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More Fixes On Drawing Board

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 7, 2008

WEST TAMPA - The city fire marshal's office has issued a stay on evicting artists from the former Antonio Santaella Cigar Factory, saying the building's owners have made significant fire safety improvements.

The second- and third-floor front stairwells have been enclosed, and the sprinkler and fire-alarm systems have been inspected and certified.

However, some of the artists with third-floor studios may still have to find a temporary location because the third floor doesn't have two exits. An inspector was expected to return by Friday to review the building's progress, said Capt. Bill Wade, spokesman for Tampa Fire Rescue.

Co-owner Bubba Ellis said an architect is working on a design to build an enclosed interior stairwell at the rear of the third floor that would have access to the second-floor exterior fire escape.

If the fire marshal's office approves the stairwell as a second exit, it can be built in about a week, Ellis said.

Ellis and his family bought the building, also known as the West Tampa Center for the Arts, in 1997. They operate Ellis-Van Pelt Inc., an office furniture store, on the first floor.

The family has leased artist's studios and hosted art exhibits for years. The second and third floors of the 1904 factory are home to more than 20 artists.

Plans for a May 23 art exhibit were altered and attendance restricted after the fire marshal's office inspected the property and raised concerns.

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

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