Tampa Bay Developer

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...

In episode 138, Garrett sits down with Donald Phillips, real estate developer and the founder of Woody’s Wash Shack, to unpack the life experiences that shaped him as a person and an entrepreneur. Donald opens up about losing his father in a plane crash at age 14, the lessons he learned watching his mother hold the family together, and the mindset he developed to never work for anyone else again....

In episode 137, Garrett sits down with Michael Joyce, the founder of Emoto Supply Co., to talk about the future of mobility in Tampa. From acquiring the U.S. assets of Swedish e-bike brand Cake to launching a new kind of retail hub for electric bikes and mopeds, Michael shares how Emoto is reshaping transportation in the city. They dive into Tampa’s bike infrastructure problems, the changing regul...

In episode 136, Garrett sits down with Florida State Senator Jay Collins, a decorated U.S. Army Green Beret and Purple Heart recipient who served over two decades in Special Forces, including five years after losing his leg in combat. Jay shares the harrowing story of nearly dying in Afghanistan, the resilience that led him back to active duty, and how his experiences on the battlefield shaped his...

In episode 135, Garrett sits down with Ron Weaver, a legend in Tampa’s legal and development world, to unpack his 50-year career in land use law. They discuss the evolution of Tampa’s skyline, the laws that shaped it, and the massive opportunities still ahead. From fast-tracked skyscrapers to missed chances at a Central Park-style green space, Ron shares insider stories and bold ideas for what Tam...

In Episode 134, Garrett Greco sits down with Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development, for a deep dive into Tampa’s hospitality scene and the story behind the Epicurean Hotel’s unique partnership with Bern’s Steak House. They discuss the city’s planned $80 million stormwater tunnel through Howard Avenue, why it’s raising concerns for local businesses, and an alternative approac...

In episode 133 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Melissa Zornitta, Executive Director of the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, to break down the new comprehensive plan for the City of Tampa. They explore how land use, transit, and housing policy are being reshaped to meet future growth, why neighborhoods like South Tampa and Rattlesnake Point are so controversial, and h...

In episode 132 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with returning guest Jason Marlow to unpack some of Tampa’s most pressing political issues from the overlooked crisis in Sulphur Springs to the 60 million South Howard flood relief project. They explore the tension between development and gentrification, how community voices can shape city decisions, and why local government boards hold more pow...

In episode 131 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Van Ayres, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools, and Robinson High School senior Nate Clement. This dynamic conversation bridges the gap between policy and student experience as they discuss everything from school safety and artificial intelligence to class sizes, extracurriculars, and the challenges of modern education. The...

In episode 130, Garrett sits down with Darryl Shaw, the developer behind one of Tampa’s largest urban redevelopment projects: Gasworx. Known for co-founding BluePearl Veterinary and now revitalizing Ybor City, Darryl shares how his decades-long vision is transforming vacant lots into a walkable, connected, and culturally vibrant district. They discuss the history of the Gasworx site, the failed Ra...

In episode 129 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Michael Maurino, the Executive Director of the Westshore Alliance, to unpack the bold and ambitious future of one of Tampa’s most important and underappreciated districts. They discuss Westshore’s unique zoning advantages, the massive redevelopment potential of WestShore Plaza, and how the district could become Tampa’s most walkable, transi...

In episode 128 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Hoyt Prindle and Jason Marlow to unpack the urgent infrastructure and transit challenges facing Tampa. From billion-dollar sidewalk deficits and the underfunded HART transit system to the false promises of freeway expansions, this episode explores how poor planning and political resistance are threatening the region’s long-term livability....

In episode 127 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Nicholas Haines, CEO of Bromley Companies and developer of Midtown Tampa. Nick shares the long-term vision and execution behind Midtown Tampa, a 20-acre mixed-use development decades in the making. He explains how his father's recession-era investment sparked a 25-year journey involving patient capital, complex land assembly, and a bold...

In Episode 126 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Camilla Jeffs and Amber Boskers of KohlerHaus Remodeling Co, a woman-led construction company changing the way home renovations are done in Tampa. They share their approach to high standards on job sites, the importance of trust when remodeling someone's home, and how they handle messy subcontractors and tough hiring decisions. The conversa...

In episode 125 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Chris Cunningham, a seasoned entrepreneur with 17 years of experience and President of Dry 24 Water Restoration. Chris also leads USA Commercial Supply and True Value America, but his true passion lies in real estate redevelopment. They discuss how he turned a 5-building city block into a multi-use economic engine, how he uses land trusts t...

In Episode 124 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with James Lascara, Navy SEAL turned real estate investor, who built a thriving community of 100+ real estate professionals quietly reshaping Tampa from the inside out. They discuss how his group is delivering new housing, why so many veterans succeed in real estate, and the unintended consequences of Tampa’s alleyway policies. From hands-on hou...

In Episode 123 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with James Nozar, the former CEO of SPP. Strategic Property Partners (SPP) is the real estate development firm backed by Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investment that led the charge on Tampa’s massive $3.5 billion Water Street District, a first-of-its-kind urban project for the city. In this episode, James unpacks how the project came together from scr...

In Episode 122 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Richard Munassi from Tampa Bay Wave to discuss how Tampa has become a serious hub for startups. They talk through why founders are choosing to build here, how companies raise early funding, and what makes some startups succeed while others stall. Richard explains how Tampa Bay Wave supports founders, what he looks for when selecting compani...

In Episode 121, Garrett sits down with Chris Kneer, a retired banker turned author, to discuss his debut novel Bluebird: A Cigar City Thriller. The conversation explores Tampa as a rich setting for fiction, the cultural complexity of Ybor City, and how real-life financial events shaped the book's plot. Chris shares behind-the-scenes details about self-publishing, the audiobook production process,...