Comments on: making downtown neighborly http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/ A very loose interpretation of the news and happenings in and around Tampa Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:40:43 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Geoff http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-142574 Geoff Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:55:44 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-142574 This looks like a job for Scourge! You might be surprised when I tell you that I am actually not in favor of major tax dollars spent in the downtown CBD for the purpose of accomodating a residency base that not only does not yet fully exist, but may never. In 1980, estimates projected that the CBD would be home to more than 90,000 jobs by now. It is only half that, as economic centers in West Shore, I-75 corridor, and USF are also major employment centers. The highest demand factor for one's choice where to live is its proximity to work. But if people are working in other places than downtown Tampa, why should those areas (whose residents pay taxes all the same) be shorted on public services like transit for the sake of forcing an idea on an area that may never become what idealists dream? Is our next "walkable" community perhaps somewhere besides downtown? St. Pete works because the density already exists...that is not the case for Tampa. This looks like a job for Scourge! You might be surprised when I tell you that I am actually not in favor of major tax dollars spent in the downtown CBD for the purpose of accomodating a residency base that not only does not yet fully exist, but may never. In 1980, estimates projected that the CBD would be home to more than 90,000 jobs by now. It is only half that, as economic centers in West Shore, I-75 corridor, and USF are also major employment centers. The highest demand factor for one’s choice where to live is its proximity to work. But if people are working in other places than downtown Tampa, why should those areas (whose residents pay taxes all the same) be shorted on public services like transit for the sake of forcing an idea on an area that may never become what idealists dream? Is our next “walkable” community perhaps somewhere besides downtown? St. Pete works because the density already exists…that is not the case for Tampa.

]]> By: Rick http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-141437 Rick Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:45:45 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-141437 There is some life in the CBD downtown, but for Tampa, you have to LOOK for it, and most places will be open later if people get out and go there. Performing Arts Center, Museum of History, Museum pf Photgraphy, Police Museum, Fire Museum, Tampa Theater, Forum, Plant Park, Canachobee Park, Curtis Hixon Park, Lykes Gas Lamp park, Courthouse Square Park. Thai Corner, Hattricks, Andreychuks, Gilligan's, The Hubb, Shark Club, SPAIN, Fly Bar, Kelly's Pub, Malio's are all open late. There needs to be better marketing of their new weekend trollwy service from channelside to the performing arts center through downtown. And yes, who ever opens a blades, bike and kayak rentals place near the Publix will make a fortune renting to locals and visitors for biking, blading on bayshore blvd, and kayak launches from docks on the river. There is some life in the CBD downtown, but for Tampa, you have to LOOK for it, and most places will be open later if people get out and go there. Performing Arts Center, Museum of History, Museum pf Photgraphy, Police Museum, Fire Museum, Tampa Theater, Forum, Plant Park, Canachobee Park, Curtis Hixon Park, Lykes Gas Lamp park, Courthouse Square Park. Thai Corner, Hattricks, Andreychuks, Gilligan’s, The Hubb, Shark Club, SPAIN, Fly Bar, Kelly’s Pub, Malio’s are all open late.
There needs to be better marketing of their new weekend trollwy service from channelside to the performing arts center through downtown. And yes, who ever opens a blades, bike and kayak rentals place near the Publix will make a fortune renting to locals and visitors for biking, blading on bayshore blvd, and kayak launches from docks on the river.

]]> By: This looks like a job for Scourge! http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-141379 This looks like a job for Scourge! Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:02:23 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-141379 Don't you worry Geoff, Scourge Tampa Bay is on the job! We will arrange for our members to hangout and get drunk downtown and claim success. Granted we will do it once then talk about it for several years claiming it was a business function that lead to the Pope's selection or something, we are not big on doing things or being honest. Don’t you worry Geoff, Scourge Tampa Bay is on the job! We will arrange for our members to hangout and get drunk downtown and claim success. Granted we will do it once then talk about it for several years claiming it was a business function that lead to the Pope’s selection or something, we are not big on doing things or being honest.

]]> By: Niki http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-141347 Niki Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:48:24 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-141347 I just moved downtown this past week. I moved into Grand Central at Kennedy. Here's what I've noticed thus far. The view I have is beautiful. I feel safer here than I did living in Tampa Heights. The dog walk is in the building on the 9th floor. No chance of bums coming up to me when walking my dog anymore. When I called Eddie and Sam's for pizza delivery this week, they told me that they only deliver within walking distance and they had a slow night so shut the ovens off at 6:30 (they close at 8pm). I just transferred my prescription to the CVS in downtown. Guess what? Pharmacy isn't open on weekends. So today, I have to rush home and get my Rx at lunch, cause guess what again? they are only open til 6pm. Oh, the pizza we did get delivered - NY Pizza in Channelside and it was good! Grand Central feels weird as not many residents live there. For example, when I walk the dog on the 9th floor, only three units are occupied from the 9th floor up to the 15th floor on the pool side in the west building. Most of the traffic is from commuters getting off the crosstown in the morning. When we go out on our balcony in the morning, the city is full of life. At night, we see some cars, no people. But I have my scooter and will go around over the next few weeks to find where people hang. I just moved downtown this past week. I moved into Grand Central at Kennedy. Here’s what I’ve noticed thus far. The view I have is beautiful. I feel safer here than I did living in Tampa Heights. The dog walk is in the building on the 9th floor. No chance of bums coming up to me when walking my dog anymore. When I called Eddie and Sam’s for pizza delivery this week, they told me that they only deliver within walking distance and they had a slow night so shut the ovens off at 6:30 (they close at 8pm). I just transferred my prescription to the CVS in downtown. Guess what? Pharmacy isn’t open on weekends. So today, I have to rush home and get my Rx at lunch, cause guess what again? they are only open til 6pm. Oh, the pizza we did get delivered – NY Pizza in Channelside and it was good!

