University Area Cultural Campus
The University Area Cultural Campus began through a Community Block Development Grant from Hillsborough County, with the intention of repurposing a commercial area to benefit the community. The rationale behind the Cultural Campus was determined through data indicating many residents in our community are challenged with a lack of education, unemployment, language barriers, inadequate health care access, and are transportation disadvantaged. The community’s need is reflected by statistics from a 2018 EPA Brownfields Study, and include the following findings:
- 32% of community residents have not completed high school
- The rate of unemployment is almost twice that of Hillsborough County
- 51% of community residents report speaking English “not well” or “not at all”
- An infant in the University Area is twice as likely to die during the first year of life than any other area in the state of Florida
- Nearly 22% of residents lack access to a vehicle, compared to 7% in Hillsborough County
The mission of the Cultural Campus is to serve as a navigational hub, connecting community residents and local businesses with anchored partners who are providing direct programing, services, and economic growth opportunities through a holistic approach. This will allow for the expansion of services, and the creation of partnerships, to meet the growing need of our community.
When developing initial plans for the Cultural Campus, we held numerous community conversations and conducted surveys to gather resident input regarding elements the initiative should include. We listened to those we serve and established an equitable development framework for success. Components of the Cultural Campus will include social services, economic & small business development, health & wellness opportunities, critical housing needs and more. To effectively implement the Cultural Campus initiative, we embarked on a five-year capital campaign in the amount of $12,500,000.
Planning Stages
The University Area Cultural Campus development is located at 1916 E. 136th Avenue, Tampa FL. The site is adjacent to Harvest Hope Park, and within walking distance to the University Area Community Center. The capital campaign is proposed to fund the planning, site-mitigation, existing structure rehabilitation, new building construction and attainable rental housing developments for residents. Through this expansion into the community, we anticipate the Cultural Campus to be a critical neighborhood resource located right in the heart of the University Area, meeting the growing needs of residents exactly where they are.
Intentional Design
The development will be built in four phases, following a blueprint that provides quality of life outcomes such as affordable housing, healthy environments and infrastructure improvements, while reducing racial disparities. We’re also taking into account the past history and changing conditions of the Uptown region. Just as important, the campus will be inclusive of the growing cultural arts community in the area by incorporating an artist nook, murals by the Uptown Artist Collective and arts education. The result will be a vibrant street-scape, connecting the Cultural Campus to Harvest Hope Park through sidewalks, street lighting and storefronts that activate 20th Street.
Our design strategy has been to take a precise, energy-efficient approach that considers the context of the neighborhood and not only incorporates new buildings, but includes creative renovations of existing structures on the site as well. The final build-out of the Cultural Campus will include a renovated Warehouse, a new Economic Development Center, affordable housing on the north two lots, a public plaza for festivals and events, and an educational garden. The design phases are as follows:
PHASE I: Land Acquisition, Site Remediation, Demolition, Rehabilitation
Phase I of the development is complete. After all four parcels of land were acquired, we partnered with the EPA through their Area-Wide Planning & Assessment grants. This allowed us to perform much needed site remediation, including contaminated soil excavation and replacement, to restore the formerly abandoned, brownfields land into a healthy, sustainable location for economic development.
Phase I also saw construction of a new fence, tree trimming, demolition of an existing building on site, and rehabilitation of another. The once abandoned structure that was rehabilitated and repurposed now serves as office space for two of our community partners, Casa Chiapas and the Caribbean American National Development Organization (CANDO) both of which provide needed services to the diverse population in our community.
Current Phase
PHASE II: Existing Structure Rehabilitation, Additional Site Work
We’re excited to begin Phase II as it provides the opportunity to reuse an existing warehouse structure on the property, creatively adapting it to new use and serving as a touchstone to the site’s history. One of the key design goals of The Warehouse at University Area Cultural Campus is transparency and openness, while reflecting the vibrancy of the community. We wanted residents to be able to see the exciting activities happening inside and throughout the building.
Versatility has also been carefully incorporated into plans. Once complete, The Warehouse will provide 4,800 sq ft of flexible space for small meetings and large gatherings alike, as well as dedicated programs and services from University Area CDC and partner organizations. The building will accommodate a diversity of offerings, such as co-working space, educational workshops, Prodigy® cultural art classes, Get Moving health & wellness programming, and immigration & legal services.
Existing (L) and proposed (R) exterior views
University Area CDC is currently raising funds for Phase II of the Cultural Campus development. This phase includes rehabilitation of an existing warehouse structure on the property, aptly to be named The Warehouse at University Area Cultural Campus. The Warehouse will provide a vibrant and versatile space for community residents to have full access to programs and services provided by University Area CDC and partner organizations. Additionally, the design will be inclusive of the growing cultural arts community in the area by incorporating our local Uptown Artist Collective. We’re excited about the opportunity to reuse the structure of the existing warehouse and creatively adapt it to a new use.
Existing (L) and proposed (R) interior views
The interior of The Warehouse will contain 4,800 sq ft of new and multi-functional spaces. Visitors will enter a dramatic, double-height atrium that serves both as an entry lobby and a large gathering space for community events. A series of folding wood partitions separates an adjacent area which can be either closed off for workshops or opened to extend the event space. A sculptural wood staircase leads up to an art nook, and a classroom with a glass wall, that provides a visual connection to the activities happening below. Beyond the classroom, an open hallway looks down into the event space and leads to a series of three offices, two meeting booths and an open work space. Flexibility was a key factor in the design as the building will accommodate a diversity of offerings.
The Warehouse at University Area Cultural Campus
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
If you would like to support University Area CDC’s mission and our Cultural Campus development plan, we encourage you to demonstrate your dedication through support of our capital campaign. We invite donors to designate their campaign contribution with the following naming opportunities, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Naming donors will generally be identified on an engraved plaque mounted on the selected item however, the identification method may be modified depending on the item you choose.
To learn more about The Warehouse at University Area Cultural Campus naming opportunities, please click the button below or contact Jaree Ervin at (813) 558-5212 x 210 or jervin@uacdc.org
PHASE III: New Commercial Construction, Outdoor Plaza
Phase III includes building a brand new 12,000 sq ft Economic Development Center to assist families and individuals in achieving their highest potential. The center will include commercial capacity for local businesses, office space, workforce development and healthcare services. This phase also incorporates the construction of a beautiful outdoor plaza that ties the campus together in an intentional way, building community efficacy and engagement. We envision a neighborhood where residents have access to the key determinants of their well-being, while promoting inclusion and diversity.
PHASE IV: Affordable Housing Construction
Phase IV preserves and expands affordable housing options that create healthy, safe, and affordable homes for families of various sizes and incomes. Incorporating a housing component into the Cultural Campus development will help to activate the site day and night. Plans include one row of housing units, adjacent to the Economic Development Center, that connects the campus to Harvest Hope Park. The units along 20th Street will feature front porches overlooking new sidewalks, contributing to a vibrant streetscape. Affordable housing is a key component to building a stable and resilient community, especially as the pressure of displacement rises while the University Area continues to grow and transform.
