In 1968, Water Street was connected to (and renamed) Ashley Drive (see From Shoreline to Museum).

Part of that roadway exists today as Saint Pete Times Forum Drive, and begins at Platt & Brorien Streets heading south and turning east to Franklin Street / Harbour Island Blvd (map).  If you looked at that map, you will see SPTF Drive’s current as well as it’s former name, Ice Palace Drive.

The City of Tampa renamed the road Ice Palace Drive in 1992 when the arena was built for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  In 1997, Mayor Dick Greco temporarily named the road Sesame Street to highlight the arrival of a Broadway performance of the kids educational TV show at the arena.  In 2003, the Lightning sold naming rights of the arena to the St. Petersburg Times.  Along with that came the street’s latest name, Saint Pete Times Forum Drive.

And now, in preparation for the coming of the new Tampa Bay History Center, city officials want to change the name again.  If Tampa City Council approves the changes, Saint Pete Times Forum Drive will be renamed Old Water Street in a tip of the hat to the all-but-forgotten waterfront warehouse district.

Lights on Tampa is a critically acclaimed and award winning program whose mission is to bring free access to artistic excellence. Its emphasis is on new media technologies and education. Lights On Tampa is informed by successful international models including BEAP (Biennial Electronic Art in Perth), and Lights of Turin.

From an international call to artists, a highly respected jury consisting of Anne Pasternak, Jerry Saltz, and Dave Hickey, recommended a pool of artists to participate in Lights On Tampa 2009. While all will be innovative and experiential, one installation is specific to the Super Bowl in recognition of Tampa hosting Super Bowl XLIII. The intent is to broaden the reach of the arts through Lights On Tampa, and connect with new audience groups. Millions will see all of the installations.

The program is a public/private partnership that reinforces Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s diverse community.

Lights On Tampa is a biennial program timed to complement a larger community initiative to revitalize and strengthen the downtown core, reinforce the city’s commitments to the arts and technologies, and capitalize on the peak tourist and convention season in Tampa.

Lights On Tampa 2009 brings the work of major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl.

Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage. Community members, and visitors will celebrate the opening of Lights On Tampa 2009 through a pedestrian-friendly public event in order to experience each of the destinations.

Launching from the Davis Islands Boat Launch at 6:30pm, the cruise route will circle Harbour Island, traveling through the Sparkman Channel, Ybor Turning Basin, Seddon Channel, Garrison Channel, and ending at the Tampa Convention Center before heading back to Davis Islands.  Check out the Tampa Holiday Boat Parades map.

You’ll find the best views at Channelside Bay Plaza (map) (approximately 7:00pm), Beneficial Bridge (map), and the Convention Center (map) (approximately7:30pm-7:45pm).

Boat Parades will take place on December 13 and 20.

The parade is open to all boaters.  If you want to enter, please visit www.yachtstarship.com/boatparade.asp to register for your FREE entry number. Deadline for registration is each Wednesday before the scheduled parade. For additional information please call 813-471-1531 or e-mail ezimmerman@funintampabay.com

Judging:

• First, Second, and Third place prizes will be awarded for each parade.
• Display and illuminate entry number so it is visible from the water post side.
• Vessels will be judged by the public via Text-To-Vote.

Dock space is available at Marriott Marina – cal 813-221-4900 for more information on dock space.  Additional dock space is available at the Tampa Convention Center after each event.

All Captains participating in one of this years parades are invited to attend a “Captains Party” aboard Yacht Starship prior to the parades.

Lights On Tampa is a public/private partnership that bridges Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education and offers free access to artistic excellence. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s visitors and diverse community. Lights On Tampa is a biennial program that brings major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. By focusing on art that is experiential and includes both “low” and “high” tech materials, Lights On Tampa also puts the spotlight on Tampa. Some of these installations will be permanent, some temporary, and some will live only virtually through www.lightsontampa.org.

Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl. Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage.

Lights On Tampa is an innovative project of the City of Tampa, Art Programs Division which debuted in 2006. The Art Programs Division of the City of Tampa is in partnership with Friends of Tampa Public Art, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to commission the selected artists to create the installations.

