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City Seeks To Improve Guida House

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#1 ·
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
 
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#2 ·
Want To Restore Guida House? Submit Plan Soon


Tribune file photo
People interested in developing the historical Guida House may submit proposals to the city through Jan. 23.

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2008

WEST TAMPA - People interested in developing the historical Guida House may submit proposals to the city through Jan. 23.

City officials are hosting a tour of the house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19.

The house was built in 1951 by George Guida Sr., a businessman and civic leader known as "Mr. West Tampa."

The city bought the home in Macfarlane Park, on North MacDill Avenue, in 1984. There were plans to tear it down, but activists persuaded city leaders to save it.

The art deco, two-story home was named a local historical landmark in 2004. Repairs were made about three years ago. Contractors put an industrial fence around the property, painted the exterior, boarded windows, connected electricity and fixed the roof.

But the building has deteriorated from neglect. Its ceiling and walls are damaged, and there is water damage from a leaky roof.

City officials estimate it would cost $1 million to repair the house, and the building would have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and standards imposed by the city's Architectural Review Commission.

Guida founded George Guida & Son Home Furnishing and Decorating and Central Bank of Tampa. He died in 1986 at age 71.

For information about the development proposal and tour, call the city at (813) 274-8624.

Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/12/want-restore-tampas-guida-house-submit-proposal-so/news/
 
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