With demolition on the horizon, here's what the future holds for Ferg's Live in Channelside
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Sep 26, 2016

When Ferg's Live opened in the Channel district in 2015, it was an oasis in an isolated corner of Tampa's urban core. Despite the crowds that come to Amalie Arena for hockey games and concerts, little development had sprung up around the arena in the nearly two decades since it opened.

The shipping containers surrounding the perimeter of Ferg's outdoor concert venue made it a first for the city of Tampa - and it was the first tenant in Strategic Property Partners' $2 billion, mixed-use development between the arena and the central business district.

It's been a positive experience, Ferg's owner Jay Mize said - and one that he always knew would be temporary. The short-term trajectory of Ferg's as it exists today was thrust into the news last week when SPP unveiled its most specific plan to date - one in which Ferg's is demolished to make way for a boutique office building.

Mize, who also owns restaurant brand Irish 31, has invested $2 million in Ferg's. While no formal agreement for a future location exists, he said he's confident that Ferg's will eventually have a permanent home in SPP's district.

SPP is the real estate development company controlled by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investment LLC.

"This was a long-term vision, plan and play from Day One," Mize wrote in an email Friday, "but it was always driven by the belief I had in Mr. Vinik."

Conversations about Ferg's, Mize said, date back to 2012 - long before a master plan or even a vision plan had been completed for SPP's district. At the time, Mize said, he was working with Tod Leiweke, who was then CEO of the Lightning, and Rob Canton, who was executive vice president of finance and strategic planning.

Neither Leiweke nor Canton are still in those roles. As the real estate plans - and SPP - evolved, Mize said his main contacts are now SPP executives Jim Shimberg and Barry Greenfield.

"We had no idea what the future looked like so all of us agreed to basically work together, stay fluid and we would figure it out as pieces to the puzzle fell into place over the next several years," Mize said.

While SPP has said it intends to begin vertical construction by late 2017, the time frame for specific buildings within its district remains flexible - meaning that the lifespan of the temporary Ferg's is flexible, too. Mize said conversations are ongoing, and he has "no idea" when the Ferg's property will be redeveloped.

From the get-go, Mize said, there has been dialogue about a permanent location within the district.

"From Mr. Vinik on down, that message has always stayed consistent and we have no reason to think anything but that will happen given our relationship we've established, the ongoing communication we've had and the integrity they've demonstrated as a group from the beginning," Mize said. "We see this as a blessing and a tremendous opportunity over the long term."

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