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CVS project hinges on beer sales

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By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: July 15, 2009

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - CVS Pharmacy hopes to build a drugstore on the site of a used car lot at the corner of Sligh and Nebraska avenues.

The project depends on the company's success in obtaining city officials' permission to sell packaged beer and wine at the proposed store. A wet-zoning hearing is scheduled Sept. 17.

If the alcohol permit is granted, the pharmacy chain plans to build a store of about 13,200 square feet with a drive-through window. A parking lot accommodating 78 vehicles is included in the proposal.

The site is made up of four parcels: two sites on Nebraska including the used car lot, and two sites on Sligh including a two-story, four-unit apartment building.

City officials and local planners representing CVS say the site is zoned for commercial development and no rezoning would be required.

Representatives for CVS have not contacted the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association, but association President Jeff Harmon said rumors have circulated for at least two years.

The company's plans likely will be discussed at the association's next land-use committee meeting. A drugstore might improve the intersection, Harmon said, but he emphasized the association has taken no official position.

Jocelyn and Phillip Myers, who own Myers Printing on Florida Avenue and live in Seminole Heights, are pleased with the proposal. "I'd really like to see them there," said Jocelyn Myers. "I'd like to see redevelopment. I don't think it's going to be anything that will hurt our neighborhood. It would also offer some jobs."

There is a BP service station at the intersection, across from the used car lot.

St. Francis Children's Preschool Center on Sligh also is across from the site of the proposed drugstore. School and church representatives of St. Francis Episcopal Church could not be reached for comment last week.

The apartment building on Sligh is part of Metropolitan Ministries' affordable housing initiative. The site was donated years ago to the charitable organization and was used as a pilot project prior to building The Sanctuary, a 12-unit affordable complex that opened recently on Waters Avenue.

"It was a proof of concept for us," said Tim Marks, the ministries' chief operating officer. If the drugstore is built, apartment residents would be moved, and any profits from selling the Sligh avenue apartments would be re-invested in affordable housing, Marks said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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