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Neighborhood Report

Developer argues armory's 'just old'

Landmarc Realty says the building isn't historic and deserves demolition.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published July 7, 2006

A $164-million proposal to redevelop the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory was almost sacked by the selection committee last week when someone raised a question:

If a developer proposes to tear down the old building on Howard Avenue, should the committee allow it to stay in the running?

No, members first decided.

Jarrett Kass of Landmarc Realty squirmed in his seat. Out of the six proposals, Landmarc's 10-acre mid-rise mixed-use development is the only one that calls for complete demolition of the piece of Tampa nostalgia.

Co-owner Spencer Kass got a chance to defend their proposal. He hurried through his words.

Landmarc Realty wants to build 610 residential units, 74,346 square feet of retail and 1,278 parking spaces where Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders once rallied, just before they left for Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Plans include two six-story parking garages, lush landscaping, swimming pools, a promenade and a clubhouse.

Kass said because he isn't preserving the armory, his project will not use tax credits, subsidies or grants. Instead, it will feed millions of its real estate tax dollars into the city and county, he said.

The committee allowed him to stay in the running and present his proposal to the public.

"People say the armory is historic," Kass later said. "It's not historic - it's old."

President John F. Kennedy spoke in many places, he said, drawing a parallel to Roosevelt. Also, the Rough Riders camped on the grounds but before the armory was built, Kass said.

North Hyde Park Civic Association president Robert Allen disagrees. He believes preserving the armory is necessary to preserve memories.

"If you tear it all down, there will be no way to reminisce," Allen said.

Members of the public will get a chance to speak after the developers present their proposals Wednesday at the Tampa Convention Center.

Presentations will take place in Room 25, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and the public comment session will follow in the same room, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Proposals include an ice rink, condos, a supermarket, an event venue, a hotel and a film studio.

The selection committee is reviewing 218 comment cards submitted by more than 100 people last week when the proposals went on display at the West Tampa library.

A week after the public proposal presentation, the committee will reconvene to dig into the selection process.

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 813 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 12:29:31]