Grand Central feels weird as not many residents live there. For example, when I walk the dog on the 9th floor, only three units are occupied from the 9th floor up to the 15th floor on the pool side in the west building.

Most of the traffic is from commuters getting off the crosstown in the morning. When we go out on our balcony in the morning, the city is full of life. At night, we see some cars, no people. But I have my scooter and will go around over the next few weeks to find where people hang.

]]> By: Geoff http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-140988 Geoff Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:17:00 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-140988 Jose - someone earlier references raves, so that was my reason for citing it. Nonetheless, successful neighborhoods offer variety in activities. A successful area is one for those who want to club, shop, walk, eat, read, relax, enjoy the arts, museums whatever have the choices available to do so. My biggest frustration with the River Walk is the lack of planned commercial areas. Has Pam ever gone to San Antonio? THAT is a successful River Walk. Jose – someone earlier references raves, so that was my reason for citing it. Nonetheless, successful neighborhoods offer variety in activities. A successful area is one for those who want to club, shop, walk, eat, read, relax, enjoy the arts, museums whatever have the choices available to do so. My biggest frustration with the River Walk is the lack of planned commercial areas. Has Pam ever gone to San Antonio? THAT is a successful River Walk.

]]> By: Jose http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-140531 Jose Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:54:24 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-140531 Geoff - Raves? It isn't the 90s anymore. Fuel? It closed over Thanksgiving weekend (Thank God). When people start saying "there is nothing to do in Ybor" or "there is nothing to do in downtown", it really begs the question, where exactly in Tampa is it NOT that way? Carrollwood? The mall? Geoff -
Raves? It isn’t the 90s anymore. Fuel? It closed over Thanksgiving weekend (Thank God). When people start saying “there is nothing to do in Ybor” or “there is nothing to do in downtown”, it really begs the question, where exactly in Tampa is it NOT that way? Carrollwood? The mall?

]]> By: Clark http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-140478 Clark Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:54:23 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-140478 Downtown isn't a wasteland. There are places that deserve to grow, and can if given the opportunity. Adding and improving the amenities listed in the original post would help accomplish that. Unfortunately, the cliche about perception being reality is at work here. If people think they're at risk or that there's just nothing to do or if it's just a hassle to go, mere word-of-mouth (regardless of how sincere and credible it is) isn't going to sway them. The city is going to have to make an effort to put out a welcome mat. Downtown isn’t a wasteland. There are places that deserve to grow, and can if given the opportunity. Adding and improving the amenities listed in the original post would help accomplish that. Unfortunately, the cliche about perception being reality is at work here. If people think they’re at risk or that there’s just nothing to do or if it’s just a hassle to go, mere word-of-mouth (regardless of how sincere and credible it is) isn’t going to sway them. The city is going to have to make an effort to put out a welcome mat.

]]> By: wifey http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-140447 wifey Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:14:46 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-140447 I'm so glad Jose and David defended Downtown and Ybor. I live in Brandon, 2 blocks from the movies and I drive with my kids to Ybor to see a movie. I feel safe, safe enough to encourage people to go there. Downtown has The Jerk Hut and Spain open at night and these places could become great hangouts. Hangouts only become hangouts when people go...go and see. I’m so glad Jose and David defended Downtown and Ybor. I live in Brandon, 2 blocks from the movies and I drive with my kids to Ybor to see a movie. I feel safe, safe enough to encourage people to go there. Downtown has The Jerk Hut and Spain open at night and these places could become great hangouts. Hangouts only become hangouts when people go…go and see.

]]> By: Geoff http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-140436 Geoff Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:32:23 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-140436 what is there to do downtown once you get there? not everyone wants to go to raves, or Fuel or even the performing arts center...there's no real hang out atmosphere what is there to do downtown once you get there? not everyone wants to go to raves, or Fuel or even the performing arts center…there’s no real hang out atmosphere

]]> By: Damien http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/comment-page-1/#comment-140418 Damien Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:35:52 +0000 http://sticksoffire.com/2007/11/27/making-downtown-neighborly/#comment-140418 Kayak ramps for the river... what a great idea! Even better would be a kayak rental place. Kayak ramps for the river… what a great idea! Even better would be a kayak rental place.

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