SOHO - Condos and a boutique hotel are on their way to S Howard Avenue.
The City Council on May 22 approved plans by MetroApex Inc. to build a 96-unit hotel, 30 condominiums and a 150-space parking garage at Howard and Bristol avenues - the site of Mac's Sports Pub.
A final vote is scheduled for Thursday.
Construction on the six-story structure could begin in the fall, with some units available for occupancy next year, said Steve Michelini, an attorney representing the developers.
Mac's is exploring its options, including relocation to another site being developed by MetroApex at Howard and Swann avenues.
Suggestions sought on neighborhood plan
DAVIS ISLANDS - The survey's in the mail.
The Davis Islands News is sending 3,300 residents a questionnaire next week that will be used to help craft a neighborhood plan, said Lee Medart, who chairs the Davis Islands Neighborhood Planning Task Force.
The surveys are the latest step in the planning process, which began last summer. The plan, which will be put to a vote next year, will help guide growth on the islands.
Planners are asking residents to fill out the surveys and drop them off at Java & Cream or mail them to P.O. Box 1722, Tampa FL 33601.
The deadline is June 16.
Night club may make way for law offices
NORTH HYDE PARK - A zoning decision that will allow a law office to replace a once-rowdy night club was postponed last week.
The Solomon Tropp Law Group wants to replace Club Atlanta on the northeast corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Fremont Avenue.
Initially, the lawyers wanted to renovate and expand the existing building. But now the plan is to replace it with a new building that is three stories and 30,000 square feet, said lawyer Jim Mikes.
The City Council, which was set to vote May 22, will now vote June 19.
In a related development, a complementary retail building of 11,000 square feet is on tap for the northwest corner of Kennedy and Fremont, Mikes said.
Finance authority will help complete Rembrandt deal
INTERBAY - Plans to shutter the aging Rembrandt Garden public housing complex moved a big step closer to reality last week.
The Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County voted to contribute $13.3-million in tax-exempt bonds toward construction of a new complex.
The 156-unit Rembrandt has been under fire since February, when someone near the complex fired gunshots in the air while Robinson High School softball players were on a field across the street.
Last week, the Tampa Housing Authority and Hillsborough County School Board tentatively agreed to trade the complex for 10 acres the School Board owns a block away. The deal hinged on the finance authority bonds.
The new complex, to be called the Gardens at South Bay, will market its 220 units to mixed income residents. If the project clears other hurdles, including federal approval, units should be available in 2005.
Desoto Tower decision postponed to June 26
HISTORIC HYDE PARK - A request to rezone land for the proposed Desoto Tower condominiums along Bayshore Boulevard has been postponed.
Developers of the high-rise were scheduled to appear before the City Council on May 22 but asked for a delay.
Residents have argued that the lot near Bayshore and Desoto Avenue is too small to handle a large high-rise. Dozens voiced their opposition at a recent meeting of the Architectural Review Commission.
The next hearing on the issue has been tentatively scheduled for June 26.
Donation will help theater computerize ticketing
DOWNTOWN - Telecommunications giant Verizon has donated $10,000 to the Tampa Theatre's Technology Advancement Fund.
The theater will use the money to increase its efficiency by computerizing film ticketing and membership. Currently, the theater uses manual roll tickets that do not allow for advance ticket purchases and cannot gather audience data for automatic marketing analysis.
In April, JPMorganChase donated $5,000 to the fund. The theater at 711 Franklin St. is hoping to raise an additional $35,000.
