Live Nation Just Picked Ybor

Another fun week in the books. Was on site in Clearwater last week for the groundbreaking of The Bluffs. Got to meet the Mayor of Clearwater. We have the privilege to shoot a podcast that potential FL Governor Byron Donalds was on.

But this week we have 6 stories. One of them puts a national entertainment operator inside the biggest development in Ybor City history. Let’s start there.

Gasworx Is Getting a 4,300-Seat Live Nation Venue

What happened: KETTLER announced plans to build a 4,300-capacity music venue inside the Gasworx district in Ybor City. Live Nation will operate it. Opening is targeted for late 2028.

The details: The venue sits on North 15th Street, steps from 7th Avenue and a planned TECO Streetcar stop on Channelside Drive. Design includes a brick exterior, vintage-style marquee with exposed bulbs, and a second-level balcony modeled after Ybor’s historic architecture. Inside: a proscenium stage, modern sound and lighting, and expanded backstage facilities built for national touring acts. Gasworx is a joint venture between KETTLER, Darryl Shaw, and PPF Real Estate — a 50-acre mixed-use project adding roughly 5,000 residences, 500,000+ square feet of office, and 120,000 square feet of retail to the corridor between Ybor and the Channel District.

Why it matters: Tampa currently has nothing in the 3,000–6,000 capacity range. The Yuengling Center holds around 10,000. Clearwater’s BayCare Sound holds 4,000 covered seats with lawn overflow. The mid-size touring market — the tier where most national acts actually book — has had no dedicated room in this market. That gap just got a tenant.

My take: Live Nation doesn’t sign operating agreements on projects they don’t believe in. They’re currently building 18 new venues in the U.S. They picked this one. That’s the data point.

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Tampa International Airport’s First Major Ticketing Overhaul Since 1971

What happened: The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority approved a $25.4 million design-build contract with Austin Commercial to begin redesigning the main terminal’s second-floor ticketing level — the first renovation of that floor since TPA opened in 1971.

The details: The Part One contract covers design work. A Part Two construction contract gets awarded in 2027. Construction runs 2027 to late 2029. The renovated floor will add 14,000 square feet, expand to 28 new counter positions, consolidate airline offices into a 30,000-square-foot centralized workspace, and integrate updated check-in kiosks and passenger flow improvements. The full project is estimated at $285.7 million and is part of TPA’s 2022 Master Plan Update, which targets capacity for 38 million annual passengers.

Why it matters: TPA currently processes roughly 25 million passengers per year. The ticketing level configuration has been unchanged for 55 years. The airport is also building Airside D — a new 16-gate international and domestic terminal — as part of the same master plan. The ticketing overhaul feeds that capacity.

My take: Two major capital projects moving in parallel at TPA. That’s the airport preparing for a different volume of traffic than what it handles today.

Clearwater’s Save the Garden Petition Just Hit a Wall

What happened: Clearwater City Clerk Rosemary Call rejected more than 5,000 signatures submitted by Save the Garden — the citizen coalition working to put a ballot question before voters that would require approval before the city could vacate a downtown right-of-way to a private entity.

The details: The clerk’s April 2 ruling cited a city charter provision: one member of the Petitioner’s Committee, Jessica Andujar, was not a registered Clearwater voter prior to October 7, 2025. Under the charter, all signatures collected before that date are invalid. The group needed approximately 11,000 valid signatures to qualify for an August ballot. The coalition’s attorney, Anthony Sabatini, is challenging the ruling, arguing courts have consistently applied a “substantial compliance” standard in these cases. Save the Garden is also preparing to sue. The underlying issue: the Church of Scientology has sought a portion of South Garden Avenue to build L. Ron Hubbard Hall, withdrew the request after council opposition, and has indicated it plans to resubmit.

Why it matters: If Save the Garden can’t get the ballot question certified, there’s no voter check on any future right-of-way transfer downtown. The church currently controls more than 200 properties in downtown Clearwater. Most are vacant.

My take: The procedural issue is real — a committee member wasn’t a registered voter, which the charter addresses directly. Whether that voids the entire campaign is now a legal question.

Blake Casper Picks Up His First Downtown Office Building

What happened: Blake Casper — the operator behind Oxford Exchange, The Current Hotel, Wright’s Gourmet, and The Stovall House — purchased the 12-story Madison Building at 412 E. Madison Street in downtown Tampa for $15 million.

The details: The building was sold by Madison Building Inc. to JHS OG LLC, an entity managed by Casper. The building totals about 266,000 square feet including roughly 114,000 square feet of heated office space. It was built in 1966 and carried a county market value of about $9.9 million at the time of sale.

Why it matters: Casper has built a portfolio of hospitality and retail concepts in South Tampa and the Hyde Park corridor. This is his first downtown acquisition. The $15M purchase price against a $9.9M assessed value puts a real number on how downtown Tampa office assets are being repriced by buyers with vision and local operating experience.

My take: Casper doesn’t buy buildings without a concept in mind. Whatever goes into the Madison Building will tell you something about where he thinks downtown foot traffic is heading.

Joe & the Juice Filed Permits for South Howard

What happened: Joe & the Juice filed permits to open its first Tampa location at 1350 S. Howard Ave. in SoHo — the former Fresh Kitchen site, which burned in July 2024 and was later demolished.

The details: The Denmark-based chain has 360+ locations worldwide and operates with backing from General Atlantic, which took a majority stake in 2023. The 0.08-acre site sold for $425,000 in September 2025. Rezoning approval is still pending. Opening is targeted for 2027.

Why it matters: SoHo has been drawing national lifestyle-focused café and restaurant concepts in a way it wasn’t five years ago. Joe & the Juice’s expansion strategy has focused on dense, high-income urban corridors. South Howard fits that profile.

My take: They’re rebuilding the corner that burned. That’s a direct bet on the block’s foot traffic holding.

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Rumor Roundup

A few items circulating this week that don’t have enough confirmed detail to feature but are worth keeping an eye on:

Nike naming rights for the Sports Stadium District — Tampa Tomorrow flagged a rumor that Nike is in conversations about a naming rights deal tied to the broader stadium district development. No confirmation from Nike or the city. Watch for official filings.

Jose Andres opening an Ybor concept — A rumor connecting the two-Michelin-star chef to a concept in Ybor City is circulating. Nothing confirmed. Ybor’s food and beverage activity has accelerated, so this is worth tracking.

Midtown Tampa second high-rise tower — Reports suggest Bromley Companies is moving forward on a second residential tower at Midtown Tampa, on the lot behind Shake Shack — the last buildable parcel in the development. No formal announcement yet.

6 stories. One entertainment infrastructure deal that changes what touring acts can book in Tampa Bay. Five others tracking where capital is moving in the market right now.

See you next week.

— Real Tampa Bay

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