The Tampa City Council has approved a transformative project in East Tampa, aiming to revitalize the area by introducing a 65,000-square-foot innovation center alongside a 117-unit affordable housing complex. Spearheaded by the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council’s (EDC) Opportunity Tampa Bay Inc., the initiative is projected to cost up to $80 million.
The innovation center is designed to provide job training through collaborations with institutions such as the University of South Florida’s Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute and Hillsborough Community College’s Culinary School, which plans to relocate to the new facility. The development will be situated along East Columbus Drive, spanning from 32nd Street to 40th Street.
Craig Richard, CEO of the Tampa Bay EDC, expressed that the City Council’s approval allows the project to move into the design phase and pursue diverse funding sources. He emphasized the potential impact on an area that has been “overlooked and underappreciated for a long time,” stating that establishing top-notch training facilities could serve as a catalyst for further investment in the industrial corridor.
Tony Brown, executive director of Opportunity Tampa Bay Inc., recalled his initial impression of East Tampa’s industrial district, noting the prevalence of razor wire fences and boarded-up buildings. He highlighted the necessity of the project to revitalize and attract businesses to the area.
However, not all community members are in favor. Activist Connie Burton voiced concerns that the project does not align with the Black community’s aspirations for economic self-sufficiency and generational wealth, criticizing the focus on culinary job training as insufficient.
In response, Council member Gwendolyn Henderson, representing the district encompassing the project, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond basic skill training. She highlighted the potential to develop meaningful, high-skilled training programs within the facility, marking it as a starting point for broader development.
The City Council’s unanimous approval of 99-year leases for properties at 3004 E. Columbus Drive, 3004 E. 15th Ave., 3010 E. 15th Ave., and 2600 N. 31st St. signifies a pivotal step toward realizing this ambitious project. Council member Bill Carlson, while supporting the project, called for increased transparency in future proceedings.
Richard concluded that this development is “long overdue” and essential for attracting employers that offer well-paying jobs to residents, with the broader goal of stimulating additional investments that will benefit the community.
