Tampa Bay Developer

Steve Cona is the President and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors, and in this episode he breaks down the biggest challenges shaping Tampa’s construction and development future. He talks about outdated permitting systems, long delays, the need for statewide standards, opportunities for AI and private-sector plan review, workforce shortages, housing affordability concerns, density debates,...

Jim Moler is the Executive Vice President and Head of Office Agency Leasing for JLL in Tampa, and in this episode he breaks down why Tampa’s office market is outperforming the rest of the country. Jim explains the surge in Class A demand, record-setting leases, the impact of workforce migration, and how developments like Water Street and GasWorx are reshaping where companies want to be. He also co...

Greg Slater is the CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority and the former secretary of transportation for Maryland, and in this episode he walks through the full 752 million dollar Selmon Expressway improvement project and its impact on Tampa’s growth. Greg also breaks down how AI, real time data, smart signals, and new multimodal hubs could reshape mobility, including future connection...

Leroy Moore of the Tampa Housing Authority breaks down the massive redevelopment reshaping the urban core, including Encore, West River, Rome Yard, and the full rebuild of Robles Park. We cover how 150 acres of public land is being converted into mixed income neighborhoods with thousands of new units, retail, parks, jobs, and long term community infrastructure. Leroy explains funding challenges, t...

Bob Henriquez is the Hillsborough county property appraiser, he breaks down how values are set and what actually determines your property tax bill. We cover mass appraisal, the January 1 effective date, Save Our Homes and the new buyer reset, storm recovery tools like prorated refunds for uninhabitable homes, the FEMA 50 percent rule, and how the 110 percent rebuild protection is moving to 130 per...

In episode 158, Garrett sits down with architect and general contractor Tobin Green, founder of AADMIXX, to talk about what “modern” really means in architecture today. Tobin shares his philosophy of urban progressive design, the story behind his Strata Barn project in Hyde Park’s Dobieville, and how thoughtful design can honor history while moving Tampa forward. The conversation dives into the ch...

In episode 157, Garrett sits down with Joseph Dalessio, founder of Meacham Urban Farm, to talk about how he built a two acre organic farm right in the middle of downtown Tampa. What started as a vacant, rubble covered lot is now producing over 60,000 pounds of food a year, feeding the community, partnering with local schools, and proving that farming can thrive in the urban core. Joe shares the st...

In episode 156, Garrett sits down with Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, to unpack how a summer side hustle became a national franchise. Nick explains the early “work on the business, not in it” shift inspired by The E-Myth, why franchising was far harder than the passive-income myth, and how they survived launching during the 2008 downturn. He revisits their Sh...

In Episode 155, Garrett Greco sits down with Brian Lowack, President and CEO of Visit St. Pete–Clearwater, to unpack how tourism quietly powers the Tampa Bay region. Brian shares insight into Clearwater’s $80 million BayCare Sound waterfront project, the once-in-a-generation redevelopment of downtown Clearwater, and the county’s plan to relocate government buildings to open prime acreage for mixed...

In episode 154, Garrett sits down with Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak to unpack how the city is prioritizing streets, sidewalks, and stormwater after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, why council shifted millions from parking to paving, and how a one-year fare-free, higher-frequency Route 1 pilot is boosting ridership and setting the stage for bus rapid transit. We cover the rules behind city bud...

In episode 153, Garrett sits down with Florida State Representative Danny Alvarez for a no-filter conversation about how policy actually gets made, why bureaucracy moves so slowly, and what it takes to pass meaningful legislation. They break down the push for single-member county districts to improve representation in Hillsborough, the growing tension between urban and suburban priorities, and how...

In episode 152, Garrett sits down with Tampa City Council District 5 candidates Naya Young and Thomas Scott for a special election debate ahead of the October 28 runoff election. They tackle the biggest issues shaping District 5 and Tampa as a whole, including affordable housing, gentrification, diversity across neighborhoods, the importance of four votes on City Council for approval, and historic...

In episode 151, Garrett sits down with Walt Chancey of Chancey Architecture and Interior Design to explore the evolution of senior living from traditional nursing homes to lifestyle-driven communities that feel more like resorts. They discuss the demand surge known as the “Silver Tsunami,” the challenges of zoning and financing, and why Florida is at the center of this transformation. From pickleb...

