Troubled Tampa Neighborhood Getting a Facelift

Sulphur Springs Water Tower

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has been on a mission to turn around Sulphur Springs.  The neighborhood, which is located within the Tampa city limits is home to more than 6,000 Tampa residents and boasts some famous landmarks like the Sulphur Springs Water Tower and is also home to what was widely considered the first indoor shopping venue in the state of Florida.

Over the past several years the neighborhood has been the focus of city-led demolitions and code enforcement, which has led to 10% of the residential parcels becoming vacant lots.  The Mayor, along with Bob Mcdonaugh, the city's economic development chief, have developed a plan to revitalize the area with new homes.  Their hope is to attract new young families to the area.

The city will be using $1 million dollars in federal funds that Tampa received to rehab distressed properties.  City leadership outlined the specifications for interested builders at a workshop last Friday, calling for modest houses between 1200 and 1300 sqft with porches out front.

To further entice prospective homeowners to move into the neighborhood, the city has increased police patrols and upped its inspections of code enforcement in the area.

The first lots to be improved will be located around the elementary school and recreation center, with hopes that the new homeowners and families with grease the wheels for private real estate investment in the community.  


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 Source: Tampa Tribune