to 10 years. Some of the many new features Strategic Property Partners* has planned for downtown include a revamp of Channelside, rooftop bars and restaurants and new residential, office and retail space.
BOB BUCKHORN Tampa Mayor
62 TAMPA CONFIDENTIAL Featuring insiders with local knowledge
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This month’s cover feature image was taken by senior photographer Gabriel Burgos.
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MANAGING EDITOR McKenna Kelley ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Aubreigh Roth Lauren Armbrust NATIONAL AD DIRECTOR Lia Christou Beatty CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erika Vidal Holmes Marcy Sanford Derek Herscovici INTERNS Deeva Agravat Nataly Capote-Torres
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“Tired of medications and years-long therapy that doesn’t work? TMS may be the answer for you.” — Dr. Kenneth Pages” • Without or in Addition to Antidepressants • FDA-Approved • Noninvasive To see if TMS therapy is right for you, call or visit us today,
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DR KENNETH PAGES
(813) 878-2100 www.TMSofSouthTampa.com 08 FEB MAR 2017
TheTampaMagazine.com (813) 600-4000
Cheers to 10 Years Over the past 10 years, Dr. Kenneth Pages and his tight-knit staff at TMS of South Tampa have been fortunate enough to watch the city of Tampa evolve in so many ways. And they’ve evolved along with it, growing the business as needed to serve patients in need. “Words can’t express how grateful we are to be part of the Tampa community,” says Dr. Pages. “It’s been a great 10 years — and we look forward to the next 10!” In honor of their 10-year anniversary, here are Dr. Pages’ top 10 memorable moments.
DR. PAGES’ TOP 10 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS 10 9
Schedule your consultation today by calling (813) 878-2100.
Growing the TMS family from two to nine employees Moving to a bigger, better office space
8
The completion of the Tampa Riverwalk
7
Introducing Neurostar TMS — the most advanced treatment for depression — to Tampa Bay residents
6 5 4 3
Turning 50!
2
Cheering on the Tampa Bay Lightning through several thrilling playoff runs
1
Changing the lives of countless Bay area residents who have struggled with depression
Entering the digital age. Everything is electronic! Getting married! The creation of Curtis Hixon Park, the Tampa Museum of Art and Glazer Children’s Museum
KENNETH P. PAGES, M.D. | (813) 878-2100 | www.TMSofSouthTampa.com 508 S. Habana Ave., Ste. 320, Tampa, FL 33609
GR O UP P UB L I S H E R’ S
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Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Jeff Vinik sat down with me for our interview regarding their vision for Downtown Tampa over the next five to 10 years.
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From the moment we decided to launch TAMPA Magazine back in 2015, we knew there was one person we absolutely had to interview: Tampa Bay Lighting Owner, Jeff Vinik. After all, thanks to the planned $3 billion investment from his partnership with Cascade Investment, LLC and his innovative real estate development plans, he’s a huge part of the reason Downtown Tampa is on its way to becoming a true destination waterfront city. Or as Mr. Vinik likes to call it, a city where you can “live, work and play.” After two years of trying to make the connection, we finally found the right timing for an in-depth interview with the man who is changing the landscape of Downtown Tampa. How do you make an interview with Jeff Vinik even more enlightening? Invite Mayor Bob Buckhorn to join it. We sat down with them both at the Vinik Family Office in Downtown Tampa. They welcomed us with open arms — and their excitement was infectious. We hope you enjoy the way we’ve illustrated the detailed plans they’ve shared with us in our interview, beginning on page 36. While we had Mayor Buckhorn’s attention, we also had the chance to touch on past and present efforts to clean up the Bay’s waterways and discuss how those efforts also improve the economic environment downtown - as well as making the waters safer, and a more enjoyable destination for fishing, marine life sightseeing, boating and more. Soak it up on page 28.
Best Seat
We think Florida winters are the perfect excuse to plan a camping getaway (because it is not so hot and muggy). Check out our local glamping guide on page 12. If camping isn’t your thing, stay close to home with a plate of s’mores from one of the local restaurants highlighted on page 16.
IN THE HOUSE
5 Enviable Spaces
This issue also features a list of local private schools for those seeking an alternative to public education. If you’re considering private school, make sure you read our pro tips on page 52.
•2016•
Home & rdEen GaISSU
HOME & GARDEN EDITION March / April
SUMMER TRAVEL EDITION May / June
Discounts for the Home & Garden Industry
Summer Travel Destinations, Activities and Food
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10 FEB MAR 2017
Lastly, we want to give one final thank you to Jeff Vinik and Mayor Bob Buckhorn for sharing their vision for Tampa with us. The evolution is only just beginning — and we can’t wait to watch it all unfold.
Shawna Wiggs GROUP PUBLISHER (813) 600-4000 shawna@thetampamagazine.com FOR ADVERTISERS: The Top Lawyers edition of TAMPA Magazine is coming up next. This issue features a peer-voted list of 85 different practice areas, along with Attorney Profiles. We are also doing a feature on Best Steakhouses in Tampa Bay. Call (813) 600-4000 or email me (shawna@thetampamagazine.com) for more info.
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The Grand Outdoors Try “glamping” to kick your camping trip up a notch without risking life, limb or A/C Written By Derek Herscovici
H
ave you ever wanted to go on a rugged excursion that still feels like a vacation? Does your idea of sleeping in nature involve a full turnover service and air conditioning? Is the prospect of hiking through the woods sweetened by the promise of a hot shower immediately after? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then camping in the traditional sense might not be for you. But that’s perfectly all right – glamorous camping, or “glamping,” provides plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors without having to, you know, sleep there. Read on to learn more about where you can get your “glamp” on in Central Florida.
12 FEB MAR 2017
FLORIDA OLD SCHOOL CAMPERS ST. PETERSBURG A throwback remade for modern times, these vintage Volkswagen camper vans are for the ultimate road trip. Florida Old School Campers has refitted six VW vans from the 1970s and ‘80s with a kitchen, water tank, electric outlets and two beds, one of which pops out of the roof in a canvas tent. Guests can rent buses from 4 days/3 nights ($712.20 after tax, during high season) up to 15 days/ 14 nights ($2,542.50 after tax, during high season). Distance per day is limited in these vintage vehicles, but with 100 miles per night thrown in free, the trip will be more about the journey than ever before. floridavwrentals.com | 727-698-1970 (Available by appointment only) Address Provided Upon Reservation St. Petersburg, FL
DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT ORLANDO Just like living on the old frontier, this 750-acre nature resort lets you explore the splendor of a beautiful natural forest – except this frontier is just across the lake from the magic of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Ideal for families with young children, Fort Wilderness offers outdoor fun like fishing, archery classes, movies under the stars, hiking and horseback riding at the Tri-Circle-D ranch. Stop into the Trail’s End Restaurant for breakfast and dinner buffets, or check out the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Dinner Revue, where adults can enjoy unlimited beer, wine and sangria. Accommodations range from tent spaces to the premium campsite with space for an extra-large RV, sewage hookups and pet access. Rustic cabins with wood-carved features, full kitchens and enough space to sleep six are also available (prices vary based on time of year – check website for current rates).
HEADWATERS JUPITER If you’re looking for an escape, stop here. A remote outpost on a secluded branch of the Loxahatchee River, the Headwaters Eco Retreat is made from “upcycled” shipping containers that lets guests enjoy security and comfort inside their living area while they’re surrounded by a wild yet protected ecosystem. Launch kayaks and canoes from a private boat slip, or ride complimentary bikes around the trails of nearby Riverbend Park. Rates start from a private one-bedroom and one-bathroom ($85-$100 per night) to the entire four-bedroom/twobathroom lodge capable of sleeping eight people ($275-$295 per night). Rentals are booked through Airbnb. headwatersjupiter.com | 561-510-0032 16514 Robin Way Jupiter, FL 33478
GRIFFIN RANCH OCALA
The Griffin Ranch in Fort McCoy gives you a chance to experience the flavor of the Old Florida lifestyle just outside the Ocala National Forest’s unique ecosystem. Rustic antique interiors adorn these private cabins located about 30 minutes northeast of Ocala and 45 minutes southeast of Gainesville. Explore the pine scrubs and forests of Central Florida on horseback, or take a wilderness survival hike through nearby Out of Ocala Adventures. Enjoy the “Dad’s Place” two-bedroom suite complete with a library and back porch (rates start at $189/night), the romantically isolated “Carlie’s Cabin” (rates start at $169/ night) or rough it at a camping site, complete with a complimentary breakfast. thegriffinranch.com | 888-414-2275 11932 E. Hwy. 316 Ft. McCoy, FL 32134
disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-atfort-wilderness-resort | 407-824-2900 4510 North Fort Wilderness Trail Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8415 TAMPA MAGAZINE 13
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FOOD
S’more, Please! Burned or lightly toasted? There is no wrong way to make a s’more. You don’t even have to go camping to enjoy this gooey, chocolatey, crunchy treat — just stop by one of the Tampa-area eateries serving them up. Written By Marcy Sanford | Photography By Gabriel Burgos Score S’mores
Hamburger Mary’s 1600 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City hamburgermarys.com/tampa Eddie V’s Prime Seafood 4400 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa eddiev.com FlameStone American Grill 4009 Tampa Rd., Oldsmar flamestonegrill.com Tampa Bay Brewing Company 1600 E. Ninth Ave., Tampa tampabaybrewingcompany.com
N
o one is certain of the origin of s’mores, but the tradition of making and enjoying them while camping was popularized by Girl Scouts as early as the 1920s. The recipe for “Some More” in a 1925 issue of Girl Scout Leader magazine is the first time the iconic campfire dessert can be found in print. Craving a taste of your childhood? Several restaurants in Tampa make it easy to enjoy delicious s’mores in the great indoors.
16 FEB MAR 2017
“S’mores are the most popular dessert at Flamestone American Grill,” according to FlameStone General Manager Scott Sousa. “When someone sees another table getting them, they want one.”
New Sweets
The new Girl Scout cookie debuting this year is a crunchy graham sandwich cookie inspired by s’mores.
NATURE
Snow Birds
Cold temperatures up north bring some colorful winter visitors to Tampa. Written By Marcy Sanford
People aren’t the only creatures who flock to the Sunshine State when colder weather blows in from the north. Hundreds of species of birds migrate through Florida on their way to the Caribbean, Central America or South America but many decide to make Tampa their winter home. Be on the lookout for these visitors around your neighborhood or in a local park. Come spring they’ll be flying away.
HOODED MERGANSER This bird is an excellent diver and prefers to spend its winters around wetlands, fresh water ponds, lakes and coastal estuaries.
BIRDING 101 Hillsborough County Parks Program Coordinator Chris Kiddy recommends these parks to begin a birding adventure. Lettuce Lake Park 6920 E. Fletcher Ave. | Tampa, FL
BLACK & WHITE WARBLER When looking for food, they will creep and crawl all over the trunk and branches of a tree in search of insects, the only warbler who does so. PHOTO CREDIT ANDY WRAITHMELL
“This is a great place for a novice to go bird watching. We have many regulars who are here daily, and they are always to happy to talk to others and give advice.”
Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve 3839 Gulf City Rd. | Ruskin, FL “You will see many wading birds here, and thanks to recent renovations, there is a mound that is a cool place to sit and bird watch.”
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve 12181 E. Bay Rd. | Gibsonton, FL
This bird does not dive from the air for its dinner like other pelicans but forages and can hold up to three gallons of water in its pouch.
“This is a favorite spot for many birdwatchers.”
