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Missy Kavanaugh

Missy Kavanaugh's Latest Articles

New Report Details Economic Growth in Pinellas County
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Development News
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May 4, 2010

Pinellas County Economic Development has released a new report on property conversions and new construction throughout the county. Here's a quick snapshot of projects that can be found on Yahoo's flickr and are presented in the report:Largo's Airco golf course and St. Petersburg's Toytown landfill are undergoing transformations in May. The former golf course will become a mixed-use aviation and business park. Toytown is to become a retail, office and residential space. SRI is moving into a 30,000-square-foot St. Petersburg facility and cigar maker Oettinger Davidoff is moving into the former Hunter Douglas facility in Pinellas Park. Palm Harbor's Geographic Solutions is moving downtown and Suncoast Hospice added a Community Service Center to its location on Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Tourists can chose between the Hotel Zamora on St. Pete beach, a Holiday Inn in Largo or the Hyattt Regency on Clearwater Beach. Medical businesses are expanding as well. St. Pete's All Children's Hospital, Largo Medical Center, and Gulfcoast Cancer Center have expanded their facilities recently, and Morton Plant Mease is adding a breast health facility. Bay Pines Veterans Administration is adding an eye treatment and surgery center, and new medical centers are now open at the Curlew Medical Center in Oldsmar along with the Trilogy Medical Center on McMullen Booth Road. "Pinellas County is very fortunate to have begun planning aggressively for redevelopment several years ago," says Cindy Margiotta, senior manager of operations at Pinellas County Economic Development. "Listening to the needs of our growing businesses, discussing land use best practices with our builders and working collaboratively with our citizens has allowed Pinellas to persevere with improvements." Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County EDC

Tampa Bike Shop Opens New Location On Downtown Riverwalk
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Development News
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May 4, 2010

City Bike Tampa recently opened its second location on the Riverwalk at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina. Their first location, at 212 E. Cass Street, opened less than a year ago. When asked what the secret of their success is, owner Kellie Cyr says she and her husband Jason didn't do it alone. "It's been a lot of work but we've had a lot of support from our community like the downtown Partnership and the chamber — organizations like that." The business is a full -service specialty bicycle shop focused on rentals, tours, sales and service that targets cyclists and those looking to explore bicycling as a new part of their active lifestyle. The couple acquired the small space from the Marriott and put up their own fencing around the 10-by-20-foot rental hut. A friend contributed artwork. "We just love the area," says Cyr. "We believe in the different things that Tampa is trying to do here like the light rail. We live here as well as run our businesses here in downtown and love the urban life. We have no family here but we love the people and feel rooted anyway. And, of course, the weather is beautiful." The grand opening celebration coincided with the city's annual International Dragon Boat Races, which the business participated in as part of the TIBA (Tampa Independent Business Alliance) team. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Kellie Cyr, City Bike Tampa

Tavern Showcasing Old-Florida Style Opens In Central St. Petersburg
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Arts
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May 4, 2010

When Jamie Farquharson and Evelyn Powell acquired the storefront property at 2451 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, they decided to start over -- literally and figuratively."We totally gutted the building," explains Farquharson. "It had been a food and beverage operation, but we basically built it to look like it's been here for about 40 years."What they've created is now a unique tavern called Beak's Old Florida. The restaurant and bar venue offers patrons a casual main room, an outdoor bamboo dining bar and a garden patio with free live music and a "comfort food" menu serviced six nights a week as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons.Farquharson is the creator of The Bubble Room, which he owned and operated for 13 years before selling the franchise in 1991 and moving to St. Pete. He and Powell opened Beak's in 2006."We just love the area," says Farquharson. "The area that we're in -- the Grand Central district — is just fabulous. It's one human family. It's got all different kinds of people living here. It's representative in my opinion of how society should be in terms of diversity."Farquharson is proud of Beak's position in that community. "We're racially mixed, economically diverse and we welcome people from all walks of life. There's great pride for people who live in this area. For their accomplishments and what they value in life. It's really not about money. It's about quality of life."Beak's Old Florida is for the over-21 crowd only and is open Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. until close, and noon until close on Saturdays and Sundays. Featured banks include Dave & Rogers, Bradley Ashby and Bob Jockers.Writer:  Missy Kavanaugh Source: Jamie Farquharson, Beak's Old Florida

Call To Action: Tampa Bay Region “Luckiest Place,’ Vote “Yes’ For Mobility
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Development News
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April 27, 2010

