Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 3-18-16 Edition

Feature
Funds Appropriated To Move Tampa Heights Youth Center
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association President, Lena Young-Green, gath- ered a group of Tampa Heights residents and busi- ness leaders seven years ago. The purpose of the gathering was to convert an abandoned church on Palm Avenue into a youth center.
After entering into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transporta- tion (FDOT) to get the build- ing, plans immediately were underway to turn it into a vi- able community asset.
Last year, FDOT an- nounced as part of their in- terstate expansion project, they would be taking the building back. That news devastated Ms. Young- Green, as well as all of the volunteers and donors who contributed to make the project a success.
With the possibility of
LENA YOUNG-GREEN
losing the center to FDOT, Ms. Young-Green ap- proached State Represen- tative Ed Narain and proposed the building be moved to another location, if it could be funded.
Thanks to Rep. Narain, this year’s Legislature pro- posed state budget will in- clude $1.2 million to move the center to a different loca- tion.
“I reached out to my col-
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED NARAIN
leagues, and now all that’s needed is for the Governor to sign off on it. We hope to se- cure a lot close to the current location and keep it in the Tampa Heights community.”
Ms. Young-Green said the primary purpose is take the building out of the hands of FDOT.
“We don’t want them dic- tating to us what we do for our children. We’re hoping the politicians will work that
The Tampa Heights Youth and Community Center.
out.
“If we could just shift it
over from where it’s presently located we could have a bigger green space.”
Ms. Young-Green said they’re all hoping they will get support on this project.
“There are still a lot of de- tails to work out. We just
have to give the process time and be patient and allow the politicians to work it out.
“We’ve been at this for 7 years now and we were de- termined to get a place for our children. The community has shown they believe in this project with their sup- port.”
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B