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Public study on aerial gondola between Clearwater, Clearwater beach online

Public study on aerial gondola between Clearwater, Clearwater Beach online

This article was written by Daisy Ruth and originally published on the WFLA News Channel 8 website on August 18, 2022.

 Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) is studying the potential of an aerial gondola to move people between Clearwater and Clearwater Beach.

TBARTA has launched a public survey online for those not just in Clearwater, but everyone in the Tampa Bay area. The anonymous survey is just 10 questions. It will be open through Aug. 31.

TBARTA said it is important to note that it is not proposing an aerial gondola and there is no plan to build one at this time.

“We are conducting a feasibility study as part of our mission from the Florida Legislature to investigate innovative regional transit possibilities for Tampa Bay,” TBARTA said in a press release.

The study will provide local officials information they would need if they want to take the next step.

According to TBARTA, Clearwater officials have expressed interest in learning if a gondola could ease traffic problems on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, as well as increase tourism to downtown Clearwater.

Questions on the study regard what the purpose and need of an aerial gondola would be, if people would use it and what for, how much it would cost and who would pay for it and more.

If built, it would be the first aerial gondola in Florida used for public transportation.

“These gondolas are not to be confused with the smaller scale, private Disney World-type gondolas, these gondolas are for daily, continual public transit,” TBARTA said.

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C.J. Mintrone

Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking, West Florida, PNC Bank

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C.J. Mintrone is regional president and head of Corporate Banking for PNC Bank in West Florida, responsible for overseeing all lines of business, sponsorships, philanthropic and branding efforts important to PNC’s strategy.
 
Mintrone was named regional president in July 2026 and brings more than 20 years of industry experience, including 15 years at PNC, to this role.
As executive vice president and head of Corporate Banking for West Florida, he leads a high-performing team delivering PNC’s comprehensive banking solutions to corporations with revenues exceeding $100 million. He is the national co-leader for PNC’s Corporate Sales Development (CSD) team,, where he drives sales strategy, marketing, and growth initiatives across PNC’s Corporate Banking markets nationwide.
 
Mintrone is active in the community and serves as a board member of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, vice chair of the advisory board of Make-A-Wish Tampa Bay, and a board member of Junior Achievement Tampa Bay. He is also on the finance committee of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. In addition, he serves on the executive advisory council for the University of South Florida Muma College of Business and on the Tampa Bay Partnership workforce board.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a specialty in finance (Cum Laude), from the University of Florida and is a graduate of Leadership Tampa (2013).