Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 10-16-15 Edition

Features
Tampa Housing Authority Unveils New Development Plans
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
In November 2012, Tampa Housing Authority (THA) an- nounced they had partnered with St. Louis based McCor- mack, Baron Salazar to put to- gether a development plan for the property now occupied by North Boulevard Homes.
On Tuesday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in West Tampa, THA announced the St. Louis group had been dis- missed from the project and the Florida-based development team of Lambert Advisory/Wallace and Per- domo, Land Developers and Development Consultants, would be taking over the proj- ect.
THA Chief Operating Offi- cer, Leroy Moore said the de- cision to switch development teams was based on the design presented to them by the St. Louis group.
“The St. Louis group pre- sented their master plan to us in January, and after we re- viewed the vertical buildings part of the plan we felt it wasn’t suitable.
“We also decided we wanted local on the group ex- perience with the developers, and the St. Louis group had no roots in the area. Their plan was too similar to other plans they’ve developed across the country.”
Moore said the team they have now has worked with THA before and were instru- mental in helping them achieve grants for Encore and other projects. He also said they have already completed a market study.
In presenting the new plan to citizens and N.B. Homes res- idents attending the meeting, Lambert Advisory/Wallace and Perdomo said one of the first things they noticed was there
JEROME RYANS LEROY MOORE
CEO, Tampa Housing Authority
C.O.O., Tampa Housing Authority
was no access to the river going east from Rome and Oregon Avenues.
They propose opening up Spruce Street to the east all the way to the river, and develop- ing other thoroughfares going east to the river.
The new team also wants to replace the existing Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, pool, and gymnasium with a state- of-the-art community center with a gymnasium, and an Olympic style pool.
They also have proposed a major grocery store for the cor- ner of Main Street and Rome Avenue.
During the presentation, THA Chief Executive Officer, Jerome Ryans, told those in attendance that the new plan is proposing 3 and 5 story apart- ment units along with other amenities.
Moore said they will be submitting a Notice of Fund Availability in November, and another meeting has been scheduled for October 27th.
Those in attendance asked questions about the length of the project, and would it be de- layed with the hiring of a new development team. THA offi- cials assured everyone that the project would not be delayed, and the relocation of residents from N.B. Homes would con- tinue.
One Brother Remains Critical; Another Dies In Separate Accidents
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The past week has been a traumatic time for a Tampa family. The family is making arrangements to bury one member while another fights for his life. The men are broth- ers and both were pedestrians involved in traffic accidents. The accidents took place last Tuesday and last Thursday.
Both victims, Thomas Benton and Curtis Lee Roundtree are the sons of Mrs. Mildred Roundtree and brothers of popular Tampa promoter Too Smooth.
Too Smooth stated that in addition to the family strug- gling with the serious injury of Benton, they are also trying to raise funds to bury Roundtree.
“My brother was a free- spirited person who never met a stranger. Unfortunately, he did not have any life insur- ance. We come humbly and grateful to thank anyone for their donations,” he said.
On Tuesday, October 6, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Tampa Police responded to the intersection of Busch Blvd., and Nebraska Avenue. Ben- ton, 50, of Tampa, was seri- ously injured after being struck by a vehicle as he at- tempted to cross the street.
According to police, Ms. Maria Medina, 51, of Tampa, was driving eastbound in the median lane of Busch Blvd. Witnesses told police Ms. Medina had the green light and the right of way.
Benton was reportedly walking northbound in the crosswalk on Busch Blvd., when he was struck by Ms.
THOMAS BENTON
... Remains in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital
Medina’s 2005 Honda.
After being struck by the left front of the vehicle, Ben- ton was ejected from the hood of the car into the roadway. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was admitted with life-threat-
ening injuries.
Police said Benton under-
went surgery last Tuesday night. He remains in critical, but stable condition.
Ms. Medina, who was traveling about 40 miles per hour, told police she did not see Benton.
A graduate of Robinson High School, Benton is the father of 3 sons. He has been employed as a laborer for sev- eral years.
On Thursday, October 8th, the Florida Highway Patrol re- sponded to an accident at the intersection of N. 56th Street and Society Park Blvd., shortly after 10 p.m.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ms. April Walker, 40, of Tampa, was traveling southbound on N. 56th Street, just north of Soci- ety Park Blvd., in the incident lane.
CURTIS ROUNDTREE
... Killed in accident on Friday
Roundtree, 56, of Tampa, was walking west- bound across N. 56th Street, as Roundtree continued to walk into the southbound lane of the Street.
Ms. Walker reportedly observed traffic slowing ahead and changed lanes into the outside lane. Roundtree was struck by the front of the 2008 Cadillac CTS and died at the scene. Charges are pending in connection with the accident, police said.
A Tampa native, Roundtree graduated from Robinson High School. He was the father of 3 sons and 1 daughter. In addition to his mother and Too Smooth, he is survived by 9 brothers and 1 sister, other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Roundtree are tentatively planned for Saturday, October 24th. Jackson Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrange- ments.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Too Smooth at (813) 244-7474; or make a donation at go- fundme.com/XR69g88s.
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