Tampa City Council to do second reading of WestShore Plaza major redevelopment
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa City Council could take steps Thursday to potentially change WestShore Plaza, as a developer aims to turn the mall into a mixed-use property. The redevelopment includes tearing down everything except for the Macy’s and parking garage next to it and turn it into apartments, office spaces, retail and a bus transfer station.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to really reenvision and transform WestShore Plaza,” said Lisa Callahan of Washington Prime Group, owner of the mall. “It’s been there since the 1960s, it’s been a great add to the community.”
The mall’s owner filed a rezoning request last August to expand an existing redevelopment plan for the mall.
“We want to bring something that’s new and fresh, walkable,” Callahan explained at March’s city council meeting. “Bring it into the now, but still make it have all of the qualities that it had before.”
Tampa City Council gave the first approval for that request at a meeting in March. As renderings showed, the proposal would include more than 1,700 residential units and 900,000 square feet of retail, plus nearly 400,000 square feet of office space.
Some council members expressed disappointment that the proposal didn’t include more apartments.
“Big point to talk about, the fact that you’re not increasing density and intensity,” said councilmember Lynn Hurtak. “I would say, that in the change from 2020 to 2024, density and intensity is absolutely what we need.”
The Beach Park Homeowner’s Association also said they were generally in favor of the redevelopment but had concerns about traffic.
“With already failing roads adjoining a currently less-than-successful mall,” said Mark Miller. “There is no doubt that a successful redevelopment of the 60-plus acre site will generate more traffic than the mall currently contributes to Westshore and Kennedy Boulevards.”
However, according to the proposal, the redevelopment would not impact traffic in the area.
Thursday’s meeting will be the second reading of the request. Last month, the council voted unanimously to move the plan forward.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
