Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 5-6-16 Online Edition

Features
Wall Raising Ceremony Planned To Help Injured Teen Come Home
Oakhurst Square Apartments Owner Wants To Increase Size Of Complex
According to city officials, the owners of the Oakhurst Square Apartments on North Boule- vard have requested an amended Land Use per- mit.
The permit is requesting they be allowed to increase the density of the complex, meaning they want to add more units.
West Tampa CDC Vice-Chair, Joe Robin- son, said the city has asked the owners to hold off on their request, because the city has property close by, and they may want to join the owners in the request.
“City officials think it would be effective that way, because along with what the Oakhurst own- ers have planned, the city could include their property, after they concluded getting the parcels identified.
“The only way to have a successful develop- ment in West Tampa is to go up, so that means building structures as high as 10 stories, because there is no area for them to spread out.”
Robinson said the big question should be how will this impact Beulah Baptist Institutional Church on Cypress Street, just a block away from the complex.
The Oakhurst owners have not returned phone calls inquiring about what action they will take, but residents in the area think this is just ground- work for the initial conversation for the complex to house University of Tampa students. They also feel this request is connected to what’s happening across the street at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
In August 2014, SoHo Capital purchased Oakhurst I and Oakhurst II, a 7-acre site, for $7.2 million. The SoHo group also purchased the Columbus Court Apartment Complex, north of the Oakhurst along the Hillsborough River.
At that time, Adam Hardin, representing the Soho Capital Group, said he expects a mini- mum of three or four years before they would be making any real changes to the complex.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, May 7th, two organizations, as well as mem- bers of the community will gather at 3719 Wiggins Leaf Street, at 7:45 a.m. Carter Validus joined forces with Habitat Hillsborough to help a family in critical need of reno- vations.
Once the home is reno- vated, ShaTayshia Brinson will be able to leave the Chil- dren’s Center at Sabal Palms in Largo and come home. ShaTayshia was severely in- jured in a traffic accident in January 2015, and has re- mained hospitalized since that time.
After several months at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, she was transferred closer to home.
Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Freddie (Jency) Brinson, Jr., are homeowners in Grant Park. But several renovations must be made to the home to make it suitable for ShaTayshia. Some of those renovations include a wheel- chair ramp and an additional bedroom for ShaTayshia.
Attempting to raise the funds has been a journey in it- self for the family. But, they were able to obtain a grant
ShaTayshia
shown with her mother, Mrs. Jencey Brinson, before being severely injured in a traffic ac- cident.
through the Florida Home Partnerships to help defray the cost, and Habitat for Humanity is also providing assistance.
Recently, Carter Validus donated $15,000 to help with the renovation. John Carter, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the company said, “With our organization being a player in the healthcare real estate in- dustry, this family’s story hit home for us. Through our do- nation and volunteer efforts, we are thrilled to be able to help the Brinson family con- struct a home where ShaTayshia can continue to heal peacefully and comfort- ably. We are honored to be partnering with Habitat Hills- borough on this project.”
Brinson is
Northeast Community Group To Host ‘Project Cleanup’
The Northeast Community Civic Association and Crime Watch Group will be meeting on Tuesday, May 10th, and Thursday, May 12th at 5:30 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Laundromat on the corner of Clifton and 40th Street.
The purpose for the meetings is to spearhead an effort to get residents to begin gathering items they want to dispose of, and putting them out for pickup.
The city is planning a huge community cleanup in that area, and they need help from residents to make sure the cleanup is a success.
For more information about this effort, call (813) 766-6034.
FYI
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A