Tampa Heights Redevelopment

[imtiredofbeingtired]

Originally Posted by jonknee

You mean across the river from Blake? That will be part of the project IIRC. It has been clear for quite some time.

What is the IIRC project? I am talking about from Tampa St to Florida St all the way down Palm Ave, lots a vacant land. You can tell they move alot of houses to get this area cleared. I always thought this was the project Bank Of America was funding with a Tampa partnership program.

[jonknee]

Sorry, IIRC is if I remember correctly. I was in a hurry. Yea, from the rendering it looks like that's going to be this project.

[Jasonhouse]

Originally Posted by TamBay

You could almost define "Downtown" as the Hillsborough River to the Ybor Channlel, Harbour Island to these developments.

Change "these developments" to I-275/Selmon and so far as I know that is the definition of downtown's boundaries.

[imtiredofbeingtired]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

Change "these developments" to I-275/Selmon and so far as I know that is the definition of downtown's boundaries.

If the Project "The Heights" is at the location of Palm Ave and Tampa St to Florida Ave (Large area of Vacant Land) it could be a big boost to Tampa Heights as well as Ybor and Channelside. This is less then 1 mile from my properties in Ybor. Any other info on this project? I believe once this project and the Central Park project are complete it will make a huge impact to the area.

I will agree with Jasonhouse that urban planing is not done properly, but I have found that the more people these projects have to go through the more screwed up they become to the point that they never happen. I am not sure how to fix these problems, so I rather build then to have the wheels do nothing but spin.

South of I-4 to Adamo Drive is a safe bet as far as real estate investment goes. To much money already invested in the area to stop now, plus I hear there is a BIG venue being negotiated to come to Ybor in the next year. With IKEA coming and many arhitects firms coming to the area, I believe this train is going in the right direction. Yes, everyone has there opinion on what downtown should be, but I think we can all agree it's better then it was five yeas ago.

[imtiredofbeingtired]

Originally Posted by TamBay

Nevermind my idiot post above. I just realized this is north of 275. My bad

Actually, its quite close to both Ybor and Channelside. It's about 1/2 mile from Palm Ave and Nebraska Ave (Ybor city Entrance).

[FloridaFuture]

Something New In Store For Hutto's Corner
By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 8, 2007

TAMPA HEIGHTS - For three years, the old grocery store sat vacant.

Now the owner says he is committed to improving his property at North Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, affectionately known as Hutto's Corner, for the family grocery founded after World War II.

Two weeks ago, a construction company began demolishing the building, 642 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Property owner Suresh 'Sam' Patel said he plans to build a 15,000-square-foot, L-shaped shopping center with a 1950s design. He wants to attract a sandwich shop, hair salon, phone company, flower shop and liquor store.

Patel, of New Tampa, closed the grocery store in 2004 with plans to build a shopping plaza. Instead, he listed it for sale after buying other property. Money was tight, and he couldn't devote his attention to Hutto's Corner.

After an investor offered him $975,000 six months ago, Patel said he decided it would be better to redevelop the property himself. Patel, 43, said he will spend about $1.3 million in construction and plans to repair the Hutto's Corner sign.

'It's going to be great for the community,' said Patel, who owns the Citgo gas station across the street.

Jay Crawford, an employee of North County Construction, said people have sought mementos from the store. One man wanted the front door, and a former customer asked about razor blades he used to buy there for an old razor.

Crawford said he gave one woman a 2-by-8-foot exterior metal sign that read Hutto.

He said the store was intact when demolition began. There were greeting cards, cigars, candies, Coca-Cola bottles commemorating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl win and spoiled food.

'It looked like they closed it down one day and never came back,' Crawford said.

George 'Fred' Hutto opened the neighborhood grocery store in 1948, selling milk, bread, sandwiches, hardware, flowers and plants, greeting cards and television tubes. A fire destroyed the store in 1960, but Hutto rebuilt. Hutto sold the store in 1977; Patel bought the property in 2002.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2...s-corner/?news

[Robert.Maddrey]

A client of ours, Eddie Serralles of the Serralles Group has been pretty active down there over the past several years having renovated one of the two story Mediterranean revival blocks on North Highland Ave overlooking Highland Park. There is tons of potential hidden in those streets.

[jonknee]

InTown has also been pretty active, I see their crews all over. Their website has some interior shots, beautiful stuff.

http://intownhomes.us/project.html

[Jasonhouse]

^The company I work for does the survey work for that company... Some of my field training was surveying a few of them for their CO.

