Back to the future with 1941 landmark

By A TIMES EDITORIAL
Published October 11, 2007

Turning a shuttered, Depression-era landmark into a major retail and cultural destination could be the boost West Tampa needs. The community is coming back, but the neighborhood has no gathering place, no commercial core, nowhere for residents and visitors alike to kill a few hours taking in the shops, cafes or the cultural scene. A plan to redevelop the Armory, an Art Deco landmark on the main thoroughfare, could be a turning point. But you wouldn't know it.

The Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, begun in 1938 and completed in 1941, is a former home of the Florida Army National Guard. It also doubled as a social venue, hosting sports events, graduations and concerts, attracting everyone from Elvis to JFK. The city is working with the state Armory Board to redevelop the property; three proposals are on the table. The most promising, Heritage Square, would put shops, restaurants and artist studios in the Armory. A hotel, other shops, a museum and a park would surround the property.

The Armory's rich history and location give it a strong identity in Tampa, which makes it all the more incumbent that the city not squander its efforts on a half-baked plan with narrow public appeal. Heritage Square is the best of a mediocre field of bid proposals. Its retail component, park and cultural features would attract a diversity of visitors, and it brings the right blend of business and social activity to the site. A place shoppers keep coming back to will serve the community and help rebuild the area's property tax base.

Some City Council members are upset they have not weighed in, and at least one bidder for the property has questioned whether a high-end hotel is feasible. These are valid concerns. The city has a huge stake in how the Armory's redevelopment affects West Tampa. The call for bids also expressly requires that any development plan provide "community benefits" and be approved by the council. But the council has time to vet the project - just as residents already have made their wishes known in the three years this effort has been under way.

The danger with slowing down at this point or raising unwarranted concerns is that either could scare away private investors. The city needs to be seen operating in a businesslike way. Heritage Square would be smart to acknowledge the concerns and address them publicly. The goal here is to fill a void in West Tampa and build the community for generations. No side should lose sight of that.

[Last modified October 10, 2007, 22:32:21]