Johnnie Byrd says it would complement an Alzheimer's research center at USF.
By JOSH ZIMMER
Published December 24, 2003
TAMPA - An offshoot of the planned Alzheimer's center at the University of South Florida has won support from one of Florida's most powerful lawmakers, a promising development for an impoverished community northwest of USF.
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, said this week he supports using state money to build an Alzheimer's day care and patient assessment clinic in the area, which has a high concentration of senior citizens.
State Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, who proposed the clinic, said it would bring much-needed jobs and income.
Although no design exists, Crist suggested the clinic could be an $8-million, 25,000-square-foot facility. It would be a prestigious coup for a district bounded roughly by Fowler Avenue, Interstate 275, Fletcher Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.
The clinic would be affiliated with the $45-million Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute under development at USF.
Byrd, the driving force behind the larger center, called the proposed clinic "a perfect match." The two facilities would be about a mile apart.
The outgoing speaker, whose father died of Alzheimer's disease, said the clinic would provide patients with important social interaction, while giving their usual caregivers a reprieve.
"I'm committed to it," Byrd said.
Byrd's position amounts to a comeback for Crist, who failed to win Byrd's support for putting the larger Alzheimer's Center off campus. Crist mentioned the idea to Byrd nearly a year ago. But Byrd seemed to ignore Crist, who expressed frustration over his inability to obtain project data or discuss his proposal with Byrd and center officials.
There are three sites under consideration for the clinic:
A campus-style complex off 22nd Street, the focus of community redevelopment efforts. In recent years the property has grown from a patch of run-down apartments to a sprawling complex of buildings and planned projects worth $80-million, Crist estimates.
It includes the University Area Community Center, Muller Elementary School and a nearly finished high school career center to be operated by the Hillsborough County school district. Construction should also begin next year on a health clinic and social services building, and Junior Achievement is scheduled to break ground soon on a new 15,000-square-foot facility.
Crist's top choice for the Alzheimer's Center, a 20-plus-acre site along Livingston Road south of Fletcher. Crist had argued that both properties offered room to grow. But the Alzheimer's Center board remained committed to a site at USF. Across the street from the University Area Community Center complex. The project, Crist said, would create opportunities for career center students. Not only would they be able to get hands-on experience at the health clinic, but they would also work with Alzheimer's patients, a population expected to grow in the future.
Citing Byrd's support and his friendship with incoming Senate Majority Leader Tom Lee, R-Brandon, Crist said he is optimistic the clinic will get funded next year.
