The 40 acres of downtown Tampa targeted for development by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik will become the world's first "WELL-certified" city district.
Vinik, along with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, made the announcement in front of former President Bill Clinton. Vinik and Buckhorn announced the plan Tuesday in New York during an annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative.
A WELL-certified city or district is one that is dedicated to the well-being of employees, students, residents and visitors and has mixed-use areas designed with people's health in mind.
- Jeff Vinik unveils his $1 billion plan that would transform downtown Tampa, Channelside (Dec. 17, 2014)
Vinik said his vision for Tampa includes a walkable downtown that appeals to millenials and empty-nesters alike. The first major project for the $1 billion plan is the USF medical school facility and a new hotel next to Amalie Arena.
The project also will bring more green space, low pollen trees, sound barriers and air quality monitoring to the area.
"The (project) will invest and construct a $2 billion, 40-acre urban, mix-use development to pilot this innovative model for urban development," Clinton said while speaking about the project to an Initiative audience. "One that would be good for our campaign against climate change and good for the health of the people who live in the buildings and walk the neighborhoods."
The project is a partnership with investor and technology magnate Bill Gates' Cascade Investment and real estate development company Delos.
In addition to the USF medical school, the project includes a new 500-room hotel, an officer tower and 200,000-square feet of shopping and entertainment space and renovations to the Waterside Marriott hotel and Chanelside Bay plaza.
Infrastructure work has already started around Amalie Arena and a groundbreaking is set for next year. The first phase of the project is slated for for completion within five years.