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Kress Building Owners Have 6 Months To Make Fixes

Tribune file photo (2005)

The building on Franklin Street used to house the S.H. Kress department store.

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 28, 2009

TAMPA - The owners of the historic Kress building have been given six months to fix up the crumbling facade of the downtown landmark.

On Wednesday, the city's four-member code enforcement board found the owners guilty of a litany of code violations, but gave them until July to resolve the problems.

Tampa attorney John Grandoff appeared on behalf of the building's owner and pleaded not guilty to the violations. He said the owners have been "proceeding in good faith."

Among the code enforcement violations racked up in the past year are issues with the building's exterior, including the roof, which city officials say has been deteriorating.

Code enforcement officer Allan Villa said some of the violations, including securing the first floor of the building and fixing several broken windows, have been resolved.

"There's only one broken window left," he said. "And the first floor is secure."

If the violations aren't resolved, the owners face fines of a $250 a day per violation.

The building on Franklin Street used to house the S.H. Kress department store.

In September, the city council created an emergency fund with $100,000 available for owners of the Kress building to repair the roof.

But the fund offers loans, not grants, and so far the owners have not asked for it.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at cwade@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7679.

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