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Around the bay

Has Moffitt ruled out Pasco for expansion?

By TIMES STAFF
Published December 11, 2006

The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa has ruled out Pasco County to be the home for a major expansion, state Sen. Mike Fasano said last week. But Moffitt chief financial officer Jack Kolosky said no decision has been made. "I'd say nothing is ruled out," Kolosky said. "That's all I can say - we haven't announced anything." Moffitt, a nationally renowned institution, is examining how to add a site in Pasco or Hillsborough county that could provide cancer research, outpatient services and offices. Various incentive packages are part of the discussions. Landing it would be a major victory for Pasco officials seeking to improve the job base of a largely suburban bedroom community. Dozens to hundreds of jobs, many of them high-paying, would come with such a facility. Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said County Administrator John Gallagher and County Attorney Robert Sumner briefly informed him in separate conversations last week that Moffitt had ruled out Pasco. The reason was Moffitt's asking price for incentives was too high, Fasano said. Early discussions with Pasco involved up to $15-million in county incentives, such as impact fee credits. State incentives also are expected to be requested.

Want a sports career? Be competitive

Students in a sports management class at Lakewood High School got a behind-the-scenes look at Tropicana Field to learn exactly what goes on in the home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The class is part of the Program for Academics and Sportsmanship. Students got tips on pursuing a career in sports management from Rick Nafe, vice president of operations and facilities for the Devil Rays. Nafe, who has spent nearly 30 years in the business, advised them to go after internships, work hard and show dedication. "It's hard work, but it's rewarding work and a lot of fun," he said. "Any time you can get up on Monday morning and want to come to work, you know you're in the right place." Nafe also outlined some of the challenges: The work is less than glamorous, the hours can be long and the popularity of the field means jobs can be hard to come by. "The competition is tremendous," he said. Be willing to work your way up, Nafe told them. "Minor leagues are a great way to get to the major leagues, just like for players."

Renting a movie as easy as buying candy

If it takes only two hours to watch a movie, why bother renting it for a week? That's one of the questions that prompted the creation of Moviebank, a video rental retailer that offers the newest releases for as little as 99 cents for a six-hour rental. "Our target market is the person that is spur of the moment, that decides, 'I want to watch this movie tonight,' " said Joel Schoubert, owner of the store that opened almost a year ago in Gunn Highway's Plantation Plaza. By renting out the movie for only six hours, Moviebank ensures a quick turnover of titles. This benefits the renter (who rarely comes in to find all the copies of one film gone) and the store (because more rentals go out in fewer days). Moviebank is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because the entire business is driven by an automated DVD vending machine. The store is essentially a lobby with several ATM-style kiosks that operate in English and Spanish. Renters scroll through inventory, view trailers and make their choices, which are then delivered by the vending machine.

Leverock's restaurant returns to Pinellas

After nearly disappearing from Pinellas County, Leverock's is coming back with a new location in South Pasadena. The nearly 50-year-old seafood chain that had 12 locations around the area and state closed its last main site in April when owners sold a St. Pete Beach property to make room for condos. But as one door closed, plans are in the works for another to open. "We weren't sure we were going to stay in the restaurant business," said George Lewis, one of the owners. "But as I was leaving St. Pete Beach, I saw the sign for this other property." The restaurant will be at 840 S Pasadena Ave., which was most recently a Ponderosa Steak House. The store will open in January.

Cigar building gets historical makeover

Try not to panic if you notice a demolition crew hanging around 1202 N Howard Ave. The building formerly known as the Tampa Cuba Cigar Co. is getting a makeover - based on how it looked more than 90 years ago. The restoration "makes the building a contributing structure again," said Chris Duffy-Waldman of Intelident Solutions. The company hired Curts Gaines Hall Jones Architects to restore the building so Intelident can make it the company's headquarters.

[Last modified December 11, 2006, 07:12:22]