Condo plan goes to vote, again

After an indecisive vote last week, the plan in Tampa will be voted on today.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 20, 2007

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TAMPA - Seeking to bolster his bid to redevelop Hyde Park Village, owner David Wasserman last week cited similar work he's done in other historic districts, among them a 10-story condominium called the Bryant in the Ellis neighborhood of Boston's South End.

Wasserman said it "seamlessly fit" into the 19th-century New England neighborhood. But residents there disagree.

"We have had less than a successful experience with Wasserman's developing partner, Wasserman Vornado," said John Herbert, who chairs the Ellis South End Neighborhood Association's development committee. "And we hope they never come back to Boston."

Neighbors had numerous complaints about the developer's unannounced arrival, damaging demolition methods and inaccessibility to the community.

Wasserman has an impressive portfolio, spanning everything from hip luxury condos in Palm Beach to a state-of-the-art hotel in Scotland.

He and his Rhode Island-based company, Wasserman Real Estate Capital, are hoping a Tampa City Council vote will allow him to revitalize historic Hyde Park with a$100-million redevelopment that will include two mid-rise condo towers and 90,000 square feet of retail space.

Last week's rezoning hearing ended with an indecisive 3-2 vote. It takes four votes for a City Council decision, and one member was absent, while another recused himself citing a conflict of interest.

So the board will vote again today at 9 a.m. Council member Charlie Miranda, who missed the last meeting, is expected to provide the deciding vote. If Miranda votes to approve the rezoning today, the Hyde Park Village redevelopment project will be one step closer to construction, although it must be reaffirmed by the council after a second public hearing.

Miranda could not be reached for comment.

Emily Nipps can be reached at nipps@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3431.