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Sports Complex Zoning Request Set For Former School Site

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

Updated: 10/24/2008 03:39 pm

TAMPA - A new plan for a sports complex at the site of the former Gary Adult High School near Ybor City will be filed with the city.

Owner John Simon of JVS Contracting withdrew a rezoning application before a Tampa City Council hearing Thursday night. But Dillon Alderman of The Waterman Design Group said the project would go forward.

"The main issue still has to do with parking," Alderman said. "We will get it resolved."

Simon bought the 95-year-old school in 2007 from the Hillsborough school district for $331,000. He wants to build a sports center for competitive programs from elementary to collegiate level, with basketball and volleyball courts and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Free community events also are planned.

A portion of the vacant building collapsed in July and the remainder was demolished in September after the city issued an emergency order declaring the structure unsafe.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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