Dear Mr. and Ms. Presidents… (An email to our Association Leaders)
The email below is from a neighbor asking that the following comment be posted as a suggestion to our association leaders. Reading the comment, I find it a very viable and interesting take on how our neighborhood may evolve to the next phase in our revitalization process. When I speak to friends about our area, most are amazed that our area can have so many new businesses opening while other areas see closings. To ensure their success, I think this idea may need to be given more consideration and possibly an implementation plan outlined. As we experience a “rebirth”, we have so much to offer. Close proximity to downtown (Have we marketed to the downtown professionals) Affordable housing and low taxes (Has this been marketed to the first time home buyer looking for the “
Hyde Park” style home?) and yes, we can soon say, NIGHTLIFE. (Do we have a plan to promote all of the new establishment?) As for promoting the homes and encouraging relocation to our area, couldn’t we tap into some of the realtors in the area to help fund and promote our area. Or, as an association, isn’t it our job to help promote our neighborhood? What else are the 10’s of thousands of dollars doing in our bank account? Please read the email below and share your ideas and thoughts.
FROM AN EMAIL:
Dear Blog, if possible, please post my email to your site. Thanks for sharing. In recent weeks, there has been much buzz about all of the new restaurants and bars that will be opening in the coming months. (Greg’s, The Independent, Ella’s, Reservations, Gastro’s Pub, Sangria’s and Myoumi Sushi) With the addition of all of these, Seminole Heights will truly become a place to live and play. If you recall, over the past 5-10 years, South Tampa, Howard Avenue to be specific, has experienced similar transformation. As a result, Howard has also seen many new businesses and shops open up along the corridor. It is surprising to see this many new restaurants and clubs open in a stressed economy. This economic slump is evident with the high number of vacant homes, for sale/rent signs and foreclosures. As a long-term resident of SH, I have been thinking. Now is the perfect opportunity for our neighborhood leaders to work as one to promote our neighborhood. Our goal should be long term. How can we better our neighborhood, attract new residents and businesses? Yes, I know, we have BGoSH who does a great job of promoting our businesses. But, if we want our businesses to survive, we must attract residents to fill the homes throughout our neighborhood. What are our leaders doing to promote SH as a livable, safe neighborhood? Has any thought gone into what our associations can do to promote relocation to Seminole Heights. Over the weekend, we visited Davis Island. It was very enjoyable to park the car and walk the commercial corridor, eat lunch, etc. In talking to many of the people, they are looking to leave due to the rising taxes. They are seeking other area that offer the “neighborhood” quality of life. For many years, SH has received a bad reputation for being unsafe, having no neighborhood serving restaurants, etc. However, this is quickly changing. For the long timers, you may recall how our neighborhood looked years ago. Most homes were in shambles. Now, you drive down most streets and there are more nice homes than the ugly homes. (Notice I said most streets.) I drove down Nebraska Avenue on Sunday and could not help but notice the new restaurant “Reservations.” The space had been cleaned, renovated and most importantly, LIT UP! It was actually very attractive. It showcased the beautiful architecture of the building. As with the homes of years ago, all it took was one home to start a transformation of an entire street. Can this restaurant do the same for South Nebraska Ave. Can The Bungalow Bistro do it for South Florida, etc? My biggest concern is with all the new establishments opening, will we support, do we have the population to support, and how can we ensure their success. I would love to see an aggressive campaign from our neighborhood leaders to market our neighborhood to new residents and businesses alike. I can name at least 5-10 advertising/marketing/creative/printing professionals that live within the boundaries, or have offices within our boundaries. Can these people be tapped as a resource to create the most brilliant marketing campaign our city has ever seen? As a homeowner, it behooves us all to make sure our neighborhood continues to improve and grow.
Thanks for posting, Diane
Diane this is brilliant. I can offer my creative services as needed. Steve
To the presidents: Can each please address this and possibly schedule an all Seminole Heights Meeting to develop this plan. I for one would like to participate and would like to see this plan brought to life. Our neighborhoods are at a point that we need to find a way to help them to the next level. If we can attract new neighbors that have the income to help support the new businesses and any future businesses then we all win.
Diane, one more important component to your your plan is developing a strategic commercial focus. Maybe this is where BGoSH comes in. Our neighborhood needs to take steps to develop a commercial core, then spring board from there. If you look at south Tampa, the focus was South Howard, now it is spilling onto other nearby streets, Platt and Azeele for example. Possibly, we look to focus a plan at Nebraska and Osborne. The strip where Reservations is offers a great starting point as they have ample parking, etc. Once the area develops, we can work our way out from there. While Florida has several businesses, we have a much more difficult task here with all of the CI businesses. I feel that from MLK all the way North, Nebraska is an easier task. Hillsborough would be an easy option as well. Michael
.
Michael-
I live in SH and don’t go west of 275 for anything (and I’m not the only one). Nebraska will never overcome the sleazy rep it has so rightfully earned.
It would be better to use Florida and Hillsborough as the starting point as there are already quality business’s either already there or are scheduled to open soon.
Once the whole area south of Hillsborough is rehabilitated, I would like to see it move north where there are several prime properties that could be developed.
.
#4 Wow! I say loose your blinders and open your eyes! There are a ton of great buildings with potential on Nebraska. They have just not been tapped into yet! As soon as they do you will see things change on Nebraska.
Seminole Heights’ commercial area includes Florida, Nebraska, Sligh, Hillsborough and MLK. It seems short-sighted to say I won’t go east to Nebraska or west to Florida. Frankly IMO south of Hillsborough on both Nebraska and Florida is looking better than either street when you go north of Hillsborough.
As someone who intentionally tries to keep as much of my spending in Seminole Heights as possible, I find the provencialism over east & west of 275 or north & south of Hillsborough counter productive to the entire of Seminole Heights.
With the demise of Autoway Chevrolet (in OSHNA’s area) there is a huge potential for redevelopment. The form based zoning and vision plan offers more potential off of Nebraska. The rehabilitated commercial strip at MLK and Florida offers additional office space. MLK from Florida to the river is largely professional service space. Unfortunately many of the commercial parcels on Florida have substantial liens on them from what I have heard from an interested party. These all represent opportunities and challenges and sometimes half a loaf is better than none at all.
We need to develop a better sense of place for our commercial areas and do it with clearly limited funds. I am working as a committee chair within BGOSH on building committee that will be exploring a way to begin to create that “sense of place” or “sense of identity” in the commercial corridors of our urban village. If interested I would welcome participation (rfifer@tampabay.rr.com).
We are one community. The area will either rise together or fail together as the Urban Village that we are.
–Rick
#4, not sure what your smoking but u need to put down the pipe. First of all, Florida Ave IS WEST OF 275. Next, are you friggin kidding!!!! South of Hillsborough is so CI that it will be hard to rehab Florida Ave. Nebraska stands a much better chance. Yes, Nebraska has bad rep, but look at Kennedy. It too had bad rep. Nebraska has much more opportunity, buildings, parking, vacant land, etc. Have you not seen Ella’s? Ella’s will become the showplace of SH. It is brand new construction, funky and built to fit in. Florida is dirty, littered, Car lot heaven. How will you ever have Florida lose it’s reputation of being Carlot Row? Quit being snotty you loser.
Well said Rick. I too agree that we must work as one. I think Diane and the Blogger make good points. I think we must take small bites and expand from there. I also agree that South of Hillborough offers the most hope…as a starting point. While Florida is starting to develop, it has so many industrial businesses that it will be a bit hard to overcome. Nebraska has much more retail space, is cleaner, however the reputation will be very hard to overcome. At one point neighbors were discussing renaming Nebraska to reflect our current stage and help with the stigma of prostitution. I still think this may be one of the best options.
After reading this post and the comments, I decided to drive the neighborhood from MLK up Florida to Sligh, over to Nebraksa and back down to MLK. Here are my observations.
From MLK to Hillsborough on Florida. Way too many “industrial” type buildings. Lots of “ugly” pockets. However, once the street hit two ways, it looks better. Yet it is still very spotty.
From Hillsborough to Sligh: Chainlink and Car Lot city. Very far to go!
Sligh to Hillsborough on Nebraska: Looking pretty good. Does still have spotted hotels, chainlink and many automotive garages, stored autos, etc.
Hillsborough to MLK on Nebraska: I hadn’t been in this section in some time. This section seems to have the most progress. It has really cleaned up. However, there were still some issues. The pink church, arts school. They have the only true, period strip center. However, most was boarded up. The brick building at MLK will be a sad story if the city does not help save it.
If I would have to vote, I would say Nebraska Ave would win hands down. However, I live near the river and hope it comes this way.
Yeah #4 is still under the impression that his south Tampa Realtor told him this would be the next Hyde Park and took his $$$ and ran. With attitude like that who needs your help?
#4, since you live in such a fabulous section of SH, do you mind sharing what area you live in that is so fully self contained that you never have to leave your little oasis.
Tommy is that you being snippy?
Jeez…here we go again with the Florida vs Nebraska crowd (eyes rolling).
Please there is no comparison. Nebraska is 10 times better
Uh-oh Rick is on the warpath. I stumbled onto his site and he is attacking this site again. Talking crap about anon posts and “attacks”.
Hello Kettle, Meet the Pot!
Rick, you have single handedly been the most negative, hurtful commenter on all the sites. I guess you think by signing your name it’s ok to personally attack those that disagree with you. Stop being a hypocrite and practice what you preach.
As for the anon post, I think it typically (not always) allows for more truthful dialog. You can’t tell me that when you sign your name to a post, people don’t automatically jump to conclusion. Why should your good idea be discredited just because it has RLF at the end.
CM
# 15 Give it a rest. Anybody can read what I posted and can see for themselves that you are full of —- .
It would be nice if for once you and the others could actually speak the truth.
As I have said before please provide the proof that I ” have single handedly been the most negative, hurtful commenter.”
As I said in the post that you seem to want to pull into and unrelated post and distort: “What I find most interesting as I read the blogs is how anti-social are so many of the comments. Look when there are posts about building a better neighborhood. Responses: Zero. Put a post up that opens the door to attack someone personally and the comments go off the chart. Most of the comments are not constructive but rather attack others.”
Your comment further makes that point.
Merry Christmas
–Rick
Rick, is there a particular post that “opens the door to attach someone personally” that you are referring? When you look at this site, almost all post get comments, the other site is dead. I don’t read your site so is your comment an attack on this one? I feel like this one has been very constructive to our neighborhood. Both of us here read daily and try to comment. I think by being vague, it is doing more harm than specifid. I did go over to your site to read the post. I am not convinced your intentions were good. And, while we are being honest. Previously you have been very vicious towards others. What you say is constructive by “calling them out” by name is very inappropriate and hurtful. This past election was down right evil. Yes, we all know that without you Seminole Heights would not exist. Yes we know that you built the current association and we owe you a lot. Maybe as our neighobrhood continues to grow, we can put a bronze statue at the lake. (Since we can’t get benches, we will have the spot) Shari
What are you guys talking about? There is another site?
OMG… I figured it out! Rick, the reason you hate the anonymity is that you can’t fathom how one person can have a thought or idea without taking credit for it. It has long been said that when people are anonymous they speak the truth. Each time I have met you, you have started each sentence with “I”. ie I was the one responsible for building the membership, when I was president. etc. Each good deed comes with strings that must be attached to you so you get the credit. Many people do not have your gumption. Many think that by you calling people out on a website that you are not showing courage, yet are cowardly to not confront one-on-one. I for one feel that by signing a name, it automatically puts a stigma to the comment and people don’t form an opinion based on the comment, but rather the commenter. For example, “oh it’s just his gay agenda” or “oh, she is in bed with code enforcement so it’s always slighted” or “she is best friends with such and such so you know what her agenda is”
I would like to thank that we are bigger people and we all can read comments and form opinions based on what we read, not who left them.
