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Letter to the editor

Top 10 stories from 2007

Simple words like change and activism defined South, Central and West Tampa in 2007. Some change was tragic, including the deaths of businessman and socialite Stanley Pinder, Gram's Place hostel owner Mark Holland, artist Carlos Manuel Soto and Cigar City Magazine co-founder Marilyn Esperante Figueredo. Other change inspired people to fight for or against government initiatives and private development. City Times has ranked the highlights. We couldn't include everything - sorry artists forced out of the old Oliva cigar factory, sorry Tate family in the new Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house! As always, if you disagree, e-mail us at citytimes@sptimes.com to state your case.

10 New Port Tampa Bay

The 52-acre waterfront development project with condos, boutiques, restaurants and a marina created a buzz in the Gandy area. But in October, developer Ecogroup announced it had ditched the idea because of the sluggish housing market, shocking neighbors. The real estate firm handling the site says there's still hope for development.

9 I-4 fountain

Drivers wondered about the project near the Interstate 4 overpass in Ybor. What could it be? How about a big ole' water fountain - that cost $1.3-million. The state won't build on it any time soon. But officials feared that if the property were left vacant, it might draw trash or "would attract homeless," Kris Carson of the state Department of Transportation told City Times in July. That didn't sit too well with readers, especially homeless advocates. But the fountain remains, in all its trickling glory.

8 Crematories

People complained of smoke and odor that they said came from crematories. Crematory owners, however, were within their legal rights. That's when neighbors in East Ybor, Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights pushed to change those rights. After months of research and such, the Environmental Protection Commission created guidelines this month for crematories in Hillsborough.

7 Meacham School

The debate over the school built in 1926 spanned two years. It ended in November when the building, which had been designated a National Historic Landmark, was demolished for the revamping of Central Park Village. Years ago, Meacham was one of few schools to serve African-Americans in Tampa and was considered a pillar of the black community.

6 Ikea

The Swedish furniture store known for its modern, affordable designs announced plans to open an Ikea in mid 2009 in Palmetto Beach. At 350,000 square feet, it will be Ikea's largest in Florida - a big deal for an astounding mass of Ikea fans who apparently enjoy buying mass-produced furniture that they often have to assemble themselves. Woo-hoo!

5 Canal dredging

Yawn Sorry, that was rude. Sounds boring to some, but canal dredging was important to readers. We received several passionate letters to the editor as homeowners dueled with words on our opinion page. Earlier this month, the City Council approved a study to find out how bad those canals near the West Shore area are. But they didn't commit to going beyond that to a special tax to pay for dredging.

4 Hyde Park Village

City Council's long-awaited vote last week will allow developers to build tall condo towers, shops and parking. Opponents said towers didn't fit in the quaint district. But supporters, eager for development, won. The council will cast final votes at a second reading in January, but the decision will likely stand.

3 Ybor nightclubs

Seventh Avenue's booty-shaking hip-hop spots drew the ire of those who said noise and violence started on the dance floor. Police conducted crime studies and boosted their presence. Club Empire's owner met with neighbors to calm fears. By year's end, Empire was still standing, but questions circled Club Fuel, which recently closed its doors and renamed itself the Factory Nightclub. Meanwhile, locals insisted that Ybor is a HISTORIC district, not an entertainment district. The Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association even voted to correct anyone who addresses them using the e-word.

2 Centro Ybor

After some confusion, the city agreed to allow a Chicago company to remake the sinking Centro Ybor. Offices, a hotel and residences may be in the complex's future. Will it be enough to make this entertai ... oops, HISTORIC district succeed?

1 SkyPoint

The first in a series of condo towers touted as the rebirth of downtown opened. Finally. Enough said.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 07:51:07]