Check back with My Downtown Tampa for the schedule and specific installments. ]]> http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/12/02/lights-on-tampa-2009/feed/ 0 http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/12/01/florida-aquarium-among-best/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=florida-aquarium-among-best http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/12/01/florida-aquarium-among-best/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:20:53 +0000 tommyduncn http://mydowntowntampa.com/?p=201 The Florida Aquarium is one of downtown’s gems, and is often named one of this nation’s best aquariums.

Jennifer Murphy from ForbesTraveler.com recently reported on America’s Most Awesome Aquariums, and names Tampa’s own Florida Aquarium in the top ten:

While African black-footed penguins are on exhibit at the Florida Aquarium, the diverse aquatic habitats and ecosystems of Florida are the main feature here. Ideal for children, the Aquarium offers everything from a Caribbean-themed outdoor water exhibit where kids can play to a shark-diving activity that allows certified SCUBA divers (at least 15 years of age) to swim with live sharks. Equally inspiring is the Aquarium’s Coral Reef Gallery, which simulates a 60-foot dive from shallow-water reefs to deeper waters teeming with eels, squirrelfish, angelfish, and blue tang.

This is the fourth such honor the aquarium has received in as many years.  Both Coastal Living and TripAdvisor.com ranked Tampa’s aquarium in its top 10 aquariums in America and Parents Magazine ranked it in their top five “family-friendly aquariums in the country.”

The Florida Aquarium (map) is in the Channelside District.

The Florida Aquarium, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution astounds visitors with the beauty and fragility of our eco-system. The facility is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world. The cornerstone of The Channel District, The Florida Aquarium’s mission since opening in 1995 is to entertain, educate and inspire stewardship about our natural environment. It serves as a significant example of Florida’s commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions representative of the diverse geography and cultural life unique to our state. Opening in March 1995, the Aquarium has provided cultural enrichment experiences to more than seven million visitors, including 100,000 school students and 1,000 teachers annually.

Opened in March 1995, the 250,000 sq-ft aquarium tells Florida’s unique water story as it follows a drop of water from its underground source to the open sea and is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals both native to Florida and from all over the globe.

Four galleries highlight the route of that drop of water:

• Wetlands – Explore Florida’s freshwater environments, including springs, streams, marshes, rivers and mangrove forests. Come face-to-face with otters, spoonbills, gators and snakes. Climb to the top of the dome to check out Aquariumania! An exhibit dedicated to home aquariums.
• Bays & Beaches – Discover sea life along Florida’s coast, such as bonnethead sharks, seahorses, spiny lobsters, stingrays and a 350 lb. grouper!
• Coral Reefs – Plunge 60 feet below the surface into a colorful coral grotto called Sherwood Forest without ever getting wet! Home to more than 2,300 fish including moray eels, grouper, tarpon, Queen Triggerfish and much, much more! Guests age 6 and over can ‘Swim with the Fishes’ in this 500,000-gallon tank! Learn more.
• Sea Hunt – Encounter the world’s most fascinating predators: sharks, a giant Pacific octopus, lionfishand more! Certified SCUBA divers age 15 and older can ‘Dive with the Sharks’ in Shark Bay! Learn more.

Other highlights include:

• Explore A Shore – Cool off this summer with splashin? fun at The Florida Aquarium?s 2-acre water adventure park, Explore A Shore! Watery waves, slippery slides, gushing geysers and an assortment of animal models are just a few of the attractions that await the kids. While the kids play, parents can enjoy the comfort of the Tampa Tribune Cantina with easy viewing of the play and table service.
• Aquariumania! – Explore the art, science and fun of the aquarium hobby and discover why Florida is a leader in the global tropical fish business.
• Dive with Sharks – Our new shark experience, featuring the chance for certified divers to dive in our shark tank. Reservations required: (813) 367-4005.
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours – Explore the Aquarium as never before. See previous “off-limits” areas and learn what it takes to make the Aquarium work.
• No Bone Zone – A kid-friendly, interactive presentation of invertebrates, featuring a 600-gallon touch pool.
• Eco-Tours – The journey through the bay aboard The Bay Spirit, our 49-foot powered catamaran, allows guests to encounter the awesome animals that thrive in these local waters. The only requirement is a sense of adventure. A good pair of binoculars is optional.