For more suggestions visit floridabirdingtrail.com. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a network of 510 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state. This interactive site can help you plan your birding adventure. 18 FEB MAR 2017
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WATER
Hook, Line, Dinner
Best Catches This Winter
The fish don’t take off during winter, and neither should you. Written By Derek Herscovici
Cobia PHOTO CREDIT PARKER RABOW, FLORIDA FANTASY FISHING CAMP
Parker Rabow, the founder and Director of Fantasy Fishing Camp, holding a Tripletail, which like to lie under buoys and markers in open water around the Bay.
(Inshore & Nearshore) Common around shallow bays, mangrove forests and wrecks or pilings, these sleek brown-gray fish can often be spotted swimming near the surface during the winter and early spring.
Tripletail (Nearshore) Lesser known as table fare, the tripletail is one of Tampa Bay’s best-kept secrets. They are easy to spot by their telltale lingering near the surface around buoys, crab traps and channel markers.
W
hen cooler temperatures arrive in Florida, new seasonal fish species swim into Tampa Bay to breed and feed around the area’s estuaries, islands and shorelines. TAMPA Magazine dropped anchor with local fishing expert Parker Rabow, founder of Fantasy Fishing Camp, to get tips on how to catch a tasty dinner. “In the wintertime it’s great because you don’t have to fish so early in the morning,” Rabow says. “In the summertime it’s so hot that usually the best time to go fishing is early in the morning. In the wintertime, it’s the opposite, the best fishing might be a couple hours into the day.” Rabow says local anglers usually break the bay into three sections based on terrain and fish: Upper Bay (Howard Franklin Bridge and northward), Middle Bay (Howard Franklin Bridge to the St. Pete Pier) and Lower Bay (Little Manatee River to the Sunshine Skyway). “Inside Tampa Bay, shallow water is considered ‘inshore fishing’ – it doesn’t matter that you’re on land,” while nearshore is slightly away from the coastline, Rabow said. “The place most people go to fish redfish and trout is around the Middle Bay, like all over the Gandy Bridge area.”
Olive-Crusted Redfish Recipe Bring your fresh catch home and make a delicious meal. Chef Keith Williamson from South Tampa’s Roux created a redfish recipe exclusively for TAMPA Magazine readers to try in their own kitchens. Find the recipe for olive-crusted red fish with Parmesan polenta and creamy fennel sauce at thetampamagazine.com/redfish.
20 FEB MAR 2017
Redfish (Inshore & Nearshore) Cast out near Weedon Island or Rattlesnake Point and you’re likely to see this delicious copper-red and white fish known as much for its succulence as its size, sometimes exceeding two feet or more.
About Parker Rabow & Fantasy Fishing Camp Opened by professional fisherman and Tampa native Parker Rabow in 2011, Fantasy Fishing Camp gives young anglers a chance to fish for snook, redfish, trout and more alongside professional fishing captains around Tampa Bay. Fantasy Fishing Camp is now open to campers year-round; reservations can be made online at www.fantasyfishingcamp.com.
Pictured (L to R): Haane Massarotti, MD Allen Chudzinski, MD, FACS, FASCRS
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ART
GLASS MASTER A detour on a family vacation sparked Duncan McClellan’s passion for glassblowing Written By Marcy Sanford
Duncan McClellan Gallery 2342 Emerson Ave. S. St. Petersburg 1-855-436-4527 dmglass.com
Right -With flames that reach 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, Duncan McClellan creates unique pieces of glasswork in his St. Pete studio. Bottom - Beyond his own work, McClellan’s gallery in St. Pete’s Warehouse Art District highlights artists from places as varied as Japan, Italy, and across the U.S.
W
hen Duncan McClellan was five years old, his mother and father loaded him and his seven siblings into the car for a family vacation to visit the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City to see Michelangelo’s sculpture “Pietà.” One of the places they stopped during the 17-hour drive from Orlando to New York was the Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia. The visit immediately captivated the young McClellan and ignited his interest in glassblowing. “I hid for three hours to watch them blowing glass,” he said. Upon his return to Florida, where opportunities to learn about the art were nonexistent at the time, he sought out other creative pursuits. In his teens and twenties, McClellan worked in pottery and leather arts. But in 1987, the glassblowing flame was rekindled when he had the chance to try glassblowing at a studio in Ybor City. He then continued his education at the New York Experimental Glass Workshop and was the second American to work and study at the Ars Murano Artistic Glass Factory in Murano, Italy. Inspired by the colors of the sunset, McClellan spins, twists and inflates molten blobs into beautiful forms and vessels, to which he then adds imagery. McClellan is inspired by everyday conversations, experiences and nature, but he wants his viewers to take away their own ideas and messages from his pieces. McClellan said he has about 20 different forms that he works with, but he is always considering how he will fit the imagery onto the vessel.
22 FEB MAR 2017
In late 2010, McClellan opened the Duncan McClellan Gallery in St. Petersburg. The gallery features nationally and internationally recognized glass artists and has meeting, lecture and demonstration spaces. In 2013, McClellan started the DMG School Project, which has demonstrated glassblowing to more than 10,000 visitors, initiated classes for Eckerd College students, hosted school groups for tours, provided lesson plans and fostered a mobile glassblowing unit that visits inner city schools. Thanks to McClellan, no other child interested in the art of glassblowing will have to wait 20 years before pursuing his or her passion.
Make your own glass art right here in Tampa Bay: Morean Arts Center Glass Studio & Hot Shop
Phoenix Glass Studio & Gallery
719 Central Ave. St. Petersburg (727) 822-7872 moreanartscenter.org
811 E. Knollwood St. (813) 237-3473 gottglass.com
Zen Glass Studio
600 27th St. S. (727) 323-3141 zenglass.com
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FESTIVAL
Finest
A new year in the Tampa Bay area brings the promise of live music in the fresh spring air. The Gasparilla Music Festival and concerts at outdoor venues like Jannus Live, Curtis Hixon Park and St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park are right around the corner. At events both big and small, concertgoing fashion has become almost as important as the music. Bring your style A-game with a collection of festival-ready looks you can pull together in a snap. Written By McKenna Kelley | Photography By Gabriel Burgos Art Direction By Jillian Baco | Styled By Aubreigh Roth
Desert Chic
Boho Cool
New ‘90s
Flower Power
Incorporate a Southwestern flair into your festival outfit by balancing sweetly feminine lace with metal-studded leather accessories. An airy, breathable dress will keep you looking and feeling cool during a hot festival day. Fringe is in, so don’t be afraid to add a bag, jewelry or booties that would look right at home in an old Western flick.
Mix the bohemian feel of a flowy tank and maxi-skirt with a statement choker for a perfectly modern look. Choose a long skirt with a slit to keep your legs free for dancing all day and all night — and you might not even need a blanket to sit on. A neutral-colored fedora and Clubmaster-style sunglasses add a tomboy-ish edge.
Throw on some torn-up denim and a witty tank, and you just might be mistaken for the frontwoman of the festival’s main act. Elevate the cool factor even higher with a unique ball cap and on-trend round, mirrored sunglasses. No purse? No problem — forgoing a dress or skirt means you can keep your essentials in pockets. Add some flashy bangles and a beaded necklace to keep all eyes on you.
Go for classic festival style with a late ‘60s-early ‘70s inspired floral mini dress and sunglasses with funky colored lenses. Whether new or vintage, an outfit with bright colors and interesting prints will make you stand out from the crowd. Shade can be tough to find at a festival, so bring the hippie vibe into this decade with a wide-brimmed floppy hat that protects your skin from the bright sun.
24 FEB MAR 2017
Society Amuse Last Call Dress, $105; Stone Necklace with Leather Tassle, $350; Leather Feather Necklace, $13; Liberty Black Fringe Concho Shortie Boots, $300; Concho Fringe Purse, $39.
Desert Chic
All available at: Keys Country, 1910 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., keyscountry.com
TAMPA MAGAZINE 25
Quay Australia Avalon Sunglasses, $55; Black Velvet Choker, $20. Both available at: Don Me Now, 1627 W. Snow Cir., donmenow.com
New ‘90s
Blank NYC Fling Cleaning Overalls, $90; Rock Rose Couture Black Tank, $34; Quay Australia Dynasty Sunglasses, $50; Silver Bangles Stack, $15; Aviate Black TPA Hat, $35; Beaded Hippie Necklace, $36. Stillwater White Tank, $55; Stillwater Black Slit Skirt, $90; Society Amuse Hat, $60.
All available at: Don Me Now, 1627 W. Snow Cir., donmenow.com
All available at: The Store Boutique, 118 S. Howard Ave., www.thestoretampa.com
Boho Cool 26 FEB MAR 2017
Flower Power
Renamed Abigail Mini Dress, $54; Sunglasses, $12; Joia Hat Black, $46; Gold Cuff, $12; Gold Hoop Earrings, $9. All available at: {a}haley Boutique, 128 S. West Shore Blvd., ahaleyboutique.com
TAMPA MAGAZINE 27
HISTORY
PARK TOWER
PARK TOWER
TAMPA’S FIRST SKYSCRAPER A city’s image is often defined by its downtown skyline get to know the building that started it all in Tampa Written By Derek Herscovici | Photography By Gabriel Burgos
Though Park Tower was Tampa’s tallest building from 1973 to 1981, it’s since been overtaken by the residential tower Element, the SunTrust Financial Centre, One Tampa City Center, Bank of America Plaza and 100 North Tampa, the city’s tallest building since 1992.
I
t may be difficult to image now that downtown is at the beginning of a complete revitalization (see page 36), but interest in Tampa’s urban core has come in fits and starts in the last four decades. Throughout the area’s ups – see today’s rapidly growing skyline – and downs, like the recession, Tampa’s original skyscaper, Park Tower, has stood strong. Opened in 1973, Park Tower heralded a new age for commerce in both Tampa and Florida overall. At 458 feet tall and with 36 floors, it was the tallest building in both Tampa and the entire state at the time. In addition to the First National Bank of Tampa, Park Tower housed a number of telephone and communications companies, making it the region’s “telco hotel.” Park Tower originally featured a racquetball court and “gentleman’s club” housed on the top floor as well as revolutionary in-house parking garages and external data cables running in vertical “stripes” down its sides. Park Tower’s main entrance initially faced north toward “Old Downtown,” but it was moved to its current east side during remodeling to reflect the renewed emphasis on Tampa’s waterfront.
1973
The First Florida Tower, known colloquially as “Park Tower,” completes construction, surpassing the Franklin Exchange as the tallest building in Tampa. 28 FEB MAR 2017
Park Tower, formerly known as the Lykes Building, was and remains the headquarters of Lykes Brothers, Inc. The conglomerate moved from Hernando County to Ballast Point, Tampa in 1895 and struck it big with meat shipments to Havana, Cuba after some cattle there were wiped out during the Spanish-American War. Lykes Brothers, which has business interests in land management, cattle ranching, citrus and insurance, among other things, is now the 14th largest landowning organization in the U.S. and one of the largest in Florida. Originally intended to spark interest in Tampa commerce and ignite a “skyscraper craze” downtown, Park Tower captured businesses’ interests and became an ideal place to set up shop. Its present incarnation features a full-service spa and salon, 24/7 fitness center, ample parking and extensive telecom infrastructure to provide high-speed connectivity. Feldman Equities purchased Park Tower in November for $79.75 million and plans a slew of upgrades to modernize the building. The firm, which will begin construction on Riverwalk Tower just a few blocks south later this year, is just the latest organization to give a firm vote of confidence to Downtown Tampa’s future.
