Tampa approves Straz Center's $25 million ask for waterfront redevelopment
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Oct 14, 2021

The David A. Straz Jr. Center for Performing Arts will receive $25 million in city funding for the redevelopment of its waterfront property.

Tampa City Council members, acting as the board for the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency, on Thursday voted in favor of doling out $25 million in CRA money to fund a portion of the Straz’s $80 million redevelopment, which includes things like expanded event and outdoor space and a public rooftop terrace open year-round with seating and a full bar.

CRAs are state-designated areas that retain all new or incremental tax money generated within their boundaries to fund future development.

Councilman Luis Viera cast the sole dissenting vote against the $25 million ask of the CRA. He said spending that amount on the Straz “could have unintended consequences” and listed off other items the money could be spent on: parks, the TECO Line Streetcar, affordable housing.

“I think there’s still a lot of work to be done downtown,” he said.

Viera said the Straz funding would amount to $8.5 million within five years.

“As a percentage of the downtown CRA revenue and budget, that could be anywhere from 30% to 40%, if not more,” he said. “Respectfully, this allocation at the level it’s at is not consistent with the intent of downtown CRAs.”

The other six members of the CRA board disagreed, saying an investment in the performing arts center will be an economic catalyst for downtown Tampa.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen spoke to the CRA board in support of the city funding. Cohen said the county has committed $2.5 million to the Straz for the redevelopment.

“In our private conversations, I know you’re trying to get a much bigger number,” Councilman Bill Carlson said to Cohen.

“I will be working very hard to support this project with additional funds as we go forward,” Cohen told the board.

“I particularly believe in public subsidy for the arts when the arts are an economic engine for the community they serve,” Cohen continued.