So what does the Seminole Heights Business Alliance do?
It's hard to tell.
They really don't have a website. Old Seminole Heights has a section on their website for the Alliance. This consists of 10 reasons to join and a listing of neighborhood businesses. The 10 reasons are:
1. INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY
2. NETWORKING WITH OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS
3. INTERESTING SPEAKERS
4. EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
5. GOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATION IN MATTERS RELATED TO YOUR BUSINESS
6. REVITALIZATION OF YOUR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
7. YOUR BUSINESS NAME ON ALLIANCE ADS
8. INFORMATION ON GRANTS AND FUNDING AVAILABLE TO BUSINESS MEMBERS
9. YOUR BUSINESS NAME LISTED IN A MEMBER DIRECTORY AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS
10. THE SEMINOLE HEIGHTS BUSINESS ALLIANCE LOGO AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS
How many of these things are you aware of going on? I've beeen unable to find a listing of meeting dates/times on the internet or in the Old Seminole Heights Advisor.
By contrast, I know what is going on in each of the residential neighborhoods associations via their websites, email groups, newsletters and stories in the news media. i know when their meetings are and what they've accomplished.
I find it silly that a business organization does not have website. If there is one, why then is there no marketing of that site. It should be on first page of results when you search for Seminole Heights.
In addition the Alliance space on the Old Seminole Heights website contains a listing of local businesses. This list is hopelessly out of date. It mentions businesses that no longer exist, have moved out of the neighborhood or are at different addresses in the neighborhood. For example: Ybor Cafeteria, Webb Communications, Snow Wolf Karate, Sign Art Group, Pyramid Gallery, Our Family Baked Goods, New Heights Gallery, Mad Fish Gallery, and others.
I wonder why Old Seminole Heights continues to provide webspace for the Alliance if the Alliance don't care to update that space.
The only marketing of the businesses in Seminole Heights that I have seen is by business owners not affiliated with the Alliance.
When Rigo was involved several years ago I knew about the Alliance. He had meetings of the Alliance at his restaurants with flyers posted mentioning it, and the Alliance sponsored a Wine and Cheese Fundraiser to benefit Francis House for at least 3 years.
What gives now?
GOOD question!
ReplyDeleteThe alliance seems like nothing more than an ongoing personality clash from like a decade ago, and its certain personalities battling it out with the Old SH people.
Granted the alliance used to do all the cool stuff you mentioned, and gave money to the Frances House.
Now? not so much
the organization had some good people who wanted to make things better, and have everyone get along.
the newspaper articles that always say our neighborhood is "against" business= that whole meme got started with the ego conflicts of these two orgs.
think you don't hear much about it because who is in? the car lot owners don't live here, they don't give a CRAP about here, and they sure don't want to be involved in making things better
also- there only seems to be one way to redevelop the commercial and it ALWAYS has to be what the big land owning companies and developers say has to be...
As someone who witnessed the "clash of egos" from the perspective of OSHNA, I can tell you it was far less an ego issue than differing views of what our business corridors ought to be like.
ReplyDeleteThe Business Aliance is primarily made up of businesses that moved to our area for the dirt cheap facilities, easy freeway access, and central location. Most of them are business-to-business or depend on lower-income customers. A very small handful of these businesses cater to residents. Jeff Craft is the president of the Aliance and a CPA that counts as his customers many of the local businesses, including the cheap motels.
The clash between the BA and OSHNA was over an attempt by the city to jump-start commercial redevelopment in the area. The city convinced OSHNA and BA to join forces and conducted many seminars in zoning, land use, codes, and laws. The two groups disagreed dramatically on where the commercial district should go and how it should get there. Primarily, the BA appears to advocate the status quo. They like the light to heavy industrial useage and do not see any need to change. OSHNA, being resident focused, is more interested in encouraging neighborhood-serving businesses, which means displacing car lots, hooker motels, pawn shops, and used goods stores.
In retrospect it was probably foolish to think an organization focused on industrial businesses would be receptive to changing that landscape.
OSHNA severed ties with BA shortly after the city took the initiative back and tried to manage it themselves. It failed again, primarly because local, industrial businesses don't understand why resident-focused businesses would be desireable. For them it isn't really, because it drives up land values and forces them to relocate.
Since that time, the BA has been quiet. There's nothing for them to do. The status quo works well for them. I imagine we'll see and hear more from them when/if the proposed Hampton Terrace local historic district gains any ground.
I own the new business at 5803 N. Florida Ave. "Sports & Physical Therapy" I joined the BA and havent heard or received anything. I think I just donated my fee. You think I'd at least get or sticker or something?!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see the three Seminole Heights associations get together and form a greater Seminole Heights Chamber of Commerce to market our area to new, resident-focused businesses.
ReplyDeleteNebraska avenenu and Hillsborough East of the freeway is ARC-free. A great place to locate.
Great idea about the chamber of commerce thing...but is it only about the ARC?
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of non contributing commercial spaces that could stand to benefit; just don't think its all about historical status per se.
But now that that came up= this new organization would be ideal to provide HELPFUL info for biz owners or developers- here you go, here's helpful hints (or some such thing) to deal with going before ARC. That would (seem to) move along the plans, make it seem like the neighborhood is welcoming to positive change, etc
My impression of ARC is that they are demonized a lot sometimes, when the city laws dictate what they have to do. Plus, the guidelines are just that- suggestions. If you know what you are doing, there can be all types of compromise etc. honestly- government entities usually just want to get through a check list of stuff they have to do. If you know the check list ahead of time, and you say here's what I am doing to complete my check list, then most of the time you get right on your way. (I know- this isn't always the case but)
also- I wonder if I should "go" here or not- but why only a focus on Nebraska? I think positive things happening on both commercial corridors are GOOD, and can only help to UNITE the neighborhood instead of dividing it further.
sorry- but in the time I've been here (and its been a good long while) I have seen this kind of drawing of lines as bad for everyone (look at the LARGER picture and how the rest of Tampa views the neighborhood)
great blog btw
The ARC comment was not the central theme of my point--more an afterthought or a jab at the current situation. The ARC is in the forefront of a lot of neighbors minds these days. Certainly they aren't even the largest obstacle to opening a business in the area.
ReplyDeleteEven though you seem to have accidentally mischaracterized my position you've given me a chance to be 100% clear about it. :-)
The ARC meeting is televised at 8am Saturday mornings. The same meeting will run all month. The Startbucks issue came up around 11:30pm. (There's a time index in the lower righthand corner of the screen.) You might find it educational to watch. You're welcome to send me an email and borrow my copy.
Having said that, the ARC is a single element in a list of hurdles businesses in our area must go through. Specific discussion of the merits or lack-thereof of the ARC is off the SH Business Alliance topic. I'd be happy to discuss my thoughts on this in a non-anonymous fashion in another forum.
Something the business owners may forget is, we all want to make this a better neighborhood. In addition, this neighborhood is full of talented people that would do most anything to see a great business survive and thrive. For example, I am in advertising. I would be more than willing to hold a workshop to help with advertising, marketing and promotions to find cost effective ways to improve your customer flow. Many other professionals live within this neighborhood that can offer similar services. I.e. printing, web development, etc. It seems that the logical answer would be to embrace the residents and look to them for ways of growing thier businesses. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThe Alliance has a website:
ReplyDeleteWWW,SHBAI.org
The website also lists Alliance members. Interestingly...it is not dominated by "car lot owners"
I think some folks must of had an axe to grind. sigh...