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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 power than most people realize. With city council clips, historical context, and real policy debates, this episode offers a deep dive into the real workings of Tampa politics and what’s at stake for its future.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:02:32 - Getting Involved
0:12:19 - Sulfur Springs
0:48:55 - South Howard Flooding Relief Project
1:05:10 - HART Financial Trouble
1:28:59 - City of Tampa Staff Issues
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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. They cover the district’s growth, the reality behind teacher pay, the importance of student voice, and what it takes to prepare students for both college and career. It’s a rare inside look at the nation's 7th largest school district.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:12:52 - Setting Up Students for Success
0:16:13 - Student Safety
0:25:06 - Technology in Schools
0:40:45 - Growth Management
0:50:15 - Federal and State Funding
0:58:05 - Hillsborough County School District Property
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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 Rays stadium deal, the importance of the streetcar system, the role of public parks, and why small businesses matter as much as big investments. This episode is a deep dive into what it takes to reshape a city block by block—and why it’s not just about profits, but purpose.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:02:18 - Hotel Haya
0:05:33 - Activating Ybor
0:07:27 - Daryl Shaw
0:15:51 - Veterinary Business
0:20:25 - Acquiring Ybor Property
0:36:03 - Revitalizing Ybor
0:51:25 - Gasworx
1:00:46 - The Rays in Ybor
1:08:14 - Gasworx Continued
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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, transit-friendly hub. From the River to Bay Greenway plan and the Howard Frankland Trail to complete streets, buried utilities, and murals that bring identity to neighborhoods, this conversation covers it all. Michael also dives into Tampa’s transportation challenges, regional trail connections, and what it would take for residents to thrive without owning a car. Whether you’re a policymaker, developer, or Tampa resident, this episode reveals what’s next.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:05:41 - Rejected Westshore Multifamily Project
0:14:28 - Infrastructure Issues
0:27:56 - Connecting Tampa Neighborhoods
0:41:43 - Westshore Mall Redevelopment
1:02:22 - Corporations Moving to Tampa
1:11:55 - More People Are Choosing To Walk
1:24:23 - Westshore Mall Redevelopment Continued
1:38:04 - River to Bay Greenway
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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. They discuss the economics of sprawl, why induced demand is real, and what it would take to make Tampa walkable, connected, and future-ready. With passionate takes on policy, urban design, and local leadership, this two-hour deep dive is a must-listen for anyone invested in Tampa’s growth... or frustrated by its traffic.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:04:05 - All For Transportation
0:14:22 - Ending CRA’s
0:18:27 - Ending Property Tax
0:25:48 - Transportation Costs
0:36:15 - The Future of Tampa
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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 urban plan without public funding. Nick details the creative deals and design decisions that helped attract major tenants like Whole Foods and TECO, and how they avoided the common mistakes of new development by focusing on walkability and experience. The conversation also dives into the future of development in Tampa and the importance of legacy-focused real estate.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:03:35 - Acquiring The Acreage
0:10:14 - TECO Headquarters
0:13:40 - Rays Stadium Concept
0:18:44 - Acquiring Acreage Continued
0:28:49 - Building Midtown
1:09:17 - What’s Next?
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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 conversation also dives into the future of trades, the lack of young people entering the field, and how social media and mentorship could play a role in changing that. They close out with a deep appreciation for historic preservation, especially Tampa’s iconic cigar factories, and the legacy women can build in construction.
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:10:58 - Rebuilding after hurricanes
0:33:08 - KohlerHaus Remodeling Co
0:59:01 - Young People are Needed in Trades
1:08:12 - Revitalizing Old Buildings
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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 to separate business from ownership, and why blue-collar skills and credit strategy are the backbone of his success. From mold remediation to commercial financing, this episode is packed with practical lessons on building real wealth in your own community.
0:00:00 - The benefit of neighborhood stores
0:06:50 - Redeveloping a block
0:29:31 - North Tampa
0:37:55 - Chris Cunningham Backstory
0:47:04 - Maximizing profit from properties
0:56:43 - Entrepreneurship Mindset
1:04:19 - Financing
1:18:06 - Real Estate Wisdom
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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 house hacking to orchestrating multimillion-dollar projects, he shares how leadership, team-building, and calculated risk drive long-term success.