1981
One Tampa City Center succeeds Park Tower as the tallest building in Tampa. 100 North Tampa, known as the Regions Building, now holds that title.
1994
Lykes Brothers Shipping moves its headquarters from New Orleans to Park Tower in Tampa.
2016
Park Tower is acquired by Vancouver-based City Office REIT from Sterling American Property, Inc. for $79.75 million, making it City Office’s fourth Tampa Bay-area property.
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Here’s the Dish From flatware to glassware, we’re laying it all out on the table Written By Erika Vidal Holmes | Photography By Gabriel Burgos
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CLEAN BAY
PHOTO CREDIT GABRIEL BURGOS
“That Bay is an economic engine for us.” —Mayor Bob Buckhorn Dolphins can now regularly be spotted along Tampa’s Riverwalk, as can sport fishermen
Dolphins and Sport Fish Are Returning to Downtown Waters Improvements in Bay’s Water Quality are the Key Written By McKenna Kelley hanks to decades of effort by conservationists and government, Tampa Bay’s water quality has improved significantly. The cleaner bay allows dolphins and sport fish the ability to return to the waterways that surround downtown and the Riverwalk. People flock to the Riverwalk to visit parks, exercise, attend concerts and relax. But now you also see those flocks gather along the railing pointing at dolphins and sport fishermen hauling in their catch. In recent decades, the waters around Downtown Tampa had not been clean enough to allow for these types of daily sights. In the first half of the 1900s, the Mirabella Fish Company was Tampa’s main supplier of fresh seafood. They made their living because the Tampa Bay waters and the Gulf of Mexico were full of fish (see photo to the right). The Mirabella family built their docks on the then unpolluted eastern shores of the Hillsborough River, located just south of Water Works Park on what is now 32 FEB MAR 2016
A Mirabella Fish Company fishing boat. In the early part of the 20th century, Tampa Bay and the Gulf were full of fish.
the Riverwalk. By the 1930s, they set up additional docks and a wholesale store where they sold their catch to the public. That site, beside the Platt Street
PHOTO CREDIT COURTESY, TAMPA-HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
T
COMMENTS FROM MAYOR BUCKHORN ON THE BAY’S WATER QUALITY TM: There are a ton of factors that contribute to the polluting of the bay’s waters. Can you speak to one or more successful initiatives that helped to improve the quality of the water over the last few decades to get us to where we are today? BUCKHORN: The state of the seagrass is at its highest
Bridge, is now USF Park — keep an eye out for a plaque commemorating the Mirabella Fish Company next time you pass by on the Riverwalk. Although Mirabella remained open until 1988, the water quality of both the river and the bay suffered as business and industry grew rapidly during and after World War II. Phosphate dust stored on Seddon Island, now Harbour Island, settled onto the Garrison Channel and Hillsborough River, and other pollutants and sewage from factories, warehouses and shipyards were released into the channels and river. The waters around Downtown Tampa remained unfriendly to sea animals for decades. That began to change in 1979, when the upgraded Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant began treating water and pumping it into the bay, slowly flushing out the highly polluted water. In 2015, the Southwest Florida Water Management District found 40,295 acres of seagrass, which helps clean up water, in Tampa Bay. According to TampaBayWatch.org, the seagrass acreage had been as high as 75,000 in the late 1800s and had dropped to 21,500 Seagrass in Tampa Bay acres by 1982. The amount of seagrass growing in a water source indicates the water’s health — and the amount found in the bay indicates the water is the cleanest it has been in a long time.
point in the last 50 years. That’s largely a result of the decision by Bob Martinez and Dick Greco to build the water treatment facility that has put into the bay 60 million gallons of treated water every day. That has allowed the bay to be flushed, to allow the seagrass to grow because the water is cleaner than what was in there before. It has changed the entire dynamic of that bay. When seagrass comes back, then the breeding fish come back and the game fish come back, and it is as clean as it has been in probably five decades. That’s an ongoing process. We need to continue that.
TM: What would you like to see done, or what’s currently underway, to continue improving the water quality? BUCKHORN: I think we need to continue the programs I mentioned above. Also, I think the pollutants that come from phosphate and other industrial uses along the water stretching from here to the Alafia River, we’ve got to make sure we minimize those. That bay is an economic engine for us in terms of the sport fishing and the crabbing and the shrimping. But I remember how bad it used to smell on Bayshore Boulevard. There were parts of Bayshore during low tide, and you can still smell it every now and then from the phosphate, and it was awful. You don’t smell that much anymore. That’s a result of that clean water that we’ve been dumping in there that’s really flushed it out and cleaned it out. PHOTO CREDIT GABRIEL BURGOS
PHOTO CREDIT COURTESY, TAMPA-HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Historic photo of Tampa Electric Company plant on Hillsborough River. Rapid expansion of industry after World War II caused waters in Tampa Bay to become more polluted.
Professional sport fishing captains now regularly pick up groups from Downtown Tampa hotels for “flats” fishing trips in the bay TAMPA MAGAZINE 33
FITNESS
UP
The aerial yoga and circus arts classes that circus veteran Kaley Gay (left) and yoga instructor Jessica Watson (right) lead will help you develop new muscles and define existing ones.
IN THE AIR
Written By Marcy Sanford | Photography By Gabriel Burgos
A
erial yoga combines acrobatic arts and yoga poses for an exhilarating and unique variation of your traditional yoga class. Versions of aerial yoga have been practiced in India for hundreds of years, but it only became popular in the U.S. within the past 10. Kaley Gay and Jessica Watson, founding members of the Aerial Dragons and owners of The Keep Yoga and Circus Arts, started teaching aerial yoga and circus arts classes in Tampa three years ago when friends began requesting them, and things took off from there. “When I was younger there was nowhere to train in circus arts [outside the circus],” said Gay, who is a third generation circus performer. “Within the past 10 years interest has skyrocketed.” “It is a very addictive hobby,” says Watson. “Everyone that comes starts rearranging their schedules so they can come to more classes. The classes make you feel strong, beautiful and empowered.” An aerial yoga class will strengthen and stretch your entire body, but you’ll also gain extra strength in your core and arms. Silks or hammocks support your weight, ease pressure on your joints and help you find more mobility and get deeper into your poses and stretches. The support is also beneficial when you do an inversion in the class because it prevents any pressure to your head or spine.
“It is very comfortable,” says Watson. “It takes all the pressure off your body. People feel weightless and cuddled. You can really relax, mentally reset your mind and cleanse your body.”
“It is a very innovative way to get into an inversion,” explains Watson. “It opens up your back and helps align and decompress your spine. Anybody can do an inversion with the hammock.” Best of all, aerial yoga includes shavasana, some people’s favorite part of any yoga class, in the hammocks. “It is very comfortable,” says Watson. “It takes all the pressure off your body. People feel weightless and cuddled. You can really relax, mentally reset your mind and cleanse your body.”
TRY A CLASS 34 FEB MAR 2017
The Keep Yoga and Circus Arts 1703 North 24th Street, Tampa
Pranique Yoga & Wellness 400 Race Track Road, Oldsmar
Yoga Downtown Tampa 206 East Cass Street, Tampa
(813) 324-6765 thekeepyogacircus.com
(813) 510-4972 praniquecenter.com
(813) 944-2291 yogadowntowntampa.com
Aerial yoga classes are suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
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Jeff Vinik and Mayor Bob Buckhorn givE a glimpse into Downtown Tampa’s Next five to 10 Years PHOTOGRAPHY GABRIEL BURGOS | ART DIRECTION JILLIAN BACO INTERVIEW SHAWNA WIGGS | EDITOR MCKENNA KELLEY
BUILDING OUT HALF OF DOWNTOWN TAMPA Now full of safety cones, paved lots and patches of dirt, downtown is on the verge of an unprecedented expansion.
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• N OTE FR OM THE PU B LI SHER • GR EG JASSO
TAMPA MAGAZINE’S OFFICE has been located on Harbour Island — in the shadow of Downtown Tampa — for the past 14 years. During that time we’ve had a front row seat from which to view and experience the cycles of momentum and decline. Boom and bust. Excitement and despair and every other emotion in between. The last time we got excited about the momentum downtown was the period between 2005 and 2007. Cranes dotted the skyline, and new residential towers kept rising skyward in the Channel District and downtown. I remember seeing renderings for at least another dozen planned tower projects that were on the drawing board but not yet under construction. Then came the great recession of 2008. Construction downtown ground to a halt, and almost every tower under construction went into bankruptcy. The negative news cycle pertaining to downtown development projects did not stop for years. I remember asking a business neighbor of mine how long he thought the repercussions from the recession would last. A year or two? I wondered. Try seven or eight, he said. As it turns out, he was right, I was wrong. Then a couple of years ago, things started to look up, even if only a little. Advertisers were starting to return to the pages of our magazines, and we saw new businesses popping up everywhere around Tampa, even downtown. The downtown towers that were previously in bankruptcy were now essentially full of renting tenants, so businesses started to take the required leap of faith and opened their new doors. Public parks have been completed, and more are being added. The Riverwalk, which now stretches close to 2.5 miles with more to come, has become a people magnet that has
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Jeff Vinik and TAMPA Magazine Group Publisher, Shawna Wiggs
begun to connect businesses, public spaces, cultural destinations and new downtown residences. It has opened the water to the public and is now a real and significant uninterrupted walkway. And this time, the positive outlook seems different. It seems like the momentum is here to stay — even if everyone we speak to is only cautiously optimistic. Curtis Hixon, Water Works and Contanchobee Parks are always brimming with activity, even when they’re not hosting events. And once again, construction cranes dot the skyline. The river and channel waterways that surround downtown are now teeming with activity. We used to look outside our office window and see the occasional University of Tampa rowing teams go by. Today, there are regularly running water taxis, the new ferry between Downtown Tampa and St. Pete, guided sightseeing tours, rental boats, water bikes, kayaks and more. But the topic creating the most buzz among me and my fellow downtown business neighbors is the the massive downtown real estate development project led by Strategic Property Partners, a joint venture between Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Bill Gates’ Cascade Investment, LLC. Since announcing his plans, other projects all over town have either started construction or are in the planning stages.
TAMPA Magazine had the great pleasure of interviewing Jeff Vinik and Mayor Bob Buckhorn for this edition’s cover story. We’ve asked them to give us their best forecast or vision for downtown Tampa now — and over the next five to 10 years. Turn the page for the interview.
TAMPA MAGAZINE 37
B UI L DI N G TA M PA | E XC LUS IVE INTERVIE W W ITH TAM PA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B UCKHORN
The Future of Working and Living in Downtown
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Vinik and Buckhorn both anticipate huge growth in the number of people who live and work downtown in the next five to 10 years.
