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N. 22nd St. reopens to fresh optimism

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: November 25, 2009

UNIVERSITY AREA - The grand opening of the North 22{+n}{+d} Street Improvement Project is the link to the future of an area west of the University of South Florida, said supporters of the community's redevelopment.

At a recent ceremony, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner said, "Perhaps one day this area won't be known as 'suitcase city' but will be known as a new part of our thriving community."

He said the area would have services for seniors, flourishing businesses and new housing.

About 150 guests from government, social services agencies, schools and the community attended the Nov. 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the University Area Community Center.

It marked the official reopening of North 22{+n}{+d} Street from Fletcher Avenue to Bearss Avenue, which had been under a construction improvement project for years.

The area now has curbs and gutters, wider sidewalks, underground utilities, street lighting and landscaping. The project cost about $7.9 million, funded through the Community Investment Tax.

The project is part of an overall University Area Community Plan, developed in 1996 to improve the low-income, high-crime area. Through the years, two schools, a sheriff's office, a health and social services center, a community center and a park have been built and the University Area Community Development. Corp. founded to oversee various programs.

State Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, said, "The road is the beginning of what is to come tomorrow."

He said area would become, "an area of economic viability because this has been the most expensive draw on the county for three decades."

Crist said he expects new multiuse private buildings with shops and small businesses on the ground level and housing above them.

However, the first developer to commit to such a project - to be called Eastchase - has put the land on the market and said the economy would not support such a project now.

Another phase of improving North 22{+n}{+d} Street, from Fletcher Avenue to University Mall, is planned with construction to begin soon.

Crist said the area also will see an expansion of the nonprofit student education facility, Junior Achievement, in two or three years, and the addition of a senior center and a library within three to six years.

Tribune correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 259-7662.

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