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Fort Homer Hesterly Armory Redevelopment Vote Is Today

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2008

Updated: 01/09/2008 11:23 pm

TAMPA - A vote on the future of the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory is finally at hand.

The Tampa City Council will decide today whether to allow Heritage Square at the Armory to proceed with its plan to build a luxury hotel, day spa, farmers market, museum, restaurants, cafes and artist studios on the 10-acre property, 522 N. Howard Ave.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd. A final public hearing is set for Jan. 24.

Heritage Square signed a contract with the state's Department of Military Affairs Board, which owns the property. The developer also found a location in Pinellas Park to relocate the remaining National Guard staff by 2009.

Heritage Square anticipates spending more than $90 million and completing the first stage of the project in 2010.

The developer cannot tear down the armory building. The armory was built in 1941 and was the site for many historical events, including speeches by President Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and performances by Elvis Presley, James Brown and Nat King Cole. It was also a spot for community events, boxing and professional wrestling.

Jose Patino Girona

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