Historic Courthouse Restoration

[HARTride 2012]

Originally Posted by cwat212

wslupeki: From you post - Insert "Starbucks" for libraries and "Coffee" for books and magazines and you are describing today's modern "library"...

Many libraries have coffee shops too. I did forget to mention that.

[cwat212]

wslu...i was just kidding with you because of the mod....i got alot of sh%t from jason for saying that tech may change things with the current need for libraries as they exist now. he did not agree and pointed that out....

the internet has changed everything and that was my point.

[Jasonhouse]

I didn't know that Starbucks offers free books and internet for residents (without purchase), and acommodates after school and summer programs for students.

If anything, I would agree that we don't need as many libraries. Basically ever since I had to do research for a college paper, I've wondered why public libraries aren't attached to schools, so that those libraries could be unified. Is it so hard to have a library with two doors?

[jonknee]

They could never connect libraries to schools these days, there is so much red tape getting anyone approved to go on campus. Mandatory background checks. Fear of predators makes parents push for really stupid things.

[FloridaFuture]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

Basically ever since I had to do research for a college paper, I've wondered why public libraries aren't attached to schools, so that those libraries could be unified. Is it so hard to have a library with two doors?

I agree with the general concept, that schools should be utilized as much as possible. Not only with the library example you mentioned but also for the example when it comes to parks or recreational facilties using school fields, gyms, stadiums, and auditoriums for cultural events.

You could make schools nicer because you wouldn't need as much or many of those things outside of school, and save some tax money too.

[Jasonhouse]

^Exactly.

[cwat212]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

I didn't know that Starbucks offers free books and internet for residents (without purchase), and acommodates after school and summer programs for students.

If anything, I would agree that we don't need as many libraries. Basically ever since I had to do research for a college paper, I've wondered why public libraries aren't attached to schools, so that those libraries could be unified. Is it so hard to have a library with two doors?

It was a joke in reference to the free wireless internet that Starbucks offers. If the internet existed as it does today when I went to College, I would have made much better grades. The transfer of info is what is completely changing the way everything is done...including education, business and obviously, communication.

[AKBTampa]

Check this out:
http://www.tampasdowntown.com/Editor...se%20event.pdf

AIA Tampa Bay will present their plans for the restoration of
the historic federal courthouse at a reception and exhibition on Friday, April 4th from 7:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. at Gallery AIA - 200 N. Tampa Street, Suite 100 in downtown Tampa.

[tampasteve]

Interesting, I would really like to see this building renovated into offices, or even better would be a public building like a museum of some sorts, perhaps the photography museum as is mentioned in the PDF.

Steve

[HARTride 2012]

Originally Posted by tampasteve

Interesting, I would really like to see this building renovated into offices, or even better would be a public building like a museum of some sorts, perhaps the photography museum as is mentioned in the PDF.

Steve

Me too...

[AKBTampa]

i think the proposal will be for AIA to be main tenant and leaser. fl museum of photographic arts would move there. Then the remaining space will be leased out as office and studio space to local architects and lawyers, etc. however it appears that the city still has the final say. I've always liked this proposal the best, and it will be exciting to see the full proposal!

[FloridaFuture]

New plan for old Tampa courthouse costs $18-million
By Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Published Friday, April 4, 2008 11:19 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part if the old federal courthouse renovation might look like this.
[Photo illustration | Special to the Times]

TAMPA — The latest plan for remaking the old federal courthouse downtown will cost about $18-million, according to the group devising the plan.

The Tampa chapter of the American Institute of Architects showcased its concept for the historic building at an open house in its offices Friday.

The organization wants to see businesses with a focus on arts, architecture and urban planning in the building on Florida Avenue and to turn the main courtroom into a gallery.

Tampa chapter president Pete Karamitsanis said renovation costs would be offset by $4-million in tax credits, but the project still needs financing and commitments from organizations interested in using the space.

