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May 13, 2004
Source: The Tampa Tribune
By: Michael H. Samuels
SUN BAY SOUTH South Tampa-based LandCraft Development has purchased 14.5 acres south of Gandy Boulevard from an out-of-town developer to build 139 town houses.
The development, stretching from Manhattan Avenue to West Shore Boulevard between Tyson and Wallace avenues, is adjacent to two LandCraft town house projects, Escena South Tampa on West Shore and Manhattan City Homes on Manhattan.
The original plan developed by Raleigh, N.C.-based Phillips Development was the subject of much neighborhood dissension.
Residents living adjacent to the property protested its rezoning by the city council, citing concerns about high-density population and infrastructure. They said they would prefer that single-family houses be built on the land.
James Landers, LandCraft's chief executive, said residents will embrace the changes he made to the project plans, including adding garages to the town houses and giving the development a "more neighborhood feel."
The town houses will run between $175,000 and $225,000, he said.
"We've had success with other projects and have a good idea of what the demographics are," Landers said.
Construction on the approximately $14 million project should start in about four months, Landers said. He said the land cost about $4.5 million.
The new site plan will be presented to the Gandy Civic Association next month. Association President Al Steenson said he discussed the plans with LandCraft representatives and supports the changes.
Landers said the revised plans call for about 1 acre of land fronting Manhattan Avenue, now the site of a fruit stand, to become landscaped green space. He said the landscaped area would buffer the town houses from Manhattan.
Don Phillips, manager of Phillips Development, originally proposed making that acre a park or contributing it to the proposed Friendship Trail.
Joe Marchitto, a neighbor who vehemently opposed developing the land, said he's skeptical of the plans for the green space.
"This is not the way it was presented," he said.
Reporter Michael H. Samuels can be reached at (813) 835-2109.