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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 scratch, the challenges of transforming empty parking lots into a walkable downtown, and why intentional design, public-private collaboration, and culture matter more than ever. They also talk about the future of Tampa, what’s next for Water Street, and the lessons other cities can learn from its success.
0:00:00 - Who is James Nozar?
0:13:10 - Water Street
0:43:16 - Sparkman Wharf
0:49:23 - Behind the Scenes of Water Street
1:09:58 - The Future of Tampa
1:19:17 - Gasworx
1:31:39 - Future of Water Street
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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 companies, and why a strong team matters more than just a good idea. If you're building or thinking about building a company, this episode gives you a clear look at what it takes to grow in this market.
0:00:00 - Private Equity Buying Businesses
0:03:57 - Tampa Bay Wave
0:15:35 - Pulse Charter Connect
0:19:27 - Is Tampa Becoming an Innovation Hub?
0:29:43 - 3D Printed Seawall Company
0:33:01 - Tampa Bay Wave Success Stories
0:42:45 - Transportation
0:50:52 - Tampa Compared to Major U.S. Cities
1:10:24 - Economic Instability
1:19:17 - Tech Companies
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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, and why he believes storytelling is essential to capturing Tampa’s identity. The episode also covers firsthand insights into the shutdown of community banks, the evolution of SBA lending, and what makes Tampa an emerging creative hub.
0:00:00 - Cigar City
0:03:54 - Chris Kneer
0:13:56 - Ybor City
0:35:12 - Writing Bluebird
0:52:56 - Banking during 2008
1:01:44 - Banking during Covid
1:12:47 - Bluebird
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In Episode 120 Garrett sits down with producer David for a freeform and brutally honest conversation about Tampa’s past, present, and future. They dive into the city’s broken transportation system—unpacking why you still can’t take a train to Lakeland, the challenges of expanding the streetcar, and how highways and poor planning disconnected once-thriving neighborhoods. The conversation covers everything from suburban-style apartment projects that undermine walkability to the promise of GasWorx and its potential to reconnect the city grid. They also dig into lesser-known infrastructure issues like the damage caused by South Tampa’s oak canopy and outdated stormwater systems. With no guests and no filters, Garrett and David look into the policy failures, planning frustrations, and emerging technologies that could shape the city’s future.
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In Episode 119 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Chris Waggener, a local attorney fighting for pedestrian safety and legal reform in Tampa Bay. They discuss the tragic case of Maximus Giannikos, a tourist from South Africa visiting Clearwater with his family, whose life was forever changed at a local intersection, and the $200,000 cap that limits justice in cases like his. Chris breaks down the legal obstacles to holding cities accountable, the state-level red tape involved in claims bills, and why so many intersections in the region are still dangerously outdated. From traffic engineering to legislative gridlock, this conversation exposes the hard truths behind Florida's infrastructure and what it will take to make meaningful change.
00:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and overview of the case
00:10:21 – Background on the intersection and how the incident happened
00:18:36 – Explanation of the $200,000 state cap and its legal implications
00:26:03 – How claims bills work in Florida and the difficulty of filing them
00:32:42 – Why this case could create systemic change in Tampa Bay
00:41:38 – Discussion of city accountability and lack of maintenance protocols
00:47:30 – Economic impact vs. safety: Clearwater’s tourism dollars vs. payouts
00:57:51 – The growing pedestrian and biking culture in Florida
01:03:32 – Barriers to safer infrastructure and legal loopholes
01:13:56 – Final thoughts on next steps, policy hopes, and long-term reform
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In Episode 118, Garrett sits down with Tampa City Councilman Alan Clendenin for a wide-ranging and brutally honest conversation about the future of Tampa. They dive into the state of public transportation, including the controversial streetcar expansion and how to better connect downtown to the airport. Clendenin shares what’s really holding back progress—from permitting delays to the tangled web of city, county, and state control. They also explore the city’s approach to development, land use reform, housing affordability, and the urgent need for better infrastructure. With decades of experience and no political strings attached, Clendenin offers a rare look into how big decisions are made—and what’s at stake if Tampa gets them wrong.
