Opinion: Reshaping urban Tampa

Though they win elections by appealing to neighborhood concerns -- filling potholes, picking up the trash -- great mayors are the ones who draw bold corollaries between a city's landscape and its character. Tampa's next mayor has two places to make a mark: the riverfront district north of downtown and blighted east Tampa. Both have the potential to diversify the city's economy, culture and quality of life.

Tampa historically has done a poor job of capitalizing on the Hillsborough River, and what makes both redevelopment plans possible is the lack of existing clutter along the urban riverfront. The city recently announced plans to build condominiums and townhomes on the river's northern bank, stretching east from the North Boulevard bridge into Tampa Heights. New residences there could bolster the redevelopment already taking place east toward Ybor City. It also could feed the return of old West Tampa's commercial core, which could be a Main Street of shops that caters to residents along the waterfront corridor.

Historic, small-town flavor is hot in the real estate market, and the success of mixed-use development in Hyde Park and on Davis Islands could be copied in this waterfront district. Bringing West Tampa into the mix is key because of its history as a commercial center; there is also good potential for single-family homes in the area that would complement multifamily housing along the river. This district is still an affordable buy, and if the city does more to help local businesses, then West Tampa could take off as downtown's hip, new bedroom community.

East Tampa poses a trickier problem. The area is wide, struggling economically and pockmarked with unkempt properties. Redevelopment can occur only if the city and state unify their efforts across a broad front -- fighting crime, beautifying streets, parks and other amenities and cracking down on people who don't maintain their homes or businesses.

But east Tampa has opportunities to use the Hillsborough River as a conduit to bring better jobs and housing to the community. Straightening 40th Street would improve the appeal of the riverfront and lure new investment south. It may make more sense to attack the redevelopment from the north, using the commercial potential of 40th Street and the renaissance in Seminole Heights to build momentum toward the urban core.

Local and state officials, such as Tom Scott and Arthenia Joyner, are working to unify their efforts in east Tampa, though someone at City Hall -- Mary Alvarez, where are you? -- needs to take the lead on West Tampa. The leading candidates for mayor acknowledge the potential. March's election could reshape the fabric of urban Tampa, not only by moving dirt, but by re-awakening two communities that were a vibrant part of the city's past.

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