Revitalization North Of I-275 Stokes Debate

By JOHN W. ALLMAN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 14, 2007

TAMPA - The rumble of construction looms over a narrow corridor between Tampa Street and Nebraska Avenue, flanked by two new housing developments.

The effort stands to revitalize a long-dormant neighborhood even as it possibly pushes out the people who have lived there for years.

But there is no denying the signs of change:

•On Tampa Street, construction - spurred by the opening of Stetson University College of Law - continues on new offices for the Hillsborough County Bar Association and Bush Ross law firm.

•On Oak Avenue, an area ravaged by arson seven years ago, Cathy Byrd sits in a new two-story bungalow where she rents office space to small businesses. Byrd owns three more lots to the east of the house that she plans to develop.

•On the Hillsborough River, 48 acres of prime real estate is slated to be transformed into a $500-million residential/business enclave called The Heights.

What impact the new developments will have is anyone's guess, but some are positive.

"Any growth in the Tampa area is a wonderful thing," said Tony Leto, daytime bartender at Baker's Billiards, a long-time pool hall that sits across from Bush Ross's new home. "Things like this law office across the street and the college is going to help our business."

Others worry that the growth will draw negative attention to another long-time component: the homeless.

The Salvation Army operates separate shelters for men and women at two facilities on each side of Florida Avenue at 7th Avenue.

"As we see more gentrification, the willingness to accept the population we serve is going to be diminishing," said Larry Carey, president of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Changing Population

For years, the corridor languished as revitalization flourished north of Palm Avenue and south of Kay Street.

Downtown Tampa has seen a boom in condominium construction and new destination spots such as Malio's Prime Steakhouse.

Seminole Heights, the neighborhood north of Tampa Heights, continues to attract homebuyers and popular retail spots such as Starbucks.

But the pocket of warehouses, government offices and small businesses just north of Interstate 275 has changed little.

There is a nightclub, Club Chambers, and an upscale watering hole, Azalea Lounge, which cater to a mostly gay clientele. There are a few retail shops - a billiards supply factory and an Asian market. But many others have closed or appear vacant.

A block east is Mobley Park Apartment Homes, a 213-unit complex that offers both market-rate and income-based housing.

"We try to mix everybody together," leasing coordinator Erica Baptiste said.

Some say the new construction will change the neighborhood for the better.

"I don't think there's any question the influx of new development and new people coming into the neighborhood is going to cause small businesses to want to be located there," said Jeff Warren, president of Bush Ross.

And that influx, he said, likely means other things will move away.

"Eventually, ministries like the Salvation Army will move to other areas where they can be more beneficial with respect to what they do," Warren said.

Carey, a former chairman of the Salvation Army's advisory board, said complaints already are increasing. There have been talks about relocating, but the question is where. The agency currently has no plans to move.

"It would be silly to think it's going to get better," he said. "At what point do we say, 'OK, we get the message. We give up.'"

Changing Character

Bill Bishop, a board member with A Better Place Group, which is developing The Heights, bristles at the term "gentrification." He said The Heights was one of the first and most-important suburbs of Tampa, an area known for stately homes and prominent residents.

"Over a period of time, for whatever reason, the prosperity of that neighborhood declined," he said. "To say that we shouldn't change neighborhoods that are in decline because to change them will increase the economic state of living and add diversity - it should be our mission to embrace and encourage diversity."

Bishop said the group, which includes chairman Don Wallace, has purchased about 170 individual parcels. They have worked to relocate families whose property was bought. In some cases, he said, they have built those families new homes.

In their place, the group plans to build a tony subdivision of waterfront condominiums and apartment homes mixed with commercial and retail business. Proposed amenities include a Riverwalk component, brick streets and cast-iron street lamps and boat slips.

No groundbreaking date has been set.

"In terms of character, the pre-existing condition didn't have any of those things," Bishop said. "Maybe the new character is what it should have been all along."

Changing Perception

About eight blocks to the east, 483 mostly poor and black families at Central Park Village are being relocated to make room for a new mixed-income housing development called Encore.

The development, being built in partnership between Bank of America and the Tampa Housing Authority, plans to retain the area's history by incorporating the musical legacy of the Central Avenue business corridor.

Former residents will have the first choice in moving back once new housing opens in late 2009. About 119 families so far have expressed interest.

The site will offer affordable housing, including Section 8, and market-rate condominiums for sale. Other amenities proposed include a possible hotel, a grocery store, a black history museum and a refurbished Perry Harvey Sr. Park.

Change is already evident on the side streets west of Central Park. People such as Byrd, who owns a historic home restoration business, are trying to build new properties that match the existing neighborhood style.

Byrd said that since moving to Oak Avenue in June 2006, she hasn't experienced problems. "I have never seen, heard or experienced anything negative," she said. "Not a lick."

One of Byrd's tenants is the law firm Thorn Lawrence.

"I think you're seeing a business migration just north of downtown," attorney Marcus Lawrence said.

Lawrence said the firm initially worried about moving into an older area. He said revitalization efforts should help others consider relocation.

"In order to get businesses in here," he said, "you've got to have a comfort with where your office is."

Reporter John W. Allman can be reached at jallman@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7915.