While it’s premature to celebrate, the most recent word out of South Tampa’s Hyde Park Village is the most encouraging in years. It looks like the controversial, mid-rise condos, which were to be the centerpiece of redevelopment, are out. And a Canadian furniture store, a six-screen theater, new restaurants and more – could be in.
Some history:
Buffeted by mall competition, the Village, which is nestled within the historic Old Hyde Park neighborhood, had been seeing anchor businesses depart and a disquieting game of musical storefronts commence. Developer David Wasserman determined last year that “the numbers wouldn’t work” in a major ($100-million) redevelopment without those condos in the mix. Sorry, but it was the nature of the market.
The neighbors, understandably, weren’t happy. But nobody wanted a failed retail eyesore either. Some compromise ensued on condo heights, and the city pragmatically approved the project last December.
Now, ironically, the market has spoken again. Where once condo towers seemed inappropriate but necessary for revitalization, they now seem inappropriate and unnecessary. Let’s hear it for the market; sometimes it takes a Village to remind us.