Mixed-use development near Oxford Exchange lands key approval
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Aug 12, 2016

A once-controversial development near Oxford Exchange in downtown Tampa is a step closer to breaking ground.

Tampa City Council on Thursday granted final approval to Altman Cos., which is planning a mixed-use building with 9,750 square feet of retail space and 314 residential units on a 2.5-acre site bound by Grand Central Avenue to the north and Cleveland Street to the south, Cedar Street to the east and Magnolia Street to the west.

"We want to be a good neighbor. Many of the design changes we have incorporated into the new Altis Grand Central were the result of ongoing dialogue with the community and our desire to extend amenities beyond Altis Grand Central to the greater Grand Central district," Jeff Roberts, Altman president, said in a statement.

Construction is slated to begin by the end of the year, and the first residents should move in by spring 2018.

Altman had submitted plans for the same property in 2015, but city council denied the rezoning request after public outrage over the proposal. Blake Casper, co-owner of Oxford Exchange, organized a movement to protest Altman's former plans.

The Parido family, which owns the site, maintained after the first city council vote that the property was destined for multifamily development.

But Casper and city council are on board with this iteration of Altis Grand Central.

"I think it's going to be wonderful for the neighborhood,” said Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen. "And I really do think it is an example to everybody that when the neighborhood, the businesses and the developers all work together, we can get something really spectacular for the city.”

Here's what's different from the original proposal, as reported in March: Retail space is nearly doubled, from 5,000 square feet originally proposed to 9,750 square feet

The Bryn-Alan portrait studio building at 502 Grand Central Ave. will be redeveloped into retail space - including an outdoor café

Retail bays along Cedar Avenue will be extended, with plans for a covered pedestrian walkway from the garage to the corner retail plaza at Grand Central Walkways and pedestrian plazas will be widened

One grand tree on the site is saved and the second grand tree is relocated to a nearby public site

Ponds, fountains, landscaping, covered seating, cafe tables and a public bike repair station along Cedar and Magnolia avenues are included.

Ashley Gurbal Kritzer is senior reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.