The Tampa Bay Lightning hosted a watch party at Channelside Bay Plaza for Game 3 of the playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings. Hundreds of fans turned out for the event.
"It would be great to see something like this every night," said one fan.
The Plaza has been in decline for a while, with sparse foot traffic and vacant store fronts. Dick Pyniger and Lucy Brown said this is the first time they've been to Channelside for years.
"We haven't had a reason to. It's still a little vacant but I think it's going to get there, especially with Vinick behind it," said Lucy Brown.
Jeff Vinick's $1 billion plan to redevelop the area with more condos, hotels, shops and restaurants has Lightning fans excited. They envision the booming Channelside of yesteryear, only better.
"You know, back in the 2003-2004 era, like when they were in the playoffs, there weren't these apartments and things around here so actually having people living here I think is going to make a big difference long-term in the redevelopment of it," said Alli Rudes.
Fans say having a winning team should help with the redevelopment.
"The team being good has always helped down here. It always brought people down here. When they won the Stanley Cup it was great, then they had the lockout and it destroyed the momentum that was going on. This will bring it back," said Dick Pyniger.
Vinick's plans include nearly 3 million square feet of office, retail and residential space on nearly 25 acres. He has said the project will be built in phases and could take up to 10 years to complete.
In the meantime, Lightning fans said they plan to be around.
Fans said they will be back at Channelside Bay Plaza again on Thursday for Game 4 of this playoff series.