Government

Tampa Trib, St. Pete Times Endorse Penny Transportation Tax

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October 12, 2010

On Nov. 2 Hillsborough County residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed one-cent sales-tax increase to fund transportation enhancements.The Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times editorialized in favor of the tax increase in their Oct. 3 editions.A tax increase would result in a light-rail project connecting the University of South Florida to downtown Tampa, and west from downtown to West Shore and Tampa International Airport.The increase would also fund bus expansions including 134 miles of new local routes and 315 miles of new express service connecting the areas of Brandon and New Tampa with the University of South Florida and Plant City.Read the complete St. Petersburg Times editorial. Read the complete Tampa Tribune editorial.

Latest in Government

Florida’s Milk Party Makes A Splash On CNN

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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October 12, 2010

The Children's Movement of Florida's highly publicized Milk Party is touring the state in support of raising political candidates' awareness of children's issues.CNN highlighted the nonpartisan organization's efforts to raise awareness about health insurance statistics and appropriating more funds toward education in a recent feature.The Children's Movement of Florida features a steering committee comprised of 27 prominent citizens, including two from Tampa -- President and board chair of Publix Super Markets Charities Carol Jenkins Barnett and former USF President Betty Castor -- and Clearwater's David Dennis, president and CEO of Eckerd Youth Alternatives.Read the complete story.

USF To Develop Public Health Training Centers Through $8M Grants

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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October 5, 2010

Two federal grants totaling $8 million were recently awarded to the University of South Florida's College of Public Health. USF, one of 14 schools in the nation awarded a grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, will use a $4.75-million grant over a five-year period to create a Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center in Sarasota . A $3.25-million grant from the Health and Human Resources Administration will be used to establish a Public Health Training Center with assistance from the Florida Department of Health. The Center will offer USF public health students a unique mentorship opportunity with leaders from the FDOH.Read the complete story.

Wider Sidewalks Improve Largo’s 4th Street Corridor, Add Urban Polish

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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September 28, 2010

The city of Largo has completed its 4th Street reconstruction project.The $899,741 project widened sidewalks along 4th Street to allow more room for pedestrians and bikers as well as automotive traffic along 4th Street in the downtown district. The project also improved drainage systems and the brick roadway between Cleveland Avenue and 8th Avenue SW. The project is the first of several infrastructure projects identified in the city of Largo's Sidewalk Master Plan, which is designed to provide the community with an urban corridor within the city's downtown core. The sidewalk was widened to eight feet and serves as an urban trail from downtown to Largo Middle School, Central Park, the Cultural Center, the Largo Library and the Pinellas Trail."We've been working on the whole concept of addressing the sidewalks as we build out roads and do housing projects that rebuild or remodel homes," says Teresa Brydon, economic development manager with the city of Largo. "The bottom line is that we recognize that if we provide good, urban sidewalks, it's safer for our pedestrians. And as transit continues, we can link up to the corridors and be prepared for it when it comes."The Sidewalk Master Plan was adopted in July 2009 by the city commission and outlines goals, priorities, and policies regarding location, selection, and construction standards and methodologies for the installation of a citywide sidewalk network. Largo's Urban Trails Plan provides for a system of pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly sidewalk trails that connect Largo neighborhoods to the Pinellas and Progress Energy trails.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Teresa Brydon, City of Largo

Tampa Chamber Tours New Light Rail System In Phoenix

By Diane Egner

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September 28, 2010

Members of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce toured the new light rail system in Phoenix to better understand the potential impact of a proposed similar new system in Tampa, ABC Action News reporter Brendan McLaughlin reports.Ridership in Phoenix far surpasses initial expectations as the light rail system becomes increasingly popular transportation for university students and downtown workers. Some 40,000 people per day ride the Phoenix trains.In Tampa, the first legs of a proposed light rail system would connect the downtown business district with the University of South Florida and neighborhoods in North Tampa as well as to Tampa International Airport (TIA).Watch the entire story.

Florida League Of Women Voters Releases Nonpartisan Voters Guide

By Diane Egner

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September 28, 2010

Voters looking for factual, nonpartisan information about candidates, referendums and amendments to the Florida Constitution now can access the Florida League of Women Voters 2010 Special Election Edition of the Florida Voter online. The League puts out is annual report to help guide voters who need more information to make wise choices. "This Special Edition Voter is an essential resource for citizens looking for comprehensive, concise information from a trusted nonpartisan source, says Deirdre Macnab, president of the Florida League. "It is all part of the League campaign to 'Make Democracy Easy!' " Download the complete guide.