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HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU ESTIMATE WORK DOWNTOWN CURRENTLY? WHAT IS YOUR ESTIMATE FOR FIVE TO TEN YEARS FROM NOW? TM
• Built 2003-2017 •
Harbour Island RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
BUCKHORN: It ebbs and flows because a lot of the people come from the suburbs into Downtown Tampa. The number that we have from the Downtown Partnership right now is about 60,000 plus. That could double or triple in the next 10 years. Obviously office construction is going to be a big part of facilitating that growth. The move of the USF medical school and USF Heart Institute is an absolutely pivotal event that is about to occur. We think there is a demand for more commercial office space. Jeff has it as part of
38 FEB MAR 2017
his plans. And there are other folks who are poking around trying to do some additional office development as well. Residential [development] is just blowing up. WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY TM NEXT QUESTION. HOW MANY PEOPLE CURRENTLY LIVE IN DOWNTOWN? HOW MANY DO YOU EXPECT WILL LIVE THERE IN THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS? BUCKHORN: The Downtown Partnership estimates that about 8,000 people live downtown currently, and that includes Harbour Island and Channelside. Now bear in mind, when I left [Tampa City Council] office in 2002, there were 600 people who lived in
64
THE FACTS Present Estimate
60,000
People Working Downtown
8,000
People Living Downtown (includes Harbour Island and Channel District)
18-24 Months
9,800
Residential Units Downtown 5-10 Years
13,800
Residential Units Downtown (current projections)
336
Units
Units
The Grandview
Parkcrest Harbour Island
371 CHANNELSIDE WALK WAY
Built: 2003
700 S. HARBOUR ISLAND BLVD.
Built: 2005
“
. . . in 2002 there were 600 people who lived in Downtown Tampa, and 300 of them lived in the Morgan Street Jail.
“
—MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Jeff Vinik, USF System President Judy Genshaft and donors Frank and Carol Morsani broke ground at the new downtown site of the USF Morsani College of Medicine and USF Heart Institute. Strategic Property Partners donated the land estimated to be worth $10 million, at the corner of Meridian Avenue and Channelside Drive.
Downtown Tampa, and 300 of them lived in the Morgan Street Jail. True story. So you see how far we’ve come. And again, we estimate 3,000 to 4,000 residential units in the next 18 to 24 months, right, Jeff? VINIK: Absolutely, yes. BUCKHORN: That’s not even including the five-year plan and the 10-year plan. So you could see that double to triple as well. Once you create that critical mass where people are living, working and playing, then it becomes that 24-hour-a-day-city. Then you have the requirements for all the amenities Jeff is putting into his project – the retail, the grocery stores, the bars and the restaurants. That all follows the “heads in the beds.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
144
235
340
Units
Units
Units
Plaza Harbour Island
500 Harbour Island
Manor at Harbour Island
450 KNIGHTS RUN AVE.
500 KNIGHTS RUN AVE.
Built: 2007
Built: 2016
402 KNIGHTS RUN AVE.
Under Construction
TAMPA MAGAZINE 39
BUI L D I N G TA M PA | EXC LU S IVE INTERVIE W W ITH TA MPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B UC KHORN
The Future of Working and Living in Downtown
• Built 2007-2017 •
Downtown RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
380
395
Units
Units
Skypoint
Element
777 N. ASHLEY ST.
808 N. FRANKLIN ST.
Built: 2007
Built: 2009
351
362
Units
Units
The Aurora
Nine15
124 S. MORGAN ST.
915 FRANKLIN ST.
Built: 2016
Under Construction
257
61
84
Units
Units
Units
Towers of Channelside
Ventana
101 S. 12TH ST.
1211 E. CUMBERLAND AVE.
1227 E. MADISON ST.
Built: 2005
Built: 2007
Built: 2007
Victory Lofts at Channelside
289
422
Units
Units
Units
The Slade
Grand Central at Kennedy
The Place at Channelside
Bell Channelside
1208 E. KENNEDY BLVD.
912 CHANNELSIDE DR.
1120 E. TWIGGS ST.
1190 E. WASHINGTON ST.
Built: 2007
Built: 2007
Built: 2008
Built: 2009
356
Units
320
300
Units
Pierhouse at Channelside
SkyHouse Channelside
Units
The Fitzgerald
1226 E. CUMBERLAND AVE.
112 N. 12TH ST.
1208 E. KENNEDY BLVD.
Built: 2013
Built: 2015
Built: 2017
40 FEB MAR 2017
• Built 2005-2017 •
245
Units
Channel District RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
392
B U I L D I NG TAM PA | E XC LU S IVE INTERVI EW WI TH TA MPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B U CKHORN
Tampa: A Development Project Like No Other
WE’VE HEARD THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGEST, IF NOT THE LARGEST, PROJECTS OF ITS KIND IN THE U.S. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PROJECTS IN THE U.S. THAT YOU WOULD SAY ARE SIMILAR TO THIS SCALE? TM
VINIK: You know, there aren’t. Believe me, we’ve traveled around, and James Nozar [CEO of Strategic Property Partners, a partnership between Vinik and Bill Gates’ Cascade Investment, LLC], knows, we’ve been to about 10 to 20 locations in the U.S. Around the country, there is a lot of activity where there’s movement back to the urban core going on, but in terms of anything to model ourselves after, what we’re doing is stealing the best ideas from all of them. Tampa is Tampa. We’re not Miami – we’re very different. We’re not Denver, which has had great success moving people back [to their urban core]. We’re not Austin. We’re kind of close to San Diego, there are similarities there. That may be the best analogy I can think of. But we want to be very careful. We want to learn the lessons from all these other places. We don’t want to be any of these other places. We must keep authenticity. This must be Tampa, and that’s why it’s going to be successful. People are going to feel great about their city and that it’s unique.
FOLLOWING UP ON THAT QUESTION, ARE THERE ANY DOWNTOWN PROJECTS YOU ADMIRE OR WANTED TO EMULATE? FOR INSTANCE, L.A. LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA? TM
VINIK: We talked about L.A. Live from the beginning, and we’re not building it. That’s not an analogy for what we’re doing. We’re not building an entertainment district. We’re not building an arena district. We’re building half a city. We’re building a vibrant, walkable urban district with high density, which has the arena as one of the great amenities of the district. We’re doing office buildings and residential towers and USF’s Morsani College of Medicine, two hotels, two or three cultural institutions, water features, public art and the channel. We can go on and on with all the great amenities. This is major progress to the downtown of Tampa, and I’m sure the mayor would agree that hopefully in 10 to 15 years our district will seamlessly connect to the center and the core of downtown, and that’ll even seamlessly connect to Ybor. That’s where this thing is heading. Imagine what this place will be like when we get there.
“
We’re not building an entertainment district. We’re not building an arena district. We’re building half a city.
“
PHOTO CREDIT ISTOCK
PANORAMIC PHOTO OF SAN DIEGO, CA Vinik says the Tampa project is unlike any other in the country, but it shares some similarities with the expansion of San Diego’s urban core in recent years.
—JEFF Vinik
CONTINUED ON PAGE 42
TAMPA MAGAZINE 41
BU I L D I N G TA M PA | E XC LU S IVE INTERVIE W W ITH TA MPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B U CKHORN
Central Cooling Plant Will Open Up Tampa’s Rooftops
A KEY FEATURE OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES A CENTRAL COOLING FACILITY THAT ALLOWS THE ROOFTOPS OF YOUR BUILDINGS TO BE OPENED UP FOR ROOFTOP BARS AND RESTAURANTS. ARE THERE ANY CITIES THAT YOU FEEL HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THESE TACTICS? TM
E. Cumberland Ave. St.
AMALIE ARENA
Channelside Dr.
Eunice St. S. Caesar St.
t.
in S
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S. Caesar St.
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42 FEB MAR 2017
PROPOSED SITE FOR CENTRAL COOLING PLANT
S. Nebraska Ave.
BUCKHORN: The fundamentals for a successful, walkable, pedestrian-oriented city are the same. It is green space, it is public art, it is amenities, it’s those little surprises that you come across as you’re walking through the city that you don’t expect. They could be big, they could be small. Wide sidewalks, the landscape treatment. So I don’t know that we’re replicating anything, but the building blocks are the same. We just have to adapt it to who we are. The one thing that we have that most other cities don’t have is the water. That is the great gathering point now. It didn’t used to be, but it is now, and we need to maximize it. That’s what separates us from most other American cities and gives us a competitive advantage, that now all of a sudden, we’ve
DOWNTOWN CENTRAL COOLING PLANT SITE
S. Jefferson St.
VINIK: That’s a good question. I’m not sure I know the answer to that. But we see elements of that. I was in someone’s office in New York about a month ago, and I started looking down, and I started seeing green rooftops in New York City. I hadn’t noticed them before. I took some pictures of them and never did anything with the pictures. I imagine – I have not been to Portland or Seattle much, and I haven’t thought about it – but I imagine they have similarities in some respects. At one point we even thought about calling ourselves the Rooftop District because there are potentially going to be different experiences on different rooftops throughout the area.
discovered our waterfront after 100 years. When you think about it, people love to gather along the water. When you have a district like this district, you’re encompassed and wrapped by water in a city that’s wrapped by water. A lot of the stuff that Jeff is doing in terms of the healthy district and the wellness district, that’s very unique, and that’s going to separate us from our competitors in a significant way.
The central cooling plant will house 20 to 25 water chillers at a distribution center that is projected to be built at the northwest corner of the intersection of East Cumberland and South Nebraska avenues.
PHOTO CREDIT ALAMY.COM
THE ROOFTOP DISTRICT Future bars and restaurants that may sit atop Tampa’s new buildings could look similar to this one, The Rooftop at The Standard, Downtown L.A.
B U I L DING TAM PA | E XC LU S IVE INTERVI EW WI TH TA MPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B U CKHORN
A WELL Certified District WELL CERTIFICATION MEASURES THE HEALTH OF BUILDING OCCUPANTS USING SEVEN FACTORS AIR: Optimize and achieve indoor air quality. Strategies include removal of airborne contaminants, prevention and purification. WATER: Optimize water quality while promoting accessibility. Strategies include removal of contaminants through filtration and treatment and strategic placement. NOURISHMENT: Encourage healthy eating habits by providing occupants with healthier food choices, behavioral cues and knowledge about nutrient quality. LIGHT: Minimize disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm. Requirements for window performance and design, light output and lighting controls and task-appropriate illumination levels are included to improve energy, mood and productivity. FITNESS: Utilize building design technologies and knowledge-based strategies to encourage physical activity. Requirements are designed to provide numerous opportunities for activity and exertion, enabling occupants to accommodate fitness regimens within their daily schedule. COMFORT: Create an indoor environment that is distraction-free, productive and soothing. Solutions include design standards and recommendations, thermal and acoustic controllability and policy implementation covering acoustic and thermal parameters that are known sources of discomfort. MIND: Support mental and emotional health, providing the occupant with regular feedback and knowledge about their environment through design elements, relaxation spaces and state-of-the-art technology. CHART INFO FROM WELLCERTIFIED.COM/WELL
TM
TAMPA WILL BE THE FIRST CITY IN THE WORLD TO FEATURE A WELL CERTIFIED DISTRICT. COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT AND WHAT WENT INTO THE DECISION TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?
fountains, or as we call them, hydration stations, every certain amount of feet and dozens of other characteristics like that. All of this [will be] coming together to make the outdoor areas in our district the best possible for people’s health.
VINIK: WELL Certification is analogous to the LEED certification process, where LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] is for the environmental and energy efficiency of buildings. WELL is for the health of the inhabitants of buildings. I was introduced to a couple of guys from New York – the Scialla Brothers. They started a company called Delos several years ago, and it has been, up to now, about the health and wellness of people inside buildings, making buildings have better air quality, circadian lighting for your energy levels, better water, fruits and vegetables throughout – dozens of factors to make it more healthy to be in a building.
When thinking about people’s health, I go back to walkability. If people walk two blocks every day because they want to get a sandwich at a restaurant instead of taking their car, over a year or over several years, that adds up and improves peoples’ health. Taking the stairs up one or two flights every day instead of taking the elevator adds up.
What we’re doing in our district, not only will our buildings try to be WELL Certified, the whole district is going to be WELL Certified. That means we have to have a certain amount of our space allocated for bike paths, a certain amount for jogging paths, a certain amount for sidewalks. Walkability is a huge factor in people’s wellness. We need to be selling fruits and vegetables – and why wouldn’t we – on the street. We need to monitor air quality. We need to have water
This is going to be an attractor for companies because they want to reduce their healthcare bill but also because they want to attract the best employees, and, especially young people these days, it’s all about health and wellness. It’s probably the biggest social trend that’s going on. We’re going to be able to offer that not just for our buildings but for our district in general, which is going to attract companies and people. We think it’s a key differentiator with what we have going on. BUCKHORN: You know what it means to me? I’m not going to be able to walk through this district smoking my cigars. [Both laugh] I’ll have to stop at the edge of the district. CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 TAMPA MAGAZINE 43
BUILD ING TA M PA | E XC LU SIVE INTERVIE W W ITH TAM PA BAY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B UCKHORN
Downtown Parks and The Riverwalk MAYOR BUCKHORN, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU. BOTH THE RIVERWALK AND THE CURRENT PARKS SEEM TO BE A HOME RUN. TM
BUCKHORN: I hope so. VINIK: Hat trick. BUCKHORN: Yeah, that’s right. Wrong sport. Yeah, I think they will be over time. TM
WILL YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE EXPANSION?
BUCKHORN: I think we probably have added more urban parks, particularly in the downtown area, than any mayor has ever. If you start at Perry Harvey Park and then you continue all the way through to what we’re about to do on Riverfront Park on the west side of the Hillsborough River, which will be a 23-acre, $35 million transformation of a park that’s on the water, it’s pretty significant. For me, those parks – they’re not my legacy – but they are a gift to future generations. Those parks become a gathering point for a community. If you assume that downtown is everybody’s front door, it’s important that you have those gathering spaces where everybody from the community, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can feel comfortable coming. If you look at Curtis Hixon on any weekend and you go down there and see the plethora of events that we do, catering to everybody, that’s what parks do. They expose the urban core to people who may not come there but for the fact there is an organized event. It could be a jazz fest, it could be the African-American history festival, it could be anything. But those parks make a difference.
TM PERRY HARVEY, SR. PARK Just north of downtown, Perry Harvey, Sr. Park celebrates the history of the African-American business community around the Central Avenue area.
If you don’t preserve green space in your urban core, shame on you. That’s like neutral turf. That belongs to the community. I think when we’re done our downtown will be very green. It will be very user-friendly. But it starts with those building blocks, and parks are a part of that. VINIK: When I mentioned before [in an earlier answer] that we envision a connection of Ybor and our new district downtown and the central area downtown, I should have said at the same time there will be a connection going across the Hillsborough River to the west bank area. That comes into play with the park [Riverfront Park] that the mayor was talking about earlier. I had not thought about that, and then one day I read in the paper that the Hillsborough River should be the middle
of the city, and I said, that’s brilliant. How transformative is that? And that’s going to happen. It’ll take time, but it’s going to happen. OVER TIME, HOW FAR DO YOU EXPECT THE RIVERWALK TO EXPAND? TM
BUCKHORN: My hope is, and I’m probably not going to be the mayor when it’s finished, but my hope is eventually that you can start at [the intersection of] Gandy and Bayshore, and you can run all the way downtown and pick the side of the river that you choose to go on. The west side will not be as elaborate and will not be out over the water like the east side is, but with all the projects that are about to take
As part of the development’s phase I, SPP plans to build a brand new 1.1 acre park in the Garrison lot currently used as parking for Channelside Bay Plaza. An events pavilion and beer garden will be built beside the park. Mayor Buckhorn said the Riverwalk will expand in the coming years, and it is expected that the walkway will extend to the Channelside park. Construction on the park, as well as new retail and office space on the waterfront, is slated to begin by 2018.
44 FEB MAR 2017
PHOTO CREDIT STRATEGIC PROPERTY PARTNERS
What’s Next for Channelside
“
...you’ll be able to choose the side of the river on which you choose to walk, run or ride.
“
—MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
Julian B. Lane River Front Park construction is currently underway. In the coming years, a new section of the Riverwalk will be added on the Hillsborough River’s west side. The new segment will begin just north of Brorein Street at the location of the old Tampa Tribune building. Current plans call for a pedestrian bridge connecting the east and west side.
place on the west side of the river, beginning with the Tribune building and running all the way up to Rick’s on the River, there will be a Riverwalk there. We’ve already got it constructed through Plant Park, we own the easement behind Tampa [Preparatory School], so that will be done. It will run through Riverfront Park. It’s already in place behind Blake High School. And then as we build out the west river, when we knock down the [former] public housing projects on the west side, it will run all the way up through that project, and eventually probably to Columbus Drive. Ideally, in 10 years, hopefully less, you’ll be able to choose the side of the river on which you choose to walk, run or ride. And then you can make the whole circuit and connect to Bayshore and all the way down to Gandy. ANY OTHER PARKS IN THE DOWNTOWN FOOTPRINT YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT? TM
BUCKHORN: I think Perry Harvey Park would be the first one. That pays homage to the history of our African-American community. It may be the largest expenditure of public dollars on a park that does that in the state of Florida. Where that park is located used to be the heart and soul of our AfricanAmerican community, so if you go into that park, it literally pays homage to some of the forefathers and mothers that came before us that helped to build the African-American community. So that’s about an 8-acre park. Curtis Hixon, which was done before I got there, that was Mayor Iorio’s vision, and it was a pivotal event in the development of downtown. That’s about 5 acres. You got 23 [acres] on the west side of the Hillsborough River [the aforementioned Riverfront Park]. You’ve got whatever parks will be incorporated into the west river project. Plant Park is already in the middle of that. It’s pretty exciting. There’s others outside of the downtown area that we’ve done, but those are the major investments that we’ve made in the downtown core.
THE FACTS
2.4 miles
Riverwalk Current Length
$35.5 million
Tampa’s Investment in Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
23 acres
Size of Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
8 acres
Size of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
Editor’s Note: Another one of Tampa’s newest parks, Water Works Park, opened next door to Ulele on the north end of the Riverwalk in 2014. TAMPA MAGAZINE 45
BUIL D I N G TA M PA | E XC LU S IVE INTERVIE W W ITH TA MPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B UCKHORN
Downtown Parks and The Riverwalk THE TAMPA RIVERWALK The Riverwalk has helped draw visitors to Downtown Tampa since its completion in 2016.
TM MR. VINIK, IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT, ARE THERE ANY PARKS YOU HAVE ON THE BOOKS YOU’D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT? VINIK: We have several additional parks as well as several other gathering spaces. BUCKHORN: I hope so. Buckhorn Park will be one of those. With a big statue of me. [laughs] TM: With a cigar? [laughs] VINIK: And a hot dog. [laughs] Some could be more urban-looking parks than traditional green spaces. Our Channelside Bay Plaza – we’ve previewed some of those plans publicly, and there’s a beautiful park that we plan to put there right on the water also. When you have lots of green spaces and lots of trees, you can lower the temperature by 5 or 10 degrees, and it has a significant effect.
46 FEB MAR 2017
RIVERWALK EXPANSION The current Riverwalk begins at the Tampa Bay History Center and extends down to Water Works Park and Ulele. According to Vinik and Mayor Buckhorn, the east side of the Riverwalk will eventually begin at the current Channelside Bay Plaza. The west side will start at Bayshore Boulevard, connecting the Riverwalk to the length of the immensely popular pedestrian sidewalk. Ideally, both sides will reach Columbus Drive, Buckhorn said.
W. Columbus Dr.
WATER WORKS PARK
275
ss W. Ca CURTIS HIXON PARK
CURRENT RIVERWALK
St. . y Blvd
d Kenne
PROPOSED RIVERWALK EXPANSION
Selmon Expressway lvd. re B o h s Bay
TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER AMALIE ARENA
B U I LDI N G TA MPA | EXCLUSI VE I N T ERV IEW WIT H TA MPA B AY
Bringing Convention Business to Tampa
TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER
REGARDING CONVENTIONS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE CITY’S ECONOMY, WE’VE NOTICED THAT WE TEND TO FALL BEHIND ORLANDO AND MIAMI AS THE BEST CONVENTION CITIES. ONE FACTOR IS THAT WE HAVE FEWER HOTEL ROOMS THAN THOSE CITIES. MR. VINIK, YOU HAVE TWO HOTELS AS PART OF YOUR PLAN, SO ARE THERE ANY OTHER PLANS TO HELP TAMPA BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE FOR CONVENTIONS? PHOTO CREDIT TRAMMELL CROW COMPANY
TM
VINIK: I don’t know if it’s fair to compare Tampa to Orlando, but I will make a point. Our convention center does extremely well. Our hotels in this city do very well. We’re building another 700 hotel rooms, and there are a couple of other hotels going up, so that [number] is going to expand. But our convention center does well with very few amenities nearby. Imagine when this [development] all comes to life. Our demand for convention business is going to go up a lot, and our demand for hotel rooms is going to go up a lot.
BUCKHORN: You know, Jeff owns the Marriott Waterside, and with the addition of what he’s planning with his project. . . He’s absolutely right, we’re not competing with Orlando. Orlando is an entirely different market. Orlando, Las Vegas and Chicago deal with the mega, mega-conventions where you need a couple hundred thousand square feet. That’s not our niche. In our niche – and we never planned the convention center to fill that [megaconvention] niche – we can compete for 80 percent of the rest of the business, and we have done very, very well. Our tourist development tax revenues have never been higher than they were this year. We’re killing it in terms of bed tax revenue and revenues per room rate. It really is allowing us to take that next step. There will be other hotels that are planned. As a matter of fact, the city just sold a block of land across from city hall that will be a 23-story tower. It will be a Hyatt Centric on the first few stories and then residential up above it. I think what you’re going to see over the next 10 years is the addition of a couple thousand hotel rooms that will be added to the mix –
Part of the Strategic Property Partners development includes a hotel adjacent to Amalie Arena, where a parking lot and the South Regional Garage now stand.
and it will be walkable. Like Jeff said, one of the challenges that we’ve had here, with the exception of the Marriott Waterside and the Embassy Suites, is people have to get in their cars to go places. But when you start to build that city and connect all those dots and you have things like Uber and Lyft and the Downtowner available to people, and you have the restaurants and the retail and the Riverwalk, they don’t have to leave downtown. We’ll capture all that business here. CONTINUED ON PAGE 48 TAMPA MAGAZINE 47
BUIL D I N G TA M PA | E XC LU S IVE INTERVIE W W ITH TAMPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B UCK HORN
Transportation Around Downtown and Beyond Urban Kai SUP urbankai.com
DOWNTOWN WATER TRANSPORTATION + RECREATION
Mini-Powerboat riverwalkboating.com
WITH WATER TRANSPORTATION AND RECREATION OPTIONS GROWING RAPIDLY DOWNTOWN, THE DOWNTOWNER FREE RIDE SERVICE, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL, WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR EXPANSION OF THAT PROGRAM?
from Ybor City to Tampa Heights to downtown in a continuous loop with a reasonable cost and hours that make sense, then all of a sudden you’ve started to connect the entire area and people truly can live, work and play – jump on the trolley, jump in an Uber, jump on the Downtowner and come downtown and move around, which is what you want.
BUCKHORN: You know, it’s interesting. [The Downtowner] was a test project, and it’s done very, very well. The city subsidizes it to some degree through what’s called the CRA’s [Community Redevelopment Districts], which is revenue generated within the district that has to remain in the district. I think the ability to expand that is pretty significant.
