Hyde Park plan approved
The controversial redevelopment still faces one more vote but is expected to move forward.
By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 21, 2007
TAMPA - The return of an absent City Council member brought an end to the waiting on Thursday as officials voted 4-2 to approve a controversial rezoning for the $100-million redevelopment of historic Hyde Park Village.
The decision came after the council was unable to reach a four-vote majority following six hours of public debate at the first hearing on Dec. 13. Council members Tom Scott, Gwen Miller and Joseph Caetano voted yes, and Linda Saul-Sena and Mary Mulhern voted no. John Dingfelder recused himself from the vote because his law office is in Hyde Park, posing a possible conflict of interest, and Charlie Miranda was absent because of health reasons.
In Thursday's meeting, many sat on edge as Miranda waxed nostalgic about the many proposed changes that have come before City Council and met public outcry, such as the first Hyde Park Village redevelopment in the 1980s and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. He eventually concluded that he approved of the 10-acre rezoning, citing a constant need for change and growth in Tampa.
"There are things that have to change to make things work and operational," he said. "This will give the city an opportunity to have a lot more people walking and a lot more activity and a lot more communication."
The council's approval was a victory for Hyde Park Village owner and developer David Wasserman, who has faced opposition from residents and the city's Architectural Review Commission for almost two years since presenting his plans. Those plans include two condo towers that will reach up to nine stories high and 90,000 square feet of retail and office space.
"I'm just very pleased that we had the support here today," Wasserman said after Thursday's vote. When asked what the next step would be, he said, "The art kids will get their pencils out."
The rezoning must pass at a second reading on Jan. 10 for final approval. The first reading drew more than 80 people who lined up to argue for or against the plans, but such a turnout is unlikely a second time.
"If they (City Council members) don't see it differently now, I don't know what else could be presented," said Patrick Cimino, president of Hyde Park Preservation Inc., who spoke against the project last week. "Clearly, there is not any indication that Tampa has a direction for preservation."
Neighbors who opposed Wasserman's plans fear the development is too large and dense for a historic district, and will add too much traffic and population to the quaint neighborhood.
Wasserman intends to replace the former Sunrise Cinema and Wine Exchange restaurant on Swann Avenue with a 90-foot condo tower for 85 residences, plus a grocery store, retail space and parking. An 80-foot condo building for 78 residences, plus more retail and parking, will replace the former Brooks Brothers building and parking garage on Snow Avenue. He also promised to install more pedestrian walkways, traffic calming and public art.
Those who supported the project, including some Hyde Park neighbors, said the outdoor shopping center has lost its luster and cannot survive without redevelopment. Over the years, new malls and other urban hubs, such as Channelside and Centro Ybor, have drawn customers away from Hyde Park Village. Shops and restaurants have struggled, and turnover has been high.
"We can now go talk to other shops and explain that we now have a mixed-use (Hyde Park Village)," Wasserman said.
If the rezoning passes again in January, the entire project is expected to be completed in about two years.
Emily Nipps can be reached at nipps@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3431.