TAMPA A push to bring the University of South Florida medical school to downtown Tampa has received a shot in the arm, with key landowner Jeff Vinik saying he will support the schools leaders as they explore the concept. <\/p>\n
While tactfully avoiding specifics, a statement from Viniks companies nonetheless suggests that the Tampa Bay Lightning owner is listening as Mayor Bob Buckhorn, downtowns biggest cheerleader, touts the potential move as a game changer for the city. <\/p>\n
We have great respect for the mayor and his leadership, the statement from Viniks companies said. We understand the value that an increased USF presence could have for our downtown and also understand how an urban school could benefit the University. <\/p>\n
This is a model we have seen in many other urban centers and we look forward to supporting USFs leaders as they explore this and other ideas that help make the university and our region succeed. <\/p>\n
Vinik owns more than 20 acres downtown. He controls the Channelside Bay Plaza entertainment complex and has plans to build a 400-room hotel near Amalie Arena, the hockey teams home ice. <\/p>\n
Buckhorn has made no secret of his wish to have a downtown medical school. <\/p>\n
A university or a portion of a university in your urban core pays huge dividends for both the city and, in this case, for USF, he said. I am very, very hopeful and will do whatever I can to make it happen and encourage them to move downtown. <\/p>\n
The one player not showing its cards on a potential move, however, is USF Health. <\/p>\n
On Friday, the school issued a statement via email: USF Health is in the process of developing plans to build two new facilities, the Morsani College of Medicine building and the USF Health Heart Institute. We are currently exploring various options to determine the optimum location for each of these facilities, the statement reads. <\/p>\n
The USF Health Heart Institute, which is a new concept, is being planned as a 100,000-square-foot, five-story research center in the universitys medical corridor on the main campus. <\/p>\n
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Vinik open to med school in downtown Tampa<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TAMPA A push to bring the University of South Florida medical school to downtown Tampa has received a shot in the arm, with key landowner Jeff Vinik saying he will support the schools leaders as they explore the concept. While tactfully avoiding specifics, a statement from Viniks companies nonetheless suggests that the Tampa Bay Lightning owner is listening as Mayor Bob Buckhorn, downtowns biggest cheerleader, touts the potential move as a game changer for the city Continue reading