GENERALLY, WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN OR AROUND DOWNTOWN TO MAKE THE CITY’S ROADWAYS AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE? WHAT OTHER INVESTMENTS OR ENHANCEMENTS NEED TO BE MADE OR ADDED?
TM
Five years ago, when this type of service was talked about, it was the PTC [Public Transportation Commission] that killed it – the very PTC that tried to kill Uber and Lyft. Since they [The PTC] are no longer a factor to any degree, I think it’s going to open up the door to more and more of those carts around downtown. Uber and Lyft will continue to have a place here, as they should. We’re looking at the expansion of the streetcar potentially up Florida Avenue, perhaps even as far up as Tampa Heights, because as you think about the redevelopment of Tampa Heights and the Armature Works building there, you want the ability to connect all the segments of the city. If you can get
Pirate Water Taxi piratewatertaxi.com
TM
BUCKHORN: You want to start on this one, Jeff?
Tampa Water Bikes tampawaterbikes.com
VINIK: [laughs] BUCKHORN: Since you and I are on the same page. [laughs] VINIK: I’m co-chairing a committee for the Tampa Bay Partnership. The Tampa Bay Partnership represents the business community of the whole Tampa Bay area, so I’m co-chairing a committee there looking at transportation.
Electric Boats eboatstampa.com
48 FEB MAR 2017
“
. . . I think we have the potential here to be the fastest-growing major economic region in the country over the next 10 to 20 years.
“
DOWNTOWN LAND-BASED TRANSPORTATION + RECREATION
—JEFF VINiK
In-Towner Bus gohart.org
Tampa Segway Tours magiccarpetglide.com
Downtowner tampasdowntown.com
There’s a premium transit study going on for the whole region going on right now. Jacobs Engineering is leading that effort. It’s [Florida Department of Transportation]-funded. Looking at our transportation system for the whole eight-county region, and you know how bullish I am on economic growth in this area, I think we have the potential from here through Orlando, even to Daytona, but especially over on this side of the state, to be the fastest-growing major economic region in the country over the next 10 to 20 years. That opportunity is there, and in my opinion, what could screw that up or constrain that would be transportation – roadways too clogged, inability for people to get from point A to point B, people stop moving in because they no longer have confidence that they can get around. As a leader in the business community, I’m going to be one who’s trying to look at all possible solutions for helping out on that subject. I think, as this study is underway, I’m encouraged to hear that they’re looking at all possible solutions. You’ve got to talk about the streetcars, as the mayor said. You’ve got to include autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing. Bus rapid transit is not talked about much, but it could be a very effective form of transportation. Clearly light rail needs to be part of the discussion. BUCKHORN: HOV lanes [high-occupancy vehicle lanes].
TECO Line Streetcar System tecolinestreetcar.org
VINIK: Yes, HOV lanes. I’m optimistic about this study, which is really going to look at all these different solutions to try to figure out what’s best and most flexible for our region. Looking out at our long-term horizon, I’m really hopeful. Talking to business people and others in the community, I really sense that people understand what a critical issue [transportation] is. However that evolves and whether there’s another referendum or not or however that goes on, I think the region understands CONTINUED ON PAGE 50
how important this is, and action will be taken in the years ahead to really enable us to have this growth. BUCKHORN: You know, it’s all about mobility options. We as a state have relied on roads for so long because, historically, we’ve always had a suburban mentality. Subdivision after subdivision was built because land was cheaper for the developers to buy it, and development would keep going and going and going. That can’t work anymore. It won’t work. Our ability to link the metropolitan areas of the state – from Jacksonville to Orlando to Lakeland to Tampa to Miami – is critical, but also internally, too. Like with what Jeff was talking about when he laid out that menu of options, it’s not just one quick fix. It’s a combination of a lot of things. Rail has got to be a component of it. Whether it’s high-speed rail, which we could have had by now, or whether it’s internal, connecting downtown to the airport, eventually downtown to the airport to downtown St. Pete. Downtown to USF and the employment centers on the north end of Tampa. Downtown to Pasco County, where our population doubles because of the growth from Pasco County every day that drives down Bruce B. Downs and down I-75 into Downtown Tampa where they work. We’ve got to be willing to lay out what that vision is, recognize that it’s not cheap, and it’s certainly not free, and then go do it and get it done. The political winds will do what they’re going to do, but we just have to be focused. I think if the business community drives that discussion more than the politicians, we’re much better off.
Coast Bike Share coastbikeshare.com
BUIL D I N G TA M PA | E XCLU S IVE INTERVIE W W ITH TAMPA B AY LI GHTN I N G OWN ER J EFF VI N I K & MAYOR B OB B UCK HORN
A New City for a New Generation IN SUMMARY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE EITHER OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MENTION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DOWNTOWN? TM
BUCKHORN: For the younger generation, this is going to be a really cool place. For the demographics of TAMPA Magazine’s readers and for the people who are moving here and for the people who have the buying power – [Tampa is] right in that sweet spot. It’s really exciting for old guys like us to be a part of this, and eventually, 10 years down the road, to see the fruits of our labor and to know that we have changed a city, ultimately, that’s going to be a pretty cool thing.
When the development wraps up around the year 2026, Downtown Tampa will have approximately 9 million square feet of new commercial, residential, educational, entertainment, cultural and retail space as a result of a $3 billion investment.
“
I lived in New York for 25 years and Boston for 25 years. They’re great cities, but you can’t move the needle there.
“
VINIK: I lived in New York for 25 years and Boston for 25 years. They’re great cities, but you can’t move the needle there. I come here and get up every day and know that I’m trying to make a difference. I like to say that I’m trying to help with the quantity of people’s lives and quality of people’s lives. Quantity means more people in the area, quality means better jobs and better wages. It’s a lot of fun to hopefully help economic development.
—JEFF VINiK
XX FEB 50 FEB MAR MAR 2017 2017
WORKING FOR TAMPA’S TOP LEADERS FOR OVER 15 YEARS!!! STYLEHOUSE TAMPABAY #NotyourAverageClients #NotyourAverageTaste #NotYourAverageRealtor #HighRiseLiving #ModernNewHomes #SupportLocal #DistrictTavern #UT #Gaybor #adoptdontshop #WeBuiltThis
Tami Pierce (center)
Tami J. Pierce | 813.787.5792 | tamipierce@c21be.com
TAMPA MAGAZINE 51
Do your research ahead of time and you’ll be ready to choose the perfect school for your child By Marcy Sanford
It may seem early to already be preparing for next school year, but Tampa parents like to get an early start when selecting a private school for their child. Making this decision can seem like a daunting task. Everyone from neighbors to friends and family has advice and recommendations. Every school’s website looks similar, filled with pictures of smiling children happily learning
and studying. It can be overwhelming and confusing, but by arming yourself with information and asking the right questions long before the next school year starts, the process can be smoother for the whole family, and your child will have a better chance of attending their school of choice. Keep these five questions in mind as you consider your child’s academic future.
How will practical concerns, like transportation, your budget and your religious affiliation, play into your decision? Any of these can be a deciding factor when you’re choosing a school for your child. If you need to adhere to a strict budget, or if driving your child to and from a school that is far from your home would create issues for your family, remove those schools from your list. Similarly, if you envision your child attending the same school from kindergarten through high school or would like one that is affiliated with your family’s religion, that desire will narrow your choices.
Does the school fit your child’s personality? Once you have a list of the schools you are most interested in, schedule a tour of each. During your tour, pay attention to the ambiance of the school and imagine your child here. You should be able to visit a classroom during your tour. If your child has a specific interest in a certain subject, be sure to ask if you can see those classrooms. As you walk around, pay attention to the student work – like writing samples, art and other projects – hanging on the walls. This will suggest what and how students learn at the school and whether it would jibe with your child’s learning style. 52 FEB MAR 2017
What is the school’s academic record? For elementary-age children, it is a good idea to ask how classroom placement for students is determined. For middle school students, ask how the school guides and prepares students for high school and beyond. You may also want to find out if they offer foreign language classes. For both middle schools and high schools that have lower grades within the school, ask what percent of students started at the school in sixth grade or ninth grade versus how many have attended the school since elementary age. For private high schools, request the yearly average score for the SAT and ACT – see if you can get averages from the past three to four years. In addition to looking at the overall curriculum, look into how many Advanced Placement classes are offered. How many students take them? What percent of students from the school earn a 4 or 5, the passing scores most likely to be accepted by universities across the country, on the exams? If your child has his or her heart set on a specific university, you may want to ask the school if they have had any students attend that university. In general, you want to find out what universities students apply to and get accepted to. Again, ask for several years of data.
What is the school’s culture like? During a tour, take note of how adults interact with students throughout the school. After the tour, be sure to speak with the head of the school or the admissions director to ask about the admissions process. Steve Matesich, director of admissions at Jesuit High School, said that the number of students who apply to private schools grows every year. His team looks for well rounded students to fill the school’s 200 spots. “At Jesuit, we are looking for young men who want to be in an academically rigorous environment and to get involved in leadership opportunities and who are dedicated to service and growing in their faith,” Matesich said. Take this time to ask school officials any other questions you may have that are particular to your child’s needs.
What resources does the school offer your child? Ask to see the school’s facilities to find out how much access students have to technology, library materials and sports equipment for P.E. or recess. For your high schooler, find out the guidance counselor to student ratio. Counselors can be extremely helpful to students applying for college. As you prepare to send your child to private school, Matesich said instilling a love of learning and a good work ethic in your child, as well as encouraging them to find their passion, are the best things a parent can do to help their child get into the school of their choice and be successful there. Find more information about Tampa’s private schools on the following pages. TAMPA MAGAZINE 53
Tampa Bay’s
Private Schools Finding the right private school for your child is challenging, but beginning your research early helps make it just a bit easier. In the following three pages, you’ll find information about 23 private schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade as well as three universities, all right here in Tampa. Read on to learn more about each school’s tuition and size, and get a snapshot of their environment.
54 FEB MAR 2017 50 FEB MAR 2017
PRIVATE SCHOOLS:
Bayshore Christian School 3909 S. MacDill Ave. (813) 839-4297 bayshorechristianschool.org
Academy at the Lakes 2331 Collier Pkwy. (813) 948-7600 academyatthelakes.org
FOUNDED 1971 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 241 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $8,190 - $9,765 HIGHLIGHTS Offers a comprehensive college preparatory academic program and encourages leadership development and participation in athletics and the arts.
FOUNDED 1992 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 460 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $10,490 - $21,190 HIGHLIGHTS College-preparatory school offering an academic program that celebrates the love of learning balanced by a full complement of athletics and fine arts opportunities.
Berkeley Preparatory School 4811 Kelly Road (813) 885-1673 berkeleyprep.org
Academy of the Holy Names 3319 Bayshore Blvd. (813) 839-5371 holynamestpa.org
FOUNDED 1960 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 1,300 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $17,560 - $23,660 HIGHLIGHTS Co-educational independent, Episcopal-affiliated school. Philosophy encompasses a balanced curriculum of academics, arts, clubs and activities, competitive sports and community service. The class of 2016 earned over $9 million in scholarships and included 31 National Merit honorees.
FOUNDED 1881 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 925 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $11,230 - $17,710 HIGHLIGHTS Independent, Catholic, coeducational elementary school and all-female college preparatory high school that strives to maintain an innovative approach to curriculum that integrates technology, promotes creativity, encourages artistic expression and actively engages students in exploration and inquiry. tgh_34669_01_gala_halfpage_ad_HR.pdf
Cambridge Christian School 6101 N. Habana Ave. 1
1/5/17 10:38 AM (813) 872-6744
cambridge-christian.com
FOUNDED 1964 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 651 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $8,182 - $14,909 HIGHLIGHTS Focuses on providing a rigorous educational experience that also allows students to grow their talents in the arts and athletics. Cambridge seeks to raise up future leaders who academically, socially and spiritually can serve the local and global community for Christ.
