Page 644 – 83 Degrees Media

Tampa Hillsborough EDC, Chamber On The Move In Downtown Tampa

●

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

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Development News

●

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

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Development News

●

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

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Development News

●

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

Call To Action: Tampa Bay Region “Luckiest Place,’ Vote “Yes’ For Mobility

By Missy Kavanaugh

●

Development News

●

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

Q&A: Alizza Punzalan-Hall, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg

By Diane Egner

●

General

●

April 27, 2010

The Plight and Promise of Africa: An Eckerd College Initiative draws standing-room-only crowds to a series of lectures, photo exhibits and public appearances by celebrities around Tampa Bay in 2010.

Tampa Bay Tech Turns Old Bike Parts Into New Racks In Downtown Tampa

By Nancy Vaughn

●

Innovation News

●

April 27, 2010

Students from Tampa Bay Technical High School designed 10 bike racks made from old bicycle parts for riders in downtown Tampa. Partnering with the Tampa Downtown Partnership, students from the school's architecture, welding and auto body programs designed, fabricated and painted the bike racks for the Tampa Bay Cycle campaign. Not only did they creatively conceptualize the design and functionality, they were also responsible for finding the location to install the racks downtown.The Tampa Bay Cycle campaign, which got the wheels moving on this project, was founded by Karen Kress, director of transportation and planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Kress. a daily bike-on-bus commuter, and Julie Bond, a daily bicycle commuter, member of the New North Transportation Alliance and co-chair for the Tampa Bay Cycle campaign, applied for a grant back in 2007 through the Florida Department of Transportation to launch the campaign. They won the grant and have reapplied every year since to keep the campaign going."We're just interested in making Tampa Bay a more bicycle-friendly community," says Kress.The bike racks were designed for the urban environment and painted black to blend with the rest of downtown Tampa's street decor. The first rack was installed on Earth Day, April 22, at the St. Pete Times Forum at 401 Channelside Drive. Others are at popular places like the Glazer Children's Museum, Sweetwater Organic Farm, Jaidee Yoga Studio, and Union Station."We are always searching for creative ways to enhance downtown's outdoor environment," says Kress. "This project is a win for all involved - bike riders, public art lovers and students gaining valuable experience."Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Karen Kress, Tampa Downtown Partnership

Federal Grant Funds USF Move To Electronic Medical Records, 100 Jobs

By Brad Stager

●

Health

●

April 27, 2010

It is often said that one benefit of using digital documentation in place of paper is the saving of trees. Now a $6 million federal grant awarded to the University of South Florida to fund a project called PaperFree Florida, is touted as having the potential to save lives as well as create jobs. The grant is expected to fund more than 100 jobs, with most of them being what USF Health CEO Stephen Klasko refers to as "electronic health care ambassadors." People filling these jobs will help physicians in a 20-county area transition to an electronic system of prescribing drugs and maintaining medical records. USF Health has set up a PaperFree Florida website which provides information about the project. The jobs will be phased in, says Project Director Dr. Jay Wolfson. "These jobs will be the result of recruitment, training and placement of qualified individuals over a four-year period," Wolfson says. PaperFree Florida expects to hire its first electronic health ambassadors by June. People who are hired will then undergo training, which should take between 60 and 90 days. The initial funding for the jobs is substantial, but as a grant the dollars allocated are finite. However, Wolfson sees a long-term need for electronic health ambassadors in the rapidly changing healthcare industry. "This is a very cool project designed to create a new component of the health workforce, e-health ambassadors, who will play a permanent role facilitating the meaningful use of health information at the community level in order to improve quality, safety, access to appropriate care and reduce costs," he says. The federal grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Susanna Martinez Tarokh, USF Health

PechaKucha Returns To Tampa April 30, 8 Take Mike To Chit-Chat

By Nancy Vaughn

●

Architecture

●

April 27, 2010

Described as a rapid-fire, creative show-and-tell, PechaKucha 20x20 returns to Tampa on Friday, April 30, at the Armature building (the historic trolley barn in Tampa Heights) from 7-10pm.PechaKucha (pronounced: peh chak cha) is a Japanese word for "chit-chat." The event, which originated in 2003 in Tokyo, was created by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham Architecture. The goal is to provide a forum for young designers to meet, network and quickly show their work to the public. The "quick" part involves the format, which requires presenters to show 20 images for 20 seconds. The reasoning is simple, according to the website: "Because architects talk too much! Give a microphone and some images to an architect - or most creative people for that matter - and they'll go on forever! Give powerpoint to anyone else and they have the same problem.'' PechaKucha was launched in Tampa in 2009 by organizer Kenneth Cowart, an architect with ASD. Cowart says the rapid-fire format makes it a bit less formal. "Everyone has to be on their toes and it makes for awkward pauses and moments that are generally filled with humor, and it keeps the presentations lively and active." The eight presenters at PechaKucha Tampa Bay V5: -- Alfred Goldberg, mobile technology evangelist-- Mark Hebert, design anthropology-- Megan Hildebrandt, performance artist-- Lauren Alyssa Howard, visual artist-- L.A. Moore, photographer-- Randy Van Duinen, photographer-- Brandon Wagner, creative stylist-- Brian Willis, local politicsThe event will also be a fundraiser for Haiti relief. Proceeds will go to Architecture for Humanity 501(c) and will be used to build buildings.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Kenneth Cowart, ASD

Leader Tech Of Tampa Takes Static Out Of Life, Offers More Jobs

By Brad Stager

●

Economic Development

●

April 27, 2010

If you've ever wondered why an airline flight crew is adamant about passengers turning off cell phones and other digital devices during certain portions of a flight, here is the answer: EMI - or electromagnetic interference. This happens when electromagnetic energy from one source, such as a cell phone, interferes with the operation of a nearby device, such as an airplane's fuel gauge or its flight control system, which may be susceptible to dysfunction by a passenger's urgent call to inform someone, "Hey, I'm taking off now." Electronic systems and devices are an omnipresent part of our world and are routinely susceptible to EMI. Fortunately, there are companies such as Leader Tech, a Tampa-based subsidiary of HEICO Corp. Leader Tech manufactures solutions for commercial and government customers who need to incorporate EMI protection into their products and services. This is an industry that needs engineers, supervisors and skilled technicians, such as tool and die makers, who understand terms like conductive elastomers, ferrites and BeCu fingerstock gaskets. Laura Anderson is the human resources manager at Leader Tech and she is on a quest to find and hire such employees. Throw in a requirement to respect tight tolerances and it can be a formidable search for the right job candidate. "Because it's such a niche industry it's kind of hard to fill those positions," she says. Anderson adds that it can take months to fill some positions. Qualifications for many of the jobs include experience in mechanical engineering, quality assurance and tool and die setup. While the business of Leader Tech is technology, Anderson characterizes the working environment as personable. "Leader Tech is a very family-oriented company," she says. Benefits offered by Leader Tech include medical, dental life and disability insurance as well as a 401K plan and paid vacation time.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Laura Anderson, Leader Tech, Inc.