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Forum To Review Downtown Plan

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By JANIS D. FROELICH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

DOWNTOWN - When the Tampa Downtown Partnership held its second annual review of its 2005 Vision and Action Plan last year, the audience presented a mixed bag of ideas.

Don't demolish the 27-year-old Tampa Museum of Art was one of them. Since the structure is now a pile of rubble, it's obvious how that suggestion went.

But the partnership will gather again to collect ideas at the third annual Community Forum at 5 p.m. Wednesday at John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive.
Partnership marketing director Paul Ayres said the yearly updates are important.

"We really try to concentrate on what priorities come out as people revisit the action plan," he said.

The plan, which polled 500 people, included calls for the renovation of downtown's Herman Massey Park. Work began two weeks ago and should be completed by Labor Day, said Linda Carlo, spokeswoman for the city's parks and recreation department.

Another concern of the 40 residents, business owners and office workers at last year's forum was that more hotel rooms and restaurants were needed along the Hillsborough River.

Malio's Prime Steakhouse in the Rivergate Tower is the only new entry in the riverside restaurant ranks; Embassy Suites Tampa-Downtown Convention Center, which is near the river, may add rooms.

To view the plan, go to www.tampasdowntown.com and search for "Action Plan." Call (813) 221-3686 for information about the meeting.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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