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New effort to revitalize historic West Tampa
Lloyd Sowers reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - The winds of change are blowing on the streets of old West Tampa. Some spots have been dilapidated for years, but on West Main Street there's a flurry of remodeling and revitalization.
"I think there is a lot of value here," said Daniella Philip.
She and her partner, Klarel Avin, were finishing drywall for a barbershop and women's hair restoration business that they plan to open on February 1.
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"There are a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs who want to be business owners and there are a lot of people trying to do so," said Philip.
Up and down West Main Street there are new businesses preparing to open.
"As you can see, it's starting to move down and making its way. We'll already be here," said Avin.
The Tampa CRA is using taxes collected to pour improvements into historic West Tampa. Some buildings in the area date back to the early 1900's and are as unique as those in Ybor City.
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West Tampa was its own city – separate from Tampa – until the 1950's when it officially became part of the City of Tampa. Hillsborough County's first public library was built in the area in 1914, funded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. It's still in good shape and still a treasure of West Tampa.
New energy in the surrounding neighborhood harkens back to the hard work that built this neighborhood. People have tried before to revive West Tampa. This time it could work.
"We're actually trying to give something back to West Tampa," said Avin, as people up and down the street swing hammers, and the city repaves the street outside.
For these entrepreneurs, their dream can only come with hard work, the energy to bring back a place that once was.
"The whole point is to be a long-lasting community and to be able to always be here," said Avin.
They're counting on their energy and the historic feel of the neighborhood to bring back a place that once was on West Main Street in West Tampa.
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