The downtown district in Tampa and the center of activity in the 1960’s and 1970’s is again going through a major rejuvenation facelift in sorts. Is downtown Tampa finally changing? The once…
Tampa’s Downtown – Changing
The downtown district in Tampa and the center of activity in the 1960’s and 1970’s is again going through a major rejuvenation facelift in sorts. Is downtown Tampa finally changing? New condos, townhouse and new boutique businesses are emerging. The once pedestrian mall (Franklin Street) now reconverted back to car traffic has new storefronts appearing.
The new developed downtown condos and townhouses are comforted by recently built condos on Bayshore Blvd, Harbour Island and in the Channel side District. Two older downtown buildings are being transformed for more hotel space. The old Mercantile Bank Tower on the Hillsborough River is changing to a new trendy loft style hotel and the old Federal Courthouse building is changing to an upscale artsy Le Meridien Hotel. New restaurants are also planned in the future hotels.
Port of Tampa
Much like the Florida Snow Birds, several of our favorite cruise ships are heading north for the summer. They will be cruising the summer months out of Boston and NYC. Many of the cruise ship’s staff have become regulars in GaYBOR and will be missed for the summer. Once off the ship, there are 3 things the staff likes to do in public, have a drink, smoke a cigarette, and swear just a little!
Thank you to all the crazy, fun stories you have shared over the past months. Did you know there are 4 major cruise lines calling Port Tampa home? They are Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.
Senior Citizen Discount?
OMG!!! It happened this week. Some great friends had given us a gift card to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Buffett. They told us first to sign up for the “Players Club” then the buffet goes from $20 to $15. Standing in line we were joking about being the youngest people in line. It was our day off so we just enjoyed the leisurely day. We walked up to the smiling lady at the window and gave her our driver’s license for membership. Then it HAPPENED!!! She welcomed us to the Players Club and said, “Here are your tickets to the $9.95 Spring Senior Citizen buffet special today!”
Mark said, “Sorry we do not qualify for that special.” The lady smiled and said “Yes you do!”
OOUCH!!! Then she said that with our new Players card they would take an additional $5.00 off.
Humm…. so the $20 buffet went to $15 then $9.95 now $4.95
We just might start to like these Senior Citizens Discounts!!!! LOL
GaYBOR Member of Week
Creative Loafing
Celebrating 25 years of community interactive provoking, often opinionated, thought. All in a weekly paper! We all know CL (Creative Loafing or former Weekly Planet) as community guide to the out of sight arts, inside political minds, unfurling food shops, unspeakable thoughts and what the heck is going on weekly all over Tampa Bay, magazine.
A friendly neighbor headquartered in historic Ybor City and the GaYBOR District.
We congratulate Editor-in Chief David Warner and the whole staff of writers at Creative Loafing.
Mark & Carrie Nephew/ Niece of the Week
Donald Bentz
https://www.facebook.com/donald.bentz?fref=pb&;hc_location=friends_tab
A long time Tampa Bay LGBT Community activist. The Executive Director of our 50th states Equality Hawaii since 2007. Don calls Tampa Bay his part time home. Welcome home Don.
