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Mall homeless shelter hits snag

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2009

TAMPA - A day after two county commissioners proposed putting a homeless shelter at the former Floriland Mall, residents from nearby neighborhoods began voicing opposition to the idea.

Commissioners got the message. They voted unanimously to talk to the owners of Floriland about leasing space there for homeless dormitories but promised not to decide without public hearings.

The wide-ranging motion passed by commissioners also included having county staff look for other alternatives with the help of Catholic Charities, the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County and area churches.

Hillsborough commissioners Kevin White and Al Higginbotham came up with the idea of using vacant office space at the north Tampa mall on Tuesday, noting the site doesn't abut residential areas. However, a handful of residents who live near the former shopping center at Florida Avenue and Busch Boulevard showed up at Wednesday's county commission meeting to oppose the idea.

"I have great sympathy (for the homeless) but my property values have already declined because of the economy," said Toni Walker, who lives in a mobile home community a stone's throw from Floriland. "I can't sell my home if people are sleeping in my yard during the day."

The county's efforts might be moot. On Tuesday, Centermall managing partner George Heaton said he would not lease space at Floriland for a homeless shelter.

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