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1st Project In Tampa Heights Development To Break Ground

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

TAMPA - Two years after getting zoning approval to build a $500 million, 48-acre residential and commercial development in Tampa Heights, the developer is getting its first project.

The Beck Group will break ground at 2 p.m. today on a two-story office building at North Highland and Seventh avenues. The building will house the architecture, construction and development company's regional offices.

Beck officials have said they plan an eco-friendly building and estimate the project cost at $7 million. They chose the site for its central location and growth potential.

There also have been discussions with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce about leasing space in the building.

The Heights of Tampa, developer of the $500 million project, also will break ground today on a 600-foot-long portion of river walk along Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave. It plans to build one mile of river walk stretching from North Boulevard to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, development manager Darren Booth said.

The Heights also will begin landscaping at Water Works Park and eventually add interactive water features, a playground, and a kayak and canoe launch, and restore the historical spring.

Booth hopes the Beck project spurs interest: "2009 is going to be a busy place for The Heights."

The original development proposal approved in 2006 for The Heights includes 1,900 condominiums and town homes, 260,000 square feet of offices and stores, and redevelopment of the historical Tampa Armature Works building. Plans also include boat slips, realigned streets and improved utilities.

Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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