Westshore E-News: News from the Westshore Alliance
FEBRUARY 2019
ALLIANCE NEWS + EVENTSWSANewsEvents
Join us on February 20 for the Westshore Alliance 36th Annual Meeting presented by Highwoods Properties. Celebrate Westshore's recent accomplishments and find out what's new in 2019 for Tampa's thriving Westshore District. The evening features a brief program, followed by a cocktail reception in the newly renovated Raymond James Stadium East Stadium Club - you don't want to miss it! REGISTER TODAY

Sponsorships are still available. 
Alliance Hosts Tampa Mayoral Candidate Forum
 A packed room of 100 business and community leaders recently joined us for the Westshore Alliance Tampa Mayoral Candidate Forum to find out where candidates stand on issues important to the Westshore business community. The event, sponsored by Bayshore Custom Homes, was held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Tampa Airport-Westshore and moderated by Alliance Programs Co-Chair Paula Buffa. WFLA News Channel 8 livestreamed the forum in its entirety, and it can be viewed here. Early voting begins February 25, and election day is March 5. 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
360 Wealth Management Group of Raymond James
AVI-SPL
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Blind Tiger Cafe
David Rosenbach MD PA
Everglades University
Face of a Feminist
Harbour at Westshore Apartments
Liben Law Firm
PBX-Change
Tampa Bay Trane
Topgolf Tampa
Do you know someone who could benefit from Alliance membership? Refer a new member and receive a certificate for FREE admission to an upcoming Westshore Alliance luncheon. Learn more about membership benefits.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
Thank you to the following companies that have recently renewed their Alliance membership.

20+ Years
AAA - The Auto Club Group
International Plaza and Bay Street
Murphy LaRocca Consulting Group, Inc.

15 - 19 Years
Bloomin' Brands, Inc.
DeLaVergne & Company
McKibbon Hospitality
Staples/JEM Investments

10 - 14 Years
Academic Alliance in Dermatology
America's Capital Partners
Big Cat Rescue
Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore
Redstone Commercial

5 - 9 Years
AdventHealth Centra Care
Air Culinaire Worldwide, LLC
Brimmer, Burek & Keelan, LLP
Colliers International
Epicurean Hotel, LLLP
Gordon J. Schiff, P.A.
GrayRobinson, P.A.
Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority

1 - 4 Years
Adrian Madhosingh
CBIZ & MHM, LLC
Commercial Florida Realty Services
Florida InnoVation and Education (FIVE) Labs
FordHarrison LLP
HNTB Corporation
iVenture Solutions
Julie L Harris & Associates
La Quinta Inn Tampa Bay Airport
LOGISTECH CONSULTING LLC
Office Evolution Tampa
RITE Technology
Shield Coatings & Weatherproofing, Inc.
Shutts & Bowen, LLP
The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Tampa

