The YCDC wants to hear from business owners and interested parties about what can be done to rescue the struggling retail market in Ybor. If you have ANY creative ideas we urge you to attend.

RETAIL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY
Please join fellow retailers, property owners and merchants for a roundtable discussion about Ybor City’s current and future retail opportunities.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:00 am
WHERE: YCDC Office (next to Elmer’s Sports Bar)
2015 E. 7th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605

Retail Development Committee Chairman Joe Howden invites everyone to attend this meeting. “We want your ideas and
grassroots solutions to develop successful retail business strategies for Ybor City.” The meeting is open to the public and free parking is available
in the parking lot (west side of the building). For more information, please contact Brenda Thrower, Ybor City Development Corporation at 813-274-7917.

From Tom K.:

Hi,
 
Some of you may already have seen the posted sign at the corner of 20th and 8th Ave where the Sheriff has applied to the Barrio Latino Commission for a permanent street closure of 20th Street.
 
I know that there are many of you who strongly object to any closure at all as it clearly interferes with Ybor’s street patterns and the historic grid system of our streets and roads. Clearly, putting up barricades or closing streets is not conducive to the preservation of the historic character of Ybor and it also interferes with the unimpeded movement of all people living, working or visiting Ybor.
 
I urge you to attend this hearing which is scheduled for December 18th at 9:00 am at the City Council Chambers, 315 E. Kennedy Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Tampa, Florida 33602.
 
Cheers,
 
Thomas C. Knueppel

One of the items our neighbors had requested for the 2007 TIF budget was the construction of brick crosswalks. Many of the heavily transited intersections will be adorned with the crosswalks. Not only will they serve as traffic calming devices but are a great way to improve the look of the streets. Here is the notice from the YCDC:

Beginning Tuesday, September 4, 2007, Kimmins Contracting Corporation will begin work constructing a brick street crosswalk at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 15th Street. During construction, 15th Street will be closed for approximately one week, with 7th Avenue remaining open. 7th Avenue will then be closed for approximately one week, with 15th Street remaining open while the original brick (not faux) is laid on both sides. This is the first crosswalk of several that will soon be constructed in the Ybor District Residential neighborhoods. Wednesday, August 28, 2007, the alley improvement with brick aprons between 18th and 19th Streets, south side of 7th Avenue was completed. This was the last of 6 alleys with brick aprons that have been improved in the district with CRA 1 TIF $$$. In addition, a dumpster pad and curb improvement was completed in City Parking Lot #5. Three medians will be removed on and 7th Avenue and 20th Street prior to the fall festival season. For further information, please contact the Ybor City Development Corporation at (813) 274-7936.

The Ybor City Museum Society has begun drafting plans to relocate additional casitas from the I-4 expansion to the area around the museum. In the past, the YCMS worked to relocate these historic homes or buildings from the interstate expansion site to Centennial Park, where they are presently located. One of these structures was The Bunker building, which underwent great restoration and has become the popular Tres Amici coffee bar. 

IKEA, the largest furniture retailer in the world, is opening a few blocks from you in mid 2009. Whether you like the sleek, modern style that IKEA offers (at affordable prices) or not, these are great news for our neighborhood. It will have a significant impact not only in the Ybor area but also in CBD and Channelside districts; bringing more than 400 jobs and the first large retail development since 1991. The popularity of the store will attract buyers from the entire Tampa Bay/West Florida Coast region. These same buyers will turn into visitors of our district and patrons of our small businesses.

Another important effect of the store is the beginning of the revitalization of the Adamo corridor, bordering the southern edge of the historic district. Currently the site is occupied by large warehouses known as Tampa International Center. Although the location lies immediately outside the historic district and is not restricted to Barrio Latino guidelines, IKEA has said they will work with the community to make the development appropriate for the area. WilsonMiller who will be working with IKEA to develop the site will meet with the Association’s board on Wednesday, April 11th for an initial informational session. We will keep you posted.

Another great residential development opens in Ybor. We welcome all the new neighbors moving into Las Ybor City Homes!

An official ribboncutting event will take place at the southwest corner of
4th Avenue & 17th Street. Friday, January 26, 2007 at 2:00 PM. The mayor will be attending as well as the developer. Refreshments will be served.