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Art Consultant Starts In Channel District

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

CHANNEL DISTRICT - The hiring of an art consultant for this growing condominium community was so highly anticipated, City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena sat front and center at the Channel District Council's recent meeting.

'It's been 2 1/2 years since we've been talking about this. But you're here with fresh energy,' Saul-Sena told New York-based Leith ter Meulen. 'Welcome.'

The consultant didn't know whether the community preferred to be known as Channelside (the name of the adjacent entertainment complex) or by its rightful name, the Channel District, a former warehouse district next to the Port of Tampa.

But ter Meulen said she's enthusiastic about working in a new neighborhood, where residents have moved in growing numbers in the past five years.

President and chief executive officer of LandAir, ter Meulen will work with Michelle Dahnke, an analyst with Evergreen Solutions in Tallahassee. They will first conduct a survey to gauge what residents, business owners, developers and visitors want.

'The window is right here now to develop an arts community,' Channel District Council President Genie White said.

The consultant, who worked on the renovation of Times Square, said her goal is to bring art into the district. She likes the edgy mix of old and new and will consider what will work in Tampa after looking at cities worldwide.

Andrea Graham, board president for the Stageworks theater company, which is raising money for a theater at the Grand Central at Kennedy complex in the Channel District, said she wants the community to become an 'off-Ashley' similar to off-Broadway.

'This would show Hillsborough County there's a place to come for small professional theater and art galleries,' said Graham, who also wants retail linked to the art venues so guests can shop and have dinner and drinks.

Ken Stoltenberg, developer of Grand Central and two other residential projects in the district, said ter Meulen will be paid $40,000. The money comes from neighborhood property taxes.
Stoltenberg said he hopes to see a continuous public-private partnership in the Channel District.

'We need to continue making this area a favorable climate for investors,' he said.

A public meeting will be set after the survey. The consultant's work is to be wrapped up by the end of the year.

Saul-Sena said the 90-day completion 'is warp speed for Tampa.'

Also at the Channel District Council meeting Sept. 19, Vice President Francine Messano proposed a dog park on private land at 11th and Whiting streets, with the community paying for insurance and the city installing fencing.

'This sounds doable,' Saul-Sena said, asking for a letter stating the request and promising to 'speed it through.'

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

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