South Tampa News and Events

Sticks of Fire has a post about the creative class in Tampa. I still laugh every time I hear that term. Is there really a separate class of people who are creative? But anyway, the post spurred some interesting comments on the urban design and planning. It would be nice if Tampa could revitalize downtown as a community, but outlying areas like Ybor, Channelside, and Hyde Park are more realistic goals.

As far as Hyde Park, Howard Avenue has great potential for becoming a hub of activity. It already has a start, but it needs more pedestrian traffic and outdoor destinations. One of the problems that Hyde Park faces, also, is property costs. It’s important to retain a mix of living options. Nobody (well, almost nobody) wants to live in a place that’s segregated to one class - even if it’s the creative class. Now that the real estate boom is over, maybe Tampa can take a look at actually controlling growth rather than letting developers choose how our communities look.

I recently came across a local blog with an interesting take on downtown Tampa. The writer wonders if Tampa missed its chance to build a vibrant community in the city core while the building and growth boom was happening. Now that the real estate and development activity has cooled is it too late - at least for the near future?

(more…)

“But everything changed for Tampa and for many other cities with the housing slump and foreclosure crisis, which was intensified by the year-old credit crunch. Now only about 3,500 of the planned condo units have either been built or are under construction in the downtown area, and many remain vacant. The office building also has been delayed.”

(more…)

I got a letter today from David Wasserman from Wasserman Real Estate Capital. No, I’m not that important. And No, I’m not friends with Mr. Wasserman. He’s appealing to the community for support for his company’s proposed plans for Hyde Park Village.

He is trying to get approval from the City Council for his proposed Hyde Park Village redevelopment plan, which the ARC decided not to recommend.

(more…)