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The Heights Project Needs Council's OK

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

TAMPA HEIGHTS - The Beck Group is proposing the first project for The Heights of Tampa, a $500 million, 48-acre residential and commercial development that has been slowed by the economic downturn.

The architect, development and construction firm wants to build a two-story, environmentally friendly building as its new Tampa headquarters.

To allow the project, the city council must amend a 2-year-old ordinance restricting the type of commercial development on the lot. By a 7-0 vote Thursday, the council gave initial approval to the change; a final hearing is set for 10 a.m. June 19.

The Beck Group likes the central location in an area that has potential for growth, said Wright Barrs, the company's real estate manager. It plans to start building in August and complete the $7 million project by May. There have been discussions with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce about leasing space in the building.

"We want to set ourselves a little bit apart," Barrs said. "We want to blaze a new trail."

The site at Seventh and Highland avenues is next to the historical 1902 Tampa Waterworks Pumping Station. The vacant station is owned by the city and won't be affected by the Beck Group project.

The 2006 ordinance allowed The Heights developer - Develop HT LLC, which was formerly A Better Place Group - to construct a marketing and professional building on the site and use it for only 10 years.

"The ordinance didn't produce what we intended, so it has to be corrected," said Michael Hatchett, a city urban development manager.

"We are very excited," said Darren Booth, The Heights of Tampa development manager. "This is an opportunity for us to get a building under construction and kick-start the project."

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

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