"That's our next go-round," Karamitsanis said. "We have proposed and structured what ultimately would be a co-op of some sort, and we're looking for people to become part of this co-op."

The American Institute of Architects and the Tampa Downtown Partnership have pledged to move their offices there.

"It's a symbol of historic downtown Tampa," said Christine Burdick, president of the downtown partnership. "The space would be very attractive, the AIA would be a wonderful neighbor. I like what I've heard so far."

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is also interested in the space.

In November, the American Institute of Architects signed an agreement with the city that gave the group six months to explore opportunities for restoring the courthouse, which was built more than 100 years ago.

The city will contribute no money to the project, said Mark Huey, the city's manager for economic development.

The building closed in 1998 after a new courthouse opened. The federal government deeded the building to Tampa in 2003. The city pays about $60,000 a year to maintain it.

Vivian Salaga, an architect with Atelier Architecture who is working on the proposal, said she wants to make sure the building doesn't go the way of downtown buildings that sat vacant until they decayed beyond saving. "Buildings are meant to be lived in, and when they're left vacant, they do deteriorate," she said.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3401.

[Last modified Friday, April 4, 2008 11:19 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgo...icle443928.ece

[Jasonhouse]

Awesome. Really awesome if you ask me.

[FloridaFuture]

^Agreed. Great choice of the type of tenants they're looking for, and I like the ones that have already chosen to move in.

[FloridaFuture]

Group Courts Landmark


Image courtesy of the American Institute of Architects
The Tampa chapter of the American Institute of Architects wants to renovate the old federal courthouse on Florida Avenue. The group proposes sharing the space with other offices after an $18 million renovation.


The Tampa chapter of the American Institute of Architects wants to renovate the old federal courthouse on Florida Avenue. The group proposes sharing the space with other offices after an $18 million renovation. (Artist's rendering courtesy of the American Institute of Architects)

Related Links

Photo Gallery: Reviving The Courthouse
By ELLEN GEDALIUS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 10, 2008

Updated: 11:56 pm

TAMPA - The part of downtown near the old federal courthouse isn't one of the more bustling areas in Tampa.

But the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects hopes its $18 million project will change that.

The organization wants to move in to the old federal courthouse on Florida Avenue - and wants law offices, architectural firms and other groups to share the space. In all, the architects think as many as 600 people could end up working in the historic building, bringing a boost to that part of downtown.

"It will certainly take what's now a negative asset to the city of Tampa and make it a positive," said Gus Paras, an architect and president-elect of the group's local chapter.

The building, with its Beaux Arts Classical architecture, is a local landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The architects group wants to redo the entrance on Marion Street, giving it a more appealing look. That entrance now is somewhat hidden, for good reason: That's where the prisoners used to be dropped off.

The architects institute wants to have a bookstore in the courthouse and perhaps some additional retail space. The institute proposes renovating the main courtroom into gallery space for the building's occupants. It also would be available for events and exhibitions. Other courtrooms would be made into offices for prospective tenants.

One possible tenant is the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. The museum now occupies about 3,000 square feet in a storefront at Ashley Drive and Jackson Street. The group is looking for 6,000 to 8,000 square feet and is considering the courthouse, director Joanne Milani said.

The museum has lectures, parties and classes, events that would probably appeal to downtown, urban residents.

"We flourish as part of the downtown fabric," Milani said. "Downtown Tampa is going to take off at some point. If you're going to have urban residents, you're going to want lively places to go."

Christine Burdick, head of Tampa Downtown Partnership, wants to move her offices to the courthouse as well. Having offices and other tenants there will generate foot traffic to restaurants and other downtown venues.

"It would be fun to be in the courthouse because it's a significant historical building downtown," Burdick said. "It'll be an icon."

Continuing Evolution

The old federal courthouse has a storied history. It was built more than a century ago and has served as a post office and a U.S. Customs House before it was turned into a courthouse.

In 1998, the federal courthouse moved to a new, $81 million building. Five years later, the city bought the old courthouse from the federal government for $1.