Anonymous!!
yawn!
Why does any discussion of Nebraska or Florida stop at Sligh or Hanna? Do you not know that SH goes all the way to the river?
Concentrating efforts on one distinct area is key. Unfortunately the Leroy’s location will be isolated and cannot spill out and foster further walkable development, similar to Howard ave. It is locked in by residential and 275. If this “development” were placed on either Nebraska or Florida, it could help development on adjacent lots.
This is begining to happen on Florida Ave. If the Independant gets approved… There will be three viable and distinct venues within walking distance. Cappy’s, Bungalow Bistro, and the Independant. Florida Ave will have the makings of a night on the town. Now connect the spaces in between and the property on Osbourne and you will have a mini South Howard. If the neighborhood and city could rally around a single node within the greater context of Seminole Hieghts it will help the entire area, rather than piece meal efforts, of a restuarant here, a bar there, etc.
I think what you miss in your analysis is that it is a step by step process. First it was Sherry’s Yesterdaze, then Starbucks, Marinos, Cappys, Bungalow Bistro and then Sangrias, The sports bar, Ella’s and now potentially The Independant. It is one business coming in and finding the neighborhood to be a viable option that starts the ball rolling. We had rumor of Acropolis, whaleys and even a new construction bank considering the ‘hood. It is the synergy that begins to exist that creates the draw - not everything needs to be jammed one after the other. It is having an option if the tables are full or one changes their mind that is more important. Obviously if there were rows of vacant buildings side by side then all of this would have happened sooner but it is moving forward now in spite of the current economic conditions
My point is that few of the businesses #23 referenced are within walking distance of each other. Most people will not eat dinner at Bungalow Bistro and then walk to Starbuck’s for coffee and then walk to Bo’s for desert. Walking from place to place occurs in SoHo and that it is what makes for true cultural/entertainment destination.
BTW There ARE rows of vacant buildings, or buildings for sale.
It is a step by step process, however the steps could be more focused to make more of a “sum of parts” rather than individual businesses.
I.E. focus on the SemHi building located between BB and Cappy’s, focus on the art gallery attached to Cappy’s, focus on the FDOT site across from BB as a central parking area to alliviate future parking issues.
Focus is what the SH area lacks.
I agree. The problem with Florida is that it would be like crossing I275 to get from one side to another. They would need to mirror Nebraska in order for this to happen. The 4 laned will take away the ability to walk to and fro. Now that Nebraska is one lane each way, it is more walkable.
have you been on Florida after 6:30? it would be much easier to cross than I-275. I’m not sure that my goal for SH would be strive to be SOHO - have you been down there on a Thur, Fri, Sat night? I’d call that quantity not quality - drink, drank, drunk. The ho’s down there at least get a drink.
#26 I agree to a point. I think the reference to SoHo is the fact that no matter what you are looking for, you can find it. Health club, excellent restaurants, bars, shopping, deli, movie stores, etc. You can pretty much find it all there. I do agree with the need to be careful not to have too many bars.
and if you have been in Tampa for a while you will remember the Blockbuster was a dry cleaners that was on that site in an old spanish building since the 20’s and the CVS block was the location of Burt’s hardware for many, many years (wasn’t Chatterbox there also?) and the gym was a warehouse that held a uniform cleaning company. The Soho transition did not happen within 2 years and continues to expand up and down the block as the parcels are infilled with development. I think the component there is critical mass and it happened over 20 years - give or take.
critical mass is important therefore focusing efforts in a central location rather than dispersed throughout the hood is the method we should be striving towards.
i like the idea of the fdot parking area mentioned by #24.
BTW Florida Ave after 6:30 is a piece of cake to walk across. I do it almost everyday walking to the cuban bakery.