'A positive direction'

As the $2 billion remake of the Channelside district in downtown Tampa begins to take shape — tens of millions of dollars of infrastructure work on roads and sewers is slated to begin later this month — a few intangible themes are emerging under developer Strategic Property Partners' new CEO, as well.

SPP CEO James Nozar says diversity will thread together the nearly 60-acre project, which will include the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine; the 719-room Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina; and Amalie Arena, home ice for SPP owner Jeff Vinik's Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team.

The revamped district, when completed, also is expected to link cultural amenities like the Tampa Convention Center and the Florida Aquarium, spurring further downtown redevelopment.