Here's when - and how - the Vinik-Cascade team will begin $35M infrastructure work
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Aug 15, 2016

The first visible sign of construction in Strategic Property Partners' $2 billion district in downtown Tampa will begin Aug. 29.

That's when Kimmins Contracting Corp. will break ground on the first phase of a $35 million infrastructure project that will realign roadways in SPP's development as well as the distribution pipes for a central cooling facility (freeing up rooftops for things like bars and dog parks) and underground utilities.

SPP is the real estate development company controlled by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investment LLC. SPP controls 50 acres, including Channelside Bay Plaza, between Amalie Arena and the central business district. "When you're creating something on that level, where do you begin?" said Court Corbino, a director with SPP. "The master infrastructure is going to be that beginning."

The first phase will also include up to 1,000 residential units, SPP CEO James Nozar said, and up to 2.2 million square feet of office space, which does not include the medical office space accompanying the University of South Florida medical school.

"We are actively designing buildings that will fit within the blocks we are creating," Nozar said, "and actively coordinating utility work."

The infrastructure work will begin at the intersection of Channelside Drive and South Morgan Street. That phase will wrap up in November, when work will shift to Channelside Drive and Jefferson Street. The Channelside and Jefferson phase is slated to wrap up in June 2017.

Channelside Drive between Morgan Street and Meridian Avenue will convert from a one-way, eastbound-only street to a two-way street. Jefferson Street, which is currently a one-way street, will become a two-way street.

"It will create a much more grid-like pattern which is typical of a downtown, urban environment," Corbino said, "which makes traffic flow much more easily and makes more sense to drivers."

There will ultimately be an entirely new street grid west of Meridian Avenue. Water Street will be extended northward, to connect with East Cumberland Avenue. East Cumberland will be extended to connect with Meridian.

East Brorein Street, between South Jefferson Street and Channelside Drive, will be closed, as will South Caesar Street.

SPP will launch a website, downtowntampagrid.com, where it will regularly post construction updates. The website goes live Tuesday morning.

Ashley Gurbal Kritzer is senior reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.