Please support these businesses who support 
the vital work of the Westshore Alliance.
UPCOMING WESTSHORE ALLIANCE EVENTS
BUSINESS + DEVELOPMENTBusinessDevelopment
Upgraded Austin Center Rendering
Ally Capital Partners has acquired the Austin Center on N. West Shore Blvd. in the heart of the Westshore District. The 300,000-square-foot, five-building office complex sits on more than 10 acres, and plans include a multimillion-dollar renovation. Additionally, commercial real estate firm Franklin Street will relocate its existing Westshore headquarters to the Austin Center with plans to relocate close to 100 employees. MORE
Corporate Center V Rendering
Plans are underway for Cousins Properties to begin work on Corporate Center V next to International Plaza. The six-story building will include 180,000 square feet of Class A office space and is slated for delivery in Fall 2020. Cousins Properties' Corporate Center I, II and III buildings are 100% occupied, and building IV has a vacancy under 10%. MORE
Midtown Tampa Rendering
One of the first buildings in Midtown Tampa is moving toward vertical construction. Novel Midtown, an apartment building with ground-floor retail that will be home to Whole Foods Market Inc., has filed building plans with the city of Tampa and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. It will be six stories and include 390 units. MORE
According to Cushman & Wakefield's Q4 2018 Tampa Office MarketBeat Report, Westshore accounted for more than half of Tampa's office leasing activity in 2018. Additionally, Westshore has the highest level of Class A asking rent in Hillsborough County history. View the full report
Publix Super Markets has applied for a demolition permit to tear down the former Sports Authority at 4900 W. Kennedy Blvd. The new Publix will be 35,966 square feet, according to the demolition permit application. National Retail Properties Inc., a retail real estate investment trust based in Orlando, owns the property, which is 3.67 acres. MORE
Redevelopment of the Jerry Ulm Dodge site at 2966 N. Dale Mabry Highway is underway. The existing dealership is being redeveloped, and a 52,191-square-foot Rooms To Go furniture center will be constructed on the property's corner facing Columbus Dr. and Dale Mabry Highway.
Following a multi-million renovation, the Crowne Plaza Hotel Tampa will reopen in mid-2019 as the Hotel Alba, a Tapestry by Hilton property. In addition to guestroom upgrades, public space renovations include an expanded lobby area with a gourmet-to-go cafe, an art gallery featuring original artwork by students and alumni of the Savannah College of Art and Design, and the addition of a signature restaurant featuring open-air dining and dishes from locally-sourced ingredients. MORE
Music, food samples, character actors, performers and more are on tap for the grand opening celebration of Tampa International Airport's 69 new shops and restaurants on Feb. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m. on the third floor of the airport's main terminal. The re-make of the main terminal and all of the airport concessions were part of the first phase of a three-phase capital program designed to expand the airport's capacity to 34 million annual passengers. The airport served a record 21 million passengers in 2018. MORE
Outback Steakhouse celebrated its grand opening on February 1 at 4302 W. Boy Scout Blvd. across from International Plaza. Westshore's newest restaurant hot spot is open for lunch and dinner. 


Lucky Dill and New York Kitchen and Lounge (NYKL) celebrated their grand opening last month. The dual-concept space at 4606 W Boy Scout Blvd occupies 16,000 square feet, and will also soon host the Stache House, a speakeasy lounge offering craft cocktails and high-end beer. MORE
Texas-based Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar is coming soon to International Plaza and Bay Street. The restaurant serves craft cocktails and farm fresh American dishes. This is the first Florida location for Whiskey Cake Restaurant and Bar, which currently has four locations in Texas and one in Oklahoma. 

TRANSPORTATIONTransportation
Fall in Love with Your Commute in February!
Westshore Alliance is joining the Hillsborough MPO and Hillsborough Planning Commission for the 2019 Commuter Challenge, February 11-15. We will be encouraging commuters to try transit, walking, biking, or telecommuting. Then, post your commute pics on social media using #CommuterChallenge19. Follow Westshore Alliance and Plan Hillsborough on twitter for more information. 
Westshore Alliance Seeks Bicycle Friendly Businesses
The League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Business program was introduced at the Westshore Alliance's last Transportation Committee meeting. This national program has more than 1,300 certified businesses, including 30 in Tampa. Businesses that apply will have access to training and tools to make their workplaces bike friendly for employees and customers. The next deadline to apply is February 20. If you are interested, please email Michael Maurino.
ICYMI: Zagster bike sharing is now available for employees of Island Center, Rocky Point Centre, and Waterford Plaza thanks to Parmenter. Employees of tenant companies can download the Zagster bike share app to become a member and check out a bike at one of the Zagster stations located at their office building. The three office buildings off Rocky Point Drive have access to a trail network on the north side of Rocky Point and the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail. MORE
COMMUNITY + MEMBER NEWSComm.MemberNews
Hillsborough Community College is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Now through March 2019, HCC is opening its doors to the community for special campus-based celebrations that reflect the spirit and unique identity of each of their locations and the communities they serve. MORE
The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners is seeking volunteers to serve on its Independent Oversight Committee. Those selected will ensure that proceeds collected through the new transportation surtax, approved by Hillsborough County voters in November, are distributed as provided in the Charter Amendment that established the tax, and in accordance with Florida law. Applications are due February 7, 2019. MORE
Westshore and Alliance members in the news:
COMMUNITY + MEMBER EVENTSComm.MemberEvents
Professional sporting events, world-class shopping, live jazz, brewery tours and art exhibits are just a few ways to experience Tampa's vibrant Westshore District. 


To submit your company's event, please  email the event name, date and link to event webpage or flyer. Events are included on a space-available basis.
Thank You, Media Sponsors!

   

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