Central Tampa is undergoing a long overdue revitalization that will boost small businesses and lift our neighborhoods and downtown.
Many of us remember Central Park Village on the north side of downtown: old, dilapidated public housing that scared off investment in the area. Crime was a problem. Much of the neighborhood was synonymous with blight. There was little sense of hope. Our neighbors who lived there and the local small businesses surrounding Central Park deserved better.
Some of us also remember the Central Avenue of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, a thriving neighborhood with a rich sense of community and music. Central Avenue was dotted with clubs, restaurants, movie theaters and businesses. Ray Charles, a resident of Central Avenue, recorded his first song there. Downtown Tampa and Ybor City were alive and well.
Read Full Article »Source: TBO.com / The Tampa Tribune »