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Is the Tampa Theatre in danger of being knocked down or repurposed? Probably not, but the Tampa Theatre Foundation is planning ahead by starting negotiations to buy the place before its 99-year lease expires in 2023, and thus preserving it.
Good luck finding the necessary urgency it’ll probably take to close the deal. But it’s nice to see some foresight.
I’d think that the building’s status as a National Register of Historic Places landmark would protect the Theatre from any development plans. I guess you can’t be too sure.
Still, the move seems overly preemptive to me. I know the city is pushing hard for a renewal in the Franklin/Ashley area of downtown, and it certainly could use it: It struck me while walking through the area last weekend just how much of a ghost town it was, outside of the immediate area of the Theatre itself and The Hub a couple of doors down. But frankly, Tampa has been trying for urban renewal in the downtown core for close to two decades now, recruiting developer after developer to turn the trick. I still don’t see much headway, especially when it comes to a residential base. South Tampa has seen a revival, and that’s cause for hope, but otherwise, the activity is in the suburban environments in north and northwestern parts of town. I don’t see that changing very much, even with St. Pete’s modest downtown success as a nearby model.
But if this leads to bigger and better things for Tampa Theatre, I’m for it. I’m part of the 25% of its patronage that come over from Pinellas every year (I was just there last night, in fact). I wouldn’t mind enhancements like a cafe hangout and an extra screen, and obviously it would make it more of an anchor should any serious residential crop up in the neighborhood.
Category: Florida Livin', Movies
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[...] 2004 Costa Tsiokos Saturday, November 13, 2004 CHE ON FILM As I mentioned, I hit Tampa Theatre last night. I d [...]
Pingback by Population Statistic — 11/13/2004 @ 06:52:35 PM
That is so aggravating to me! Downtown has the Hub, the TPA Theatre, Spain, Club 112, Underground, XS, Hattricks, Gilligans, that Indian joint, an art gallery that will open late on request, a museum that has jsut entended its hours, a large, well-lit park, and a Starbucks in the Hyatt (which is more welcoming than most people would guess).
That’s food, drinks, art, movies, greenspace, and dancing. What more would people like to see?
Ah, yes - other people!!!
The real problem is that if it isn’t handed to them on a Disney-World, pre-planned community plate, like Channelside or Ybor, most people in TPA don’t have the werewithal to walk the four f*cking blocks from their car and find something to do that doesn’t reek of middle-class ennui and duped, conformist consumerism.
(It was nice to see you on this side of the bridge, though!)
Comment by r* — 11/15/2004 @ 10:45:24 AM
The customer is always right — even when s/he is frequently wrong. If it’s not appealing, people aren’t going to go for it. Because much of the population hereabouts was raised in suburban environments, they’re not ever going to feel comfortable outside that framework (except during their early adulthood, when they don’t have money; when they start flashing serious amounts of disposable cash later in life, they’ve often settled into cautious patterns).
For me, having people as regular fixtures between all those places your described is part of the attraction. It’s like a human chain that guides you and connects you. Without it, it’s kind of a creepy feeling to walk through block after block of dead space (and I’ve got no problem with such surroundings, but the average person can’t handle it). Without constant activity on the streets, all the clubs and restaurants etc. have a decidedly disconnected feel.
You can’t force people into it. Having the residential in close proximity is an obvious solution, but getting people to move in is the trick. I wish I knew the answer.
Comment by CT — 11/15/2004 @ 01:53:29 PM
I think the answer is probably close to what I’m always pushing: condos! condos everywhere! Lots and lots of mixed-use buildings!!
Comment by r* — 11/16/2004 @ 12:06:46 PM
“most people in TPA don’t have the werewithal to walk the four f*cking blocks”
Another reason residents don’t want the sidewalks…
Comment by tommy — 11/16/2004 @ 04:29:49 PM
R: Mixed-use is hot among developers and civic leaders right now, because it attracts hip youngsters (20s-mid30s) who want to be “urban adventurers”. The thing is, around here, houses and land are so relatively plentiful and cheap that most people opt for homes over condos. I’ve got friends who were in that position, and they never once considered going for condos when they could get more room and a little plot of land to go with it. If anything, condos are perceived, for the most part, as retirement-age options here. That might change, but I don’t see it doing so for at least 10 years (and I’m just the opposite: I’ll take a condo over a house anyday; I don’t relish the thought of being a slave to yardwork and housework).
T: Probably true.
Comment by CT — 11/16/2004 @ 05:53:28 PM
[...] 17, 2004 DOWNTOWN TAMPA’S HIGH HOPES What a coincidence. Just days after I jot down a few thoughts about the prospects for downt [...]
Pingback by Population Statistic — 11/17/2004 @ 11:11:40 PM
With regard to this comment: “I’d think that the building’s status as a National Register of Historic Places landmark would protect the Theatre from any development plans.”
Actually, local landmark designation is a stronger preservation tool than the NRHP listing. And, since the Tampa Theatre is a Tampa landmark, I don’t think there is any cause for concern for redevelopment of this building. Now, if we could only do something with the Floridan (also a Tampa landmark and in the NRHP)…
Comment by EMCF — 11/22/2004 @ 04:01:25 PM
[...] ted car thruway. The same distance, but psychologically and logistically, very different. I described the same sort of phenomenon: For me, h [...]
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