Creative Loafing Tampa Awards Best In Bay Area Food, Arts, People, Events

By Matt Spencer

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Arts

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September 28, 2010

The winners of the 2010 Best of the Bay awards were recently announced. For the last 20 years Creative Loafing Tampa has issued its staff and reader-voted list of the best food, arts, people and events in the Tampa Bay area. Food and drink honorees include Greg Baker, chef and owner of Tampa's The Refinery, as "Best Chef," and Seminole Heights' The Independent as "Best New Restaurant." Other selections include St. Pete's Cafe Bohemia for "Best Falaffel," Lutz's Felicitous Coffee for Best Iced Coffee, The Living Room on Main for "Best new reason to go to Dunedin for dinner." The Mindy Solomon Gallery off Beach Drive in St. Petersburg was selected as "Best Gallery" and St. Petersburg's American Stage was selected "Best Theater Company." Mayor Pam Iorio was selected "Best Local Politician" and high-speed rail was selected for "Best New Idea for Tampa Bay" in the Readers' Poll. Read the complete list of winners.

Tampa Riverwalk Plans Public Boat Dock, Access To Downtown Tampa

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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September 21, 2010

Tampa's Riverwalk has many amenities: hotels, museums, restaurants and retail along a spectacular waterfront. What it doesn't have is a public dock. The city of Tampa and Friends of the Riverwalk, are planning to remedy that soon, if funding comes through in November.A grant application is on its way to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that, if accepted, will fund the construction of 100 feet of floating dock in Garrison Channel that will accommodate up to eight boats immediately west of the Beneficial Drive Bridge. This location will give boaters easy access to Channelside Entertainment Complex, the St. Pete Times Forum, the Tampa Bay History Center and other downtown amenities such as the Florida Aquarium.According to Lee Hoffman, the Tampa Riverwalk's development manager, the goal of the project is to provide boaters the opportunity to avoid the traffic congestion and parking issues of downtown associated with driving a car, and allow them to take advantage of all the amenities offered downtown by boat. "When I first took over the Riverwalk project in 2004, I did a lot of presentations and one of the constant things I heard were requests from boaters who wanted places to go to on their boats," says Hoffman. "This is an opportunity to give them access to the south end of downtown, which services Channelside, the museums, Cotanchobee Park, and other entertainment venues."The dock is part of an overall master plan to create and develop a promenade along approximately two miles of the downtown waterfront. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Lee Hoffman, City of Tampa

TBARTA Encourages Ride Sharing To Ease Region’s Traffic Congestion

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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September 21, 2010

Why wait for light rail and improved bus routes to address growing issues like fuel consumption and car emissions? According to the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA), there's an oft-overlooked but immediate solution: carpooling. And it is hosting a video contest to encourage Bay area commuters to consider it."One of the goals is to reduce the number of cars on the road," says Amy Ellis, TBARTA's director of communications. "By encouraging people to carpool, we hope to directly reduce emissions and fuel consumption. It's an immediate solution to a growing concern." How Cool is Your Carpool? video contest joins TBARTA's other initiatives designed to encourage carpooling. Other programs include ride matching, van pools and school pools. In addition, TBARTA provides up to 12 free taxi rides per year to carpoolers registered with them in emergencies that would otherwise leave riders stranded."These commuter services programs make carpooling more feasible," says Ellis. "And programs like our Emergency Ride Home relieves the anxiety associated with carpooling. We're trying to slowly educate people that there are other options."Ellis says TBARTA is committed to education, providing presentations on the benefits of carpooling and telecommuting to employers throughout the Tampa Bay region. "We're a relatively new organization and we want to continue the regional conversation any way we can. We really want to be the source for his region that puts together all these components. Traffic congestion and commuting don't stop at county lines. So our approach needs to be regional."According to the American Public Transit Association, the typical public transit rider consumes on average one half of the oil consumed by an automobile rider.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Amy Ellis, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority

Sarasota’s Riverview High School Opens Planetarium

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Development News

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September 21, 2010

Riverview High School (RHS) at One Ram Way on the corner of Proctor Road and Lords Avenue in Sarasota recently opened a science center and planetarium, which it hopes will benefit not only its students, but those at other schools.and the larger Tampa Bay community."It's a one-of-a-kind learning facility that allows us to present information and educate people in a very unique way," says Jason Mocherman, planetarium director and astronomy teacher at RHS. "There's a lot you can do with it. It's an immersive theater and anything you can create on a computer we can create in the planetarium."The planetarium is the largest of its kind in a public school in Florida and replaces the one that has been on campus since 1969. The Science Center features a digital projection system, dynamic lighting, a digital surround-sound audio system and planetarium-style seating. The planetarium and science center were built and furnished for roughly $1.4 million. Approximately $380,000 was contributed by the Riverview High School Foundation, a private organization that helps support RHS."We're looking to maximize its potential, says Mocherman. "It's on a school campus, so the high school will benefit immediately. But so will elementary schools. Making the planetarium available in the evening will allow us to maximize and impact the community."A nominal fee may be charged to the general public for special evening programs.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Jason Mocherman, Riverview High School