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Southwest Florida Business Briefs - March 2005
BELLEAIR -- The Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa will not be demolished to make way for new condos because developers say they could not win public support for the project. The historic Biltmore, which opened in 1897, will continue to operate, but developers say they may rework plans and submit a new proposal to the city.
CAPE CORAL -- Construction on the Central Cape Business Park, the first Class A business park in Cape Coral in 15 years, began in January. The park will include 10 retail spaces and 48 parcels that will include office, display and warehouse areas. The first tenants are expected to move in this fall.
GULFPORT -- Stetson University law professor Robert N. Davis has been confirmed as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, a 15-year appointment. One of seven judges, Davis served in the Navy Reserves Joint Intelligence Directorate at MacDill Air Force Base and has extensive experience as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY -- County commissioners are considering doing away with the Tampa Sports Authority, which runs Raymond James Stadium and has some oversight over the St. Pete Times Forum, Legends Field and three golf courses. The authority has been losing almost $2 million a year and struggled to pay property taxes on Raymond James Stadium and the Times Forum. Disbanding the authority will require approval from the Legislature, which created it.
LAKELAND -- Publix Super Markets will roll out a Hispanic food brand early this year to try to capitalize on the growing Hispanic population in Florida. It will offer frozen plantains and mojo marinade, among other foods.
MANATEE COUNTY -- Milwaukee-based Homes by Towne is planning a 1,313-home community named Eagle Pointe on 700 acres in north Manatee County that it purchased from longtime tomato grower Dan McClure. The community, designed around an eagle's nest, will include a 44-acre nature preserve, 25-acre lake and eagle observation areas. Groundbreaking is slated for fall 2006.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- The Trust for Public Land has purchased a 12.8-mile stretch of land from Jacksonville-based CSX Transportation that stretches from Sarasota to Venice. The land was formerly two railroad corridors and will be converted into scenic trails for hiking and biking.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Juan B. Quesada has been named president of Cox Lumber Co., succeeding Robert E. Fehr, who is retiring. Quesada had been senior executive vice president at the company. He joined Cox in 1979. Cox Lumber is Florida's largest independent building materials supplier.
First Advantage Corp., a background screening company, will move its headquarters from downtown St. Petersburg to the city's Carillon office park in April. Corporate staff as well as the employment backup screening group and investigative services group will move into the 74,000-sq.-ft. office, allowing First Advantage to consolidate its three locations in St. Petersburg.
The National Association of Securities Dealers censured Raymond James Financial Services (NYSE-RJF) and fined the company $10,000 for failing to adequately supervise a broker. The broker set up a partnership account with one of his customers, violating NASD rules, the association said. Raymond James says it has since changed its procedures to give more attention to employee-related accounts.
TAMPA -- The owners of Channelside have put the downtown entertainment complex up for sale. No sales price was disclosed. ORIX Real Estate Equities had invested more than $49 million into building the complex.
SAXoTECH, a content management and online production systems company, is moving its headquarters from Rockville, Md., to Tampa, creating 30 technology jobs. SAXoTECH's clientele includes the Washington Times, New York Times Regional Newspaper Group and the Chronicle of Higher Education, among others.
Luna Guitars has launched a line of guitars and basses featuring slimmer necks and lighter bodies specifically for women. The guitars were designed by architectural stained glass artist Yvonne de Villers, whose mother often experienced pain playing large and heavy instruments throughout her 40-year music career.
TARPON SPRINGS -- After 12 hours of contentious testimony, the City Commission voted 3-2 to approve a site plan for a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the Anclote River. Residents argued that the property was zoned incorrectly for a big-box retailer, but Tarpon Springs planning staff advised the commission to approve, fearing a lawsuit from Wal-Mart.