Carrollwood Day School 1515 W. Bearss Ave. (813) 920-2288 carrollwooddayschool.org
FOUNDED 1981 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 1,030 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $4,640 - $19,530 HIGHLIGHTS Uses International Baccalaureate programs, cutting-edge technology, creative arts and competitive athletics to create entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society. Provides strong character-based education emphasizing problem-solving skills and philanthropic understanding.
Citrus Park Christian School 7705 Gunn Hwy. (813) 920-3960 citrusparkchristianschool.com
FOUNDED 1983 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 350
TAMPA MAGAZINE 55
GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $2,000 – $8,800 HIGHLIGHTS Mission is to connect children and families to Christ through Christian education. Academic program is college preparatory and offers honors and AP classes.
gifts, encourages them to use their gifts to make the world a better place and helps students learn to love, work for justice, seek holiness and use their intellect for the common good.
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS
14908 Pennington Rd. (813) 963-0706 hebrewacademyoftampa.com
12015 Orange Grove Dr. (813) 961-3087 corbettprep.com
FOUNDED 1968 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 500 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $7,915 - $14,720 HIGHLIGHTS Offers the International Baccalaureate program of study to develop a positive approach to life and learning. A National Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award school, Corbett’s teachers are endorsed in gifted education. Features a superior academic curriculum and extraordinary fine arts, sports, and technology programs.
Corpus Christi Catholic School 9715 N. 56th St. (813) 988-1722 cccstt.org
FOUNDED 1964 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 179 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $6,063-$8,845 HIGHLIGHTS Assists students in recognizing and developing their
Hebrew Academy of Tampa
FOUNDED 1968 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 50 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-5 ANNUAL TUITION $5,000 - $9,000 HIGHLIGHTS Uses Montessori principles and materials to develop individualized, self-paced learning for each child combined with Jewish philosophy that integrates the love of God, intellectual knowledge and understanding and appreciation of the individual’s uniqueness.
Hillel School of Tampa 2020 W. Fletcher Ave. (813) 963-2242 hillelacademytampa.com
FOUNDED 1970 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 176 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $6,000 - $16,000 HIGHLIGHTS Largest Jewish day school in the region offers an all-around environment of academic excellence where students, staff and families come together to prepare children intellectually and spiritually.
FILLED WITH FEAR? FILLED WITH ASSURANCE?
Open Your Home to a Rescue Dog and They Will Open Their Heart to You Hope is in your hands
Accepting applications for adoptions and foster homes at: AmericanBulldogRescue.org We are a non-profit organization and only exist on adoption fees and donations. Please help us save more dogs by donating and fostering a dog in need.
56 FEB MAR 2017
Incarnation Catholic School 5111 Webb Rd. (813) 884-4502 icstampa.org
FOUNDED 1964 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 275 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $5,850 - $7,150 HIGHLIGHTS Strives to inspire students to be disciples of Christ, to challenge them to be life-long learners and to encourage them to live their Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
Jesuit High School 4701 N. Himes Ave. (813) 877-5344 jesuittampa.org
FOUNDED 1899 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 795 GRADES OFFERED 9-12 ANNUAL TUITION $14,900 HIGHLIGHTS Prides itself on forming young men intellectually, spiritually and physically to become men of competence, conscience and compassion.
Lee Academy for Gifted Education 8613 Twin Lakes Blvd. (813) 931-3316 leegiftedacademy.com
FOUNDED 1983
NUMBER OF STUDENTS 75 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $10,250 - $11,800 HIGHLIGHTS Founded to promote the emotional and intellectual growth of gifted and advanced learners. Using teaching methods based on research in gifted education and 30 years of experience, Lee Academy strives to empower children to strengthen their gifts, pursue their passions and reach their potential.
Montessori Beach Park School 4200 W. North A St. (813) 289-3747 beachparkschool.org
FOUNDED 1982 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 75 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $7,300 - $10,300 HIGHLIGHTS Authentic Montessori curriculum encourages independence while fostering self-discipline and a love of learning. Respect is both taught and modeled for students. Children are given freedom within a structured environment and curriculum so they can learn how to make good choices for themselves.
Montessori House Day School 5117 Ehrlich Rd. (813) 961-9295 montessorihousedayschool.com
FOUNDED 1970 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 95 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-6 ANNUAL TUITION $8,600 - $12,200 HIGHLIGHTS First school in the entire United States to gain accreditation under the new strict standards of the American Montessori Society. Teachers and staff are trained in Montessori and early childhood education. Offers soccer, piano, art club, science club, dance, karate, and Spanish after-school activities.
St. Lawrence Catholic School 5223 N. Himes Ave. (813) 879-5090 stlawrencecatholicschool.org
FOUNDED 1961 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 519 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $5,393 - $11,219 HIGHLIGHTS Students are encouraged to use their talents to become creative and critical thinkers and lifelong learners. Recognizes the unique characteristics of each student to challenge him or her to become a faith-filled Catholic, a selfmotivator, a risk-taker and a user of technological resources.
St. Mary’s Episcopal School 2101 S. Hubert Ave. (813) 258-5508 smeds.org
FOUNDED 1953 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 450 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-8 ANNUAL TUITION $12,500 HIGHLIGHTS Offers a rigorous curriculum, designed to
challenge students academically. All students receive instruction in art, music, Spanish, technology, library, religion, and physical education. Latin is offered in the middle school. Eighth graders receive instruction from the headmaster in public speaking.
Villa Madonna School
Tampa Bay Christian Academy
FOUNDED 1941 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 400 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $5,890 HIGHLIGHTS Offers small class sizes, individual student iPads for every student in grades 3-8 and a vast array of extracurricular activities. Students consistently score above average on standardized test scores.
6815 N. Rome Ave. (813) 343-0600 tbcarams.org
FOUNDED 1957 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 273 GRADES OFFERED Pre-K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $3,200 - $7,500 HIGHLIGHTS Strives to meet the needs of each student – those with challenges and those that need challenges. Provides a biblical worldview education that glorifies God.
Tampa Catholic High School 4630 N. Rome Ave. (813) 870-0860 tampacatholic.org
FOUNDED 1962 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 760 GRADES OFFERED 9-12 ANNUAL TUITION $10,110 - $12,600 HIGHLIGHTS College preparatory school offering honors (including AP and dual enrollment), college prep and academic assistance programs of study. Students consistently score above state and national averages on SAT and ACT tests, with 99 percent of graduates continuing on to a college or university.
Tampa Preparatory School 727 W. Cass St. (813) 251-8481 tampaprep.org
FOUNDED 1974 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 650 GRADES OFFERED 6-12 ANNUAL TUITION $21,065 - $23,185 HIGHLIGHTS Educational philosophy based on values of fairness, decency, honor, diligence and academic curiosity. School uses iPads in a one-to-one environment and is an Apple Distinguished School. Academics include opportunities for focused concentration in STEM and global studies.
The Paideia School of Tampa Bay
315 W. Columbus Dr. (813) 229-1322 villamadonnaschool.com
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES: Argosy University 1403 N. Howard Ave. (813) 393-5290 argosy.edu
FOUNDED 2001 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 171 GRADES OFFERED Undergraduate and Graduate ANNUAL TUITION $445 - $1,162, per credit hour, other fees may apply HIGHLIGHTS Offers online and on-campus degrees in education, business, health sciences and psychology.
South University 4401 N. Himes Ave, #175 (813) 393-3800 southuniversity.edu
FOUNDED 1899 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 558 GRADES OFFERED Undergraduate and Graduate ANNUAL TUITION $2,340 - $12,324, per semester, varies by program and grade level, other fees may apply HIGHLIGHTS Offers a broad-based core curriculum that promotes critical thinking, effective verbal and written communication and skills for life-long learning.
The University of Tampa
7834 N. 56th St. (813) 988-7700 paideiatampa.com
401 W. Kennedy Blvd. (813) 253-3333 ut.edu
FOUNDED 2006 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 95 GRADES OFFERED K-12 ANNUAL TUITION $7,520 - $8,240 HIGHLIGHTS Christ-centered, academically rigorous school dedicated to training disciples, scholars and citizens. Students experience the classical curriculum, including grammar, logic, history of ideas, rhetoric, Latin and Greek.
FOUNDED 1933 NUMBER OF STUDENTS 8,310 GRADES OFFERED Undergraduate and Graduate ANNUAL TUITION $13,870, per semester, other fees may apply HIGHLIGHTS Offers academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience to students from 50 states and 140 countries. There are more than 200 programs of study, including 13 master’s degree programs and numerous study abroad opportunities. TAMPA MAGAZINE 57
SOCIAL SCENE
Ugly Sweaters, Good Cause Partygoers donned their best winter apparel to support children in need
Taking some inspiration from their name, the Tampabased non-profit 13 Ugly Men celebrated the holiday season with their first ever 13 Ugly Sweaters party. The event benefited The Children’s Home, which provides a safe refuge for abused and neglected children in Central Florida. Guests enjoyed themed beverages, DJs spinning holiday music with a twist and – a rare treat in Florida – snow. Both the party’s venue, Franklin Manor, and guests matched the gifts the 13 Ugly Men purchased for The Children’s Home. With over 500 ugly-sweater wearing guests in attendance, the men’s expectations were blown away. The organization will donate $5,000 to support initiatives including life skills training for children in need. The 13 Ugly Men are actually 31 men who are local leaders in fields like law, finance, business and medicine. True to their motto, “party with a purpose,” the men throw parties and other events throughout the year to raise money for local charities. The organization has given over $1 million to charities like the Children’s Cancer Center, Starting Right, Now and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
58 FEB MAR 2017
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Burger & Beer Tuesday: Try The Perfect Pair For $14 (Dinner Only) TAMPA MAGAZINE 59
SOCIAL SCENE
Football Frenzy
Fans braved the cold and the rain for the College Football Playoff Championship festivities Despite the un-Florida-like weather, visitors and locals alike flocked to Downtown Tampa in droves from Jan. 6-8 for all the events surrounding the big game on Jan. 9. The Tampa Convention Center served as Playoff Fan Central, where fans could see the Clemson Tigers’ and the Alabama Crimson Tide’s bands, cheerleaders and mascots, play interactive games and take photos with the National Championship trophy up close and personal. In the afternoons and evenings, fans took a short walk down Tampa’s Riverwalk to catch the Playoff Playlist Live concerts at Curtis Hixon Park. Artists like Eric Paslay, Flo Rida, Gavin DeGraw and Rachel Platten entertained fans all weekend. The biggest name in the lineup, Usher, brought the party and packed the park to capacity. The game itself provided a thrilling finale. In a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff Championship, Clemson defeated last year’s champion Alabama with a touchdown in the game’s final seconds. As the fans in orange celebrated, falling confetti provided an appropriate final image of Tampa’s turn in the national spotlight.
60 FEB MAR 2017
36 YEARS. THOUSANDS OF DREAMS. ENDLESS MEMORIES.
Haley, age 9, cancer
Dream: to swim with dolphins
Part goofball, and Good dog!, he’s a Labrador retriever of impeccable pedigree— and pure puppy passion. But in just two years he’ll become freedom, confidence and independence for someone who could really use it. Help us make
all he can be:
A Southeastern Guide Dog.
