Westshore e-news: Events, Real Estate News & more

Westshore Alliance

Westshore e-news

A monthly update for Tampa's Westshore district

February 2013

In This Issue

New Members & Milestones

Annual Dinner Featuring Gov. Rick Scott

Westshore Master Plan

I-275 Construction

Westshore Real Estate News

Member Company News

Upcoming Events

Get full details here

Member Orientation

Feb. 6, 8:30 to 9:30 am

Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance

30th Annual Dinner

Featuring Gov. Rick Scott

February 28, 5:15 to 8 pm

A La Carte Event Pavilion

Welcome New Members

American Cancer Society

Brown's Trophies

Busch Gardens

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, referred by Brandon Marshall, Marriott Corp.

PNC Bank

Italiano Insurance Services

Nvirotect Pest Control Svcs

Office Suites Plus Properties

Palmaple

Post Properties

Primrose School of S. Tampa

Reilly, Fisher & Solomon PA

Roof Rx, referred by Elliott Ross, Ross Realty

Speechworks PLLC

Sumo Software

Receive a certificate for free admission to an upcoming Westshore Alliance luncheon for referring a new member.

Membership Milestones

Thank you to the following companies that recently renewed their Alliance membership:

More than 20 Years

-Centre Club

-Jimbo's BBQ

-Shred-It Tampa

15 to 20 Years

-Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

-Highwoods Properties

-Murphy Larocca Consulting Grp

-Walgreens

10 to 14 Years

-ADP

-Ambius

-Brinks

-CB Richard Ellis

-Cresent Resources LLC

-FastSigns

-International Plaza & Bay Street

-McKibbon Hotel Management

-Regions Bank

5 to 9 Years

-Avaya

-Boizao Steakhouse

-The Home Depot

-Hyatt Place

-InterContinental Hotel

-Int'l Security Mgmt. Grp (ISMG)

-Lane, Witherspoon & Carswell Commercial RE Advisors

-Neighborhood Lending Partners

-North Reo Street LP

-Panera Bread

-Romano's Macaroni Grill

-Sonny's Bar-B-Q

-Staples

1 to 4 Years

-Academic Alliance in Dermatology

-HART

-KHS&S Contractors

-Office Furniture Center

-Onicx

-St. Petersburg Marriott

-Superior Construction & Contracting, LLC

-The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

-USAmeriBank

Westshore Alliance News

30th Annual Dinner

Keynote Speaker: Gov. Rick Scott

Date: February 28, 2013

Time: 5:15 pm - Networking & Cocktails; 6:30 p.m. - Dinner

Location: A La Carte Event Pavilion

Join us as we celebrate 30 years representing Westshore!

Cost: $75 for members; $85 for prospective members

Contact Rosemary Bidwell for Event and Table Sponsorships

Title Sponsor:

Platinum Sponsors:

Media Partner:

Gold Sponsors: HW Lochner, Inc., MetWest International, Parkway Realty Services, Tampa Electric, Tampa International Airport

Westshore Area News & Opportunities

Westshore Master Plan Update

Work is progressing rapidly on the Westshore Master Plan. The plan will be complete within a few months and will identify specific improvements to streets, sidewalks, parks, etc. that will foster new private-sector investment and create opportunities for economic development throughout Westshore. We are beginning an extensive public input process this month. For more information contact Ann Kulig.

I-275 Construction Update

I-275 reconstruction is in full swing and changes to traffic movements occur weekly. The next major change occurs on February 5 - the southbound I-275 exit 40B ramp to go south on Lois Ave. will close permanently. The exit to northbound Lois Avenue will also close within the next few months. These closures are necessary to accommodate new bridge construction. To receive our weekly traffic alerts email related to the reconstruction, click here to update your profile or subscribe (be sure to select Westshore Traffic News).

Interested in the future of our county? The Planning Commission and Metropolitan Planning Organization are embarking on Imagine 2040 - an update to the Comprehensive Plans for Hillsborough County, Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City and the countywide Long Range Transportation Plan - Plan 2040. Through a series of workshops, they will develop several scenarios for the year 2040's growth and infrastructure. They are holding a visioning workshop on February 12 from 4 to 6 pm at the County Center. Click here for details.

