TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Approve Armory Redevelopment

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2008

The Fort Homer Hesterly Armory holds a special place in Tampa's history and in many residents' hearts.

It was dedicated the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and later visited by such as historic figures as President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Elvis gyrated on stage there in the 1950s and hokey professional wrestling matches packed the place during the 1960s.

The historic building deserves a careful restoration and new public purpose.

It will get that if Tampa City Council today supports the rezoning of the landmark that will allow the construction of Heritage Square at the Armory, a $98 million development that will make this unique locale a community focal point again.

The developer, Intelident Solutions, plans to transform the armory building into a public market and local artist' community. It also will build a five-star hotel, a spa, shops and restaurants on the 10-acre site that sits just south of Interstate 275 between Howard Avenue and Armenia Avenue.

Company officials say the project will create 2,000 jobs and pump $250 million a year into the local economy. This should help revitalize West Tampa.

Intelident has shown itself to be serious about bringing this project to fruition and respectful of the unique property.

It has secured new land in Pinellas Park to relocate the National Guard operations so they are adjacent to facilities already used by the guard and the Army Reserve. Intelident, the parent company of Coast Dental, committed to building the National Guard a new facility, which was part of the deal for obtaining the Fort Homer Hesterly site.

The company is even restoring one of Tampa's grand cigar factories just up the street from the armory for use as its corporate headquarters. The company has voluntarily designated the factory as a historic landmark, a move which doubles the cost of its restoration.

You find daily public markets in cities like New York, Boston or Seattle, and it should be a welcomed amenity by residents and tourists alike, particularly given Tampa's access to fresh produce and seafood.

The armory's mezzanine will be used as a workspace for local artists. A separate building on the property would become the West Tampa Cultural Arts Center. A large green space at the center of the development would be available for public performances. Upgrades to the adjacent Vila Brothers Park also are planned.

This project already has been unanimously approved by the Architectural Review Commission and the West Tampa Overlay Committee - not easy endorsements to secure.

The city council should do the same and back a project that will be a catalyst for West Tampa's revitalization and make the armory a gem of a gathering spot once again.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT