Demolition complete on New Tampa's Publix

City Plaza, one of New Tampa's premiere shopping centers, is sporting a huge void where Publix and three other storefronts stood until this week.

Wrecking crews knocked down the stores as part of a major renovation project, leaving a clearing of smooth, packed soil at the center of the plaza.

The 48,000-square-foot Publix supermarket at Tampa Palms and Bruce B. Downs boulevards will be replaced with a 54,000-square-foot newer version. The other stores were demolished as part of the Publix expansion. Construction is expected to take about nine months.

"Our goal with the construction process is to get it done as fast as possible," said John Crossman, president of Crossman & Co., the Orlando-based leasing company that manages the shopping center.

In addition to Publix, spaces formerly occupied by Oliver's Cycle Sports, Java Joe's and a learning center were torn down, he said.

The spots where Oliver's Cycle Sports and the learning center were located will be absorbed into the Publix expansion project. A tenant is being sought for a newly planned store at the former Java Joe's location.

Hawkins Construction of Tarpon Springs, the project's general contractor, is scheduled to set footers at the work site next week in preparation for the start of construction, a company official said.

Barring weather setbacks, the construction phase and a facelift for the entire commercial complex should be completed by August, Crossman said.

When completed, City Plaza, one of the community's original shopping destinations perched on 14 acres in the heart of Tampa Palms, "should look like a brand new center," said Crossman, who recently negotiated a new lease agreement with Publix that will keep the Lakeland-based chain operating a store at City Plaza for the next 20 years.

No opening date has been set for the new store, but a Publix construction job typically takes nine months from start to finish, Publix spokesman Shannon Patten said. That means the store could open as soon as September.

Merchants at the shopping center said they are still adjusting to the temporary loss of Publix, the anchor store, but trying to stay optimistic about the improvements. Crossman is planning façade changes and repaving the parking lot in front of Publix.

Steve Rothfarb, the owner of Frame by Frame Gallery, an arts and framing store at the plaza, said he has been encouraged by the show of support from the community.

Debbie Freeman, manager at Ellen's Hallmark, a card and gift shop two doors from Rothfarb's store, said she has experienced a mix of good and bad days since Publix closed but is hopeful sales will increase as Valentine's Day - Feb. 14 - approaches.

Crossman said he understands the business owners concerns, but he is confident they will appreciate the improvements and find them beneficial when the work is completed.

"It's a short-term challenge for a long-term gain," Crossman said. "We do appreciate everyone's patience with the property."