Since then, it has been vacant, although many groups have had ideas for its use, some of which gained more traction than others. Among the proposals: a homeless shelter, a Florida A&M University Law School campus, a hotel, offices for city government, a location for the Savannah College of Art and Design and a public school.

In 2004, the city convened an advisory panel to review proposals. The group recommended a plan pushed by local developer P.C. Patel to convert the courthouse into two charter schools, a location for the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and office space for nonprofit organizations. The plan never gelled.

Finding tenants for the courthouse has always been challenging because there isn't much parking in the area. The architects institute, however, says it can make do and might even offer some valet parking.

A Cleanup Is Needed

The institute would likely lease the building from the city for 99 years. Though details are not finalized, tenants would then buy a portion of the lease from the AIA.

The group still needs $18 million in financing, and the city needs to approve the plans.

The group also likely would have to do at least some environmental cleanup. In 2001, the General Services Administration said the courthouse was "unfit for habitation" because of the high level of contaminants.

Late last year, the city and the institute started talking and struck an agreement where the AIA would have six months to come up with a plan to move in to the courthouse. The group has about two months left.

If the city approves the plans, the group could start renovations by the end of the year and could be ready for tenants about a year later.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr...urts-landmark/

[FloridaFuture]

Some good stuff here:

http://www.ofc2ofc.com/aia/tampabay/default.aspx

[Dtowner]

I shot a video tour of the courthouse last week - check it out: http://www.dtowner.com
Let me know what you think. I just started blogging last week and the site is still being designed - but there are so many good stories to tell I went ahead and started posting.

[HARTride 2012]

That's a cool site Dtowner.

[FloridaFuture]

Future Of Tampa's Old Federal Courthouse Remains Uncertain
By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 9, 2009

TAMPA - One year ago, the city unveiled ambitious plans to renovate the old federal courthouse, one of Tampa's most prominent downtown landmarks.

The $18 million public-private partnership with the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects called for refurbishing the Florida Avenue building and leasing space to tenants whose businesses focus on arts, architecture and urban planning.

That was before the capital markets dried up.

AIA chapter President Gus Paras said his group has been unable to get financing for the project.

"We couldn't have picked a worse time to do this project," he said. "It's terrible."

Paras said the institute is negotiating with the city to extend its contract, set to expire at the end of the month, for at least another year while the search for funding continues.

"We haven't given up," he said. "Hopefully the economic situation will improve soon."

Mark Huey, the city's economic development administrator, said the city is willing to work with the institute and will likely extend the redevelopment agreement.

"We certainly understand how difficult it is in this market environment," he said. "But that building is a real treasure to the city and we don't want to put just anything in there."

The building, with its Beaux Arts Classical architecture, is considered one of the city's most important structures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city pays about $60,000 a year in taxes and other costs to maintain the vacant building and charges the architectural group about $4,000 a month in rent. The group planned to move its offices to the courthouse after the renovations.

In the past century, the building has served a various uses, including as a post office and U.S. Customs House. In 1998, the federal courthouse was relocated to an $81 million building. Five years later, the city bought the old building for $1.

Since then, it has remained vacant, although many groups had ideas for its use, some of which gained more traction than others. Among the proposals: a homeless shelter; a Florida A&M University Law School campus; a hotel and restaurant; city government offices; a site for the Savannah College of Art and Design; and a school.

In 2004, the city convened an advisory panel to review proposals. The group recommended a plan pushed by local developer P.C. Patel to convert the courthouse into two charter schools, a location for the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and offices for nonprofit organizations.

The plan never got off the ground.

Paras said he doesn't know when the chapter's project will get under way.

"I wish I had a crystal ball," he said. "It could be tomorrow; could be five years from now."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2...ns-uncer/news/

[HARTride 2012]

This is not good at all. The planning came along when the markets were beginning to go sour. Now with the markets tanked, there is simply no way to get the financing that they need....sad.

And its gonna get worse before it gets better.....