TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Space For 6 Stores Planned At Hutto's Corner

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

TAMPA HEIGHTS - There are plans for Hutto's Corner, a vacant, nearly 1-acre lot at the corner of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and North Boulevard.

Property owner Suresh "Sam" Patel wants to build a 10,000-square-foot commercial development with room for six stores.

The Tampa City Council will hold a property rezoning hearing at 6 p.m. March 12. The site, 642 W. Dr. Martin King Jr. Blvd., consists of seven lots. All are zoned for commercial use except for one that is zoned for residences.

The proposed building would have a 1940s style and the façades of the businesses would vary, said Mario Rodriguez, the project's general contractor. The northwest corner of the building would have a 25- to 30-foot tower displaying the name "Hutto's Corner." A historic sign that also says Hutto's Corner at the corner of the property will remain, Rodriguez said.

The one-story building would be built toward the rear of the property and have a parking lot with an L-shape.

Gary Ellsworth, president of the South Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association, said he supports the development but doesn't favor the proposed layout, with the building toward the rear of the property.

He would like the building closer to the sidewalk, with parking at the rear of the parcel. He said the move would help create an urban feel and promote a pedestrian-friendly community.

Ellsworth said it also might encourage future businesses to build in a similar style with a similar sensitivity. Although the commercial project is in Tampa Heights, South Seminole Heights is across the street from Hutto's Corner.

"We need to plan further than what is going to happen tomorrow," said Ellsworth, who has met with the project engineer.

Fran Roy, president of the Tampa Heights Civic Association, said he has similar concerns as Ellsworth.

"We are fine with a building in the neighborhood," said Roy, who also has met with the project engineer. "We just want to make sure it adds to the neighborhood; that when people are driving by they see a building not the cars parked in front of the building."

Timothy Healey, Frontier Engineering president and project engineer for Hutto's Corner, said a problem with building toward the front of the property is a sewer line that would run from the planned building west to North Boulevard. There must be access to a utility easement and a building can't sit on top of it, Healey said.

He said the planned configuration allows for 49 parking spaces. If the building were moved forward, the parking spaces would decrease, he said.

Healey added that parking in the front of the building is more visible and increases safety, and it matches the design of three buildings already at the same corner, including a CVS pharmacy.

Rodriguez, the general contractor, said sufficient parking is important to attracting tenants.

Rodriguez said the property owner is ready to begin the project despite difficult economic times. He said he thinks the location will succeed because of its high visibility.

Hutto's corner was established in 1948 when George "Fred" Hutto opened the neighborhood grocery store, selling milk, bread, sandwiches, hardware, flowers and plants, greeting cards and television tubes. A fire destroyed the store in 1960, but Hutto rebuilt.

Hutto sold the store in 1977; Patel, who owns a Citgo gas station across the street from Hutto's Corner, bought the property in 2002. He closed the grocery store in 2004.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT