Davis Islands Today

Ronald McDonald House Charities is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with 181 local Chapters currently operating in 49 countries. Each local Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapter is a separate public charity, operated by a local Board of Directors.

The Charity also awards grants to other organizations that directly improve the health and well being of children. To date, Ronald McDonald House Charities’ national body and global network of local Chapters have awarded more than US $400 million in grants to children’s programs worldwide.

Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay is comprised of three Houses, two in St. Petersburg and one in Tampa, offering 66 bedrooms with private baths. We are owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, a non-profit Florida corporation whose board consists of representatives from our community’s parents, leaders, McDonald’s, medical profession and other interested individuals.

Together, our Houses became a “home-away-from-home” and serve 2,000 pediatric families annually. The supportive environment at each of our Houses, offered through dedicated volunteers, staff and other residents, provides comfort and care to those who supply the love, understanding, nurturing and emotional support essential for their child’s recovery from illness or injury.

Visit www.rmhctampabay.com to find out more.

Chamber of Commerce Update

by Bill Sharpe

The Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce keeps things happening with the recent Candidates’ Reception.  Almost 200 residents and candidates attend the event co-sponsored by the Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Davis Islands Civic Association.  Thanks must be given to the businesses that helped to underwrite the event:  The Palm Bank, The Davis Islands Community News, Tampa Harbour Yacht Club, In-Town Tampa Guide and Map, and Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. 

Along with Chamber Marketing Chairperson Michele Smith and Assistant Krystal Sousa, I attended an informational meeting with Tampa Bay and Company (formerly the Tampa Convention and Visitors Bureau) to obtain some great direction on plans for the Chamber’s business marketing plans for Davis Islands businesses.  The Chamber is assembling a significant marketing campaign that will include over 25,000 brochures, television commercials, and more to begin in the fall of this year.   The Chamber is here to assist business and our marketing efforts are going to make a significant difference for all the businesses on Davis Islands.  

The DI Chamber has experienced an increase in membership by over 25% in the last six months, however, many of the Village core businesses have yet to join. While we wish and expect every business to become a member, our goal is to promote the business of Davis Islands, for members and non-members alike.  With annual dues at only $50, we know it is a matter of time before every business will want to take part in promoting the exciting changes in the Davis Islands business district.

The Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an Informal Social Event from 6 – 8 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the new SIP Sushi and Saki Lounge at 304 E. Davis Blvd.   Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Support your neighboring businesses!

Bill Sharpe

Civic Association Letter September 2008

by Lisa K. DeVitto

Dear Island Neighbors:   

In August we co-hosted a very successful Candidates Reception with the Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce at Chez Bryce in our business district.   We had a standing room only turnout of candidates, Islanders and also visitors from Harbour Island, 345 Bayshore and elsewhere.  The event was fun and informative. 

Thanks especially to our sponsors and every candidate.  Fall events in the planning stages are a candidate debate in October, before the general election, and also, our annual meeting in November.  If you would like to help with arrangements for either of these, please let me know. 

DICA Board elections are in November, and applications to serve are due by September 20 to Nominating Chair Janice Davis.   Please consider getting involved in your community by serving on the Board.  For more information, email us at davisislandscivic@gmail.com or call me at 259-9744.    Also, if you have young children, the Young Islanders might like to hear from you (see link on our website or email DICA).  

All DICA members and prospective members are welcome at monthly board meetings, usually held each month on the first Tuesday.  Fall board meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept.  2 and Oct. 7, from 7 to 9 pm at the Marjorie Park Tennis Court building.  We expect a representative from the Tampa Police Department at these meetings, to talk about public safety concerns and crime prevention.  Our annual membership meeting will be Wednesday, November 12 at the Davis Islands Garden Club.   Please check our DICA website for more information on fall activities and events – www.davisislandscivic.com.

Sincerely,

Lisa K. DeVitto, President

Davis Islands Civic Association   

Editorial by Bill Sharpe

While we do have a parking problem in SoHo, we don’t believe any of the measures being taken will reduce the number of cars coming to the neighborhood.

While many businesses have not provided adequate parking, or have refused to allow their parking to be used during their non-peak hours, the addition of townhomes on single family lots have also contributed to the problem, bringing more cars while reducing street parking space, too.

When a store provides the city-required number of parking space, yet still needs additional parking, should we congratulate that business on their success, or should the city increase their parking requirement?

Nearly 700 parking tickets were issued last year.  Combine that with the almost $200 per car for those towed away and you can see that parking is a big business.  Now the City plans to get in further on the action with residential permits.

The Oscawana/Courier City Neighborhood Association is well on their way to getting the City of Tampa to implement permitted parking and increased fines, so perhaps fewer cars will park on residential streets in SoHo. 

But what impact will that have on the neighborhoods immediately surrounding O-CC?  Residents in any of those neighborhoods should be greatly concerned about any parking problems being pushed their way. 

And it’s only going to get worse. 

You may have noticed all of the new construction on Kennedy between Howard Ave and downtown.  If not, once the Wal-Mart opens you will notice the additional traffic. 

Futhermore, we have been told the hotel/retail Ar mory project will be under way by next summer.  Previous studies indicate the Ar mory will have a larger economic impact on Tampa than Channelside.  Once it is complete, you can be sure that the South Howard area will be expanding quickly to connect to the North Howard area.

Last year, a special Hartline trolley route for SOHO and Hyde Park nearly came to reality, only to vanish because of severe budget cuts.  But a transit system is still a viable option. 

So is a parking garage.  Property values are in a decline, and there is an empty block at the corner of Cleveland and South Howard.  It may not be the best location for SoHo today, but visionary when you consider the Ar mory Project. 

Even without purchasing property, a garage could be built over city-owned retention ponds. 

The City helped create this problem over the years with narrow streets, a lack of enforcement, and a lack of planning.  It is past time for the City of Tampa to step up and address this growing problem.

Bill Sharpe

Consisting of a double-sided, two block stretch filled with professional and retail space, the Davis Islands Village looks as if it has had a complete makeover!

With wide streets, an extensive waterfront, parks, a public pool, and open areas, Tampa’s own Davis Islands is an often forgotten location. Palm trees are found all over the Islands, and this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood generates the laid-back feel of a Florida Keys town. And rightly so, since it is on an island (or two)!

This welcoming environment has been one of Tampa’s real treasures and with its convenience to downtown Tampa, is a natural location for those looking for a unique place for a daytime stroll or evening outing.

Because of Peter O. Knight Airport, the entire south end of the islands is wide open, providing beautiful views of Tampa Bay and pleasant breezes across the area. That wind helps out the nearby Davis Islands Yacht Club, which caters to an active sailing crowd, rather than big power boaters found elsewhere.

Then, of course, there are the homes. Many of the houses and condos on the Islands are valued at $1 million or more. Many of Tampa Bay’s professional sports players have made Davis Islands their home.

A new walking trail running the length of Davis Islands has been funded and we will begin seeing signs of that construction soon, but even without that linear park, there are plenty of places to walk your dog, get some fresh air, and ride your bike.

After all that exercise, it’s good to know that there are also places to catch your breath, chat with neighbors, and maybe even enjoy an ice cream cone.

A significant part of the business district is undergoing a transformation, which is expected to be complete any day now. With a new look and large outdoor canopy, the renovation has already brought an air of excitement to each of the independent businesses that dot the Davis Islands Village.

While the business district is not at all overwhelming, there is a surprising diversity of shops and eateries to visit. Serendipity is a very unique eclectic gift store, while the newly opened Glass Reunions offers glassworks of artistic proportions. The Islands Beach and Bait House caters to outdoors enthusiasts, and DI Body & Boutique offers spa services along with a selection of women’s clothing not found in other retail centers. In addition, Islands’ Kids is a new retail spot that offers name brand kids clothing.

In Tampa, every neighborhood has to have a cigar store. Davis Islands can brag of one of the best in Kuba Cigars, where you can enjoy a smoke in their comfortable cigar lounge. Likewise, the Davis Islands Pharmacy is more than just your average drug store. Their compounding lab provides many capabilities that cannot be found elsewhere, and their service always gets high praise. Studio Cabella is an Aveda concept salon that offers a whole lot more than just a great hairstyle. Sure, you can pick up all sorts of pet accessories at Wag Pet Boutique, but their specific knowledge and selection of quality pet foods has earned their respect with pet owners all across Tampa Bay.

You can get your banking done there, too. The north end of the business core is the home for The Palm Bank and you can easily find the Bank of America on the south end.

Then there are the multiple snack shacks. Java and Cream is a popular coffee stop with residents, where you and your pet can chill on the front patio. The Pink Flamingo Café is a favorite breakfast stop on weekends, but the lunch menu is worth the stop, too. There is a full service lounge at Rick’s Italian Cafe, which also serves pizza and original Italian dishes – try their fresh parmesan & garlic rolls. Cali’s Yogurt has opened on the west side of the village and tempts you with a sign offering free samples. An extensive selection of different beers and ales can be found at Yeoman’s Pub, but the place is becoming best known for local music and character.

More changes are coming with the renovation. West Park Bagel and Deli will be opening their location soon, while Sip Sushi and Saki Lounge has just opened and is earning a loyal clientele already. There really are so many more shops and restaurants, we are unable to list them all. Just get on over to Davis Islands and check them all out for yourself.

Getting to the Village is easy, head just south of downtown on Bayshore Boulevard, and look for signs to Tampa General Hospital. As one of Tampa’s largest employers, their contribution to the development and economics of the neighborhood cannot be ignored. To get to the rest of Davis Islands, stay to your right while on the bridge.

That bridge takes you to a very convenient, but noticeably different Tampa community, that really is worth your time.