Westshore E-News: News from the Westshore Alliance
IN THIS ISSUE: AUGUST 2017
ALLIANCE NEWS + EVENTSWSANewsEvents
Westshore Special Assessment Public Meetings
On August 24 at 9:30 a.m. the Tampa City Council will conduct a public hearing to consider the adoption of a special assessment to provide funding for transportation, public safety and marketing initiatives in the Westshore Business District. This will be the 16th year of the assessment, which provides vital services for all commercial property owners in the district. The Westshore Alliance will hold an informal workshop on Wed., August 16 at 5 p.m. at the SpringHill Suites, 4835 West Cypress Street to address comments and questions about the special assessment. For more information, please email Chris Weber or call 289-5488.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
iTrekkers
Mitchell's Fish Market
Prestige Business Enterprises
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
MetWest International
Tampa General Hospital

15-19 Years
The Bromley Companies
Hopco Foodservice Marketing, Inc.
MetLife Real Estate Investors

10-14 Years
Cousins Properties
Fidelity Investments
HC Partners, LLP
5-9 Years
ARCO Murray Construction Company
ASD, Inc.
CareerSource Tampa Bay
Crossroads Consulting Services, LLC
Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
Stonegate Bank
Tampa Housing Authority

1-4 Years
Advocate Marketing PR
Alina Font, Ph.D., P.A.
Berkshire Hathaway Florida Properties Group
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
First Florida Integrity Bank
Hancock Bank
Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC)
Sabal Trust Company

Please support these businesses who support 
the vital work of the Westshore Alliance.
Working Together on Public Safety
Public safety and crime prevention are top priorities in the Westshore Business District. Thanks to our relationship with the Tampa Police Department (TPD), we have another success story to tell. Last week, TPD arrested and charged a man in connection to recent laptop thefts after an employee recognized him from a police bulletin that Westshore Alliance emailed to area businesses. Read the news release.

These "Be-on-the-Lookout" bulletins are part of several resources and educational programs the Alliance provides to help ensure Westshore is a safe place for those who work, live and visit. Learn more about the Alliance's safety and security programs here.
UPCOMING WESTSHORE ALLIANCE EVENTS

August Lunch Featuring Port Tampa Bay President/CEO Paul Anderson
Aug. 16
11:30 am Registration & Networking, 12 pm Lunch & Program
George M. Steinbrenner Field (1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa)
Members $40, Prospective Members $55

WESTSHORE 101
Aug. 9 from 8:30 - 9:30 am
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport Avion Park Westshore
5329 Avion Park Dr.
Free Event

Mitchell's Fish Market Hosts Alliance After-Hours Networking
Aug. 24 from 5 - 7 pm
Mitchell's Fish Market Seafood Restaurant & Bar, 204 WestShore Plaza
Members: FREE, Prospective Members: $15

Ron Rotella Golf Classic
Nov. 3
9:30 am: Registration & Networking, 11 am: Shotgun Start
Rocky Point Golf Course, 4151 Dana Shores Drive
Sponsorships Available! Becoming a sponsor is a great opportunity to promote your business. View details  here, and contact  Rosemary Bidwell to learn more.

Committee Meetings (Alliance Members Only)
Transportation Committee
Sept. 13 from 10 - 11:30 am
AECOM
RSVP
Ambassador Committee
Aug. 16
Steinbrenner Field
RSVP

View a complete list of Westshore Alliance events  HERE .
BUSINESS + DEVELOPMENTBusinessDevelopment
Cushman & Wakefield recently published its Q2 2017 Tampa Office MarketBeat Report. Westshore's overall vacancy rates are reported at 10.5%, and the District continues to lead Hillsborough County with the highest asking rent rates. View the full report here.
Recent real estate and business transactions in Westshore include:
  • Atlanta Property Group purchased the 13-story  Tampa Commons office building at the intersection of Kennedy Blvd. and Dale Mabry Hwy. - Read more
  • Apollo Global Management purchased Centre Club owner ClubCorp - Read more
  • Valley National Bancorp purchased USAmeriBancorp Inc., parent of USAmeriBank - Read more
  • Virginia-based company DXC Technology purchased Westshore-based tech company Tribridge - Read more
Several great restaurants and stores are now open or coming soon to Westshore. Here's a snapshot of what's new and what's to come!

