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Great Expectations For 2009

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2009

The new year brings hopes and challenges. Locally, people and businesses in South and Central Tampa have expectations and goals for their neighborhoods. Here are a few of them:

Social Scene

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Five new restaurants - and a tavern waiting in the wings - could bring good cheer to the social scene and economic life of Seminole Heights' three neighborhoods: Old Seminole, South Seminole and Southeast Seminole.

Among restaurants under construction are Richy's Themes Sports Lounge and Ella's on Nebraska Avenue; and Sangria's Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant, LeRoy's Gastro Pub and Myoumi Sushi Bar on Hillsborough Avenue.

The economy remains a concern, but other potential investors will watch to see how these businesses perform, said Gary Ellsworth, president of the South Seminole Heights Civic Association.

"This could be a turning point," he said.

The proposed tavern is in South Seminole Heights. Owners Veronica and John Vellines would model it after their tavern in St. Petersburg - The Independent. It would offer a light food menu, wine, mostly Belgian and German beer but also other imports and micro brews in bottles.

The Vellines have a contract to buy a 1935 masonry building now housing Van Gogh's Signs Displays and Graphics, 5016 N. Florida Ave. City council members will consider beer and wine sales for the business at a Jan. 15 hearing.

Kathy Steele

Parking Plans

COURIER CITY/OSCAWANA - A solution to the problem of overflow parking from patrons visiting SoHo bars and restaurants might be imminent.

A residential parking permit program, approved in December by city council, is similar to ones implemented in Ybor City and the Channel District, and is based on a comprehensive parking plan submitted by the area's homeowners association. It covers an area generally bordered by Kennedy Boulevard, Fremont, Swann and Armenia avenues.

"That's our main thing in 2009 is to implement the residential parking permit program," said Walter Crumbley, president of the Courier City/Oscawana Resident Homeowner Association. "We hope it's going to be effective."

Traffic studies engineer Jonathan Scott said the city will roll out the plan in February or early March.

Only permit holders may park in specified parking spots from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Parking will be prohibited in other portions, with a few two-hour parking spaces available on Azeele and Horatio streets. Crumbley said authorities will be vigilant in enforcing the $30 fine for parking violations.

Also in the works for the association is ensuring Publix follows through with its promise to build crosswalks at Azelle and Howard Avenue to provide safe access to its GreenWise Market at 2403 W. Azeele.

The association's next meeting will be Jan. 13 at Cheap, 309 S. Howard Ave.

Jamie Pilarczyk

Street Makeover

EAST TAMPA - Like Lake Avenue before it, 22nd Street will get a makeover.

The $11 million project, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Lake, will be in planning stages in 2009, heading toward its construction start the following year and completion in 2012.

The makeover will include sidewalks, upgraded traffic signals and intersections, and landscaping. The street improvements are part of a larger plan to energize a corridor that includes the now vacant site of Gene's Bar as well as city lots across from Belmont Heights Estates.

The properties are available for retail and commercial development.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to lure private investors," said Ed Johnson, the city's East Tampa redevelopment manager.

The economy is the unknown factor. "Nobody is lending any money," Johnson said.

Projections for 2009 show about $6 million in local property taxes available for community projects within the East Tampa redevelopment area bordered by Hillsborough Avenue, Interstates 274 and 4, and Tampa's city limits.

If credit loosens, the city might obtain bonds to supplement local property taxes and projects including 22nd Street could happen more quickly, Johnson said.

Consulting firm URS Corp. is preparing two budgets for East Tampa; one with bonds available and another without bonds.

Kathy Steele

Wal-Mart Coming

GANDY - Residents of the Gandy/Sun Bay South area can expect Wal-Mart to begin construction of a long-anticipated supercenter early this year, said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Quenta Vettel.

"If we start construction within the first five or six months of 2009, we'll be able to open in early 2010," Vettel said.

The retail giant plans a 146,000-square-foot store on about 13 acres at Gandy and Lois Avenue. It will include groceries, general merchandise, a pharmacy and garden center.

Al Steenson, president of the Gandy/Sun Bay South Civic Association, said controlling traffic to and from the store, especially on Pearl Avenue, will be a neighborhood focus. The association also will try to increase its membership, which stands at about 135.

"We are a large association, but the more voices we have, the more ideas we'll get and the bigger voice we'll have," Steenson said. The association's next general meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the association's civic center, 4207 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Steenson is setting up a public forum Jan. 15 with representatives from Wal-Mart.

"The idea is, we're going to have it, what can we do to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood," he said.

Jamie Pilarczyk

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