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Harvey Park Project 'Up In The Air'

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2007

DOWNTOWN - In the end, the Perry Harvey Sr. Park mayor's advisory committee did what it was appointed to do - approve plans for a $3.5 million renovation of the 11-acre park, 1200 Orange Ave.

But the next step is in limbo.

Mark Huey, the city's economic and urban development administrator, said the fate of the Central Park Village redevelopment, of which the park project is a component, is unknown.

Last month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that using tax increment financing requires voter approval.

The Central Park residential and retail project is counting on about $40 million in tax increment financing. Huey called the ruling 'a meaningful twist' and said the Harvey Park renovation probably won't happen or will be long delayed.

'The whole vision is up in the air,' he added glumly.

Brad Suder, a city landscaper who has worked with the 16-member committee, said a public meeting on the park plans won't be held.

'We wouldn't want to give false hope,' he said.

The committee is recommending historical statues, monuments and markers, plus an amphitheater and skate park.

Not discouraged, the seven members at the committee's meeting Oct. 3 thought of more people to honor.

'How about the soldiers?' asked Sheila Reed Palmore, the daughter of former Central Park Village housing project advocate Essie Mae Reed.

Palmore said black men and women from MacDill Air Force Base sought fellowship in the Central Avenue business district during segregation.

Committee member Arndreeta Harris, a staffer at the Tampa Bay History Center, said the park's proposed timeline omits the accomplishments of her relative, Theresa Manuel, the first Florida-born woman to compete in the Olympics. Manuel ran track in the 1948 summer games.

Both suggestions were noted by Steve Howarth, vice president of TBE Group, the engineering company in charge of park plans.

Despite the uncertainty over the project, the committee wrapped up its 11 months of meetings on a faith-filled note.

'We are going to proceed,' Tampa's poet laureate James Tokley said, suggesting suing the Supreme Court.

'Get in line,' Huey responded.

Sonja Harvey McCoy, granddaughter of the late longshoremen's union president for whom the park is named, said: 'There are ways to get money. We don't have to be dependent on anyone.'

Roxanne Amoroso, senior vice president of community development for Bank of America, which is partnering with the Tampa Housing Authority to build the new Central Park community, to be called Encore, told the group, 'We are not giving up.'

She said the project's principals have worked for two years.

'We're reeling from this ruling,' she said. 'But there's a huge dream here for housing, education and jobs.'

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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