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CVS eyes Seminole Heights for future drugstore

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 8, 2009

TAMPA - CVS Pharmacy wants to build a drugstore on the current site of a used car lot at Sligh and Nebraska avenues in Seminole Heights.

Moving forward with the plan depends on CVS attaining approval to sell package beer and wine. A wet-zoning hearing is scheduled before city officials Sept. 17.

If the alcohol permit is granted, the drugstore chain would build an a 13,200 square-foot store with a drive-through window across from a BP gas station at Sligh/Nebraska intersection. Parking for 78 vehicles would be provided.

The project would combine four parcels to create a single lot of about 2.8 acres. St. Francis Pre-School Center is across Sligh Avenue from the proposed site.

Two parcels fronting Nebraska are zoned for commercial uses, including the used car lot at the corner of Sligh and Nebraska. Two other parcels on Sligh are a life estate residence and a two-story, four-unit apartment building next to the car lot.

Sale of the properties to CVS is contingent on the Tampa City Council's approval to allow beer and wine package sales.

The apartments, on a narrow lot behind the car lot, were donated several years ago to Metropolitan Ministries. They became a test project for the organization's affordable housing initiative for the homeless population.

"It was proof of concept for us," said Chief Operating Officer Tim Marks. Metropolitan Ministries recently opened The Sanctuary, a 12-unit affordable housing complex on Waters Avenue that provides opportunities for homeless families to become self-sufficient.

Residents in the Sligh avenue apartments would be relocated if the sale is finalized, and any profits would be re-invested in affordable housing, Marks said.

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