Developer Has Plan For Guida House

The city received one proposal to restore the historic Guida House at Macfarlane Park. It includes programming for children and makes the building accessible for community programs.

The project developer, Earth First Development Corp. of Tampa, envisions agencies hosting programs related to education, child development, health and wellness, financial literacy and job search assistance at a rehabilitated Guida House. The Children's Board of Hillsborough County might be involved in some programs.

Earth First also proposes building a three-story, 14,700-square-foot building on the property that would house a Hillsborough County Head Start program for children. It would be the headquarters for the nonprofit Connected by 25 that now is based in Tampa Heights and works with young people and foster children. Sixteen children in the Connected by 25 program would live in the proposed building.

In addition, the developer wants to construct two apartment buildings with a total of eight residences for young families and senior citizens.

The developer estimates creating 95 parking spaces on the property, but is willing to reduce that number if required, said Harry Hedges, president of Earth First.

The developer predicts it would cost $3.5 million to complete the project, which includes $458,000 to rehabilitate the Guida House.

Hedges said rehabilitating the historic building and offering social service programs is a win-win for the community.

"I care for the community and the children growing up in the community," he said.

The house was built in 1951 by George Guida Sr., who was known as "Mr. West Tampa."

Guida was a Tampa businessman and civic leader. He founded George Guida & Son Home Furnishing and Decorating. He was a licensed general building contractor and founder of Central Bank of Tampa. He died in 1986 at age 71.

The city bought the home in Macfarlane Park, on North MacDill Avenue, in 1984. There were plans to tear it down, but activists convinced city leaders to save it.

The art deco, two-story home was named a local historical landmark in 2004. It has an outdoor brick barbecue, a fireplace in a sunken living room, tile work throughout, a basement, a large kitchen and a heart-shaped front driveway.

Although repairs have been made to the home to preserve it, the building has deteriorated. Its ceiling and walls are damaged. Vandals have spray-painted parts of the structure. There is water damage from a leaky roof.

Herb Fecker, the city's real estate manager, said a committee of three city employees reviewed the Earth First application.

He said the house's location in a city park, as well as language in a deed on the property, restrict development of the site to activities serving a public purpose. Fecker said he is waiting for officials in the city's parks and recreation department to assess the lone proposal.

If the staff chooses the project, it must by approved by Mayor Pam Iorio and the Tampa City Council. The staff has an option of rejecting the proposal and asking for more submissions.

Fecker said the city received two other proposals, but they were not considered because they were submitted too late. Those applications were sealed and have not been reviewed.