Remember Megatrends? That was the John Naisbitt best seller of the 1980s that included Tampa among its “Next Great Cities.”
It came up shy of prophetic. But some of us still have the bumper stickers.
Remember the Trump Tower Tampa?
Ground was broken, the Donald sighted and municipal puffery observed. Alas, there were also cost overruns, soil issues, a blind-siding economy and law suits.
Stuff happens.
Fast forward a few more years.
No one is confusing Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, who sees a world of live-work-play potential around downtown, with futurist Naisbitt. No one would mistake Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder investing in Vinik’s vision, with the self-promoting, “birther”-baiting Trump.
No, this time Tampa, amid downtown momentum, Riverwalk revitalization, a recovering economy and a national urbanization trend, is in the synergetic cross hairs of Vinik and Gates. Timing, of course, is everything–but rarely is it in concert with deep-pocketed investors who can matter-of-factly employ the b (illion) word.
We now know that Vinik, a Tampa resident who also owns Channelside Bay Plaza, the Amalie Arena lease and 24 acres of undeveloped land around the arena, has major makeover plans for the Channel District. It’s beyond hip and trendy. The first phase of the master plan will be unveiled over the next couple of months.
Vinik, who put more than $40 million of his own money into rehabbing the multi-purpose arena, hardly lacks for credibility, wherewithal or vision. Now we’ve learned that Gates–via his controlling interest in Cascade Investment LLC–will help finance Vinik’s plans.
Call it a vote of confidence in Vinik–and Tampa.
Gates is no stranger; he’s personally familiar with the area. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave Hillsborough County schools a (matching) 7-year, $100-million grant to help improve teaching, evaluations and pay.
Even when he’s philanthropic, he’s investing. In Tampa. And now in Vinik’s vision.
And who knows? Maybe he could also help make the case for the final piece that this city–and region–needs before it can fully realize its potential: modern mass transit.
Call it enlightened self-interest. Call it the key to “Next Great City” fulfillment.