[FloridaFuture]

Timing haunts the Heights
Developers are confident, but observers see gloom as housing sales slump.
By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER Times Staff Writer
Published October 5, 2007


Undeveloped land slated for the Heights project is at left, across the Hillsborough River from Blake High School and downtown Tampa. Developers say it is still on track.
[Chris Zuppa | Times]

Few development projects not bearing the Trump brand name get the kind of acclaim the Heights has received before construction begins.

Mayor Pam Iorio has called the 49-acre site crucial to changing the urban landscape. She has even offered the city's power of eminent domain to buy up scattered properties, a rare seal of approval reserved for projects deemed to have a beneficial public purpose.

Earlier this year, Hillsborough County's Planning Commission gave the project one of its annual awards for design excellence in urban redevelopment.

Buzz was so strong for the residential and commercial project just north of downtown that mere rumors of it lured Realtors Steve Johns and David Purnell from another hot central city neighborhood, Seminole Heights, to buy a home in Tampa Heights and fix it up.

"The Heights of Tampa was a big factor in making us invest here," Johns said. "It would be a tremendous lift for the entire area, giving us restaurants and cafes that we could walk to and enjoy. I can't stress how important it is."

It has been two years since Iorio sealed the deal with the developers, and a project spokeswoman says the Heights is still on track.

Yet, with the housing market plummeting, the landscape set for a "new urbanist" overhaul looks nearly the same as before.

Few signs point to actual construction. Homeless people sleep during the day along the Heights' deserted riverfront. And barbed wire rings empty lots littered with weeds.

Joe Swain was walking his beat as the security guard for the Heights project about 2 a.m. on a Friday back in March. After he told a group of young men hanging out behind a building owned by the developers to leave, they jumped him. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital with a broken nose, broken arm, and scratches to his face and hands, according to a police report.

It has been that kind of year for the Heights, which is weathering a rough-and-tumble housing market.

Developers say the housing slump has only slightly delayed plans and that, overall, they're still very much on schedule to begin construction of new homes next year.

Others in the housing industry say the Heights faces a tough road to completion.

"Unfortunately, they have hit a bad time in the market," said Mark Huey, Tampa's economic development coordinator. "There's been a diabolical confluence in the drop in housing demand and the foreclosure crisis. It's a shame they got hit right at the beginning of the project."

Still, given that one of the developers is Bill Bishop, who helped develop FishHawk Ranch and Westchase, confidence in the project remains high.

"He's one of the best developers in Hillsborough County," said Ray Chiaramonte, assistant executive director of the Planning Commission. "For a developer to come into Tampa Heights and take the time he's taken to assemble land is extraordinary."

Bishop's imprint in Tampa Heights is closely entwined with Iorio's $40-million Riverwalk, a 2.2-mile linear park along a stretch of the Hillsborough River that meanders through downtown. Iorio envisions it drawing people to an area that empties out after 5 p.m. on weekdays.

About 60 percent of its costs will be paid by private donors. Developers of the Heights have pledged to construct 1 mile of the linear park, a contribution worth nearly $4-million.

Lee Hoffman, the development manager for Riverwalk, said he's not concerned about the slowdown in the Heights. He's busy locking up other parts of Riverwalk, confident that the Heights will follow through on its pledge. There's a lot riding on the northern section of the Riverwalk project. For one, it serves as a vital link between older neighborhoods and the rest of the project; it also makes the Riverwalk long enough for joggers, Hoffman said.

Also integral to the Heights is the renovation of Water Works Park, which is part of the development and sits next to the Riverwalk. Yet the park renovation, along Doyle Carlton Drive, has been delayed. Slated to have a fountain, canoe and kayak launch sites and a Tavern-on-the-Green type restaurant nearby, the park was set to begin construction in January of this year. Hoffman said it's now set for next year.

The Heights project also has yet to gain approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a seawall and about 100 boat slips. Bishop referred all questions to project spokeswoman Deanne Roberts, who said the focus has been getting that seawall approved, as well as a site plan showing how the streets and sidewalks will be laid out.

"While the current residential real estate market has slowed us down a bit, we were not planning to start construction on new homes until late next year," she said. "We still hope to follow that schedule."

* * *


Project manager Darren Booth gave a tour of the Heights in June. Standing along the northern bank in a vacant lot, Booth compared it to Georgetown and Annapolis in explaining how it will look and feel once built.

