City Seeks To Improve Guida House
By JOSÉ PATINO GIROÑA
Tampa Tribune
Published: July 16, 2008
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WEST TAMPA - The city of Tampa plans to ask for proposals next month to rehabilitate the historic Guida House located at Macfarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave.
City staff met with those interested in preserving the home on Tuesday night at the park's David Barksdale Senior Citizen Center.
George Guida Jr. peaked the interest of the 25 participants when he suggested creating a culinary school at the home where people can learn about cooking from respected chefs, stay on site and also visit around Tampa. He said the home would also be available for community events and service organizations. Guida said after the meeting he is a partner in the plan.
Guida is the son of George Guida Sr., who built the 5,000-square-foot house in 1951. The two-story, art deco home has a basement and a heart-shaped driveway.
It was purchased by the city in 1994 to tear it down and create more green space in Macfarlane Park. But residents raised awareness of the home's significance and now it is protected as a local historical landmark. Since it was bought with money from the city's parks department budget, the house must remain a part of the parks department.
The elder Guida, who was known as Mr. West Tampa, was a civic leader and founder of George Guida & Son Home Furnishing and Decorating. Guida also was a founder of Central Bank of Tampa and a building contractor. He died in 1986 at age 71.
People at the meeting suggested that the home be available for community events, such as wedding and receptions. They also mentioned turning it into a West Tampa museum, cultural center and a center for English language education to assist the immigrants who move to the working class neighborhood.
They said they opposed a plan to build additional buildings near the house to accommodate private businesses interested in the home but needing extra space to make the investment lucrative.
A city official said it would cost $1 million to rehabilitate the home, which has ceiling and wall damage. The restoration would have to comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the city's Architectural Review Commission.
Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.
http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/16/city-seeks-improve-guida-house/?news
By JOSÉ PATINO GIROÑA
Tampa Tribune
Published: July 16, 2008
Related Links
Photos
WEST TAMPA - The city of Tampa plans to ask for proposals next month to rehabilitate the historic Guida House located at Macfarlane Park, 1700 N. MacDill Ave.
City staff met with those interested in preserving the home on Tuesday night at the park's David Barksdale Senior Citizen Center.
George Guida Jr. peaked the interest of the 25 participants when he suggested creating a culinary school at the home where people can learn about cooking from respected chefs, stay on site and also visit around Tampa. He said the home would also be available for community events and service organizations. Guida said after the meeting he is a partner in the plan.
Guida is the son of George Guida Sr., who built the 5,000-square-foot house in 1951. The two-story, art deco home has a basement and a heart-shaped driveway.
It was purchased by the city in 1994 to tear it down and create more green space in Macfarlane Park. But residents raised awareness of the home's significance and now it is protected as a local historical landmark. Since it was bought with money from the city's parks department budget, the house must remain a part of the parks department.
The elder Guida, who was known as Mr. West Tampa, was a civic leader and founder of George Guida & Son Home Furnishing and Decorating. Guida also was a founder of Central Bank of Tampa and a building contractor. He died in 1986 at age 71.
People at the meeting suggested that the home be available for community events, such as wedding and receptions. They also mentioned turning it into a West Tampa museum, cultural center and a center for English language education to assist the immigrants who move to the working class neighborhood.
They said they opposed a plan to build additional buildings near the house to accommodate private businesses interested in the home but needing extra space to make the investment lucrative.
A city official said it would cost $1 million to rehabilitate the home, which has ceiling and wall damage. The restoration would have to comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the city's Architectural Review Commission.
Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.
http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/16/city-seeks-improve-guida-house/?news