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Tampa acts to save site, our history

The city is right to block the Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League from selling its historic headquarters. Taxpayers, after all, gave the league the 95-year-old building, the Centro Espanol, a former Spanish social club in West Tampa. Millions of public dollars are tied up in the property. A national historic landmark, the Centro also is a key catalyst for bringing back the old Latin neighborhood.

The league never should have moved to sell to Without Walls International Church. While the league owes $3-million on the property, that is paltry compared to its historic value. Nearly half the debt is held by the government, anyway, and would be forgiven if the building continues to serve a community benefit.

The city sent the right message by stepping in. While the league and the church tried to keep the deal secret, the city fired several recent shots, reminding the two that the public has a financial and cultural stake in any deal. At the very least, the church might have to pay back government grants. It also would face an uphill battle repairing its image with businesses and residents who want the Centro to remain a community asset.

By stepping forward, the city protects an architectural gem on West Tampa's historic thoroughfare. Civic backers should help the city finish renovating Centro, and be prepared to support the facility as new public resources pour into it. With homes, shops and restaurants opening in West Tampa, the building could be a multiuse spot for artists, community groups, civic events and even small retailers. Future residents will thank the city for preserving a building that could shape Tampa's character for another hundred years.

[Last modified December 6, 2006, 23:08:43]