When the economy makes wild gyrations, you can count on the same thing happening in the commercial real estate and the business ownership side.\r\n\r\nSoho is seeing lots of changes/additions.\r\n\r\nThe former Marble Cream Slabbery is now FROSTINGS, a place to buy cupcakes.  Pick a color or flavor and they have it.\r\n\r\nWe told you sometime ago about an Edward Jones financial services office coming to SOHO, and it is now getting close to opening in Whaley\’s Plaza. Plenty more coming there with Koto Japanese Steak House and Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwich Shop. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNew York, New York Pizza is open in the plaza and doing a booming business. Their first store in Ybor City has a loyal clientele.  Plus both stores have delivery too. \r\n\r\nSOHO Tavern is being spruced up with new paint and some updated trim work.\r\n\r\nWork is underway now at the former Corner Bar/Red House/Po\’Boys location.\r\n\r\nIt is great to see these changes and additions, but once again the issue of parking has to be raised.  Will there be enough parking to accomodate everyone ?\r\n\r\nOnly time will tell -  or just count the parking tickets.

We did finally hear from Enrique with the Wet Group about the Corner Bar former Red House  former Po’Boys location at the corner of Platt and S. Howard.  We were assured that the plans are moving forward and that they hope to open very soon. 

It should be noted that license/zoning restrictions may require the license/location to be reopen soon or it could be in jeopardy of expiration causing an entirely new effort to open.   If this is really going to happen, you can expect to see a flurry of activity in the month of May.

Probably the longest awaited SOHO construction project may finally be starting - again.  The long awaited Bern Laxer Park is making some more strides forward.  The Park located in the triangular block in front of Ceviche and Bella’s is due to have sidewalks, a fountain, landscaping and more.  The initial plans were completed sometime ago with improvements of the center median on Desoto, now it looks like the next steps are starting.  BUT don’t get too excited yet.  The next step completing berms, fencing, and landscaping may still be in hold for awhile yet.   We were originally told this project would be completed over 2 years ago as the money had been put aside.

$1 million was put aside for the linear park on Davis Islands over 2 years ago now as well and construction has still not been started.  Those funds were provided by Tampa General Hospital as part of a parking garage swap. 

While the RiverWalk projects of the Tampa Museum of Art, the Glazer Children’s Museum, Kiley Gardens, and more are underway, we wonder how many other already funded projects are on hold at a time when Tampa’s unemployment rate keeps rising.

The former Po’Boys / Corner Bar location may still be up for a renovation. BUT we are not sure.  Enrique de Jesus of Midnite Productions and the Wet Group originally told us it would be open in time for Gasparilla.

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Then he recently told us by early Summer. 

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 He has been involved in Aja Channelside, the club that opened only to be shut down by the Fire Marshall and plenty of Tampa Police Department members.  Aja seems to be doing ok and has a very nice outdoor bar area as well. 

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Whether this SOHO club happens seems to be clearly in doubt at this time.  We called and left several messages for Enrique and never received a response.

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The eventual total renovation plans by owner Hank Brown of J.T. Swann seem to still be in place, but it will take awhile for the market to adjust before this total redevelopment happens.  The same story can be told at the Post Properties location at the corner of Swann and S. Howard. 

Renovations of the plaza in the 500 block area of South Howard are proceeding with several new tenants.  New York, New York Pizza has opened with delivery and late night hours.  This is their second location in Tampa, with their first in Ybor City.  Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches will be opening sometime in the late summer.  Edward Jones Securities has an office there as well.  More announcements will be coming there soon as tenants come and go.

Tucked away behind Regions Bank and Gourmet Pizza, Voscher Home Gallery has been presenting many unique items to SOHO area residents.  Furniture, dishes and glass ware, poolside accessories and more. Voscher has announced their plans for their Closing Our Doors Sale on April 24 and 25.  Get more info here.

We have from reliable sources that a long time SOHO/Hyde Park area club will be closing within the next 3 weeks.  We would like to tell you the name, but we have been asked not to visit this club by the owner, so we are unable to confirm the validity of the story.  Let us know what you hear.

The planned 30 plus floor high rise condominium building by Citivest at the corner of DeSoto and Bayshore has been fought for the past few years.  The Old Hyde Park Historic Neighborhood Association challenged the project, the City challenged the project, and others.   A court decision by the US Court of Appeals confirmed the right of Citivest to construct the building in spite of the objections.  Expensive City legal efforts have gone into opposing the project, but to no avail. 

Now comes the City Council in a meeting in April to try to again stop the project. 

We have been to numerous meetings and it seems clear to us that the building is way too large for the footprint and the issue of traffic access has still not been addressed properly.  BUT it also appears that a Federal Court has made a determination that the building be allowed.

While changes may come before construction starts, this project looks headed for approval. Of course, in this economic climate you have to ask one question about building a condominium building - Why ?

MacDintons has again put together a special package with tickets, food, drink, and transportation to the October 9  U2/Bono Concert.  What a way to party.  MacDintons did the same during a previous U2 visit that provided guests with really great party and great seats for the concert.  Get more details at http://www.macdintons.com/special_event.php

So, if you think you can eat some pitas, this may be the time for you to shine.

The SOHO Pita Pit is celebrating their one year anniversary with $3.99 Pitas all Day, Thursday, April 9.

AND they will have a Pita Eating Contest at 7 PM.  Get the details at http://www.sohopitapit.com/

SOHOTAMPA.com is a sponsor of the event.