In the grand scheme of downtown revitalization, it’s hardly stop-the-presses stuff. But it’s hardly going unnoted.
For too long there have been 6,000 blatantly unoccupied square feet of storefront space at the corner of S. Franklin Street and Channelside Drive across from the Tampa Convention Center. It’s actually the ground floor of the convention center’s parking garage–and has been vacant since 2009 when it was the uber-constricted digs of the Tampa Bay History Center.
As humbling as that was, it was better than having vacant property across from where thousands of out-of-towners were getting their first look at Tampa.
Well, that’s about to change.
The landlord, which happens to be the city of Tampa, wants it occupied. It’s now in prime position to add more infill as major, critical-mass projects are realized around it. Another synergistic rite of passage for downtown, if you will. And, no, Jeff Vinik will not be involved.
To that end, the city will soon issue a request for proposals to put a restaurant or retail in the space. Expect Richard Gonzmart, the avatar of vintage Tampa touches, to be the key player.