Tampa Tribune, Fla.
Mar. 2--The people who added the Tampa Marriott Waterside to the skyline plan to change the downtown waterfront
as well.
Trammell Crow Co., the hotel's developer, will build a 30- to 35-slip marina on Garrison Channel, directly behind
the hotel.
Trammell Crow and Marriott Waterside officials also are talking to city leaders and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla
about moving the Jose Gasparilla -- the pirate ship moored along Bayshore Boulevard -- to a spot next to the hotel's
neighbor, the Tampa Convention Center.
Trammell Crow has applied for building permits for the marina, which has an estimated price tag of $500,000.
Bob Abberger, Trammell Crow's principal for the Tampa Bay area, expects work to begin by July. The project should
be completed in October.
The hotel recently opened for business.
Abberger said the marina will feature high-end boat slips. The marina is significant because Trammell Crow, Marriott
Waterside and government officials have long promoted the property not just as a convention center hotel, but also
as a resort hotel.
With a marina, the hotel can offer guests services such as chartered fishing trips and water taxis.
The marina also will come in handy for boat shows at the convention center, Abberger said.
The Marriott Waterside plans to use the Jose Gasparilla for special events, said Gary Hughes, the hotel's director
of marketing. "This gives us a chance as a city, and as a destination, to do some pretty festive theme parties
there."
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