TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Council OKs Rezoning For New Law Office

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

TAMPA HEIGHTS - The city council has OK'd a rezoning allowing for a three-story, Mediterranean-style law office in the neighborhood's historic district.

Harvey Schonbrun and Anthony LaSpada have owned the property, 1802 N. Morgan St., since 1983 and opened their law offices there in 1984. The new building will be erected on vacant property next to their office.

They plan to move into the third floor of the new 7,000-square-foot, three-story building and sell or lease the second floor. The first floor will be parking for about 10 cars, Schonbrun said.

The lawyers plan to renovate their current property with a Spanish tile roof and a new façade and then lease or sell the building. Schonbrun said the new building will cost an estimated $1.4 million and the renovation about $150,000.

Because of the economic downturn, Schonbrun said they will get commitments from tenants or buyers before breaking ground.

The council on Thursday approved the rezoning 5-2, with Linda Saul-Sena and Mary Mulhern opposed.

There was concern about allowing first-floor parking in the historic district, where ground-level entryways are a characteristic, said Dennis Fernandez, the city's historic preservation manager.

But most council members saw the project as an investment to help boost the area.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT