What's Brewing
Builders see order in court
By SUSAN THURSTON, City Times Editor
Published April 23, 2004
You could almost hear the gavels hitting the bench. Or was that the jaws of wowed developers?
On Tuesday, the city opened the old federal courthouse to developers, history buffs and anyone else curious about the place. Officials wanted to give outsiders a peek at the 1905 building before taking bids to redevelop it.
The city sent out more than 600 invitations to development-related gurus from Tampa and beyond. Dozens attended, including several from out of town.
"I was curious about it and I thought I'd come and check it out," said Jonathon Andrew Lawrence of PoeticA Architecture Inc. in Tampa and Rosemary Beach. HE WASN'T disappointed. Though shuttered for six years, the Florida Avenue landmark is still in good shape. The electricity, air conditioning and plumbing work and the original marble walls, terrazzo floors and wood-trimmed doors look new. Bonus features: bird's-eye views of the building's ornate columns and Sacred Heart Church's stained-glass windows next door.
Touring the former courtrooms and judges' chambers, guests dreamed big ideas for the 109,000-square-foot building, from lofts to shops to a boutique hotel.
Questions ranged from what's the environmental quality of the air to what's under the mauve carpeting? Technical stuff, said Del Acosta, the city's administrator of historic preservation.
WE ALL TOOK NOTE of the jail cells in the basement, which most likely will become a parking garage. Other highlights were the ancient commodes, walk-in safes and the old mail counter. (Back in the day, the building was a post office.)
The city sought proposals for the courthouse last year but never picked one. New Mayor Pam Iorio was just settling in and wanted to broaden the search. She, like a lot of people, knows the building's importance in revitalizing the north end of downtown.
Last year, the feds gave the courthouse to the city under the condition that it be preserved. Any plan must restore the architectural beauty of the National Historic Monument, an expensive but worthy job. The Renaissance Revival building has been modified over the decades to accommodate modern amenities. Drop ceilings block tall windows and AC units cover former skylights.
Restoration will run in the millions.
The city will take bids from May 4 to June 4. Anyone who wants to develop the building must agree to keep part of it open to the public and give some of the income to the city, which will serve as landlord. The best ideas will tie into the city's planned cultural arts district downtown.
The last time around, two groups submitted proposals.
Hamilton Jones of Gaspar Properties, which redid the Palace of Florence apartments on Davis Islands, wanted to turn the old courthouse into an office building with apartments on the upper floors.
Developer Russell Versaggi and architect Stephanie Ferrell wanted to create a banquet center and loft apartments, possibly with an athletic club or art studios.
Versaggi, who recently converted an old church in Tampa Heights into the Sanctuary loft apartments, came out Tuesday to take another look. He and Jones intend to team up to submit a new proposal, he said.
Although they're still working out the details, Versaggi said their plan will involve affordable housing. The idea is to get young people downtown to use the bus, go to the theater and hang out at bars and restaurants.
He and his team liked what they saw - a usable, solid building with history and charm. Something the community can treasure for another century.
THE LAST DROP: Join Verve Tampa Bay, a new networking group for 25- to 34-year-olds, for a downtown bar hop starting at 5 tonight at the Jerk Hut on Twiggs Street. From there, they'll go to Spain restaurant for sangria and tapas, then the new Trolley Bar at Franklin Street and Twiggs. If they can make it, they'll finish at The Hub. Visit www.vervetampabay.com
- Susan Thurston can be reached at 226-3394 or thurston@sptimes.com
[Last modified April 22, 2004, 12:45:18]
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