YMCA proposes extensive Tampa Heights revamp

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is working with local developer, Ellison Developments on a 6.2-acre proposal that gives the Tampa Heights area and existing YMCA facilities a huge facelift.

The proposal includes a brand new 1.3 million square foot, 5-story YMCA with a rooftop pool, licensed preschool, and more than triple the amount of space in wellbeing programs compared to the current facility on Palm Ave.

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The administration building on Oak Ave., built in the 1920s, will also be repurposed.

The YMCA administration building will also get a facelift if the proposal is approved.

A 200-room hotel, office and retail space, and residential units are included in the proposal, along with affordable housing.

"You hear about it every day that there’s an extreme shortage of affordable housing for people who have rather good paying jobs and still can’t afford the housing because things have gotten so expensive here in Tampa," said Matt Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Tampa Metropolitan area YMCA. "This will be a nice high-level, good living community, but there will be a component of it that will be reserved for affordable housing."

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It will be a few years before this proposal becomes a reality.

There will also be about 100,000 square feet of retail space, with a focus on small and minority-owned businesses.

"Conversations with stakeholders in the community and people who are our neighbors, and that’s some of the feedback we got, was that, hey, let’s make sure there’s space that’s affordable for small businesses," said Mitchell. "Often times, these great new developments get built, and small businesses can’t afford the rent, so can you set aside some space for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, so they can share their great product and creativity with this community as well."

The YMCA and Ellison Developments will continue hearing community feedback and fine-tuning their proposal for the next few months.

Tampa city leaders are expected to review the proposal sometime in October or November.

The proposal was submitted just last week, so we’re still a few years out from this project becoming a reality.