"Where we are standing now will be couples strolling together after leaving the restaurants," he said. "In five years, this will be the place to bring friends from out of town."

But the vision will be hard to accomplish, said Marvin Rose, publisher of Rose Residential Reports.

"The timing couldn't be worse," he said. "Right now, nothing is doing good now. Money isn't available. This is such a pioneering project, where its whole intent is to revitalize that entire part of town. They'd have their work cut out for them even in good times.

"If they haven't broken ground up to now, I wouldn't break ground," he said.

Neighbors, however, continue to pull for the project, said Ryan Schumann, second vice president of the Tampa Heights Civic Association.

"It has the backing of a major financial group," Schumann said. "They see this over several years. A one-year delay won't be a big deal for them. They've gone too far into this for it not to happen."

Michael Van Sickler can be reached at 813 226-3402 or mvansickler@sptimes.com.



More on the project

What is the Heights?

Size: 49 acres.

Residential: Includes1,517 multifamily units (315 townhomes, 1,050 condos, 152 affordable housing units).

Commercial: 260,000 square feet of office/retail space that could include a hotel, restaurants, shops.

Deadlines

Original deadlines (in 2005 development agreement) and the development's new dates.

[Last modified October 4, 2007, 07:56:40]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/05/Ci..._the_Hei.shtml

[FloridaFuture]

Developer In For Long Haul

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 8, 2008

TAMPA HEIGHTS - With a weak housing market and a waiting game for permits, patience is the operative word for The Heights, the $500 million, 48-acre development of condominiums, town homes, offices and commercial property adjacent to downtown.

The developer may build fewer condos and town homes than the 1,900 initially proposed and might build commercial property first - a deviation from mixed-use developments, which typically build housing first.

There also are plans to lease out the historical Tampa Armature Works building, 1910 N. Ola Ave., and two single-story buildings on Palm Avenue.

The developer, A Better Place Group, has set a 10-year timeline for the project.

"If it all gets done in the last three years, it's still done in 10 years," development manager Darren Booth said.

The developer applied more than two years ago for permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Tampa Port Authority to allow construction of a sea wall and boat slips, dredging and other work in the Hillsborough River. Booth anticipates getting the permits by the end of the year.

The developer planned to build roads and install infrastructure before selling land to other developers. Now it's considering constructing some of the buildings in order to move the project forward, Booth said.

The Heights is seeking city permits to build a three-story office building near Seventh and Highland avenues and is in talks with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce to lease part of the building.

In five years, Booth anticipates that roads, water, sewer and stormwater lines, the sea wall, boat slips and a river walk will be completed or nearing completion. At that time, he also anticipates the completion of one or two restaurants and a small office building. Hotel construction should be under way along with residential sales. "If you can accept being patient, it is not frustrating," Booth said.

The city approved the property's rezoning and a development agreement for The Heights in 2006.

Investors in the project include Bill Bishop, president of real estate development company Leslie Land Corp., and Don Wallace, the former president and chief executive officer of Lazy Days RV Center.

Michael Hatchett, a city urban development manager, said the project's slower pace is disappointing but out of the developer's control.

"It is certainly a doable project," Hatchett said. "The major hurdle has been crossed, and that is the developer owning the property. If the developer doesn't own it, you can't build on it. Your project is never going to happen if you don't own the dirt."

Given the economic circumstances, the project's pace and changes are logical, said Fran Roy, president of the Tampa Heights Civic Association.

"If anyone thinks that they are going to come out of the ground flying, you need a reality check," Roy said.

He's excited that the developer is committed to the project, which he said will enhance the area. But he thinks the community can advance while The Heights finds its course.

The Bush Ross law firm opened its offices in December in Tampa Heights; the county bar association and bar foundation opened their two-story building Feb. 21 near the law firm; and a trio of investors is rehabilitating the 1927 Rialto Theatre to open a members club for business and social networking.

"The success of the neighborhood doesn't hinge on The Heights project," Roy said.

Booth said the project's success is inevitable, given its proximity to the river, parks and downtown.

"I think the location is what it's all about - being three minutes from downtown versus an hour," he said. "That is what ultimately will make this project successful."

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2...ong-haul/?news

[AKBTampa]

I think this is another development that is also being impacted by the Strand V. Escambia case, as I believe some of their funding was supposed to be coming from TIF. But, if they can at least get something built soon that would be great for that area!

