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Latest episode of 'How Trump Tower turns'

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 22, 2006

For a skyscraper that has yet to rise nearly two years after its unveiling, Trump Tower Tampa piles up the headlines. The latest flash: The 52-story condominium tower could be under new ownership as early as today. Mirabilis Ventures Inc., an Orlando private-equity company, plans to take charge of the much-delayed project from SimDag LLC. The deal would also include's SimDag's Antigua Bay Yacht Club in Clearwater. The idea is to push forward with Antigua, then move on to Trump Tower, said Tampa investment banker Robert Moreyra, who is partnering with Mirabilis. Trump Tower has presold about $150-million worth of its 190 condos, which bodes well for getting financing for the $260-million skyscraper. Don't make too much of the TTT change, however. SimDag executives weren't expected to break ties with the project, despite the Mirabilis deal.

Bay area shoppers say they'll splurge

Tampa Bay area shoppers are preparing to splurge more on holiday gift-giving than both a national and statewide average, if you believe a Retail Forward ShopperScope survey commissioned by the Florida Retail Federation. The statewide survey, which included 150 bay area residents questioned in late October, found Floridians plan to spend $682 on gifts. Flush-with-cash bay area shoppers plan to spend $717. That's $100 more than the national average in the survey.

Cash-saving ideas, bigger electric bills

Progress Energy Florida got the green light from regulators Tuesday to give customers more ways save power and, therefore, cash. Who's picking up the tab? The utility's 1.6-million-plus customers, who will pay an extra 27 cents for the average 1,220 kilowatt-hour monthly bill starting Jan. 1. Starting next year, residential customers can enroll in year-round energy management, which lets the company turn off power to water heaters and heating and cooling systems during peak demand in return for a monthly credit. Progress will also offer incentives for energy management customers to buy solar hot water heaters. Go to www.progress-energy.com/save or call toll-free 1-888-302-8348.

. THE TICKER

[Last modified November 21, 2006, 23:44:01]