Macfarlane Freedom Playground

East Tampa Rec Complex Timeline

  • December 2019

    City Council commits $200,000 to renovate the Fair Oaks Community Center.

  • January 2020

    Community Meeting is held at Fair Oaks Community Center. The Mayor's spokesperson confirmed that the Mayor is in favor of the renovation.

  • February 2020

    Parks and Recreation Department Planning and Design Division begin studying the site and preparing conceptual site plans.

  • March 2020

    CRA expresses the initial interest to purchase 3501, 3503, and 3505 E Caracas St, 3413 E Ellicott St, and 4915 N 34th St.

  • July 2020

    Parks and Recreation Department Planning and Design Division creates several conceptual plans looking at a standalone center versus an expansion on the existing facility.

  • August 2020

    Mayor Castor announces plans to expand and redevelop Fair Oaks Park.

  • October 2020

    Owner of 3505 E Caracas St expresses interest to sell property.

  • November 2020

    Parks and Recreation Department Planning and Design Division create several new conceptual plans using additional property.

  • March 2021

    Mayor Castor announces that the City will replicate the New Tampa Recreation Center in East Tampa.

  • May 2021

    City closes on 3503 E Caracas St property.

  • June 2021

    City closes on 3501 E Caracas St property and 15 feet of vacated right of way.

  • July 2021

    U.S. Representative Kathy Castor announces that $1 million for the Fair Oaks Redevelopment Senior Center has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

  • September 2021

    Parks and Recreation Department Planning and Design Division creates several new conceptual plans using additional property.

  • January 2022

    Negotiations with 3413 E Ellicott St and 4915 N 34th St fail. Notice of termination sent by the City.

  • March 2022

    Owner of 3413 E Ellicott St and 4915 N 34th St expresses interest in renegotiating. New appraisal is ordered.

  • April 2022

    City closes on 3505 E Caracas St property.

  • May 2022

    1. RFQ advertised for Design Build Project.
    2. Owner of 3503 E Caracas St vacates property.
  • June 2022

    1. Public Information Meeting about the intent to vacate E Caracas St.
    2. Shortlist created for Design Build Firms.
  • July 2022

    1. First public hearing to vacate E Caracas St.
    2. Anticipated closing on 3413 E Ellicott St and 4915 N 34th St
  • August 2022

  • Summer/Fall 2022

    1. Selected Design Build Firm begins.
    2. Public outreach and envisioning phase of the project begins.
  • November 4, 2022

    SKANSKA USA issued a notice to proceed with the design and public outreach for the East Tampa Recreation Complex project.

  • January 2023

    Deadline on photo submissions to share your memories of Fair Oaks Park.

  • February 2023

  • March 14, 2023

    Community Session at Middleton High School cafeteria: present flexible concept design for public viewing and comment.

  • August 16, 2023

    The final design was presented to the community in the Middleton High School cafeteria.

  • December 19, 2023

    Skanska and Strategist host an in-person pre-bid session about contracting opportunities for interested subcontractors.