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Jeff Vinik unveils plan for downtown Tampa

Vinik unveiled his vision in front of a who's-who crowd of 500 at his newly acquired Marriott Waterside Hotel.

Vinik's plan would transform downtown Tampa Bay, connecting existing assets like Channelside, Amelie Arena and the Convention Center using new development on 24 acres.

The plan? About $1 billion of development, Three million square feet, including three new office and hotel towers, a USF med school and heart Institute, 500 residential units, and 5,000 additional parking spaces.

What's in it for the rest of us?

In all, the creation of an estimated 6,700 jobs, and an annual addition of $35 million in tax revenues.

Economic ripples "that go throughout the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County and the entire region," said Rob Canton with Vinik's Strategic Property Partners.

Groundbreaking for the projects is set for this coming summer. Construction would begin in about a year. All of it would make the waterfront more attractive to the "millennials," says Vinik, who want to move back to a more-livable urban core.

Part of that is tying the waterfront together by expanding the trolley system, and expanding entertainment at Amelie Arena, home to Vinik's team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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December 17, 2014
http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local...ampa/20549559/