SPOTLIGHT
Feeding Tampa Bay, which provides food assistance for 10 counties across West Central Florida, has opened a $60-million location in Tampa. The 215,000-sq.-ft. Causeway Center marks the nonprofit’s fourth physical location across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. It’s also the largest social services project in Tampa Bay history, creating a $550-million economic impact through food donated, jobs created and carbon dioxide emission reductions.
The community center was five years in the making, says Feeding Tampa Bay president and CEO Thomas Mantz. Its 90,000-sq.-ft. warehouse sports three times the volunteer space and two-and-a-half times the food capacity of the nonprofit’s former space. The center also includes the “Neighborhood” — a hub for 25 other nonprofit partners and a range of intervention services, including health care and housing aids. The facility will host job training programs, a cafe with complimentary meals, a free grocery store, event space, classrooms and an 11,000-sq.-ft. kitchen that can pump out 10,000-plus meals a day. The warehouse can also help with disaster recovery.
“Previously, our help was around food. We wanted to expand that — but we also wanted to create a place where everybody could come in, be welcomed and connect,” Mantz says. “We’re going to do that, plus more.”
RESTAURANTS
- David Deno, CEO of Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, is retiring after 12 years with the company and five as chief executive. Bloomin’ is the parent company of restaurant chains like Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
HIGHER EDUCATION
- The University of South Florida will host the international headquarters of the Global Virus Network, a group of virologists collaborating across 40 countries to research viral pathogens and pandemic viruses. Dr. Robert Gallo — co-founder of the network and chairman of its scientific leadership board — will join the faculty of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and serve as director of the USF Health Virology Center.
- As part of Florida’s fiscal 2025 budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $8.1 million for Polk State College’s incoming $51-million Haines City-Davenport campus. It will be focused primarily on health care education but will also offer classes in hospitality and tourism management, supply chain and logistics, teacher education and an associate in arts degree. The project previously received $13.8 million from the state in 2022.
TOURISM
- The cruise line Margaritaville at Sea has launched its second ship, the Islander, out of the Port of Tampa Bay. Its first ship, Paradise, is based out of the Port of Palm Beach. The Islander goes on four-night cruises, including a stop in Cozumel.
HOUSING
- The city of Sarasota’s first affordable housing efforts are under construction at a six-acre site along North Tamiami Trail. The New Trail Plaza complex will contain 96 one-, two-and three-bedroom apartments priced for incomes between $21,000 and $72,000. Completion is slated for 2025.
HOSPITALITY
- The Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, with eight stories and 252 rooms, opened next to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, which is undergoing a $48-million renovation and expansion.
NONPROFITS
- Pat Neal, founder and chairman of residential developer Neal Communities, donated $350,000 to the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. It will use the money to acquire and preserve environmentally sensitive lands in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
TRANSPORTATION
- Aeromexico is offering daily nonstop flights from Tampa International Airport to Mexico City. The airport also will add nonstop flights to and from Halifax and Ottawa through the Canadian airline Porter Airlines.
DEVELOPMENT
- New Port Richey’s Community Redevelopment Council will negotiate a $7.74-million public incentive with Royal Five Hospitality for Aqua Harbor, a development at the site of the former Magnuson Hotel. City officials expect the developer to build a six-story condominium complex and an upscale hotel at the corner of U.S. 19 and Marine Parkway. Clearwater is preparing to rebuild its 165-slip Clearwater Beach Marina, complete with a seawall replacement, floating aluminum docks and fixed docks for 58 commercial operators, and a promenade with shade structures, public art and ticket kiosks. The project’s price has grown to $43.5 million. Work is slated to be finished by May 2026.
REAL ESTATE
- The Bahama Club, a beachfront condo complex in Naples damaged by Hurricane Ian, sold for $102 million. Two South Florida companies, BH Group and The Kolter Group, purchased the complex, built in the 1950s. Zoning allows 45 residential units to be built there.