Through the development of the City Center at Hanna Avenue, a vacant, dilapidated warehouse within the East Tampa community was replaced with a state-of-the-art facility.
The Hanna building offers Tampa residents and customers better access to government services, ample parking, nearby public transportation, and added greenspace.
During the administration of Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the City of Tampa took possession of the property at 2515 East Hanna Avenue. Over eleven acres were purchased from Hanna Properties Corp. for $1,000,000. The building was once used in the manufacturing of industrial cables.
Mayor Jane Castor took office with a desire to make Tampa a city where everyone knows they have access to opportunity. Through Mayor Castor’s vision, five strategic goals were developed to guide the city government in tackling the real issues facing Tampa. This set of guiding principles is known as “Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow” or T3.
Inefficiencies such as buildings requiring impractical/unfeasible repairs, expiration of existing leases, limited parking, and a lack of physical space to administer services were identified within the City government.
The work of the Mayor’s T3 Advisory Teams led to the idea of bringing government closer to neighborhoods as a favorable method to serve the greater good and to remedy the City’s challenges. will relieve the City of its dependency on leased space and save taxpayer dollars.
The property fronting Hanna Avenue became the ideal place for a municipal office building.
A presentation was given during the Tampa City Council Meeting about the proposed municipal office building at 2515 E. Hanna Avenue. Council approved an amendment request to demolish the existing building on the site and fund the design phase for a new City Center.
The Traffic and Roadway Safety Neighborhood Walking Tour was held for residents and business owners within the neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed City Center. Participants walked alongside experts from the City of Tampa Mobility Department to review existing road conditions along Hanna Avenue. Additionally, they discussed the effects of new trips on roads, sidewalks, and intersections. The data collected will be included in a transportation study with the goal of improving Hanna Avenue and related intersections for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
Experts within the City of Tampa Mobility Department presented the scope of the Transportation Study for the City Center at Hanna Avenue. This virtual event follows the Traffic and Roadway Safety Neighborhood Walking Tour which allowed residents to talk with transportation experts about challenges facing pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
Residents from the seven communities directly impacted by the development of the City Center at Hanna Avenue were encouraged to attend a community meeting at the Rogers Park Golf Course Clubhouse in East Tampa.
Attendees got a sneak peek at the architectural model of the City Center. Representatives from Fleischman Garcia Maslowski Architecture and DPR Construction were on-hand to explain the design concept and to discuss the design-build process
Representatives from the City of Tampa, DPR Construction, and Fleischman Garcia Architects will present information about the City Center at Hanna Avenue. The state-of-the-art 161,000 sq. ft. government services building will serve as a gathering space for neighborhood residents, while housing several City departments and divisions. This significant investment increases efficiencies across City operations, brings government closer to the people, and represents a brighter future for all of Tampa.
Sal Ruggerio, Deputy Administrator of Infrastructure Services, invited media to the City Center site to unveil renderings of the government services building.
Althea Wynn, a resident of Live Oaks Square Neighborhood, talked to the media about what the project means for her community.
The Tampa City Council approved funding for the construction of the City Center at Hanna Avenue, associated parking garage, and other structures related to the development. Prior to the vote, City personnel along with representatives from DPR Construction and Fleishman Garcia Architects presented the design plans for the City Center at Hanna Avenue. City Council’s unanimous vote makes for a historic infrastructure investment in East Tampa.
The City of Tampa announced a $1M investment into renewable energy solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations at the City Center at Hanna Avenue.
The City of Tampa secures two new bonds. A portion of the principal from these funds will be used to construct the City Center at Hanna Avenue.
DPR began laying the foundation for the City Center at Hanna Avenue.
Employees from six city departments moved into the City Center at Hanna Avenue. This state-of-the-art facility is approximately 161k sq. ft. The building’s construction process was a hallmark in quality for green building standards.
Tampa residents and customers receive improved access to government services, ample parking, nearby public transportation, and added green space.
Mayor Jane Castor, City employees, and neighborhood leaders came together to dedicate the City Center at Hanna and officially open the new facility to the public.