Medical project could add life to core

A proposal to build a medical training center north of downtown Tampa is precisely the kind of project needed to revitalize the economy and the urban core.

There are a lot of details to be addressed, particularly how much support will be required of local taxpayers. But the concept is exciting.

The University of South Florida wants to develop a 60,000 square-foot facility where surgeons from around the world would come for training and certification in various high-tech treatments. Much of the training requires the use of simulators.

Over five years, the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation and an associated hotel are projected to have a $246 million economic impact, create 204 permanent positions and 636 construction jobs. University officials believe the center would attract medical-device manufacturers and other related businesses to the area, and if so, the number of jobs and the economic impact would more than double.

While nothing is final, USF is looking to locate the center at the Heights, a 48-acre parcel north of the Hillsborough River. The Heights developers had planned to build a 1,900-unit "urban village" in what had been a run-down section of Tampa Heights.

Land was cleared, but development stalled when the economy tanked. Only a small office building is under construction.

But the site is ideal for the medical facility - on the river and close to downtown. Visiting doctors and their families would have easy access to the Riverwalk, museums, restaurants and parks. The airport is a short drive.

The center would spark residential development in the Heights and attract restaurants and retail stores. And the facility - in the Heights or elsewhere - would advance the region's reputation for medical research and training.

Under the proposed plan, developers of the Heights would build the conference center and USF would lease and equip it.

Local taxpayers would need to backstop the deal, so the numbers need to be scrutinized.

But it is encouraging that city and county officials are working closely to develop a responsible deal. The city council and county commission would have the final say on any agreement.

The plan calls for the city and county to issue a $29 million bond, which would cover construction costs - $20 million for the conference center and $9 million for the parking garage.

USF's lease payments would support the estimated annual $1.6 million debt service on the conference center, so the risk to the public would be small. USF already has launched several modest simulation-training programs that are enjoying great success. There is reason to believe this larger venture also would be successful.

Mark Huey, the city of Tampa's administrator for economic development, says city and county officials want a "rock-solid" lease that minimizes public exposure.

But he says there may be some risk on the annual $700,000 debt service on the parking garage. Fees from USF, the hotel, the office building and other garage users would cover that payment.

It's possible in the early years, before surrounding development adds to the parking garage's use, that some public dollars might be needed to supplement the fees. But the amount should be modest.

It seems a reasonable investment to pay those costs for a few years to launch an enterprise that would pump millions of dollars into the local economy and create hundreds of jobs.

There is still much to be done - in particular, a hotel must commit to building at the site. There will be plenty of time to review the numbers.

But the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation would bolster the university's standing, strengthen the local economy and help energize downtown. USF and city and county officials should do their utmost to make it happen.