Westshore Development & Real Estate News

Cushman & Wakefield's office market statistics for the fourth quarter of 2012 show the enormous impact Westshore has on the local market. Westshore accounted for more than 75% of the net office space leasing in Hillsborough County during 2012. The overall office vacancy rate in Westshore is down from 16.5% at the end of 2011 to 11.9% at the end of 2012. Good news!

Modera Westshore (formerly Legacy Westshore), developed by MCRTrust, is a 300 unit apartment currently under construction on Spruce Street between Trask & Hesperides. First units are slated to be open later this year. Click here to see aerial photos of the construction.

PrimePay and Prime Group Insurance Services have recently relocated to Westshore. Their new offices are at 5402 W. Laurel Street.

Several new restaurants are opening in Westshore this spring & summer:

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant will be opening at MetWest International on Boy Scout Blvd. in mid-March.
Eddie V's Prime Seafood will open at TriPointe Plaza this spring.
Panera Bread's first Tampa Bay drive-thru location is under construction at 3240 W. Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. and is slated to open in May.
The Lime-Fresh Mexican Grill plans its first Tampa-area location on West Shore Blvd. adjacent to the Container Store.

The Container Store, currently under construction at the corner of Westshore & Spruce, is scheduled to open on March 16.

The City of Tampa produces a monthly newsletter that lists upcoming public hearings for rezonings, wet-zonings, variance requests and more. You can access the latest newsletter here.

Member Company News & Events

Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance will be holding two FREE Collaborative Industry Forums in February - Information Technology on Feb 13th at the EpiCenter (Rm 1-455) in Clearwater and Construction on Feb 19th at TBWA's Corporate Office on Kennedy Blvd. The forums run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Businesses will hear from experts regarding current and emerging IT and Construction workforce needs for the Tampa Bay area plus training funding opportunities. RSVP to Marilyn Browne to reserve your seats - (727) 608-2420 or mbrowne@worknetpinellas.org

Football season may be over, but that doesn't mean Raymond James Stadium is quiet. Several big events are happening over the next few months including Monster Jam on February 2, "No Shoes Nation Tour" starring Kenny Chesney & Eric Church on March 16 and the Gene Mische American Invitational on April 6. See the full calendar of events at http://www.tampasportsauthority.com/.

MTC and VSA Florida will host "Great Expectations" - an art show and wine tasting reception on February 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the MTC Fine Arts Gallery, 5420 W. Cypress Street. Fanciful and original artworks have been created for this exhibition by individuals with disabilities. RSVP by February 18 online or email dbrockman@macdonaldcenter.org.

New York Yankees Spring Training is right around the corner! Pitchers and catchers report on February 12 and their first home game is on February 24 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Click here to see the full schedule and to purchase tickets.

A La Carte Event Pavilion will host the March 11 MPI meeting featuring Emmy award winner and fashion designer Carson Kressley. Get details at http://www.tampabaympi.org/

Roland Park K-8 Magnet School for International Studies offers parents working in Westshore the opportunity to enroll their children in an outstanding school near their workplace. If you have elementary school (K-5) age children and are interested in enrolling them for the 2013/2014 school year, you must submit an application by February 14. For more information and an application click here.

Primrose School of South Tampa, a new Alliance member, will be opening in August. Primrose provides a Balanced Learning® curriculum for Infants-Kindergarten and after school programs and is accredited by SACS/AdvancEDFor more information visit their website.

Enter your corporate team today for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Westshore on April 5 & 6 at Jefferson High School. Learn more about how your business can get involved at an information session on February 19 from 6 to 7 pm at the American Cancer Society, 2006 W. Kennedy Blvd. or contact Laura Schaffer, event chair, at Laura.Schaffer@c1bank.com or Michelle Rossi at Michelle.Rossi@cancer.org.

Rob Swann of Grimail Crawford is the chair of Bullarney 2013 on March 23 at the Glazer Children's Museum. The annual event is a fundraiser hosted by the USF College of Engineering Alumni and proceeds support engineering student scholarships, educational programs, travel grants and more. Get details here.

If you would like to submit news about your company for an upcoming newsletter, send 25 to 50 words to news@westshorealliance.org. Information must be received by the 24th of the month for publication in the next monthly newsletter. News will be included on a space available basis.