Episode 150 of the TBD POD dives into Tampa’s recent issues: the City Council’s $6 million streetcar expansion study, the debate over parking minimums in Ybor, and how micro retail like Casa Azul shapes small business success. Garrett and David break down the city’s $1.9 billion budget and cover the high-stakes District 5 special election. They also explore how social media is reshaping politics,...

In episode 149, Garrett sits down with Greg Holland, President and CEO of the Straz Center, to unpack the $100M Boundless Campaign reshaping Tampa’s Riverwalk arts district. They cover the Veil canopy, a rooftop bar, two new restaurants, a donor club, and a 30% expansion of education spaces with new studios and rehearsal rooms. Greg explains how outdoor stages and free performances will activate t...

In this episode, Garrett sits down with Johnny Wong, Executive Director of the Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization, to break down Tampa Bay’s future. They cover why public demand for rail keeps colliding with political realities, the $29 billion funding gap in Hillsborough’s long-range plan, how suburban sprawl drives congestion, and what projects like the TECO Streetcar extension, B...

In episode 147, Garrett sits down with Max Herman to explore how Tampa became a cigar-fueled boomtown that drew immigrants from Cuba, Spain, Sicily, Germany, and Romania. From Henry Plant’s grand hotel to Vicente Ybor’s vision, they trace how prosperity, culture, and politics converged in Ybor City, where Jose Martí rallied support for Cuban independence and Paulina Pedroso became a symbol of soli...

In episode 146, Garrett sits down with Christine Acosta, founder of Pedal Power Promoters and co-founder of Walk Bike Tampa, to discuss the future of biking, walking, and safe mobility in Tampa. Christine shares how affordability, infrastructure, and design all intersect when it comes to transportation, why slowing down vehicle speeds matters, and how projects like Bayshore Boulevard and the Green...

On episode 145, Garrett sits down with Joshua Pardue, whose team is leading the retail curation for Gasworx, one of the most ambitious redevelopment projects in Tampa. With $182 million in construction funding secured and thousands of new residents moving in, national and boutique retailers are now seriously considering Ybor for the first time in years. Joshua shares how his team is shaping the di...

In this episode, Garrett sits down with Kevin Johnson and Dontavoius Pittman, two of the three co-founders of Shacres, an innovative Tampa-based development firm building beautiful, affordable housing. From high school architecture classes to working across urban planning, construction, and city government, Kevin and Dontavoius share their journey back to Tampa and how it led to launching Shacres....

Andrew Wright, founder of Franklin Street, founder of Ally Capital Group, and co-founder of Next Level Brands, joins the podcast for a deep dive into building multiple successful businesses. From navigating the 2008 collapse with a newborn and major financial pressure to leading a $7 billion real estate firm, Andrew shares what it really takes to scale, pivot, and lead with purpose. He opens up ab...

In this episode, Garrett sits down with David and Stephanie Bailey, co-founders of Nimble Retail, a Tampa-based company reimagining what retail space can look like. They share how their micro-shop model helps small businesses thrive in high-traffic areas without the need for traditional buildings or long-term leases. From forming creative partnerships with cities and landlords to solving permittin...

In episode 141, Garrett sits down with Karen Kress, Director of Transportation and Planning at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, for a deep dive into how Tampa’s urban core is evolving. From expanding the Riverwalk and redesigning Bayshore Boulevard to making streets safer for bikes, e-scooters, and pedestrians, Karen shares the bold ideas and behind-the-scenes efforts shaping the city’s future. The...

In episode 140, Garrett sits down with Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County Commissioner, for a candid conversation about Tampa Bay’s future. They unpack why the region’s explosive growth is outpacing infrastructure, how the collapse of the All for Transportation tax initiative set the area back a generation, and what it will take to build a transit system that actually works. From the political tug-o...

In episode 139, Garrett sits down with Joe Citro for an unfiltered conversation about Tampa’s future and the forces shaping it. They unpack why affordable housing is nearly impossible without reliable public transit, explore the tension between regional collaboration and protecting Tampa’s voice, and share candid stories about the pressures facing city staff. From the decline of neighborhood trust...