0:02:15 - Tampa's transportation system needs a bold vision
0:13:40 - Streetcar expansion revival and challenges
0:22:18 - Why Tampa’s ferry system is a missed opportunity
0:31:12 - The truth about tree canopy laws and development
0:45:00 - Tampa's overcrowding and infrastructure strain
0:53:00 - Why the city needs control over major roads
1:00:15 - The $500M mistake: expanding 275
1:04:35 - The politics of streetcar funding and fare-free transit
1:18:10 - Why planned developments (PDs) are being misused
1:39:00 - The unsung heroes shaping Tampa’s future
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In Episode 117 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Shane Brady — actor, director, magician, and now the mind behind Hacked, a new feature film inspired by a real-life real estate scam that cost him and his wife $20,000. What started as a devastating case of wire fraud turned into the fuel for a darkly comedic revenge thriller, shot right here in Tampa. Shane shares how the experience nearly broke him, how Tampa’s film community stepped up, and why he believes indie filmmaking belongs in Florida. Hacked will make its world premiere on March 29th at the Gasparilla Film Festival. You don’t want to miss this one.
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In Episode 116 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with renowned restaurateur Jeff Gigante to discuss how he built some of Tampa’s most iconic restaurants, including Boulon Brasserie, Forbici, Union New American, Blue Lagoon, and the Ciccio Restaurant Group concepts like Fresh Kitchen and Daily Eats. Jeff shares his journey from aspiring actor to entrepreneur, the strategy behind creating Boulon, and why he saw Water Street as the perfect location for a high-energy brasserie. They also dive into the evolution of Tampa’s restaurant scene, how to scale a hospitality business, and what it takes to stay ahead in the competitive food industry. If you’ve ever wondered how top-tier restaurants are built from the ground up, this episode is a must-listen.
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In Episode 115 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Tampa Bay sports insider JP Peterson to break down the latest on the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium saga. From failed deals in St. Petersburg to behind-the-scenes negotiations with new ownership groups, JP explains why Major League Baseball has finally had enough of Stu Sternberg and why a move to Tampa is more likely than ever. They discuss potential stadium locations, how Tampa business leaders are stepping up, and what this means for the future of baseball in the region. If you’re a Rays fan or just curious about one of the biggest business moves in Tampa history, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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In Episode 114 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Christian Giordano, president and majority owner of Mancini Duffy, and Andy Dohmen, co-founder of Design Styles Architecture (now Tempo Studio under Mancini Duffy). They discuss how technology is radically reshaping the architecture industry, from AI-driven design to VR-powered client experiences.
Christian shares his vision for modernizing a 100-year-old firm, drawing from collaborations with major brands like Google, Peloton, and Disney. Andy dives into the evolution of Tampa’s real estate landscape, tackling everything from high-end residential homes to solving the affordable housing crisis. They also discuss the challenges of rapid urban growth, the future of public transportation, and how design thinking is shaping Tampa’s skyline.
Whether you’re into architecture, real estate, or just curious about the future of our cities, this episode is packed with insights!This episode is sponsored by KohlerHaus Remodeling Co, the Official Remodeler of the TBD POD.
KohlerHaus is built on integrity, craftsmanship, and clear communication, setting a high standard for home remodeling. Their work ranges from condos in Channelside to century-old homes in South Tampa, delivering quality renovations that are built to last.Visit kohlerhaus.net to explore their portfolio and start yourresidential remodeling experience today.
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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 adaptive reuse, and the importance of preserving Tampa’s history while building for the future. They cover everything from navigating zoning laws and historic designations to handling crime, city bureaucracy, and financing unconventional projects. Garcia also shares the wildest moments of his career, including dealing with a SWAT team, a hitman, and the massive turnaround of a once-troubled apartment complex.Omar Garcia is a real estate developer and investor who has built a reputation for taking on projects others overlook. His work includes revitalizing historic buildings, adaptive reuse projects, and large-scale student housing developments. A former Navy officer and construction manager, his notable projects include 220 Madison, the Cigar Lofts, and the transformation of West River Flats. With a deep understanding of real estate, urban development, and business strategy, he shares insights on how to find value in forgotten properties, why historic preservation matters, and what’s next for Tampa’s real estate market.
- Visa fler
