Get ready for major changes to downtown Tampa and Channelside. In August, crews will start $35 million worth of construction to transform downtown. There's just one snag: Jeff Vinik's massive project still doesn't have a name.
Jeff Vinik admits they've been slow to name the project, but he tells our news partner, The Tampa Bay Times, it has to be a strong name that represents the project's focus: to connect Amalie Arena to Channelside and downtown.
Vinik's $2 billion project will take years to complete once construction begins. The idea is to make downtown Tampa and Channelside more of a destination for locals and tourists.
After five years of talking about Vinik's big plans, it's no wonder everybody is eager to know more, including what the project will be named.
Vinik has called the project "The Waterfront" and the "Waterfront District", according to the Times, but neither name has stuck.
So what's in a name? Marketing experts say it can be everything for identity, to attract businesses and visitors and to make the project easier to Google and get information about.
Last year, the Times polled readers for suggestions on what to name Jeff Vinik's project. Among the suggestions were Waterside and SoDo (for South of Downtown).
Vinik says when the project is finished it will be a place you'll be excited to enjoy with your friends and loved ones.
Some Channelside businesses are disheartened about the new development, however, a handful of them got eviction notices seemingly out of the blue.
They've been forewarned by the development company, Strategic Property Partners or SPP, that they'll be evicted without a direct reason. Yet, the eviction times out at the same time construction is to begin in Channelside. Some of those businesses will already by closed by next Monday.
10News WTSP contacted Strategic Property Partners. They didn't want to go on camera, but sent us this statement:
"SPP plans to share refined, long-term opportunities for Channelside Bay Plaza with Port Tampa Bay this summer. In the interim, we are pursuing every activation opportunity - including opening the wharf to the public, special events, and pop ups. In fact, SPP relocated our offices to Channelside Bay Plaza only a few months ago in part to be more visible and approachable to tenants and the community.”
"As we plan and prepare to bring our vision to Port Tampa Bay, there will be changes in the tenants at Channelside Bay Plaza. We will continue to be proactive in our conversations with outgoing tenants, and wish them well."
Qachbal Chocolatier’s last day of business at Channelside Bay Plaza will be July 31. Kingdome Fine Clothing and several other stores also received an eviction notice.
