Entrepreneurial incubator, coffee shop envisioned inside Tampa Union Station
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Nov 3, 2020

Vacant space inside the historic Tampa Union Station may someday be converted into an entrepreneur incubator and coffee shop.

On Thursday, the Tampa City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency plan to explore the possibility of issuing a request for proposals for a professional coffee shop and entrepreneurial space/incubator at Tampa Union Station.

Update: The city council voted on Thursday to push the discussion on the item to April.

The station, built in 1912, serves Amtrak passengers. A redevelopment of the historic, city-owned station into an entrepreneur center would create a destination within underutilized space.

City Councilman Bill Carlson envisions the space being similar to the popular Oxford Exchange building on Kennedy Boulevard, which houses a coffee shop, bookstore, a restaurant and meeting space.

The potential project comes at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has created challenges for office spaces, restaurants and other eateries.

Carlson said a project like this could provide activation and revenue for Tampa Union Station. He and City Councilman Orlando Gudes first brought up the item in August to request the city and CRA staff study the possibility of issuing an RFP.

"Overall, the idea is to support entrepreneurs and historic preservation," Carlson said.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is aware of the project, but has not yet provided a statement on the city's perspective.

Jackson McQuigg, who is on the board of directors for the not-for-profit advocacy Friends of Union Station organization, said a coffee station alone has been a topic of conversation for years but no action has been taken.

A similar project, Denver Union Station, is the main railway station and central transportation hub and is described as having an eclectic atmosphere with restaurants, shops and bars.