TAMPA — Bill Gates’ riches will help fuel Jeff Vinik’s vision.
An investment fund controlled by Microsoft’s billionaire founder will help finance the Tampa Bay Lightning owner’s ambitious plan to build a massive entertainment, office, residential and retail district around the Amalie Arena.
“This has the potential to be a billion-dollar development,” said Vinik’s top lieutenant, Tod Leiweke, during a 90-minute interview at the arena Thursday.
Having one of the world’s richest men put his money behind Vinik’s project sends an unprecedented message about Tampa’s potential to investors nationwide, Mayor Bob Buckhorn said.
Nothing else is “even close,” Buckhorn said. “This will put an exclamation point on the story we’ve been telling.”