What is the Bay Area missing? (Miami, Tampa: hotel, house, buy)

[joelibyan]

Originally Posted by DC2Tampa

Great topic. To start off, here's my wishlist...


1) Better national and international marketing of the entire Bay area - You'd be suprised how many people around the country know absolutely nothing about this area other than maybe the Bucs. Most people couldn't find it on a map and most don't even know it has beaches. Admittedly, I didn't even know until researching it prior to moving here, yet I knew everything on the I-95 side of Florida since I was a little kid. There are so many misconceptions about the area, even on this forum and among it's residents and undeserved reputations seem to perpetuate themselves. San Diego is a great city with a desirable reputation but credit much of the hype to great PR campaigns. People don't know about all of the serious problems San Diego has and it has a lot.

You don't know how right you are. I moved to Miami from Tampa in 06, and I can't tell you how many people had to ask me twice where I was from.
I credit that partially to the average Miamians lack of knowledge of anything, but I also attribute it to Tampa's relative lack of self promotion. Tampa, to a Miamian, is Busch Gardens, end of discussion. Politicians know Tampa's influence, however. I'd say it's the biggest city in Florida that accurately represents the whole of the state.

[DC2Tampa]

Originally Posted by joelibyan

You don't know how right you are. I moved to Miami from Tampa in 06, and I can't tell you how many people had to ask me twice where I was from.
I credit that partially to the average Miamians lack of knowledge of anything, but I also attribute it to Tampa's relative lack of self promotion. Tampa, to a Miamian, is Busch Gardens, end of discussion. Politicians know Tampa's influence, however. I'd say it's the biggest city in Florida that accurately represents the whole of the state.

Admittedly, I was guilty of that when I was at college in Miami. One of my buddy's suite mates was originially from St. Pete and I was like, "Where the heck is St. Pete?". That was the first time I ever saw St. Pete and Tampa on a map.


Btw, I just saw on the news that TBRATA is trying to get federal funding to possibly develope a serious full service water taxi from Columbus Dr. all the way down the Hillsborough River to Channelside. That's a great idea on a beautiful stretch of waterway. I know a couple of smaller water taxis like White Lightning just started running similar shorter services recently in downtown. How cool would it be to take a water taxi to and from work every morning/afternoon? It might also help and encourage development along Tampa's Riverwalk.

Now if we could only get that fed grant for the monorail...

[si33]

DC,

Very well put insight..Definitely agree about the marketing need for the area..Tampa is a great area which i also agree is not always seen in the way it could be..

As for the transit issue,..i believe there is a thread here discussing possible plans for one??..Anyway, id also like the development of this there..I think this would also appeal to tourists who could use it to get to places like Busch gardens, or the beaches without having to drive. On this issue, i will say that if the residents really push for it, i believe it could happen..

Yes..!! the construction on 19 and 275 needs to come to a completion..i remember driving through alot of it while visiting..and on 19 especially,..it did get fustrating at times..

As for the idea for the on-ramp traffic lights..We've had these on alot of our freeways for id say ..the past couple decades??..at least??..and they do help reduce the # of accidents..i think every area in the country needs to make use of this idea...

Totally with you on the development of downtown areas..San Jose is still working on this issue..but thus far, even im somewhat impressed with how much nicer our downtown area is looking..
Im sure that once all the shaking in the economy settles down,..you'll start seeing things progressing forward once more...

As for attracting higher tech jobs,..the area definitely needs to work on this..and i think that time will come. The Tampa bay region has alot of potential to bring in some pretty big firms..its just a matter of selling the idea..Which brings you back to the need for marketing..

Tampa does need,..among a few other big named retailers..Trader joe's..and why there isn't a bass pro shops there..with all the salt and freshwater sport fishing which is part of the areas allure..even im a little surprised at pro shop's absence..

IMO,.. the Tampa Bay area has alot of very positive potential..and i can envision many great things to come for the area..but, in the end,..its up to the residents of the region to push for change..even if it's for something as simple as beautifying a bland stretch of road..a loud enough chorus can make it happen..

[DC2Tampa]

Totally agree that it all needs to start on a grassroots level. It's a shame the economic slowdown occurred when it did because people and developers really where creating some great and much needed projects. I've always loved Tampa's motto as "America's Next Great City!" because I've long felt that it was, with so much yet untapped potential. It's pretty amazing how far this entire area, not just Tampa, has come in the 12 years I've lived here. Likewise, I was extremely impressed with the development and mix use projects(like Santana Row) in San Jose last time I was out there about a year or two ago. San Jose has grown a lot as well.

Absolutely agree with the merging traffic control lights like they have at California and Honolulu interchanges. They work great at maintaining traffic flow most of the time.

[Qacer]

A light rail system that does not interfere with the flow of traffic and proper drop-off / pickup stops for buses. I'm especially annoyed at bus stops where a bus cannot pull to the side of the road.

[mikewu9900]

i would say that Tampa needs some good Italian restaurants. i have been here for 18 months now, and im quite tired of chain restaurants. they are ok some times, but no all the time

also, i think some driver retraining facilities. people here drive like mad men. on I 4 people either drive 50 or 90. speed limit is 70. if i run to the store, it's like a suicide mission.

how about some southern hospitality? maybe a better cable service then bright house. this 2am update of service gets old. takes to long

maybe a east west highway system so hillsboro ave isn't a parking lot from 6am-9pm

i know i sound sore or something, i honestly love living here. there is a lot to do and the weather is great most of the year. these are just a few things i think could ultimately improve the area

[nar69]

Originally Posted by mikewu9900

i would say that Tampa needs some good Italian restaurants. i have been here for 18 months now, and im quite tired of chain restaurants. they are ok some times, but no all the time

also, i think some driver retraining facilities. people here drive like mad men. on I 4 people either drive 50 or 90. speed limit is 70. if i run to the store, it's like a suicide mission.

not sure where you live, but for italian check out vino y pasta on gandy blvd in south tampa. feels like you are eating in your grandmothers house, very homely feel and good food. also cafe paridiso on s. macdill. lastly, VERY expensive but some of the best italian i've ever had is donatellos on n. dale mabry just north of kennedy.

as for the driving - it is insane around here. my number 1 complaint about this area is traffic and the people on the roadways. its a wonder why my insurance tripled when i moved here.

[Artsywoman]

More Art museums, culture, better transit, Trader Joe's, less redneck factor.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by mikewu9900

i would say that Tampa needs some good Italian restaurants. i have been here for 18 months now, and im quite tired of chain restaurants. they are ok some times, but no all the time

Besides the ones pointed out in the other post, you must also try the Laughing Cat in Ybor City, a weekly stop for me, the BEST Italian ive had thusfar in Tampa. Also, Cellini's in Ballast Point neighborhood...

I cant tell you the last time ive been to a chain restaurant....check out guides like in Creativeloafing.com, or tbt and tbo.com.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

Besides the ones pointed out in the other post, you must also try the Laughing Cat in Ybor City, a weekly stop for me, the BEST Italian ive had thusfar in Tampa. Also, Cellini's in Ballast Point neighborhood...

I cant tell you the last time ive been to a chain restaurant....check out guides like in Creativeloafing.com, or tbt and tbo.com.

I agree, Laughing Cat is great - I also find it puzzling when people say they can't find good Italian, Spanish, cuban, etc. food here - they just must not get out much. I don't live in Tampa now, but I NEVER went to chain restaurants there, even decades ago, nor do I go to a chain when I visit there. Heck, many members of my family were in the restaurant business!!!

As far as Trader Joe's, Trader's is not ANYWHERE in Florida, and I heard that is due to no distribution centers near enough. Besides, Tampa already has plenty of good food stores like Whole Foods, 2 Fresh Markets, and others. Too bad Whaleys closed.

I like that idea of the water taxi - how cool is that? I think when the economy is better we will see more improvements. My hubby works downtown and he tells me even now things are slowly improving. Just going to take a little time.