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Condos on Maas Bros. site approved

Only City Council member John Dingfelder dissents. He wanted the developer to help fund a city project.

By JANET ZINK
Published March 24, 2006

TAMPA - The City Council on Thursday approved plans for a 32-story, 503-unit condo tower in downtown Tampa by a vote of 5-1.

Council member John Dingfelder cast the dissenting vote on the project on the site of the former Maas Bros. department store after the developer refused to contribute even $1 to the city's efforts to turn Zack Street into a two-way road.

Council member Kevin White accused Dingfelder of "borderline extortion."

"Extortion is a strong word, and I resent that," Dingfelder said.

In explaining his vote, Dingfelder said that after three years on the city's variance review board and on the council, he has a highly sensitive "greed meter."

The Wood Partners condo project on Franklin Street is worth probably $150-million, he said, and the developers should be able to find some money in their budget to help the city with one of its priority projects.

The notion that contributing to the transportation effort will significantly hurt the developers' bottom line is "baloney," Dingfelder said.

The developer's attorney, Truett Gardner, said the company already is paying $2-million to meet the requirements of the city's public art ordinance as well as transportation, storm water, water and other impact fees.

Council member Rose Ferlita joined White in sticking up for the project.

"We have to sometimes be reasonable about what we want from developers," she said.

In an interview after the meeting, White said it's unfair to ask developers to pay for extra concessions that aren't part of city code.

"It's a wonderful thing if they want to volunteer extra things," White said. "But to ask in a manner that indicates you will not be in support of a project if they don't do what you ask of them is extortion."

The Maas Bros. redevelopment is one of the first projects in Tampa for Atlanta-based Wood Partners. Doing business with them in that way might prompt companies to take their projects someplace else, White said.

"Profit is not a dirty word," Dingfelder said. "It doesn't matter if they're making $100-million or $100,000 on the project. That's not our concern as council members. Our concern should be is it a good project for the city and does it meet the code and requirements, and that's it."

Dingfelder said he's trying to do what's best for Tampa's future.

"I'm sorry Kevin thinks looking out for the community's best interests is extortion," he said.

Truett Gardner has given $500 to White's campaign for a Hillsborough County Commission seat. Also, David E. Thompson, who works for Wood Partners, has given $500.

Thompson, contacted Thursday, said he made the contribution at a fundraising event in October and has never spoken to White about the rezoning.

White said he also has voted against projects Gardner has represented.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.

[Last modified March 24, 2006, 02:15:43]