[JBrisco]

Well they did cut down all the trees and the seem to have a sea of street bricks in one of the lots

[FLHawk]

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/03/17/story3.html?b=1205726400^1604761

Friday, March 14, 2008
Heights project gets a kick start
Construction set to start on anticipated redevelopment
Tampa Bay Business Journal - by Janet Leiser Staff Writer

TAMPA -- One of the area's largest general contractors plans to build its Florida headquarters at the Heights of Tampa -- a 48-acre, $500 million redevelopment project on the Hillsborough River north of downtown.

The Beck Group expects to begin construction this summer on a 45,000-square foot, four-story building at the Heights, near Stetson University's Tampa law campus and the Bush Ross PA law firm.

It will be the first vertical construction project to take place at the sprawling development that has been in the works since at least 1999 when the Tampa City Council designated the area blighted. Back then, the site featured crack houses, dilapidated boarded up houses and industrial brownfields.

"This is going to be a great year for us," said Robert Scharar, president of FCA Corp. FCA manages the Ivy Real Estate Investment Trust, which is helping finance the project.

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce also is considering relocating its offices to the building as is a third business, according to reports.

"To us, it shows the commercial market is alive and well in Tampa," said Brian Check, director of real estate for Beck Group's southeastern division, headquartered in Tampa.

Developers expect to obtain all the permits for the project this year and to complete the required engineering work, clearing the way to begin construction of infrastructure and brick streets in 2009. Construction of the river walk and park is also expected to begin this year.

The developers, working under Tampa Heights LLC, also expect to obtain roughly $40 million in bond financing this year.

A pending ruling by the Florida Supreme Court over a bond case in Escambia County has raised far-reaching concerns about financing of major redevelopment efforts across the state and still needs to be resolved. But the current plans can go forward regardless, and, the principals say, real building on the site will be symbolic of the overall project's resiliency.

The first phase won't include residential development, as planned, because of the housing slump. Here, residential units will follow retail.

Last year, Tampa Heights LLC bought out Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), which had land at the site for years, said Scharar, who didn't disclose how much the bank received.

Investors have put up about two-thirds of the $60 million that has been spent so far on the entire project, including the acquisition of the land, which was owned by as many as 150 people, said Scharar.

Another 10 or so parcels, mostly vacant, throughout the site haven't been bought because owners wanted too much or declined to sell, said Development Manager Darren Booth.

"We're not picking up anymore parcels. We don't have to," said Scharar, a Lakeland native and founder of Houston-based FCA.

Building offices
Beck Group executives started talking to Scharar and Bill Bishop, another investor, about the office building six months ago, Check said.

The agreement hasn't been formalized yet, but a handshake agreement exists.

"Everyone agrees there are no barriers to going forward," Check said.

Beck Group will design and construct the building.

The general contractor should complete the building's design this month, and approvals for the design and permits should be obtained this spring.

Beck plans to occupy 15,000 square feet, moving in by mid summer 2009.

It's unclear what role Dallas-based Beck will play in other projects at the development. Beck has a large presence in the Southeast, and internationally.

Check said: "We believe we can offer them a lot of national support."

While commercial projects in Florida and around the country are being delayed or canceled because of the economic slowdown and subprime mortgage crisis, Scharar said the Heights of Tampa is viable and moving forward.

Beck's plans attest to that.

Still, the project is about nine to 12 months behind schedule, partly because of the delays in acquiring property as well as the slowing economy.

There have been some recent changes in the equity positions and management of the project.

Scharar recently brought in Ike Monty, president of Dallas-based Investment Builders Inc., as a partner.

Scharar said the project would benefit from Monty's expertise on multifamily developments.

In fact, affordable workplace apartments are likely to be one of the first projects built. Construction might start on that phase in 2009 or 2010, Scharar said.

However, he doesn't expect to build condo towers, even when the housing market rebounds.

"The world doesn't need another bunch of condos," said Scharar. "I don't want to see towers all over the place."

jleiser@bizjournals.com | 813.342.2468

[AKBTampa]

This is good news. I was unaware that the Heights developer bought out Bank of America. I am sure this helped with moving things forward!

[FloridaFuture]

Good news indeed...

[jonknee]

They have started work at the site... About a half dozen trailers set up and site prep being done.

[randommichael]

Which part?

[jonknee]

In front of the waterworks, off of Highland. I'll snap a pic next time I'm by. It looked like they were working to put up a sign today, so maybe there will be more information once it's up (just the wood frame when I saw).

[randommichael]

Awesome, I wasn't really sure this project was going to continue.