The importance of urban growth and creating greater mobility captured the attention of leaders from around the Tampa Bay region as they gathered in a Congress of Regional Leaders on April 16 at the Tampa Convention Center. Keynote Speaker Robert Grow, founding chair of Envision Utah, addressed the assembly to talk about his state's experiences building consensus on growth and to encourage excitement about the unique opportunities high-speed rail could bring to the region. "You are the luckiest place in America right now," Grow says. "This is your opportunity to win or lose for Florida big time." Improving mobility across the Tampa Bay region is critical to its ability to thrive in the global marketplace, says David Singer of Moving Hillsborough Forward, a county advocacy group working on behalf of the 1 percent surtax that will be on the November ballot. "Tampa needs increased choice when it comes to mobility options. Here in Hillsborough County we don't want to be relegated to driving everywhere anymore,'' Singer says. "Forbes magazine ranked us 60th out of 60 in terms of worst commutes in the country. People are making judgments about our area based on that piece. "It's an important issue not only to attract jobs and give people mobility, but to keep our young people here. When corporations look for headquarters or relocations, the first question they ask is, 'What does the transportation landscape look like?' We don't want local talent leaving the region. Increasing numbers of our graduates are going to Charlotte, Phoenix, Denver. These cities are poaching our talent because they do have light rail and modern transit." SunTrust banker Dan Mahurin, chair of ONE BAY, says, "Now it's up to each of us – both citizens and city and county elected officials alike – to do the hard work, make the right choices to turn this vision into a reality for our children and the generations to follow." Writer: Missy KavanaughSources: David Singer, Moving Hillsborough Forward; Dan Mahurin, SunTrust

Tampa Hillsborough EDC, Chamber On The Move In Downtown Tampa
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Development News
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April 27, 2010

The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation has moved into the SunTrust bank building in downtown Tampa, on the same floor occupied by Tampa Bay & Company. The new offices in Suite 2100 at 401 E. Jackson St. are strategically situated to enable the EDC to partner more closely with the visitor and convention bureau on projects that will help attract new businesses, special events such as the Super Bowl and major conventions, while spurring economic growth and creating jobs throughout the Tampa Bay region. "We have the same core mission, but our audiences are different,'' says Keith Norden, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough EDC. "Great synergies already working in many collaborative efforts'' will be enhanced by the co-location. The EDC is a public-private partnership funded by governments, businesses and corporations in Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa. The group was previously part of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, where it was known as the Committee of One Hundred. It split from the Chamber in 2009, changed its name and is now in the middle of a rebranding campaign. "We're an old, very historic, very well-known organization," explains Norden. "However, it was decided it would be better to be more current with our name. Because of the separation, we looked for new office space and we found this space co-located with Tampa Bay & Company.'' With the new Tampa Hillsborough EDC's evolution, the Greater Tampa Chamber is also moving from Channelside to new digs at 201 North Franklin St. on the second floor of One Tampa City Center in downtown Tampa. The Chamber offices will be closed from April 28 until April 30 while staff makes the transition. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Keith Norden, Tampa Hillsborough EDC

Tampa Foundation Adds New Partners, Fun For Kids Of All Abilities
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Development News
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April 27, 2010

The Freedom Playground Foundation in Tampa is partnering with Hardeman Kempton & Associates Landscape Architects to design more community inclusive parks and playgrounds in the Tampa Bay region."We charge a fee for the design, but that's it," says Stefani Busansky, the mom-turned-activist entrepreneur who spearheaded the effort to create Freedom Playground for children of all abilities at McFarlane Park on MacDill Avenue in West Tampa."We've been working with Plants4myyard.com, a business that targets do-it-yourself homeowners. We have a very symbiotic relationship,'' Busansky says. "Proceeds from their sales go to the Freedom Playground Foundation. We like the concept of working with a community-based organization."Busansky began the push to make parks more accessible in 2004 for children unable to use traditional playground equipment. "My daughter, now 10, was in a wheelchair," Busansky explains. "We'd go to parks and it was just difficult to get around."The Freedom Playground Foundation, a nonprofit organization that builds universally designed equipment for playgrounds, parks and gardens, has since built playgrounds at Grady Elementary and LaVoy Exceptional Center, and for the cities of Temple Terrace and  Fernandina Beach.The Foundation collaborates with Plants4MyYard.com, an entreprenuerial effort by award-winning architect and arborist Ted Kempton that offers DIY homeowners in the Tampa Bay region the ability to buy plants and mulch online and have them delivered directly to their homes. Hardeman Kempton also does affordable custom designs and, for an additional charge, will install the plants for homeowners. Plants4MyYard.com donates a portion of its sales back to Freedom Playground Foundation.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Stephani Busansky, Freedom Playground Foundation

Tampa Realtor: Triple Net Deal In Sarasota Portends Good Times Ahead
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Development News
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April 27, 2010

David Sobelman, a chief partner of Calkain Realtor Associates in Tampa, sees his recently procured sale of a triple net lease as evidence that the investment market is turning around.The 14,560-square-foot space, located at 1700 Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota, is leased by Walgreens, a strong tenant with an A+ credit rating and a 25-year lease with an option to renew for an additional 50 years. It was Walgreen's exemplary status as well as Florida's freedom from a state income tax that sealed the deal for the New York buyer, Sobelman says. And, he adds, he has every reason to believe the transaction portends additional such business in the future."This time last year, there were just very few transactions taking place anywhere much less in the triple net lease market," he says. "We'll do about $40 million in transactions this quarter. That is drastically different from last year. And it started with this Walgreens deal that we just closed."Calkain Realty specializes in triple net leases that tend to attract developers who prefer passive management structure. "Triples provide three nets," explains Sobelman. "Taxes, insurance maintenance plus management. You take those three things away from the landlord and the tenant is responsible for them. This $5.4 million transaction is truly a turning point in the market as this buyer was influenced by their completing of a 1031 tax deferred exchange. Additionally, the buyer was seeking passive net lease investments solely in the state of Florida in order not to pay ongoing state income taxes."Calkain Realty in Tampa has been in business since 2005. Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Source: David Sobelman, Calkain Realtor Associates

