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Hyde Park Village Redevelopment Is On Tampa Council's Agenda

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By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 13, 2007

Updated: 12/12/2007 11:47 pm

TAMPA - Almost two years after their unveiling, redevelopment plans for Hyde Park Village finally head to the Tampa City Council tonight.

The village's owner wants to add two condominium towers, offices and a gourmet grocery market to boost the fortunes of the 20-year-old shopping area, which has struggled in recent years.

Neighbors repeatedly have said the proposed buildings are too big and have too many residences.

Roger Grunke, president of the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, said many residents plan to attend the rezoning hearing at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.

"For the most part, we're not anti-redevelopment," Grunke said. "But we believe that any project, no matter who the developer is, that project needs to respect the city's comprehensive plan and the historic Hyde Park guidelines."

Wasserman Realty Capital's plans call for the former Sunrise Cinema building on Swann Avenue to be replaced with a 90-foot tower with 85 residences, 46,501 square feet of office and retail space, including a grocery store, and 348 parking spaces. It would sit next to the 87-foot Valencia condo tower, which is not owned by the village.

The former Brooks Bros. building would become an 80-foot tower with 78 residences, 43,530 square feet of retail and office space, and 263 parking spaces.

Wasserman scaled back previous proposals calling for buildings of 102 feet and 89 feet tall, with a total of 226 residences

But neighbors have opposed all versions of the project. Last month, they packed the council chambers as the city's Architectural Review Commission found the latest plans out of character with the neighborhood.

It was the third time the commission rejected Wasserman's plans. The city council can accept or reject the commission's recommendation.

In recent weeks, both sides have ramped up their efforts.

Wasserman sent letters to neighbors, and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez, both now with the Holland & Knight law firm, were enlisted to garner support for the project.

"What was presented at the review commission is what we are presenting to the city council," said Richard Seges, Wasserman's vice president of development. "We have a project we are very proud of, and I am looking forward to bringing it before city council."

Reporter Michael H. Samuels can be reached at (813) 835-2109 or msamuels@tampatrib.com.

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