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Keeping History Alive, A Landmark At A Time

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: February 10, 2009

TAMPA - In the late 1920s, North Franklin Street was the backbone of Tampa's auto service and sales industry, a bustling hub of showrooms and car dealerships.

When urban renewal projects of the late 1960s razed nearby neighborhoods, many businesses moved, leaving rows of boarded buildings.

Although proposals were floated through the years to redevelop the blighted commercial district, it never recovered. Now there are signs of renewed interest in North Franklin.

Carl Johnson, a custom furniture maker, bought a vacant building at 1609 N. Franklin St. last year for about $300,000, and plans to redevelop it as a workshop and store.

Johnson also has applied to the city for local landmark status, a move that would protect the historical downtown building from demolition and provide tax incentives.

"It needs a lot of work," Johnson said. "But we wanted something that had character."

The Vintage Auto Building was built in 1920 for the Traffic Trucks Sales Co. The 3,500-square-foot building between East Estelle Street and East Henderson Avenue has housed a number of businesses.

Among the planned renovations, Johnson wants to restore the front windows, which were replaced with blocks when the building was converted into a warehouse.

Franklin Street is home to several historical landmarks, including the former S.H. Kress building, the Majestic-Hedges building and the Southern Exchange Building.

Tampa preservation officials said they are hopeful other historical buildings along North Franklin Street will be saved through redevelopment.

A public hearing on the building's landmark status is scheduled for March 5 at city hall.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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