Tampa Bay Developer

Frank & Lindsey Carriera break down the complex effort to preserve the Mirasol, a 100 year old landmark on Davis Islands, and explain why restoring historic buildings is far more complicated than new construction. They discuss storm damage, resiliency challenges, community feedback, and the long process of adapting an aging structure to modern needs without losing its character. This episode explores how preservation, economics, and neighborhood concerns intersect as Tampa continues to grow.0:00:00 - Intro0:06:03 - Mirasol’s History0:11:17 - Redevelopment0:37:53 - Mirasol Restaurant0:43:46 - Community0:58:22 - Preservation 1:07:18 - Outro

Jerel McCants, the architect leading the rebuilding of the Jackson House and the renovation of Tampa Union Station, breaks down the broader design, development, and preservation issues shaping Tampa’s built environment. He discusses how architectural decisions influence communities, the challenges of restoring historic structures, the pressures created by rapid growth, and the importance of protecting culturally significant places. This episode takes a clear look at how Tampa’s past and future meet through thoughtful design and redevelopment.0:00:00 - Intro0:03:33 - Streetscapes0:14:39 - Mixed-Income Housing0:22:38 - Encore0:38:51 - Old West Tampa0:48:55 - Jackson House1:09:15 - Mirasol, Davis Islands1:17:57 - Union Station1:40:39 - Jerel McCants Book1:46:03 - Permitting1:51:48 - Over-developing Florida2:03:13 - Outro

Warren Hogg is the Chief Science Officer of Tampa Bay Water and one of the key voices behind the region’s modern water supply system. Amelia Brown is the Demand Management Program Manager who leads the effort to help residents and businesses conserve water and plan for long-term demand. Together, they break down how Tampa Bay nearly reached environmental collapse in the 1990s, why groundwater pumping dried out lakes and wetlands, and how desalination, river withdrawals, and a 15 billion gallon reservoir reshaped the region’s entire water strategy. They explain the future pressures of explosive growth, the cost of new infrastructure, the importance of Florida-friendly landscaping, and why every gallon saved delays multimillion-dollar projects. This conversation reveals how water actually gets to your tap and what Tampa Bay must do to secure its water supply for the next generation.0:00:00 - Intro0:03:36 - History of Tampa Bay Water0:21:37 - Water Infrastructure0:26:47 - Saving Water and Rebates0:45:01 - Future Planning1:13:18 - Waste Water1:35:14 - Outro

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, and the rising conversation around impact fees. Steve explains why timing, clarity, and a modernized process are critical as Tampa continues to grow, and why getting these systems right will determine whether builders, small businesses, and neighborhoods can continue to succeed.0:00:00 - Intro0:01:45 - Permitting Process0:09:34 - Impact Fees0:18:38 - Land Development Code0:40:00 - Updating Building Code0:51:50 - Alternative Building Methods0:54:29 - Tradesman Shortage1:02:49 - West Tampa

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 covers why employers follow talent, how the University of Tampa is fueling the pipeline, and what rising population, amenities, and urban living mean for the future of Tampa’s growth.0:00:00 - Intro0:04:57 - Office Development0:25:12 - Metropolitan Statistic Area0:42:56 - Demand0:52:01 - UT Graduates1:00:44 - Future Challenges1:18:14 - Outro