CHILDRENSDREAMFUND.ORG
Look what we’ve become. The Children’s Home, Inc. is now Children’s Home Network.
A change we can all feel good about. A lot has changed in the world since we opened our hearts and our home to orphaned and abandoned children in 1892. Over a century later, we have changed, too. We‘ve evolved into a multi-faceted organization that serves over 25,000 children and families each year throughout Central Florida through innovative programs and services that have a positive impact on not only those we serve, but the entire community. Children’s Home Network is dedicated to improving lives and changing life stories. Though our look and name has changed, we will continue to provide the same level of excellence and professionalism you have come to know.
is now
Celebrating 125 Years
www.childrenshomenetwork.org
TAMPA MAGAZINE 61
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE From local folks Restaurants, Bars and Things to Do
Off the beaten path with Rashae Doyle (39) Physician Assistant & Aesthetics Specialist, Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center Tampa resident for 14 years
Favorite place for a girls night out: Cinébistro. My girlfriends and I love a great movie. It’s even better when you can enjoy a great dinner and drinks, too. Because of its Hyde Park location, we can hang out afterward in the lounge or head across the street to Timpano or On Swann. Favorite spot to take out-of-town guests: Bern’s Steak House or The Columbia. These are definitely Tampa staples and are must-have experiences when visiting Tampa. Favorite place for a power lunch: SoFresh. I love the Power Bowl or the Granny Salad with either chicken or salmon. Favorite place for special family occasions: Koto’s Japanese Steak House if we are including our kids. Our kids go wild for the fiery onion volcano. Best place to watch Lightning games with friends: Ducky’s. Pretty much for all sporting events for that matter. They have plenty of big TVs and great food and drinks. Favorite park: Curtis Hixon Park. I love the wide open grassy area on the waterfront. It’s a great place to kick around a soccer ball or have a picnic. We love riding our bikes to the park from the connecting Riverwalk. Favorite Bay-area beach: Pass-a-Grille Beach. We like to go where it’s quiet and where the locals are. The beachfront of the Don CeSar is awesome when hanging out with my girlfriends! Favorite pizza: Cappys is a go-to for family pizza night.
Off the beaten path with Brian Wexler (49) Vice President Local Division, Television Advertising Bureau Tampa resident for 14 years
Favorite place for a night out with the boys: Charley’s Steak House. I love to sit at the bar, watch the game and enjoy a great drink and a fantastic steak. Favorite burger joint: Hula Bay Club. Often thought of as a boater’s hangout, this place has the best darn burger in town, the Hula Bay Burger. Topped with bacon, Swiss cheese, grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce… Yum! Favorite waterfront restaurant: Armani’s. If great food and an amazing view is what you’re looking for, no need to search any further. Tampa’s only five-star restaurant, the view 14 stories over Tampa Bay is just as incredible as the food. Favorite weekday breakfast spot: Daily Eats. If you love old-school diners with awesome coffee, Daily Eats is your place. The food is always good and consistent with plenty of healthy or not-so-healthy choices. Favorite Italian food: Iavarone’s Italian Steakhouse. A Tampa family-owned secret, they serve great food at great prices. They know how to cook at Iavarone’s, and it’s real Italian like your grandmother used to make. Favorite Bay-area beach: Sand Key. Don’t tell the secret – it’s a public park right next to the Sheraton with plenty of parking, tons of white sand beach and vendors to satisfy any adventure you desire, from paddleboarding to Jet Skis. Favorite exercise class or gym: CAMP. Tampa’s newest cross-training facility, they have a half circuit training, half yoga class that’s awesome. I also like the hip-hop and rock-and-roll yoga – the music keeps you going through all those ridiculous poses!
Off the beaten path with Dhvanit Patel (44) President/CEO, Onicx Tampa resident for 24 years
Favorite place for a night out with the boys: I have had some great times grabbing dinner at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and hanging out at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Favorite date-night spot: My wife and I have recently loved getting foot massages and then heading to Roy’s for dinner. Best place to watch a Lightning game with friends: Several of my friends and I have season tickets for the Lightning. Nothing beats being at Amalie Arena to watch the Lightning play. The fan experience is special. Favorite Asian food: Yummy House China Bistro on Hillsborough Avenue. My family and I will usually meet up with friends. It’s a fun place to have a family-style meal. Favorite sushi: My wife and kids and I have to eat sushi at least once a week, and our favorite place is Kaisen Sushi in North Tampa. Kaisen has been around for a long time, and it is just a great
place to eat a quiet sushi meal.
Favorite place to sit with a cup of coffee: Oxford Exchange. I love the atmosphere and simply reading a book while drinking my latte. Favorite exercise class or gym: I have had two special people training me over the years – Ty Pena at The Bod Fitness Center and Shayne Sallee. They are both wonderful human beings who know how to push me
to my limits to get the best out of me. Favorite golf course: Old Memorial Golf Club. It’s just a great place to walk and play a round of golf and eat great food, all while feeling that you traveled out of town to a quiet, secluded golf destination. Favorite place across the bay: The Sandpearl Resort. It’s a great place where my family and I will do a weekend staycation.
Off the beaten path with Lance Ponton (38) Commercial Real Estate Third-generation Tampa resident
Favorite spot to take out-of-town guests: Wright’s Gourmet House for sandwiches and desserts. They just renovated and expanded. Favorite place for a client dinner: On Swann, has a great atmosphere for business dining. It’s a great addition to Hyde Park Village. Favorite place for a healthy snack: Stacy’s Gluten Free Goodies is an allergy-free dessert place. I’m there at least once a week. Favorite Mexican restaurant: I would have to say Besito. Try the street tacos for your meal and churros for dessert! Favorite weekend brunch spot: Pinky’s Diner is the place for pancakes and eggs Benedict. The self-serve coffee while you wait is the best. Favorite sushi: Yoko’s on MacDill is tucked away in a small shopping center and has a happy hour sake and sushi menu. It’s usually my Wednesday night date place. Favorite place for a craft cocktail and cocktail of choice: Haven for a scotch or bourbon – neat! Favorite place to sit with a cup of coffee: Coffee and a shoe shine from Jimmy at Oxford Exchange is the best way to start the day.
Favorite place to catch live music: Curtis Hixon Park for the Rock the Park series or the Gasparilla Music Festival. Hidden gem restaurant: Vino E Pasta is a great place to carb up the night before the Gasparilla races. Visit thetampamagazine.com/tampa-confidential for more local recommendations! TAMPA MAGAZINE 63
EVENTS
AROUND
TOW N
13 TOP EVENTS
IN TAMPA & B E Y O N D
CHECK OUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN TAMPA THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY & MARCH
1
2
Wicked
This Broadway sensation takes place in the magical Land of Oz and tells the story of a peculiar friendship between two witches. These two witches, who are the contradictions of each other, build a bond “until the world decides to call one good and the other bad.” Enjoy the performances of “Defying Gravity” and many other critically acclaimed masterpieces. See website for ticket prices and times. Straz Center for Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C MacInnes Place // (813) 229-7827 strazcenter.org
FEB 11-APRIL 2
Bay Area Renaissance Festival Take a journey back through time and experience what life in the medieval period would have been like. Enjoy food and savor drinks from the Middle Ages, witness live armored jousting and stroll through the mystical 16th century village. Check website for ticket prices, events, and times. Bay Area Renaissance Festival, 11315 North 46th St. (813) 983-0742 // bayarearenfestnew.bayarearenfest.com
64 FEB MAR 2017
Florida State Fair
Enjoy cotton candy, petting zoos, fair comfort foods, rides and live entertainment at the Florida State Fair! The State Fair has been welcoming people of all ages since 1904 and is an annual Floridian tradition. Tickets are $7-$13. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North, (800) 345-3247 // floridastatefair.com
FEB 1-26
3
FEB 9-20
4
5 FEB 14
Bon Jovi
American rock band Bon Jovi is making a pit stop in Tampa for the “This House is Not for Sale” tour. Book your tickets and reminisce about the blissful memories of the height of the ‘80s rock scene. Sing along to your favorite songs like “It’s My Life” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Tickets are $19.75-$549. Amalie Arena, 410 Channelside Dr. (813) 301-6500 // amaliearena.com
FEB 24-26
Mardi Gras New Orleans
Experience the grandiose sounds of New Orleans! The Florida Orchestra presents famed jazz musician Byron Stripling. Hear the heart of New Orleans and enjoy jazz classics by Fats Domino, Mahalia Jackson, and Louis Armstrong. Check website for ticket prices, location, and times. (727) 892-3337 // floridaorchestra.com
6
FEB 25-26
Publix Gasparilla Distant Classic This marathon was established in 1978 and is a nonprofit event aiming to raise money for youth organizations and programs that assist the Tampa Bay Area. Sign up, grab your running shoes and stretch! Runners shouldn’t miss out on an opportunity to take part in this great cause. Check website for registration, details, times, and locations. (813) 254-7866 // tampabayrun.com
9 MARCH 11-12
Gasparilla Music Festival
The sixth annual Gasparilla Festival is right around the corner! This musical festival features musical groups from a wide variety of genres on different stages, as well as food provided by some of Tampa’s top restaurants. This year’s lineup includes Cage the Elephant, Moon Taxi and many other artists. Tickets are $40-$150. Check website for band lineups and times. Curtis Hixon Park, Kiley Gardens, 600 N. Ashley Dr. (813) 708-8423 // gasparillamusic.com
7
10
FEB 28
Twenty One Pilots The American duo’s songs “Stressed Out” and “Heathens” topped the charts, and now they’re coming to Tampa. Their unique style speaks to everyone, and they incorporate a wide range of music genres in their songs from electro pop to rock. Tickets are $35.75-$45.75. Amalie Arena, 410 Channelside Dr. (813) 301-6500 // amaliearena.com
8
MARCH 11
The Halo 5K
This fun 5K event raises money for Angels Unaware, a nonprofit organization in Tampa that benefits the developmentally disabled. Featuring both a race and a family fun run, participants receive a free T-shirt and medal and will have the chance to win other great prizes. Tickets are $20-$35. Register at thehalo5K.com. Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave. // (813) 924-8736
MARCH 17
River O’ Green
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. This event transforms the Hillsborough River into a bright, festive shade of green. This event includes live entertainment, food supplied by local restaurants and fun activities for everyone. This event is free to the public. Check website for times. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr. (813) 274-8211 // tampagov.net
11
MARCH 24-26
A Night At the Opera
Experience the greatest opera pieces by Wagner, Mozart, Verdi and many others. Conductor Michael Francis presents this spectacular tour with the Florida Orchestra performing the greatest hits of the opera house. Tickets are $15-$45. Check website for times and locations. (813) 892-3337 // floridaorchestra.com
12
MARCH 26
Gabriel Iglesias
Better known as Fluffy, Iglesias is embarking on his “Fluffy Mania” tour. The comic genius incorporates a wide range of topics, including his struggles with everyday life, his Mexican heritage, and the average Joe problems we all find humorous. Tickets are $62-$70, 8:00 p.m, USF Sun Dome, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. (813) 974-3111 // sundomearena.com
13
MARCH 31
6th Annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival Come out to a festival that features restaurants from Seoul, South Korea to London, England and beyond. Embark on a mission to find that delicious, iconic sandwich prepared in many different ways. Check website for registration, and times. HCC Ybor City Campus, 1320 E. Palm Ave. (813) 319-5850 // thecubansandwichfestival.com
TAMPA MAGAZINE 65
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