Architecture Students Design Commercial Vision for 22nd Street
Students in the School of Architecture and Community Design’s Urban Design Studio developed a revitalization plan for a one-mile segment of the 22nd Street commercial corridor in East Tampa.
Description:
During the second half of the Spring 2004 semester, five students (Linda Stevenson, Tom Chuparkoff, James Fox, Tim Knowles, and Loralee Morrow) in the School of Architecture and Community Design’s Urban Design Studio (ARC 5366 Advanced Design C), under the guidance of instructor Trent Green, developed a revitalization plan for a one-mile segment of the 22nd Street commercial corridor in East Tampa.
Once the heart of the neighborhood and its commercial center, this area has suffered from decline and physical deterioration over the last three decades. The area is adjacent to the Tampa Housing Authority’s recent Belmont Heights Estates HOPE VI development and the Belmont Heights Little League baseball complex.
The purpose of the project was to work with neighborhood residents to develop a preliminary vision for redeveloping this area by identifying opportunities for enhancing economic development, introducing new infill housing to the area, adding a number of open space amenities, and recreating a neighborhood center. This effort was also intended to add to the USF Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities Asset Mapping initiative.
With input from community residents and other organizations throughout the semester, five students developed a conceptual master plan for the project area. The plan integrated a number of new multi-use buildings with a range of desired uses and features with the existing neighborhood fabric. Several public presentations were held in the community and a final project document was provided to the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership.
The ideas and projects designed could make a significant contribution to the neighborhood’s economic stability and enhance physical conditions, goals the neighborhood residents are currently pursuing. In addition to completing the academic requirements for the course in a successful manner, students learned several valuable lessons associated with the ongoing process of community development and revitalization, and also realized an important service-learning experience relative to University and local community relationships.
Contact Person: Trent Green
Funding for Academic Year: 2003-04