TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Zephyrhills Approves Facade Grants

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - Seven Fifth Avenue storefronts will get makeovers, the city council unanimously decided Monday night, as the city continues trying to spiff up the downtown.

The project calls for new awnings, windows, doors and even Ybor City-style balconies.

The idea of the makeover, which has been more than two years in the making, is to enhance the appearance of the historic downtown district and at the same time drum up interest - and business - in the neighborhood.

This issue has been of particular concern to city officials and local business leaders in their quest to sustain Zephyrhills' small-town charm as national chain restaurants and retail outlets take root in the city's northern edge.

The makeover will be paid for with a $100,000 state-administered redevelopment grant.

The remaining money, about $65,000, will come from Community Redevelopment Agency funds. Each business owner also will kick in between $2,000 and $4,000.

The affected businesses are: Knight's Kove video arcade, The Scrub Shop, Computer Sales & Services, Art & Pat's Antiques, Goin' Postal, Main Street Fitness and Manolo's Restaurant.

The buildings that house those seven belong to three owners.

In other news Monday, the council moved forward with:

•An annexation request for a small, triangular-shaped piece of land north of Tucker Road and east of 20th Street;

•A plan to require all new businesses with more than 5,000 square feet of space to install fire-prevention sprinkler systems. The ordinance requires one more public reading and council approval at a later date before it goes into effect.

Existing businesses would not be affected by the new rules.

In its first vote on the ordinance, the council passed it 3-2, with Celia Graham and Danny Burgess dissenting.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT