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SPP presents reimagined vision for Channelside Waterfront to Port Tampa Bay

Strategic Property Partners, LLC (SPP) provided a comprehensive project update today to Port Tampa Bay Board of Commissioners and presented a reimagined vision for the long term future of the Channelside waterfront.

“Our vision embraces the Channelside waterfront. We want to create a mixed-use destination, designed to better connect the surrounding neighborhoods and create view corridors to the channel,” commented James Nozar, CEO of Strategic Property Partners. “It provides for a vibrant, yet functional waterfront, respecting the unique needs of the port, that will maximize value for both the port and the community.”

SPP’s vision for the Channelside waterfront includes developing a mix of uses including retail, residential, office spaces oriented towards the Garrison Channel; reshaping the streetscapes, providing pedestrian-friendly connectivity as well as view corridors from Channelside Drive to the waterfront; and, creating new public spaces including a waterfront park and plaza.

The plan would connect Port Tampa Bay and the Channel District with southern downtown through an enhanced street network, and extend the Tampa Riverwalk under Beneficial Bridge. The development would eventually replace the current Channelside Bay Plaza retail center and the adjacent Garrison surface parking lot.

The proposal is planned for implementation over four phases, allowing Port Tampa Bay to continue ongoing operations and maintain required security along the working wharf.

  • In Phase 1, SPP will partially transition the Garrison surface parking lot into a waterfront park. The new park is planned to be approximately 1.1 acres in size, with an adjacent events pavilion and beer garden. The Tampa Riverwalk extension would be constructed, connecting with the park. In addition, approximately 30,000 square feet of retail and office space is planned, which will front on the new park and waterfront. Phase 1 would deliver in in late 2018 pending approval of the proposed project by the Port Tampa Bay Board of Commissioners in early 2017.
  • In Phase 2, two additional buildings would be constructed. Each would be one to three stories, together totaling approximately 70,000 square feet with retail and office uses. The design envisions the ground floor will be lined with active retail and restaurant uses with outdoor dining oriented towards the waterfront. SPP believes is a relatively untapped opportunity in the Tampa Bay market. The buildings will be set back from the secure wharf, creating a waterfront plaza that will provide 1,100 linear feet (0.2 miles) of new waterfront space, which will remain accessible to the public at all times. The wharf is also planned to be open to the public when not in use by the port. In the proposed timeline, Phase 2 is planned for delivery to market between Spring 2019 and Spring 2020.
  • In Phases 3 and 4, residential buildings would be constructed along Channelside Drive, which will preserve view corridors and create a more comfortable pedestrian-oriented scale along the waterfront.

In the meantime, over the next two to three years, SPP plans to continue to program events and activate the existing Channelside Bay Plaza structure, also adding new short-term tenants and pop-up concepts.

An entity affiliated with SPP holds the ground lease for Channelside Bay Plaza and maintains an agreement with Port Tampa Bay to manage the operations of the Port Tampa Bay Garage and the Garrison surface parking lot. Both the Garrison and Channelside Bay Plaza parcels would be transformed as part of the plan. Following the presentation, SPP plans to commence negotiations with Port Tampa Bay to make this vision a reality.

Strategic Property Partners has assembled a world-class design team for the project, with Tampa-based, Alfonso Architects, Inc. and David Conner + Associates leading the master-planning and vision for this exciting project.

 

About Strategic Property Partners:

Strategic Property Partners (“SPP”) is a real estate development joint venture between Cascade Investment, LLC, and Jeff Vinik. SPP owns or controls more than 50 acres in southern downtown on the Tampa waterfront. The phased development project intends to revitalize the surrounding area and create an urban, mixed-use waterfront district consisting of approximately 9,000,000 square feet of commercial, residential, hospitality, cultural, entertainment, education, and retail uses, totaling over $2 billion of investment. Integrating principals of walkability, sustainability, connectivity, quality and wellness, SPP intends to create a world-class development for Tampa.

About Alfonso Architects, Inc.

Alfonso Architects, Inc. is an award-winning Tampa based design firm providing superior service and design to clients for two generations. As a recognized leader in design innovation Alfonso Architects constantly seeks to redefine architectural systems to creatively enhance the activities within each project.

The philosophy of Alfonso Architects, Inc. is a focused emphasis on the design process in order to provide a superior product while maintaining outstanding service and strict cost controls. The principals and project managers of Alfonso Architects maintain “hands on” involvement throughout all phases of the project. This assures the client a single source of contact and control throughout a project, which simplifies the communication and delivery process.

Under the design leadership of Alberto E. Alfonso the firm and its principals have won multiple awards for design excellence from the American Institute of Architects. Recent projects recognized by the State of Florida AIA Design Awards program include Streamsong Resort Lodge and Golf Clubhouse, Tampa International Airport Airside C, Nielsen Media Research Global Technology Center, and the University of South Florida Center for Advanced Healthcare Frank and Carol Morsani Center.

Alfonso Architects, Inc. has developed its practice with a diverse mixture of project types including Hospitality, Multi-family Residential, Retail, Food and Entertainment, Office, Higher Education, Aviation and Transportation, and Interior Design.

About David Conner + Associates

David Conner + Associates, Inc. provides design solutions that reshape our environment into beautiful and exciting outdoor spaces that stimulate human interaction in balance with natural systems. The firm includes landscape architects, urban designers, and planners who understand how human senses are impacted by our surroundings. We create places where individuals or groups can meet, collaborate, engage in conversation, recreate, or simply move about. The work of the firm emphasizes the creation of design solutions that embrace environmental systems, indigenous materials, and cultural practices in order make improvements that are creative yet practical and sustainable. The firm’s values are rooted in a deep sense of integrity and strong work ethic. Established in 1997, David Conner + Associates’ work has been recognized with numerous national, state, and regional awards and publications.