Group suggests way to save Macaroni Factory

A neighborhood association wants the nonprofit group that oversees two Ybor special taxing districts to renovate the historical Ferlita Macaroni Factory as a community center and offices for the nonprofit.

The factory's owner, who recently was denied a demolition permit for the 86-year-old building, has offered his property free of charge to a nonprofit. The building, on 22nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, has four outer walls and no roof.

If the nonprofit Ybor City Development Corporation takes possession of the building, renovations could be paid with local property taxes, a low interest loan provided from a state preservation fund, and in-kind contributions. A portion of approximately $53,000 in annual rent for the YCDC's Seventh Avenue offices could be used to repay the loan. Additional income would come from leasing the building for special events, birthdays, weddings and meetings.

That was the proposal emailed to Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Tampa City Council on Wednesday by Tony La Colla, president of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association.

"[Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association] implores the city to get involved and do everything in its power to restore this beautiful piece of Tampa history," La Colla wrote in his email.

Guiseppe Ferlita opened a pasta business in West Tampa in 1912 and then in 1924 moved into the larger Ybor City building. In the mid-1940s the building was sold and became the Pedro Perez Cigar Co. and until the 1990s it also was a residence.

A special board meeting of the Ybor City Development Corporation is scheduled at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the YCDC offices, 2015 Seventh Ave.

YCDC's manager, Vince Pardo, said board members appear divided on the matter with some opposed to ownership, others willing to be a facilitator if another nonprofit wants the building and others supporting the neighborhood association's proposal.

The one certainty is that the city has no money for the project and is not interested in owning the building, Pardo said.

The factory was bought in 1985 by Les Thompson, who owns a roofing supply company. Last year he transferred ownership to 1609 22nd St.LLC, which Thompson manages.

About two years ago the city's code enforcement department cited Thompson when part of the building's roof collapsed. The remaining portion later was removed.

The Barrio Latino Commission denied Thompson a demolition permit. He has appealed that decision to the city council and a public hearing is scheduled March 4.