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Nonprofit Group Buys Vacant Lot From City

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

EAST TAMPA - It has been a vacant lot no one wanted to touch.

City officials tried for nearly six years to market the site for a restaurant, shop or office - anything commercial. But the northeast corner of 29th Street and Lake Avenue, across from Leon's Package Store, didn't sell until a nonprofit group stepped forward.
Bible Truth Ministries bought the city lot in May for its assessed value of $17,850.

Daniel Dean, the pastor, said he expects to file soon for building permits for a structure of about 1,500 square feet. Construction will take about six to eight months.

The facility will be operated for community uses, with support from other nonprofits such as All Sports Community Service for youth-oriented programs. University of South Florida students will volunteer for after-school programs.

Arthur "Moochie" McCarr, who teaches checkers at the ministries' Hope Community Center across from Middleton High School, might teach classes at the new location as well.

"We'll have our kids to adopt the street and keep it clean," Dean said. They might also plant flowers and help on projects to "lift up the whole spirit of the street."

Dean, who is a contractor, opened Bible Truth Ministries at 4902 N. 22nd St., relocating from another East Tampa site. It operates a faith-based school, chess and checkers clubs, computer classes, a food bank, Friday night basketball tournaments and neighborhood cleanups.

The loss of the city lot for potential commercial ventures prompted questions from board members at a recent meeting of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership.

"I don't think that is the highest and best use of that site," said Charles Dabney, chairman of the partnership's affordable housing committee. "That's a missed opportunity."

Ed Johnson, the city's East Tampa redevelopment manager, agreed. But, he said, "We couldn't get anybody to look at it other than a nonprofit. Pastor Dean made a very good proposal for the site. That's why it got done."

There were concerns also that board members only learned of the sale recently. The volunteer board advises the city on redevelopment projects in the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area.

A portion of local property taxes must be reinvested in community projects within the redevelopment area's borders of Hillsborough Avenue, interstates 275 and 4, and the city limits.

Johnson said the lot was purchased by the city years ago and did not involve tax district funds so it fell to the real estate division to handle the sale.

"I want to see something happen over there," said Carrol Josephs-Marshall, chairwoman of the partnership's land-use committee. "But they should have notified us."

Public safety Chairwoman Rosa Cambridge said, "We need community input. That's why I sit at this table. It's for the community, so let's let the people's voice be heard."

Board members approved a resolution requesting the city notify the partnership about all properties proposed for redevelopment.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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