Largo Seeks Resurgence Through Redevelopment Of Downtown Core
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Development News
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April 27, 2010

The city of Largo's primary goal in seeking to shape the city's future is to increase density in the traditional downtown district. "We're not trying to recreate ourselves as a downtown St. Petersburg or Tampa," explains Teresa Brydon, economic development manager for the city of Largo. "We recognize our residents want moderate density. So what we're looking at is six-story buildings designed for mixed use; businesses with housing mixed in. "This process has been going on for a couple of years," Brydon continues. "We'd already started doing things before the plan was finalized. We added a Holiday Inn Express and a diagnostic clinic as part of the Largo Medical Center campus. So things have already started." According to Brydon, Largo is nurturing a medical community surrounding the hospital, its clinic and St. Michael's Eye & Laser Institute. But she says that whatever plans the city considers will ultimately be dictated by transit. "That will play a huge role in what we do." Brydon also shares that the city is attempting to attract the interest of developers, such as those attending this year's International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), which will hold an annual conference in Florida this year. "We're central," Brydon explains. "We're less than 10 minutes from the nicer beaches and the areas where most business employment is. The airports are close by. There's a lot going on and our downtown is the center of it all. We want to build a quality of life for all ages so they can work and live in the same area or catch a train to Tampa or wherever else they need to go to do business."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Teresa Brydon, City of Largo

Tampa Port Enjoys Boon In Opportunities, New Cruise Ship
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Development News
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April 20, 2010

Tampa's main port in Downtown Tampa continues to expand through the current recession. Royal Caribbean International announced plans to increase cruise opportunities to and from Tampa by adding one more ship to its Tampa itinerary.The Tampa Port Authority also recently hosted a brainstorming session to investigate import and export opportunities between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. "Today is a great opportunity to promote shipping with our different partners and to maintain and create jobs, as well as to open doors to new markets. I see great business potential with the range of companies represented," says Ralph Puga, president of the Florida Foreign Trade Association. "The feedback has been quite positive," adds Sheila Diaz de Andujar, commercial specialist with the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. "Many D.R.-based company representatives believe they will be doing business with Tampa-area companies, in areas such as building materials and auto parts, among others." Despite difficulties in parts of the nation's economy, Tampa has enjoyed a growth in cruise tourism in recent years.  "We have experienced a very welcomed growth trend in Tampa as a cruise port in recent years, and Royal Caribbean's decision to again enhance activity at the Port of Tampa is testimony to the strength of the Tampa cruise market," says Richard Wainio, Tampa's port director and CEO. "The Tampa Port Authority is extremely pleased to welcome the beautiful Jewel of the Seas to Tampa for the 2011-2012 season and we anticipate much success and growth in tourism in the years ahead," he said. Writer: Missy KavanaughSources: Ralph Puga, Florida Foreign Trade Association; Richard Wainio, Tampa Port Authority

New Sarasota Mediation Firm Marries Life, Work
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Development News
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April 20, 2010

Impact Mediation, a husband-and-wife mediation practice focused on family law and residential mortgage foreclosure cases, aims to make a positive impact on the greater Sarasota community. Owners Michael and Ruth Harshman say they believe they offer a unique competitive edge with their new practice, situated at 4822 Sweetmeadow Circle. "We offer a male and female perspective to family law disputes," says Michael. Ruth is hoping to move foreclosures through the system faster. "Right now they're clogging the system. Once they start moving through, the courts are going to need all the help they can get. Mediation can move the docket along a lot faster." Both believe mediation is superior to litigation. "Mediation allows litigants to make decisions that will influence the rest of their lives, rather than leaving it up to a judge or jury," says Michael. The couple married nearly two years ago and moved to Sarasota from Ohio. Michael, a pilot, flew the couple to various parts of Florida before they finally decided on Sarasota as a home. "The people are friendly, it's beautiful and the cultural opportunities are wonderful," he says. "And it's not Ohio," adds Ruth. The couple hopes to become involved in higher education through one of the colleges and universities in the Tampa Bay region. "Ruthie was on the board of trustees for Youngstown State University," explains Michael. "We've attended some functions at Ringling. We hope to get involved in higher education here in some way." Adds Ruth: "This may be controversial, but I'm a graduate of Florida State." Both Harshmans attended courses required by the Florida Supreme Court to mediate cases in the circuit court and county court for family and foreclosure mediation.Writer: Missy KavanaughSources: Michael and Ruth Harshman, Impact Mediation

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