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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 13, 2007

Redevelop The Village

Regarding "Council Should Affirm Bold Bid To Redevelop Hyde Park Village" (Our Opinion, Dec. 11):

Once again the Tribune editorial staff has shown that they support good growth for the city of Tampa. Your Dec. 11 editorial supporting the redevelopment of Hyde Park Village is a continuing testament to the Tribune's commitment of keeping Tampa in the forefront of Florida cities.

As you wrote, 20 years ago the naysayers told of the demise of Hyde Park because of the original project; however, the Village brought new vitality to the area. The Village became a destination not only for those who lived in the neighborhood, but also for those who lived in other parts of Tampa and those who came to visit our city.

The city council once again has the opportunity to move forward and bring the Village back to the sparkling position that it once held as a jewel in Tampa's crown.

HERB GOLD

Tampa

Don't Punish Community

Your editorial shows that you haven't done any research on the proposal to "redevelop" Hyde Park Village. The truth is that the Village has all the components to make it a livable and economically viable component of the Hyde Park community. The proposed 167 residential units won't compensate for too-high commercial rents and poor tenant mix. Office space, not more commercial space, is needed to bring more weekday foot traffic.

The existing zoning, height restrictions and Historic District guidelines were carefully crafted by the city council to create an urban village that other cities have emulated. The Hyde Park area is an asset to the city as it is - worth far more than the city would gain by overriding the recommendations of the ARC and the neighborhood's wishes to create an eyesore in the midst of a charming neighborhood.

City council should see the request for what it is - an attempt by the developer to recover from overpayment for the property - and maintain the character of Hyde Park Village.

SUZANNE COOPER

Tampa

Viable To Whom?

Old Hyde Park Village is a well-designed shopping area in a delightful residential historical setting near and accessible to downtown Tampa. What more could anyone want? A rich and varied assortment of specialty shops and restaurants could be assembled by creative owners and good property managers. Such areas thrive all over Florida with its appealing weather. We do not lack models.

The editorial urged the Tampa City Council in a bad direction and would bring only more housing units and about 400 more automobiles to a built-out situation. "It will only be economically viable if it is bigger" is a statement that is taught to every developer when he gets his first real estate license. "Viable" to whom?

Please reconsider your position. Old Hyde Park has come so far. Please do not ruin it now. The current owners could do worse than revisit Jim Burt's original concept and give it 21st century polish.

HATTY LENFESTEY

Tampa

Still Believes In Hyde Park
I moved to Florida five years ago. I lived on an island for the first two years before purchasing my current condo in Old Hyde Park Village. I'm not talking about the cheap post conversions, but the condos that are above the retail shops and overlook the fountain.

I gave up waking up and looking out over the water every morning so that I could live in an area that is vibrant and alive. For the last three years, I have watched businesses come, go and relocate. I was one of the few who visited our walking-distance theater very often and was very disappointed when it closed. But this will not come close to the disappointment that I and many of my friends and neighbors will feel when the Village sinks into mediocrity if the Wasserman project is not approved.

I still believe Old Hyde Park Village is the best location to live in all of Tampa Bay and want to see it even better. This is why I am in support of the Wasserman proposal and I look forward to seeing the Village, through this proposal, being the premiere shopping destination in Tampa once again!

SCOTT L. SMITH

Tampa

Condos Not The Answer

I am disappointed with the endorsement of The Tampa Tribune to the redevelopment of Hyde Park Village. The redevelopment is an excuse to build two condominium/apartment towers and will do very little to help Hyde Park Village retail establishments. I have a hard time believing that adding 163 residential condos will miraculously save the retail establishments. Moreover, Hyde Park is already among the highest density areas in the city and several new residential projects have already been approved in the immediate area.

Finally, you are also giving too much credit to the Wasserman group for being art lovers and a reputable developer. In a different development they did recently - The Bryant in Boston - Wasserman was called "the poster child for what a developer shouldn't be" by nearby residents after several problems during the construction.

GABRIEL PICONE

Tampa

Tap Into Gulf Stream

Florida, along with the rest of the United States, is seeking energy independence. Florida is not known for its mountains and great waterfalls capable of producing endlessly renewable power; in fact we have no waterfalls of any note whatsoever. We do, however, have an enormous source of hydroelectric, environmentally safe, non-polluting, endlessly renewable power equal to nearly 30 Niagara Falls. We are familiar with this huge river under the name of the Gulf Stream.

The technology to tap this enormous source of energy is readily available, relatively inexpensive and lacks only political will to become reality, making Florida the major electricity supplier to the entire Southeast.

JOHN COOLEY

Zephyrhills

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