The Florida Aquarium (map) is located in the Channelside District, at 701 Channelside Drive. Parking is available in the lot just north of the aquarium (map), or the nearby Channelside Parking Garage (map).

The Florida Aquarium is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, but closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

As of November 2008, General Admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for Seniors 60 and older.  Children under 12 get in for $14.95, and little ones 2 & under are Free.  Some of the optional tours incur an extra cost.

BayStar Hotel Group to develop $29 million new-build property slated to open in 2010

InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announces that a Hotel Indigo is coming to downtown Tampa, Fla.  The 168-room new-build property is expected to open in a mixed-use urban community in 2010.

The new Hotel Indigo will be located in Channelside.

Construction is set to begin before the end of 2008.

Segway Tour Biz Open in Channelside

By GARY SHEPHERD

Geoff Karlavage has a unique way for you to tour Tampa’s beautiful downtown waterfront – aboard a Segway Personal Transporter. In fact, you may already have seen Karlavage’s small fleet of upright Segways zipping through Cotanchobee Park or gliding silently along the Bayshore Boulevard sidewalk.

Karlavage opened his Magic Carpet Glide Tours in early October, leasing a spot in Channelside Bay Plaza. His little kiosk is inside the main entry to the entertainment complex. Karlavage has five of the self-balancing Segways, which cost about $5,750 each and are powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries.

“Business has been pretty good,” says Karlavage, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The tours, which Karlavage himself leads aboard a Segway, begin with a short training class. The vehicles are easy to learn to ride – just turn the steering grip right to go right, left to go left, and lean forward to go forward, backwards to go backward.

“You really just control it with just your heals and toes,” says Karlavage. “The feel is similar to skiing, but much easier.” The Segway self-balances through a system of sensors and gyroscopes. They weigh 105 pounds, roll on 19-inch tires, and travel 24 miles between plug-in recharges.

The Segway is a blast to ride, zipping up to its maximum 12 miles per hour quickly. Magic Carpet Glide’s vehicles each have pouches for stowing personal gear. Helmets are optional, notes Karlavage, who has tourists sign a waiver before a trip.

From Channelside, tours pass by the St. Pete Times Forum, follow the Tampa Riverwalk, pass around the Tampa Convention Center, and then move to Bayshore Boulevard, passing by Tampa’s famous Gasparilla ship, the Jose Gaspar. Tours continue onto Davis Islands, where riders can enjoy a lovely view of downtown Tampa from a different vantage point. From there, tourists Segway over to Harbour Island, and then back to the starting point at Channelside.

Tours cost $50 per person for 90 minutes. Tour times are 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call Magic Carpet Glide at 813-380-1916 or visit www.magiccarpetglide.com.

Southwest Properties and Armco Capital Corp. joined forces as Channelside LLC, and plan to rent out condos in the 243 unit building.

Southwest CEO Jim Spatz said that he doesn’t think the units in the downtown Tampa complex will sell in the current U.S. market. Until the market recovers, Channelside will likely rent out the condominiums.

About Channelside Church:

Pastor Jerry Comellas is our Senior Pastor. He and his wife Suzy have four children, Savannah, Sierra, Josiah and Selah. They are the founding pastors of Channelside Church. Previously they ministered in Boynton Beach, Florida, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Paraguay, South America.

Channelside Church is making a difference in the city of Tampa, one life at a time. The word Tampa comes from an Indian word meaning “stick of fire”, probably named for all of the lightning that bolts across the Bay Area skies. Tampa Bay, originally known as “Espiritu Santo” or Holy Spirit is a source of industry, recreation, transportation and a harbor.

Just as those channels that flow from Tampa Bay into the city of Tampa have carried all of those things that have made Tampa prosperous, so Channelside Church seeks to be a channel by which the life changing presence and power of the Holy Spirit flows into the city.

Channelside Cinemas (map) are located in the southeastern corner of downtown Tampa.