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Board Leader 'Wants Some New Energy'

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

Updated: 10/04/2007 11:10 pm

EAST TAMPA - Three people came to an August meeting to voice opinions on a plan to revitalize the community's businesses.

Evangeline Best says she wants to end that kind of apathy.

This week, she took over as leader of the advisory board for the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership, a volunteer group that works with the city on redevelopment projects. Eight partnership members also were installed as committee leaders and co-chairmen.

'I want some new energy,' Best said. 'I want some new excitement.'

She hopes to encourage neighborhood associations to become involved with the group, and she is organizing a bus tour for the board of East Tampa's commercial corridors. Roads such as 22nd and 34th streets and Hillsborough Avenue are under review as part of a business plan that will guide redevelopment.

Best also is moving the monthly partnership meetings from Cyrus Greene Community Center to Ragan Park, 1200 E. Lake Ave. The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Outgoing board chairman Sam Kinsey, who opted not to seek re-election for family reasons, pledged his continued support.

'It's time for me to be a soldier in this army,' said Kinsey, who serves as an ex-officio board member. 'I can think of nothing that has been more rewarding than working for this community.'

About 30 people attended Tuesday's board installation ceremony at the District 3 police headquarters on 22nd, where the city's East Tampa redevelopment staff has its offices.

East Tampa's community redevelopment area is bordered by Interstates 275 and 4, Hillsborough Avenue and the city limits. A portion of the area's property taxes must be reinvested in community projects.

Since its creation in 2003, the area's budget has grown from about $1 million to about $6.3 million for 2008.
East Tampa redevelopment manager Ed Johnson gave the board updates on several projects, including a long-delayed makeover for a 34th Street retention pond.

A contractor is expected to begin work within 15 days on the pond and another at 19th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Johnson said. The work includes a walking trail and landscaping.

The design for a project to repave and landscape 22nd from 21st Avenue to King Boulevard is under way; 14 bids are being reviewed for a similar project on 34th from King Boulevard to 26th Avenue.

Property taxes from East Tampa as well as city, state and federal funds will pay for the road projects.

One hitch in crafting budgets for East Tampa - and eight other city redevelopment areas - is a recent state Supreme Court decision that appears to mandate a referendum before tax dollars are spent on redevelopment projects.

City officials have predicted that will slow, but not necessarily halt, redevelopment efforts.

Johnson noted that the court has agreed to exempt school boards from seeking voter approval on specific projects.

'If they exempt school boards, why not exempt special tax areas that are trying to redevelop?' he said. 'We've got our fingers crossed.'

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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