Tampa Bay Partnership

Tampa Bay Partnership

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Growth of the Tampa Bay Region

The Tampa Bay region’s population is expected to increase by 2.0 million residents between 2001 and 2030, and double in population by the year 2050. Employment is projected to increase by more than 940,000 jobs between 2001 and 2030 or 1.6 millions jobs by the year 2050. (Source: Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Regional Economic Models, Inc. Policy Insight Version 8.0)

Planning for this population influx at a regional scale is a necessity since this population will cross county and municipal boundaries and the entire region will feel the impact of this growth. To accommodate this influx of residents and businesses the region must do a better job of planning for quality growth and development by planning where development should occur, maintaining open space and the environmental attributes of our region and planning for the infrastructure to accommodate that growth.

What is Reality Check?

Reality Check is a one-day exercise designed to discuss, analyze and develop alternative growth scenarios for our rapidly growing region through 2050. Reality Check is designed to accomplish four tasks:

· Promote a region wide awareness of the level of growth that is coming

· Allocate projected housing and employment growth between and among jurisdictions

· Recognize the legitimate points of view of different stakeholders

· Lay the foundation for the development of a concrete list of next steps to assure quality growth to meet the region’s needs over the next two decades

Reality Check is neither a traditional conference nor a theoretical exercise. Participants will work in teams of 8 to 10 per table, negotiating with each other to create a blue print for growth for the region based upon actual demographic geographic and economic data assembled specifically for the event.

The Exercise

The tabletop exercises are designed to increase awareness and to educate about the interrelationships among regional land use, transportation systems, and natural resources. Participants, led by trained facilitators, join 10-person groups to use a detailed map to plan future growth by placing Lego® building blocks to represent additional homes and jobs. These individuals are asked to determine where new residents will live and new employment will locate.

Who Participates?

Nearly 300 invited leaders will attend this participatory event. A wide cross-section of community stakeholders, from business, economic development, government, academic, environmental and social services, to professional and trade organizations, neighborhood and civic groups, nonprofit and philanthropic. It is important to have individuals that represent a variety of interests, the total geography, ethnic groups, age ranges, etc., be in attendance.

Planning & Timeline

Planning for Reality Check Tampa Bay began in March 2006 with a community announcement luncheon. The event has been scheduled for Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida. The event is being coordinated by an Executive Committee comprised of individuals from the marquee partners for the event (see below). There are six subcommittees serving in the areas of Communications/Outreach, Data/GIS, Program, Visioning Exercise, Fundraising/Budget and Post-Implementation. In addition, a project manager was contracted, and project management support will be provided by the Tampa Bay Partnership.

Which Regions Have Hosted Reality Check?

Reality Check exercises have been successfully held in Los Angeles; Washington, DC; North Texas and the state of Maryland. ULI Seattle is in the planning stages for holding a Reality Check in 2007, which will look at future growth within the framework of the state's Growth Management Act. ULI Tampa Bay and ULI Arizona also plan to hold Reality Check programs in 2007.

Who is Sponsoring Reality Check?

"Reality Check," was created by ULI Los Angeles and inspired by Envision Utah. The Urban Land Institute Tampa Bay District Council has partnered with the Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research & Education Foundation, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to carry out Reality Check Tampa Bay. This event is a public-private partnership that will require additional resources from across the region. Sponsorships will range from $500 - $25,000. For specific sponsorship or program information, please see the contacts below:

Outcome – Long Term Implications

Reality Check Tampa Bay is one of many partnerships engaging the communities of Tampa Bay in creating a long term vision. The long-term regional visioning process began over two years ago with the creation of Vision21, a Tampa Bay Partnership led effort. Vision21 compiled research on current/past visioning efforts from the seven-county region and most recently commissioned a values study with the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida. The Vision21 Steering Committee will use the findings of Reality Check along with other community input and professional scenario development to create an initial long term vision for the region.

The Tampa Bay Partnership for Regional Research & Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3)nonprofit, exists to offer educational opportunities to the general public, specifically on economic development issues, and to do research in those areas of study, e.g., transportation, workforce, and education, that pertain to economic growth and viability in the greater area of west central Florida.

ULI, the Urban Land Institute, a 501(c)(3)nonprofit research and education organization, represents the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. It serves to facilitate the open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among local, national, and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.

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