Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 8-13-21

Local
Tampa Housing Authority Presents Master Plan For Robles Park Village
The plans for Robles Park Village call for a dramatic new vision with a focus on community wellness, secu- rity, financial well-being, vi- tality and education.
The Tampa Housing Au- thority unveiled its master development plan on June 29, 2021. The plan was con- structed by PMG and BBA.
Robles Park Village is lo- cated in the heart of Tampa Heights and a short distance from Downtown Tampa.
President and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority, Jerome Ryans said the new development “will honor the rich culture and heritage of Robles Park Vil- lage.”
Leroy Moore, Senior Vice President/Chief Operat- ing Officer of Tampa Hous- ing said, “A critical component of the redevelop- ment master plan was re- specting the significance of the rich African American history...and honoring the historic site of the Zion Cemetery that was discov- ered at the site.”
Plans include an on-site memorial and museum to re- member and honor those laid to rest. The final design will be overseen by the Zion Cemetery Preservation & Maintenance Society.
Dan Coakley, Principal of PMG Affordable, said they spent months working with,
Officials who attended the unveiling were: from left, Jerome Ryans, President/CEO, Tampa Housing Authority; State Representative Dianne Hart, Tampa City Council Chair, Orlando Gudes; Tampa Mayor Jane Castor; Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers; State Representative Fentrice Driskell; and Leroy Moore, Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Tampa Housing Authority.
DJ Grimey Official kept those in attendance enter- tained.
Reva Iman, President of Rob- les Park Tenant Association.
listening to, and engaging with community partners and residents to develop the plans.
Reva Iman, President of the Robles Park Tenant As- sociation, said community involvement was key. PMG and BBA led over 40 focus
groups and over 35 commu- nity workshops, and assem- bled a Steering Committee. “Through this process, resi- dents were able to experi- ence and gain additional information...”
(Photographs by BRUNSON)
Keara Thompson, Cherrie Calloway, Kenneth Bryant and Bar- bara Lee Thomas were at the unveiling.
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