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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

TAMPA - If you want to improve your community, the city wants to hear from you.

The city of Tampa is seeking volunteers for five of its community redevelopment area advisory committees. Members would offer suggestions and input on area needs and the budget. These recommendations would go to city staff and city council, which also serves as the community advisory board.

Applications are being accepted from homeowners, property owners and business owners in the Channel District, Downtown, Central Park, Drew Park and Tampa Heights. Between seven and nine people are needed for each committee.

"In order to be successful in community redevelopment, you have to have the input and participation from people in those communities," said Jeannette LaRussa Fenton, the city's urban development manager for Drew Park and West Tampa.
Community redevelopment areas were created because they are considered blighted and neglected. The designation allows for a percentage of property taxes from the area to be used for redevelopment and improvements, such as sidewalks, lighting and roads.

Advisory board volunteers will be asked to meet monthly. The terms will be staggered between two and four years. The committee meetings are open to the public and must be announced. Committee members can only discuss community redevelopment area issues with other members at the publicized meetings.

"This is real, true and viable community redevelopment process," said Michael Hatchett, the city's urban development manager for Central Park and Tampa Heights Riverfront.

The city will host two information sessions at 1 p.m. Tuesday and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Both meetings will be held on the first floor of Old City Hall, Mascotte Room, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.

The application is due by 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at the city clerk's office. To receive an application, contact the clerk's office at (813) 274-8397 or print one by going to www.tampa gov.net/cra. The application can be faxed to the clerk's office at (813) 274-8306.

The city council, acting as the community redevelopment agency board, will select community advisory committee members at a public meeting set for 9 a.m. Jan. 31. Applicants may attend the meeting and speak about their qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY

For information on the committees or the application process, contact Mark Huey, the city's economic development administrator, at (813) 274-8091 or mark.huey@

tampagov.net.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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