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Architects To Envision A Makeover For Tampa

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By SHANNON BEHNKEN | The Tampa Tribune

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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