Page 9 - 8-18-15 Tuesday's Edition

Port Tampa Bay Unveils Vision Plan For The Channel District Area
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
Port Tampa Bay (PTB) an- nounced its vision plan for its land within the Channel Dis- trict area that will transform Tampa’s industrial waterfront into a dynamic, community centerpiece where people will come to live, work and play.
The vision plan maximizes the potential of 45 acres of port-owned land along Chan- nelside Drive and the Ybor Channel and dramatically builds upon the area’s ongoing revitalization. It calls for the development of more than 9 million square feet of mixed- use space and $1.5 billion in private investment over the next decade or so.
“Our vision is to create a waterfront community that is the envy of other top cities around the country. This is an unprecedented development
that will revolutionize Tampa and benefit the entire region,” Paul Anderson, President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay said.
While still in the prelimi- nary phase, the vision plan fea- tures a bold mix of private development and public amenities, from residential, re- tail, office and hotel space to a central park, marina and mul- tipurpose cruise ship terminal. A key element of the plan are two “landmark towers’’ that will be among the tallest and most notable on Florida’s West Coast.
“Great cities like San Diego, New Orleans and Van- couver have been built around their ports. We believe this will stand out as an innovative ex- ample of how to take full ad- vantage of valuable waterfront, while balancing the needs of the maritime community and
adjacent neighborhood,’’ An- derson further said.
The plan is the result of a partnership between Port Tampa Bay, the City of Tampa and the Channel District Com- munity Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Upgrades aim to make Channelside Drive and the surrounding area more attractive and inviting, with wide sidewalks, lush land- scaping, bike lanes and a desir- able mix of stores and restaurants. The centerpiece central park and an elevated walkway with views of the port and cruise ships will draw res- idents and tourists alike.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
said, “This is another exciting step toward bringing the wa- terfront back to the people. The time is right to take this area to the next level and cre- ate a new destination for gen- erations to come.’’
Aerial Rendering of Port of Tampa
Local
Tampa Man Alleges House Left To Him In Will Unjustly Taken Away
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Eddie Darian spent a lot of time with his mother long after he’d reached adulthood and started a family of his own. He’ll be the first to admit that he was a real “momma’s boy.”
“My mother got really sick, and I took care of her at her house. Before she passed, she gave me her will that listed me as sole beneficiary and that meant I would get to keep her house.
“When I tried to take over ownership of the house, I was told by the judge in probate court the will my mother left behind was invalid. In 2007, I was in court about the house to contest the decision about the will. That’s when I was told by my attorney the will signed by my mother and my- self was no good.”
In 2009, Darian was sen- tenced to 2 years in prison for an aggravated assault charge. He contested the charge, but was not successful. He was re- leased in 2011.
“When I was released, I knew I had somewhere to go, because my mother had left me her house. Imagine how I felt when I discovered the house had been sold.
“I got behind in property taxes when I went to prison
and I was told that’s why the house was sold. I’m contesting the entire process.”
Darian said he filed to pay the back taxes, but he was ignored. He even asked for an installment plan, and went to probate court.
“No matter what docu- ments I presented or what I had to say, nothing made a difference.
“I have a letter dated July 10, 2015 that was sent to the Justice Department as proof that the house was unjustly taken away from me. Even that document didn’t make a difference.”
Darian said he plans on pursuing whatever action nec- essary to get his mother’s house back, and he believes he was lied to by officials who de- cided the will was not valid, and that the sale of the house was final.
EDDIE DARIAN
Visit Tampa Bay Welcomes New Vision Of Port Tampa Bay
Santiago Corrada, Pres- ident and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, welcomed the vision of Port Tampa Bay. The com- pany introduced plans of re- developing its waterfront property in the heart of down- town last week.
Corrada said, “The vision presented last Thursday, with new cruise terminals, a new marina, new shops, and a beautiful new waterfront park, will transform 45 acres into a vibrant space that will make Tampa Bay even more inviting to visitors.”
Port officials estimated the redevelopment will create $1.5 billion in private investment in Tampa Bay’s urban core over the coming years. That’s in addition to $1 billion in projects developer and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has set in motion on 40 acres of neighboring Land be- tween the port and the Central Business District and nearly
SANTIAGO CORRADA President and CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
$1 billion in expansion and re- development now underway at Tampa International Air- port.
The redevelopment will create new parking for the Florida Aquarium and protect the location of the American Victory Ship.
Port Tampa Bay is the home of four cruise lines, and a port of call until 2017 for German cruise ship AIDAvita.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9