TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
CENTRAL PARK VILLAGE DEATH, REBIRTH LOOM
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Published: July 7, 2007
TAMPA - When demolition finally begins at Central Park Village, the bulldozers will remove more than just dilapidated public housing buildings.
They will clear the way for a new neighborhood with a new name - Encore - and a tagline, 'Downtown's Tempo District,' that pay homage to one of Tampa's most historic communities.
The name 'encore,' meaning repeat performance, is but one of the music-themed changes that residents can expect at the 28-acre site being redeveloped by the Tampa Housing Authority and Bank of America.
Plans call for a focus on legendary black musicians such as Cab Calloway and James Brown who performed and stayed in the area when Tampa was still segregated but the predominately black Central Avenue business corridor was thriving.
The first buildings set for construction will be named the 'Ella,' for Ella Fitzgerald, and the 'Tempo,' the speed at which music is or ought to be played. Also, one of the main streets through the development will be renamed Ray Charles Boulevard.
'Everything's got a music flavor to it, and that's a big deal,' said Roxanne Amoroso, senior vice president for community development banking at Bank of America.
The project includes plans for both luxury and affordable living. 'Something for everyone,' Amoroso said.
It is spread out among 12 new buildings. There is talk of a possible grocery store, a hotel, retail shopping and an estimated 2,030 new housing units, including affordable apartments for rent and market-rate condominiums for sale.
There will be a black history museum in the refurbished St. James Episcopal Church. Perry Harvey Sr. Park is being revitalized to include an outdoor amphitheater, a renovated skateboard park and multiple ball fields, picnic areas and playground space.
The first residents aren't expected to move in until late 2008, and the entire project won't be completed until 2012.
In order to have an encore, however, the first act must come to a close.
A New Beginning
Most of Central Park's 1,300-plus residents have moved.
The housing authority, after years of false starts, received approval in June 2006 from city and county officials to partner with Bank of America to make the project a reality. Relocation efforts began almost immediately.
As of last week, only about 109 families out of 483 remained on the property. The majority of those have found new housing, and by month's end all the buildings will be empty.
Demolition is slated to start late this month and continue through November, said Leroy Moore, the housing authority's vice president.
Many of the buildings are boarded up, and chain-link fences are being placed around them to deter vandals.
Jackie Johnson and her husband, Paul, live just off Nebraska Avenue, on Scott Street, directly across from Central Park's northern boundary.
To say she is ready to see the land cleared would be an understatement.
'It will be quiet,' she said. 'Much quieter.'
Gone will be police cruisers racing down the street, responding to calls for service, said Johnson, 47. Most of all, her grandchildren - ages 13 and 10 - can go outside without fear.
'They can play out in the yard without worrying about the thugs standing next door,' she said.
The redevelopment will mean a lot to residents such as the Johnsons.
The city and county designated 143 acres, including Central Park, as a Community Redevelopment Area, a designation that creates a special taxing district to generate money for needed infrastructure improvements.
Improvements to the streets and underground utilities are set to start in January on the 28-acre housing site. Restoration work to the church and the park is expected to start later in 2008.
'They've been talking about it for years,' Johnson said. 'I want to see what they will do.'
Groundbreaking on the first two buildings isn't expected until spring 2008, possibly by March, Moore said.
By then, the housing authority plans to have hosted a meeting to inform all former Central Park residents about the redevelopment opportunities.
About 119 families have expressed interest in moving back to the site once apartments become available in late 2009.
Affordable And Luxury Units
Both buildings will offer affordable living, which Amoroso said is crucial. There will be luxury housing available, but the neighborhood will not exclude the community that has long called it home.
The Tempo, an estimated $40.3 million development, will be an eight-story, multifamily apartment building with a five-story parking garage. Of the 203 units, 20 will be designated public housing and 122 will accept federal Section 8 subsidy vouchers.
Funding for the Tempo is expected to be approved July 12 through the Florida Housing Finance Corp.
The Ella will be smaller - 160 units - and reserved for seniors 55 and up. There will be 16 designated public housing units and 112 units that accept Section 8 vouchers.
Financing for the $27.8 million project hasn't been finalized, but could come through bonds, Moore said.
'I think the quality is going to amaze everyone,' Amoroso said.
Reporter John W. Allman can be reached at jallman@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7915.
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