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Architects To Envision A Makeover For Tampa
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Published: April 1, 2008
TAMPA -- Tampa's planners are about to get some help.
A team of architects will soon converge on Tampa for three days, hold public meetings and scour the city looking for ways to make it more beautiful and plan for the future.
The American Institute of Architects said today it has chosen Tampa as one of its 10 cities for this year's Center for Communities by Design Long-term Sustainability project.
The goal is to come up with a plan for the communities to meet the environmental, economic and social needs of today without draining the ability of future generations to meet those needs, said Scott Frank, spokesman for the group.
The other cities chosen are Detroit; New Orleans; Fort Worth, Texas; Windsor, Calif.; Morristown, N.J.; Parma, Ohio; Fellsmere, Fla.; Kauai, Hawaii; and Leon Valley, Texas.
Among the objectives:
Revitalizing the urban core
Addressing water quality and quantity
Encouraging affordable housing
Developing a multi-modal transit system
Frank said this is the third year for the project, which has evolved to include larger cities each year.
Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena helped prepare the city's application for the distinction and said the program is a "big deal" for Tampa.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Tampa to learn from the professionals AIA will send down to us," she said. "The city's regulations were developed in the '70s and concentrate on a suburban way of thinking. We're in a different world now, and we must plan differently.
"Energy is not cheap and we have to be more strategic," Saul-Sena said.
A detailed report, pointing out strengths, weaknesses and suggested improvements is expected to be delivered about 90 days after the architects' visit, Frank said.
Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804 or sbehnken@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( ohboy ) on April 1, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I got your "detailed report" right here: Mass transit-less traffic; more trees-less asphalt.
There. And I can't even say arkitek.
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Posted by ( Carlene ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LOL..ohboy. Good Job
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Posted by ( boilercolts ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
how about a deathstar downtown, darth???
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Posted by ( peak ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
.....and Tampa's planners need all the help they can get.
The architectural profession needs to re-invent itself again, go back to the times when they were respected leaders and visionaries, and not just developers hacks.
It's about time local Architects came out of their ivory towers and joined the activists in the trenches....!
I'm just not sure if the stodgy outdated AIA is the vehicle to do it.
And I can spell "Architect", and with a capital "A".
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Posted by ( northfla ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Now they would like 6,000 volunteers to cook, drive them around, and give them a place to stay, and in return they will give you a "how bout buildin this" t-shirt for free.
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Posted by ( boilercolts ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
6,000 volunteers or 1 darth!
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually, here was the working title of the article: "Architects To Envision A Makeover For Their Wallets Thanks To Tampa "Leaders""....
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Posted by ( MrShrek ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LMAO northfla...Lets start by flushing collage hill down the 'ol stinkhole. I mean , nothing personnal folks...BUT DAYUM!
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Posted by ( Gen2Native ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Once again, Tampa will rehash old policy. If anyone would only read the old documents regarding "urban renewal" they would see it was the same old tripe. Every year they tear down historic buildings to create more soon-to-be vacant office space and "shops." You should have heard what I heard a Price Waterhouse hiring manager say about Tampa. Apparently, the city fathers gave it up to PWC like a girl who sleeps with the star quarterback hoping it will boost her popularity :)
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually, biolercolts - "deathstar downtown" is the name of my new oxygen bar I'm opening in Tampa.... I have a terrible problems with my breathing nowadays...... Sounds like I'm scuba diving when I talk.......
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on April 1, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
boilercolts - You have no idea the power of the darkside.......
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Posted by ( situp ) on April 1, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just what we need; to spend tax payer dollars to make the city "updated'. If the need is so great let private industry fund it or maybe some of you anti growthers can have a fund raiser.
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Posted by ( demum ) on April 1, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Here's an idea: Give everyone in town a weekend pass to Mickeyland. Napalm everything in the city limits and start over again. The result couldn't be worse than it is now.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on April 1, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
All those traffic jams caused by people going to work are the problem. Eliminate those jobs and you'll eliminate the traffic jams. No one will be able to afford to put gas in their cars to drive anywhere and we can designate all the old unused roads as playgrounds, skate parks and nature trails for the little starving children.
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Posted by ( bolador ) on April 1, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Demum", I almost feel inclined to agree. And yes,"ohboy", I agree with you, too. Let's try some non-architect-type common sense changes, like real mass-transit, and get rid of that dog-gone streetcar named "waste of money"
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Posted by ( donttazemebro ) on April 1, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ok this does not make sense, I thought people got laid off because we have no money because of the tax cuts........
we have money now to make the changes?
why not hire back the people that got laid off ???????????
oh, I got it now, the story about not having the money to pay them is all a lie...
now I have it sorry I must have had a senior moment.
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Posted by ( Gen2Native ) on April 1, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I hope my post did not provoke the "anti-growth" comment. I have seen the last 100 years of city documents and have also seen Salomon Bros, Raytheon, and others come and go. I have also seen the city of Tampa pimp itself out to almost anyone who will give politicians and others a cut of the take and seen office buildings stand mostly vacant downtown. I no longer live in Tampa proper; just an experienced observer.
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