Transportation

St. Pete-Clearwater Airport Sports Public Art, Beer, WiFi And More

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Arts

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June 15, 2010

Public art, WiFi and a Sam Adams bar. Sound like a fun place to hang? Officials with the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport hope travelers think so. Airport renovations, largely funded by federal stimulus money, are completed, and according to an airport spokesperson, simply have to be seen to be fully appreciated. "Our terminal renovation completely transformed our interior," says Michele Routh, the airport's community relations director. "We added two passenger-loading bridges and replaced infrastructure that was up to 50 years old: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, doors and elevators. In the process, the airport's becoming much more energy efficient. We also have free WiFi throughout and a Sam Adams Bar with very comfortable hold rooms."The structural renovations inspired aesthetic ones, too. The new terminal sports a tropical theme featuring a 45-foot-by-five-foot blown glass wall crafted and painted by artist Guy Kemper. Kemper says he hopes his work helps to make the screening process more pleasant and less stressful. The work, designed by Kemper in his Kentucky studio and crafted in Germany, is entitled SunSkySea. The wall separates the landside terminal from the security area. A terrazzo floor medallion depicts sun and fish from the perspective of a scuba mask. Roush says the total project costs came in at a little over $20 million, 98 percent of which came from grants and passenger facility charges. "We are a debt-free and self-supporting, " she says. All flights from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport are nonstop and competitively priced, with destinations throughout the Midwest, Canada, the Keys, and the Bahamas. Gamers have their choice of two airlines that fly directly to Biloxi, MS. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Michele Routh, St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport

Latest in Transportation

Hillsborough County’s HART Named Best Transit System In U.S.

By Mandy Efourth

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Technology & Innovation

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June 8, 2010

Tired of fighting your way through traffic every day? Consider using Hillsborough Country public transportation (HART), which recently won an award from the the American Public Transportation Association for 2010 Outstanding Public Transportation System serving mid-sized cities. The honor is based on success in several areas, including ridership growth, customer service, safety records, financial management, community involvement and sustainable practices. HART was judged with other transit agencies all across the country. This has been a year filled with accolades for HART, which celebrated 30 years of service and was earlier recognized as the Most Outstanding Transit System in Florida by the Florida Public Transportation Association, says Deborah Tamargo, manager of government affairs. In three years, HART has completely changed the transportation system in Hillsborough County and now is starting a 25-year plan to create transportation improvements including additional buses on its busiest routes, more express buses and light rail.The plan calls for the creation of construction jobs too as light rail moves forward.For more information about this improvement plan, visit HART's website.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Deborah Tamargo, HART

Feds Release $66.6 M To Tampa, Orlando For High-Speed Rail

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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June 8, 2010

The federal government recently released the first portions of funding for revitalizing the country's transportation system, according to the official blog of the the U.S Secretary of Transportation. Florida received the largest amount of funding -- $66.6 million to support preliminary engineering of the Tampa-Orlando High Speed Rail. Read the complete story.

Project Get Ready: Hillsborough County Embraces Electric Car Initiative

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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June 1, 2010

The Hillsborough County Commission has unanimously approved a resolution to move forward with a program that encourages the use of electrically powered vehicles.The commission has elected to take part in Project Get Ready, a national initiative that aids cities in switching from gas-powered to electric vehicles (EVs). According to County Commissioner Rose Ferlita, the regional initiative will be led locally by the Tampa Regional Planning Council."Project Get Ready is a great fit for what we have already put in place and continue to expand here in Hillsborough County," says Ferlita. "Our sustainability efforts include focusing on a countywide alternative transportation vehicle plan that includes electric as well as natural gas vehicles.According to Ferlita, the project's goals include: * attracting original equipment manufacturers to Tampa Bay * educating the public about the positive economic impact and potential growth in green jobs a communitywide switch to EVs may offer * reducing vehicle and total green house gas emissions * increasing use of alternative and/or innovative energy and decreasing dependence on traditional fuel sources Research indicates that one electric car reduces carbon emissions by approximately 66 percent and costs less than $1 a day to drive. According to the Get Ready website, Tampa Bay is a case study in which challenges such as coordinating utilities will be addressed and hopefully serve as a best practices model for other cities to embrace electrically powered vehicles. "Transportation is a key component," says Ferlita. "Not only for Hillsborough County but for the entire Tampa Bay region. We're looking at multimodal and I support that. But, we must also look at 'multifuel' opportunities as we move forward."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Rose Ferlita, Hillsborough County Commission

Tampa’s Channelside District Undergoes Upgrades, Widens Sidewalks

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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May 25, 2010

Tampa's Channelside District is undergoing more changes to provide municipal features that urban dwellers find desirable in their communities. A stormwater drainage system is being installed on York Street that will remove sediment and trash before the water is emptied into the Ybor Channel. Stormwater drainage improvements will continue on Washington Street, where pipelines are being upgraded. The Washington Street project is also widening sidewalks and narrowing roads to improve pedestrian safety. The projects are part of the Channel District Strategic Action Plan initiated by the City of Tampa to guide growth in the Channel District to create a strong, urban neighborhood that emphasizes design quality for private development and public spaces. According to Urban Development Manager Bob McDonough, the action plan is Tampa's response to national trends. "When I was growing up, people would move to where the jobs were. Today a lot of employers will locate to cities that have people who employers will want to employ. What we're seeing in the Channelside District is that residents want an urban environment." McDonough feels Tampa is well-positioned to become a strong magnet for talented professionals. "We'll be one of the only cities in the world with high-speed rail," he says. Orlando and Tampa airports fly to basically anywhere in the world. If you have someone who has to travel domestically or internationally, Tampa is the place to live. We're adding pocket parks, public art and dog parks. These are the types of things urban residents want." "Many of the people moving to this area are environmentally conscious," McDonough continues. "The stormwater projects are vital to protecting the environment and our goals." Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Source: Bob McDonough, City of Tampa

Boaters, Marinas To Get $1.9 Million To Keep Gulf, Lakes Sewage-Free

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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May 25, 2010

Oil isn't the only threat to our coasts. Sewage is, too. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plans to run a campaign this summer that encourages recreational boaters to use pump-out stations along the coasts of Florida as well as in lakes throughout the state.The DEP administers grant monies from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992. This year Florida received $1.9 million to fund the construction and installation of sewage pump-out facilities and floating restrooms, to purchase pump-out boats and to provide educational programs for recreational boaters, as they have been since the program's inception in the early 1990s. To date, the seven counties that comprise the Tampa Bay region have received a total of $2.2 million, with Pinellas receiving the largest portion at $1.1 million. According to Kristin Lock, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, any marina can apply for a grant that will reimburse 75 percent of the building and installation costs of pump-out facilities."Untreated sewage from boats contains disease-causing microorganisms," explains Deas Bohn, DEP's director of Sustainable Initiatives.."If discharged into the water, these organisms can impact our environment as well as human health. Sewage can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds and lower oxygen levels necessary for aquatic species to survive. Proper disposal and treatment of boater sewage is essential to protecting Florida's waterways." Federal and state law prohibits discharging raw sewage in all fresh water or within nine nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Kristin Lock, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Tampa Mayor Writes Guest Column On Mass Transit

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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May 18, 2010

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio authored a special guest column for the St. Petersburg Times sharing her thoughts on the importance of mass transit. The column mentions the cities with similar sizes of urban populations that have either approved a state tax referendum or have already built a light rail including Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Read the complete column.

