Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Tribune article on CUPS:

Central Tampa News

Group seeks to link commerce and the community

By LENORA LAKE
Special Correspondent
Published: October 15, 2014

A grass-roots organization is pulling together residents and businesses in the Channelside area and its surroundings.

Known as Channel District Urban Professionals Society, or CUPS, the group started about two months ago. Its first event, Channel District Connect, was a melding of 100 attendees who all learned more about the group’s plan. They also had a chance to talk with business and political leaders during the Oct. 4 event held at BoConcepts, a furniture and design store.

Sid Khurrum Hasan, co-founder of the group, said its purpose is “to make the Channel District a place where we live, work and play by connecting commerce and the community.”

Lauren Campbell, also a co-founder, said the area had the reputation as an “entertainment district,” but now there are more residents and businesses in the area. She said there are 3,500 households in the area now.

“This neighborhood was empty and developers threw money at it,” she said. “We want new businesses and residents to come here and feel welcome.”

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn spoke at the gathering.

“This is the most exciting time in Tampa — especially for the urban core,” he said. “You literally can feel the energy in the city.”

The area is seeing a boom with new high rises under construction and numerous plans in the works, including a new hotel, as well as other developments involving Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and an investment firm controlled by Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Vinik also just closed a deal buying the Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel and Marina.

“This is the heart and soul of the city,” Buckhorn said. “The millennials don’t want to live in the burbs.”

Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman commended CUPS for its work in recognizing the need for an organization and for hosting the gathering.

“We’ve got residents walking the neighborhoods, coffee shops and people moving in,” she said.

However, some businesses still have not been able to survive. Le Mouton Noir Bakehouse closed its doors on Sept. 29, after almost two years in the area.

For information about CUPS, see www.facebook.com/groups/CUP Society/.