Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 9-27-19

Feature
Redevelopment Of West Tampa ‘Does Not Have To Trigger Gentrification’
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Redevelopment is abun- dant in West Tampa, but it doesn’t have to trigger gentri- fication.
In fact, it can cause the op- posite to occur, said Michael Randolph, CEO of the Cen- ter for Nonprofit and Com- munity Redevelopment, Inc.
On Tuesday, Randolph detailed to residents gathered at the West Tampa Library how “reverse gentrification” could work to keep one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods culturally intact while it un- dergoes redevelopment.
“Reverse gentrification” is a process that helps longtime residents of a neighborhood avoid being pushed out of that area. It involves govern- ment, private, and commu- nity-based entities working together to provide services and programs that keep resi-
Rendering of the 5-story apartment building that is under con- struction in West Tampa.
“We need government and the private sector putting it together,” he said. “We re- fuse to submit any notion that gentrification is something that has to happen.”
Longtime West Tampa resident Charles Ford, Jr., said he’s not surprised by the “exploding growth” taking place in his neighborhood.
Ford, a Realtor, said keeping housing in West Tampa within reach for everyone is important.
“The affordability piece is key,” he said.
Leroy Moore, senior vice president and chief oper- ating officer with the Tampa Housing Authority, offered an update on the projects that are adding to West Tampa’s changing landscape.
Construction has begun on Renaissance River West, a 160-unit senior building that will sit at the corner of Main Street and Rome Avenue.
The five-story complex will feature space for retail on the ground level, Moore said.
Other large-scale develop- ments include renovations to Bethune High Rise Apart- ments, which at one time was
slated for demolition. And construction of an apartment complex for families is set to begin soon.
Moore said his depart- ment has been sensitive to the disruption that redevelop- ment has brought, such as the closure and demolition of the North Boulevard Homes in the last year.
Those residents were as- signed case managers and given relocation assistance to help them resettle in other areas, he said.
Increasing redevelopment along the riverfront in recent years prompted the city to reach out to other stakehold- ers to work on a master plan for the entire area. That’s in- cluded talks with the Hills- borough County School Board regarding land the dis- trict owns along the riverfront and preserving it for public use.
Additionally, private de- velopers are tasked with set- ting aside a percentage of projects for low-income resi- dents, he said.
But, the best way to con- trol gentrification?
“Keep your land,” Moore said.
dents in place and help them adjust to new growth and changes.
With so much upheaval in the last few years in West Tampa, it would behoove the city and local organizations to find ways to work together to prevent gentrification, Ran- dolph said.
“We know the first prior-
ity we want to do is help those people who are still here,” he said.
Potential solutions in- clude engaging the commu- nity via townhall meetings and establishing community think-tanks addressing neighborhood development.
Also critical are program- ming addressing youth, em- ployment, and community building, Randolph said.
With the riverfront tar- geted as the next area for re- development, now is the perfect time for residents to get involved.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A