Tampa Bay Developer

In Episode 113 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with real estate developer Omar Garcia, a builder who has taken on some of Tampa’s most challenging projects. Garcia has turned abandoned and overlooked properties—like a foreclosed office building and a 123-year-old cigar factory—into thriving student housing developments. He talks about how to spot undervalued real estate, the risks of adaptiv...

In Episode 112 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Judge E.J. Salcines and Professor James Fernández to talk about Tampa’s Spanish immigrants and how they shaped the city. They get into the cigar industry, the immigrant communities that built Tampa’s economy, and why many Spaniards never planned to stay in the U.S. The conversation covers how Tampa grew into a major entry point for immigran...

In episode 111 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with former Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn. Buckhorn served from 2011 to 2019 and led the city through major growth, helping shape its development and infrastructure. He talks about how Tampa changed during his time in office, the challenges of handling rapid expansion, and what still needs to be addressed. They cover everything from flood control and...

In Episode 110 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett talks with Justin Tramble and Dustin Pack of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper about the state of Tampa’s waterways. They break down the issues affecting Hillsborough River, the ongoing pollution problems, and why local infrastructure isn’t keeping up. They also get into the controversy over Tampa’s annual St. Patrick’s Day river dyeing, questioning whether it’s wort...

In Episode 109 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Jon Paul Bacariza, the Florida Market Leader at Ryan Companies, to discuss the evolving landscape of real estate development in Florida. They explore the challenges of mixed-use projects, the impact of office market shifts, and how automation is reshaping logistics and retail. Jon Paul shares insights into major developments, including adap...

In episode 108 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Randy Goers, Tampa’s former city planner, to discuss the city’s evolution, from major redevelopment projects like Water Street and West River to the future of urban growth. With over 35 years of experience, Randy shares insights on city planning challenges, bold development strategies, and what Tampa could look like in 2050. Randy Goers is...

In episode 107 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett talks with Mercedes Gonzales, a senior leader from MacDill Air Force Base, about the military’s role in Tampa and the challenges service members face. They cover how rising home prices affect military families, the struggle to find affordable housing, and efforts to improve infrastructure, including a proposed ferry system. They also talk about special op...

In episode 106 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett Greco sits down with Erica Moody to discuss the transformative efforts of the University Area CDC in Tampa. They explore the challenges and opportunities in developing attainable housing, creating community spaces, and integrating transportation with urban planning. Erica shares insights into the importance of fostering strong relationships with the commu...

In episode 105, Garrett sits down with Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera to discuss the critical challenges and opportunities shaping Tampa’s future. From funding public transit and addressing flooding to the $50 million West Riverwalk expansion, they explore how Tampa balances growth, infrastructure, and community needs. They also touch on the importance of educated voters, the evolving political...

In Episode 104 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Dawn Shirreffs to discuss Florida’s environmental challenges and the critical steps needed to address them. From the impact of major hurricanes on local infrastructure to the rising costs of insurance, this conversation examines how policies and nature-based solutions like mangroves can protect communities. Dawn, representing the Environmen...

In Episode 103 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett Greco sits down with County Commissioner Joshua Wostal to talk about how Tampa’s growth is shaped by local politics, ethics, and infrastructure decisions. They discuss the impact of outdated policies, challenges in transportation planning, and the need for fair representation. Commissioner Wostal shares straightforward views on leadership and practical id...

In episode 102 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett talks with Ishaan and Shree from Serenity Capital Management and Realty Dynamics. They share how they tackle challenges in real estate development, like high land prices, rezoning delays, and balancing risk and opportunity. They also explain how they use data and technology to find the best sites for development and make smarter decisions. If you’re in re...

In Episode 101 of The TBD Podcast, host Garrett Greco sits down with his producer, David, to discuss the growth of the podcast and their vision for the future. They explore Tampa’s rapid growth, the push for walkable communities, and exciting development projects on the horizon. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:10:00 - West Tampa 0:18:50 - Tampa Bay Rays Update 0:41:15 - Dave Portnoy 1:04:58 - The Past 100 Episo...

In episode 100 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett Greco sits down with Jeff Vinik, a pivotal figure in Tampa’s transformation. Former majority owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the visionary behind the Water Street Tampa development, Vinik has played a monumental role in shaping the city’s future. In this conversation, Jeff talks about the challenges of building Water Street Tampa, why it required clo...

In Episode 99 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett Greco talks with Jim Shimberg, the former Tampa City Attorney, general counsel for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and general council for SPP (the developer of Water Street Tampa). They discuss Tampa’s growth and the challenges that come with it. Jim shares his experience working on projects like Water Street Tampa and discusses affordable housing, zoning, and i...

In Episode 98 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett talks with Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson about Tampa’s growth and the challenges that come with it. They discuss Ybor City’s transformation, the push to preserve its history, and how development is reshaping the area. Bill shares his thoughts on housing affordability, infrastructure improvements, and how Tampa can grow while keeping its character. Thi...

In Episode 97 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Raul Alfonso, the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Port Tampa Bay. They explore the port's significant role in fueling Central Florida’s growth, discussing its economic impact, future expansion projects, and the increasing importance of shipping containers and cruise industries. Raul shares insights into the port's ma...

In Episode 96 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Ron Francis, a craftsman specializing in Venetian plaster and custom finishes. Ron shares how he built his career, the techniques he uses, and how he works with developers and designers to create lasting designs. They also talk about what it takes to live out your dream—turning your passion into a profession and staying true to what you love...

In Episode 95 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett talks with Nolan Gray, the research director at California YIMBY and the author of Arbitrary Lines. Nolan explains the roots of zoning in the U.S., how it affects housing and cities today, and what steps can improve these challenges. They cover topics like the influence of cars on urban planning, why housing has become so expensive, and how better rules ca...

In Episode 94 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Patrick Manteiga, editor and publisher of La Gaceta, the nation’s only tri-lingual newspaper. Patrick shares the story of his family's 102-year-old publication, Tampa's rich cultural heritage, and the evolution of its immigrant communities. From the role of cigar factories in shaping the city to the politics that have defined its growth, thi...

In Episode 93 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Nick DiCosola of St Pete Box to dive into the innovative world of building homes and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) out of shipping containers. They discuss the durability of these structures, their potential to provide resilience against Florida’s hurricanes and storms, and the challenges posed by zoning regulations. Nick explains how thes...

In Episode 92 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Ian Anderson, the president of the Tampa Bay Business Journal, to explore the shifting landscape of media from traditional formats to innovative, community-centered approaches. Ian shares insights into what sets The Business Journal apart from other networks, including its focus on high-quality, timely business news, in-depth research, and m...

In Episode 91 of The TBD Podcast, host Garrett Greco explores the City of Tampa's response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton with guest Riley Tuff, the Lead Emergency Planner for the city, shedding light on the challenges and strategies involved in disaster management. With recent storms highlighting the importance of preparedness, Garrett and Riley discuss how the city has mobilized resources, enga...

In Episode 90 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett Greco sits down with Phil Michaels, a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and founder of Tembo Education. They dive into the exciting Red Bull Flugtag event, where teams build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 30-foot platform. Phil will captain The Coconut Pirates' flight, with all proceeds supporting Tembo's mission to educate children worldwide via m...

In this episode of The TBD Podcast, host Garrett Greco sits down with two top-tier experts in emergency management—Josh Bellotti, Director of Engineering & Operations, and Katja Miller, Emergency Management Operations Section Chief for Hillsborough County. Together, they break down the phases of hurricane preparedness, including pre-hurricane preparation, the critical 24 hours before landfall,...