Chick-fil-A
2551 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Coming Soon
Untuckit
International Plaza
Coming Soon - Read more
Tiffany & Co. 
(New Location)
International Plaza, 
2nd FL by Bay Street
Now Open - Read more

The Lucky Dill
4606 Boy Scout Blvd.
Coming Soon
New York Kitchen 
& Lounge
4606 Boy Scout Blvd.
Coming Soon

Grillsmith
612 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Opening TBD
Metro Diner
4001 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Coming Soon - Read more
La Segunda Cafe
4001 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Coming Soon - Read more
Nékter Juice Bar
4001 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Coming Soon

Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar
International Plaza
Coming Soon
Johnny Rockets
International Plaza
Now Open
Mabos Craft Tacos
WestShore Plaza
Now Open

TRANSPORTATIONTransportation
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is moving forward with conceptual development for the Westshore Intermodal Center. The future intermodal center will serve as a central transit hub for local and regional transit services. FDOT has engaged a consultant to develop an actionable plan which includes a conceptual center design, funding strategies and opportunities for private real estate development in conjunction with the facility. Ming Gao, P.E., FDOT's Intermodal Systems Development Manager, will make a presentation about the effort at the Westshore Alliance Transportation Committee meeting on September 13 at 10 am. Alliance members who would like to attend may email their RSVP to Chris Weber or call 813-289-5488.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn recently released the FY2018 City of Tampa recommended operating and capital budget . The 5-year capital improvement budget includes allocations for a number of projects in Westshore.  Among the projects are:
  • Widening of N. O'Brien St. from Cypress St. to Spruce St.
  • Planning for the extension of Trask, Occident and Reo streets beneath the interstate to create new north/south connections and improve traffic circulation within the District.
  • Himes Ave. safety improvements from Columbus Dr. to Kennedy Blvd.
  • Construction of safety and operational improvements for the Spruce St. Corridor between Manhattan Ave. and Himes Ave.
  • Continued improvements to Rocky Point Golf Course
  • Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail amenities project, which is currently under construction and includes rest stations, benches, bike racks, shade structures, and other enhancements
  • Road widening, sidewalks, on-road bicycle accommodation and crosswalks on Cypress St. between Dale Mabry Hwy. and Himes Ave.
City Council will hold public hearings on the budget on September 13 and September 26.
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) is undergoing a major system redesign.  There are a number of changes to bus routes in Westshore, including the addition of new service to Tampa International Airport.  View the proposed changes to the system HERE. The HART Board will be voting on the system redesign at their meeting on August 7 at 9 am at the County Center.
It's another busy month at Tampa International Airport with new flights, construction updates and restaurant openings:
  • Frontier Airlines launches flights to 11 new destinations (more)
  • New SkyConnect trains arrive from Japan (more)
  • New restaurants and retail include Burger 21Chick-fil-A and Dylan's Candy Bar at airside A, Ybor City News in the baggage claim area, and SPANX is now open at airside C.
Want More Transportation News?
The Alliance's Interactive Transportation Projects Map features details on more than 20 major transportation projects throughout Westshore. 

Questions? Email Westshore Alliance Director of Transportation Chris Weber or call  813-289-5488.
COMMUNITY + MEMBER NEWSComm.MemberNews
Discount Bucs Tickets Now Available!
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are offering special discounts on individual tickets for Westshore Alliance members and friends. View details here. Don't forget, t his season of HBO's Hard Knocks features the Bucs with the first episode airing on August 8 at 10 pm. 
CareerSource Tampa Bay's On-the-Job Training program helps businesses save money while training promising new hires. Get reimbursed up to 50% of the costs to train new employees. Learn more.
Congratulations to Tampa International Airport, which ranks No. 3 in the nation among domestic airports, according to a survey of readers of  Travel + Leisure magazine. - Read more
Hotelplanner.com's list of top 100 Best U.S. Hotels for group travel includes three Westshore hotels. Congratulations to Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore, SpringHill Suites Tampa Westshore Airport and Tampa Marriott Westshore for making the list!
Wine Spectator  released its 2017 Restaurant Awards, which recognize the world's best wine lists. Eighteen award recipients are in Tampa including these Westshore restaurants: Donatello, Del Frisco's Grille, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Charley's Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Ocean Prime, Seasons 52, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Shula's Steak House - Read more.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal announced its "Fast 50" award recipients, spotlighting local companies that are undergoing explosive revenue growth. Congratulations to all award winners, including the following Westshore companies: Carter Validus Mission Critical, Dobler Consulting Services LLC, IT Authorities Inc., Chacka Marketing, Mad Mobile, College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, The Magnolia Group - Landscape Development LLC, AgileThought, Baldwin Risk Partners, Convergence Consulting Group and Environmental Pest Service LLC. View the list.
COMMUNITY + MEMBER EVENTSComm.MemberEvents
View the Alliance " Community & Member Events calendar to check out more upcoming events. 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.
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