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Friends Of Riverwalk Retains Fundraiser

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

TAMPA - Alex Petrilak, the president of a marketing management company, will lead Tampa in its quest to raise $24 million for the Riverwalk project.

Petrilak, 53, was hired this past week by Friends of the Riverwalk, the private group raising money for the project.

His job will be to lead the capital campaign and to schedule activities along the sections of the Riverwalk already built. He will meet with corporations, philanthropists and other potential donors.

The $40 million Riverwalk project will be paid for in part by private money and in part by public sources. On the private side, Friends of the Riverwalk has raised about one-third of its $24 million goal.

Petrilak has a long history in Tampa. He was director of real estate and international trade for the Tampa Port Authority, where he helped plan the Channelside entertainment complex. He also has worked with A Better Place Group, the organization working on a mixed-use residential community in Tampa Heights.

The Riverwalk is a 2.3-mile pathway that will link the Channel District with Tampa Heights.

'I'm very focused on the fact this is so important to our community,' he said. 'Now I look forward to bringing us all over the line.'
Lee Hoffman continues in his position with the city as Riverwalk manager. He focuses on the construction and design elements for the project.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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