Members of the community stood side-by-side with executives, business owners and dignitaries for the groundbreaking of the Riverview 14 complex in Gibsonton. The theater, dining and shopping center is scheduled to open in summer 2016. Chere Simmons photos.
On Dec. 3, several dozen neighbors, supporters and employees gathered for the formal groundbreaking of the Riverview 14 shopping and entertainment center, located between the Walmart Super Center and the I-75 interchange in Gibsonton. This 30-acre commercial project is scheduled to be the new home for a state-of-the-art 14-screen theater operated by Goodrich Theaters.
Executives from Strathmore Development Company; Goodrich Theaters; Gibsonton Retail Holdings, LLC; Stacy White, District 4 Hillsborough County Commissioner; Tanya Doran, executive director of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce; and Christian Beiter, Riverview’s honorary mayor, participated in the groundbreaking, with significant clearing and site work well underway.
Also celebrating in the groundbreaking were Matthew and Cory Wortman, franchise owners for Zaxby’s Chicken. This will be the Wortman’s second location in West Florida, with their first location on S.R. 60 east of Brandon.
Several dozen guests were hosted by the chamber of commerce and all were treated to a luncheon by Zaxby’s Chicken.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White describes growing up less than a mile from the site of the new complex.
“We are pleased to bring new and exciting entertainment, shopping and restaurant options to the South Shore market,” said Terry Benton, Strathmore’s vice president of real estate. “The 30-acre project will have over a dozen restaurant and shopping venues to help make food, fun and shopping closer to all of the existing and new homes going up in the region. Riverview 14 serves as the gateway to the South Shore market south of the Alafia River,” Benton said.
Goodrich Theaters’ Chief Operations Officer Martin Betz told the gathering that this will be the newest state-of-the-art theater with all of the best attributes. Betz said the venue will feature GDX (Giant Digital eXperience), Goodrich’s cutting-edge, large-format auditorium, with a giant 80-foot-wide screen allowing floor-to-ceiling viewing. Each all-digital projection auditorium will feature luxurious recliners and reserved seating, as well as the latest technology and amenities, including premium Dolby Atmos sound systems, a spacious lobby, multiple box offices plus self-serve ticket counters and a massive concession stand with self-serve drink refill stations. The theater will also include a 100-seat restaurant off the lobby with scratch foods and beer and wine options.
“We’ve really worked hard to make it a wonderful family experience with something for everyone,” said Betz.
Terry Benton, left, of Strathmore Development, introduces Cory Wortman, franchise owner of Zaxby’s Chicken, which will be opening its second West Florida location at the Riverview 14 complex.
Site work is scheduled to be completed in early March with businesses opening in summer 2016. For more information, email Terry Benton at terryb@strathmoredev.com or call 517-664-4128.
