The Wow Effect

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Featured Story

WOW That’s So Tampa

Now and then, it’s good to talk about Southshore adjacent stories. Like the observation wheel being proposed in downtown Tampa.

Apparently, observation wheels are all the rage in places like Vegas and Dubai (Photo Credit). So why not in Channelside? A developer has proposed building a 250-foot observation wheel just north of the Florida Aquarium in the Channelside District, dubbed Tampa WOW (Wheel Over Water). There are only a few months when spinning over the water with the sun baking you sounds like it’s not torture, so the plan is to have climate-controlled gondolas that take 20 to 30-minute trips.

The timeline isn’t instant. Tampa City Council has two public hearings on the plan, October 9 and October 23. If it clears those, the target opening is fall 2026. The developer says no taxpayer dollars, but about $20 million in private funding.

What’s in it for us? An easy day trip. Breakfast in Riverview, a glide around the wheel, then a Riverwalk stroll while the kids count how many times the gondola passes the pirate ship. If this moves forward, expect one more reason visiting friends ask to “do Tampa.” Maybe they’ll build one down at the end of Apollo Beach Blvd instead of all this condo and high-rise talk.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Coming to a School Near You

Schools are slowly becoming co-op spaces as the state approves a plan to turn public schools into a kind of educational WeWork. If you don’t know how that story ended, Google it.

Florida’s Board of Education approved rules that let charter schools move into underused classrooms inside district schools, even high-performing ones. Districts would provide services like maintenance, safety, food service, and transportation at no charge as part of the Schools of Hope expansion. Supporters call it smart use of space and more choice. Critics say it pulls students and resources from existing schools.

I’m wondering where these “underused” schools are, because they’re definitely not in Southshore. Can we get some ACs fixed before we start loaning out classrooms like a hotel?

Southshore Spotlight

Women in Aviation International

Women in Aviation International’s vision is a barrier-free sky, investing in a global talent pipeline, and inspiring women and girls to pursue aviation and aerospace.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 30,000 readers in Southshore what you've got.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Football

Lennard vs Plant City, Friday 10/3 @7:30 PM - Home

East Bay vs Wharton, Friday 10/3 @ 7:30 PM - Away

Sumner vs Lakeland, Friday 10/3 @7:30 PM - Away

Riverview vs Bartow, Friday 10/10, @ 7:30 PM - Away

Spoto vs Freedom, Friday 10/3, @7:30 PM - Home

News or Events you’d like to share? Email us at: [email protected] 

Until next time,

Keep It Local.