2010 Super Regional Leadership Conference Unites Tampa Bay, Orlando

By Nancy Vaughn

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Technology & Innovation

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May 11, 2010

The 2010 Super Regional Leadership Conference, a collaboration between the Tampa Bay Partnership and the Central Florida Partnership, will be held on May 26-27 near Orlando.The event will be at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee and sessions will include: Connecting for Global Competitiveness presented by Professor Jonathan Barnett and members of his Urban Design Studio class, and Global Space Activity: A Florida High Tech Opportunity. Keynote speaker Secretary Ray Lahood with the U.S. Department of Transportation will discuss the high-speed rail planned to connect Tampa and Orlando, and how good transportation leads to sustainable communities.Ever since President Obama came to Tampa for a town hall meeting at the University of Tampa on Jan. 28 to announce Florida's award of $1.25 billion for a high speed rail, the Super Region is said to be the envy of the nation as we obtain opportunities for job creation and global competitiveness. The conference will serve as an opportunity for businesses to discover how to take advantage of the merging of two regions.This year's conference will have a Pecha Kucha challenge, making use of the rapid fire presentation style of 20 images for 20 seconds, which makes for a 6 minute and 40 second presentation. Applications for presenters will be accepted until Friday, May 14, from anyone who has "an initiative that leaders in the 14-county super region should be aware of as far as economic and/business excellence, coordination of assets, innovation or job creation." Brief proposals may be emailed to Chris Steinocher, COO-SVP marketing & business development, at the Tampa Bay Partnership. His email address: csteinocher@tampabay.orgConference participants who register before Saturday, May 15, will save $20. For more information on the 2010 Super Regional Leadership Conference, click here.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Chris Steinocher, Tampa Bay Partnership

Will Voters Get To Decide Sales Tax For Transit In Hillsborough?

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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May 11, 2010

Hillsborough County commissioners will preside over a public hearing on May 13 to decide whether a 1 percent sales tax for transportation will go on the November ballot. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the All People's Life Center, 6105 East Sligh Ave., in Tampa.According to Tampa attorney David Singer, the additional sales tax would position Tampa as a desirable place to live and work in an increasingly competitive environment where cities are vying for the best talent."If you look at other communities like Charlotte, Phoenix and Denver, you see the type of success that we know the Tampa Bay region will also have in terms of keeping our young people here once they graduate from college; (young people) we don't want to lose to other communities." Singer has been coordinating a campaign for Moving Hillsborough Forward to improve transit throughout Hillsborough County.Singer says the 1 percent sales tax will be used for rapid transit as well as for road improvements. "Seventy-five percent of every penny will go go to rapid bus service and light rail," says Singer. "Twenty-five percent will go to road improvements. For the first 10 years we will focus on Hillsborough County rather than roads within the Tampa city limits."According to Singer, Pinellas and Pasco counties are looking to Hillsborough to see how voters feel about the proposed sales tax increase as they plan their own transit improvement budgets. "Their transit will provide connectivity between their communities and Tampa's high-speed rail station."Singer says Moving Hillsborough Forward is comprised of a cross-section of Tampa residents. "The great part of MHF is that we have Democrats, Republicans, leaders from both business and labor. We have teachers and home builders. It's a wider spectrum of ideologies, professions and ethnicities than any other movement could hope to have."Proposed road improvements can be found on the Hillsborough County website.Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Source: David Singer, Moving Hillsborough Forward

U.S. Foodservice Seeks Salespeople, Drivers In Tampa Bay Region, Hiring

By Brad Stager

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Technology & Innovation

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May 4, 2010

Dining outside the home in the Tampa Bay region offers a lot of choices as far as cuisine and location. Whether it's Thai food in a strip mall family restaurant, meat-and-potatoes at a stand-alone chain eatery or institutional fare at a hospital or school, someone has to transport the food from market to table and that's what the professionals who work for U.S. Foodservice, Inc. do for their customers. Three of the national food supply company's 60 distribution centers are in Tampa, Lakeland and Clearwater. Marilisa Henderson, a recruiter at the Tampa office, says fulfilling the appetites of Tampa Bay region gourmands requires hiring people who can select the best food products, fulfill and manage sales orders and deliver the goods. "We have an ongoing need for salespeople and drivers," she told an audience of job seekers during a networking event at Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance. Henderson says she also sometimes has openings for IT professionals and people who can provide financial analysis reports. If there's a corporate creed that employees of U.S. Foodservice work by, it would probably be "go beyond the plate." Company spokesperson Christina Koliopoulos cites that as a commitment to communities as well as customers. "We do much more than deliver the groceries and each of our employees plays a critical role in protecting the safety of the food supply," she says. "We are also pasionate about giving back to our community. For example, the Tampa division was recently awarded recognition by Feeding America of Tampa Bay for its dedicated support in the fight to end hunger in West Central Florida."Writer: Brad StagerSource: Christina Koliopoulos, U.S. Foodservice, Inc.