Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s much anticipated development in downtown Tampa will be designed around supporting public health in a new partnership announced Tuesday by former president Bill Clinton.
Clinton made the announcement in New York with Vinik and Mayor Bob Buckhorn on stage at the Clinton Global Initiative.
The district Vinik is planning will be the first ever “WELL certified” area, with an investment of more than $20 million by Delos and Strategic Property Partners for technology and design strategies to promote the health of residents.
Phase one of the project is expected to break ground in 2016, according to an announcement by the companies. Below is a description of the project envisioned:
The Tampa city district will serve as an example to the world that city design can be healthy. Delos will deploy its proven research and development capabilities to identify city-scale development strategies to support public health and wellness. The principles and foundation of the WELL Building Standard - which focuses on seven categories of building performance, including air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind - will be applied to the project. All buildings within the Tampa city district will pursue WELL Certification, including new buildings such as a 400-500 room hotel, a 650,000 square foot signature office tower, the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute, and approximately 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space. Additionally, the community itself will become the world’s first WELL Certified city district and will feature design and technology strategies including enhanced walkability, abundant green space including low pollen trees, sound barriers to support acoustic comfort, access to healthy foods, green infrastructure, daily monitoring and reporting of district air quality, and access to the amenities of an urban waterfront – all of which contribute to the wellness and quality of life of the people who live and work in the development.
