Our History

University Area Community Center view from back deck during construction (1999) & present time (2023)

High crime, blight, decay, crushing poverty and lack of basic resources plagued the neighborhood surrounding the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. This suburban community, unfortunately dubbed “Suitcase City”, resembled what is usually found in a depressed, urban inner city area. Groups of citizens troubled by the ever-worsening condition longed for revitalization. Yet hope was as scarce as gang graffiti was prevalent and the community stood apart-unorganized and ineffective.

Then, in 1990, things began to improve. Believing there was strength in unity, eight area community groups merged to form the USF Are Community Civic Association, Inc. (USFACCA). Working with local state and federal government to restore hope and improve the community, the resulting University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) was created to acquire resources and provide support for revitalization and permanent sustainability.

1998

  • The transformation begins: University Area Community Development Corporation founded as a 501(C)(3) to address severe economic and social concerns of the University Area.

1999

  • University Area Mass Transit Center opened and now provides bus service to hundreds of people daily.

2000

  • University Area Community Center Complex (UACCC) completed, a 50,000 square foot multi-purpose facility and focal point of the neighborhood that provides critical services to thousands of residents; features classrooms, multi-purpose community room, performance stage, music, art and dance studios, fitness center, gymnasium and playground.

2001

  • Prodigy® Cultural Arts Program developed to improve and transform the lives of at-risk youth by teaching core self-regulation skills, anger management, problem solving and communication through self-expression of cultural art programming.

2002

  • Recreational and educational programs expanded using classrooms and facilities located at the UACCC to include GED, ESOL, Head Start, Even Start and Senior Citizens Exercise Programs.

2003

  • Muller Elementary Magnet School opened, now serving students focused on environmental studies and visual, performing and communication arts; University Area CDC awards scholarships to deserving students.

2004

  • Bowers Whitley Career Center High School opened giving at-risk students the skills and certifications to pursue careers right out of high school with one of the county’s highest graduation rates; education takes place inside and outside the classroom with additional programs sponsored by University Area CDC.

2005

  • University Area Business Association launched with more than 50 new members coordinated to enhance and strengthen the activities of area businesses to foster a mutually beneficial presence in the community.
  • Health Clinic and Social Services Center dedicated serving 6,000 residents annually who would otherwise be deprived of critical medical care.
  • Coordinated Community Anti-Crime Initiative established to improve the quality of life in community neighborhoods through a coordinated community effort that engages concerned residents, merchants and other stakeholders.

2006

  • Prodigy® Cultural Arts Program expanded throughout West Central Florida to serve nearly 4,000 at-risk youth in seven counties; among the best performing diversion programs with a non-recidivism rate that averaged 89%.
  • Junior Achievement Center opened with 12,000 fifth grade students visiting BizTown each year to role play in workplace environments.

2007

  • University Area CDC Classroom Annex dedicated providing additional space for the Prodigy® program, computer lab and training room.
  • Construction improvement began on North 22nd Street to enhance street lighting, improve pedestrian safety and sidewalks, streetscapes and roadway improvements.

2008

  • Affordable Housing program launched providing homes for 96 families incorporating stable housing as an essential community development tool.

2009

  • Phase I improvements to North 22nd Street completed as an investment in community through a combination of Federal, State and local funding.
  • Golden Glade and Center Place housing complexes renovated for occupation; residents move in and stay long term with stable occupancy over 90%.

2010

  • Strategies for “Safe and Sustainable Communities” symposiums and workshops conducted statewide education to over 300 attendees about community safety initiatives.

2011

  • Toys for Tots and Toys for Kids distributed toys to 10,000 children during the holiday season.
  • Mueller Elementary Magnet School receives 2011 National Excellence in Education Award.
  • University Area CDC named “Nonprofit of the Year” by Tampa Bay Business Journal in the Public and Societal benefit category.

2012

  • University Area CDC receives Non-profit of the Year award in the Public and Societal Benefit.
  • University Area CDC welcomed more than 115 community and organization leaders at the inaugural Nonprofit Summit.

2013

  • University Area CDC Computer Lab was opened. Located in the front annex building of the University Area Community Center, it provides local residents with much-needed access to the internet, job assistance, computer courses and printing services.
  • University Area Partners Coalition was established, consisting of businesses, organizations and individuals who have a vested interest in the University Area Community and a mission to improve it.
  • DreamCatchers Summer Camp was created to provide low-income families an opportunity to keep children safe and active throughout the summer while infusing STEAM programming.
  • Golden Palms apartments renovation/occupation.
  • Paint the Town, annual neighborhood “clean-up day” established. 

2014

  • Harvest Hope Community Garden Grand Opening Celebration.

2015

  • STEPS for Success® program was created to help individuals and families on their trajectory towards self-sufficiency.
  • Prodigy® Moves! Program created to take mobile cultural arts classrooms to under-served students in high-risk neighborhoods across seven counties in west central Florida.
  • INVEST Workforce was created to provide community education classes, job training and computer skills.
  • University Area CDC acquires operations of Mort Recreation Center to expand area programming.
  • UACDC acquires operations of University Area Community Park.

2016

  • Get Moving – mind, body and soul was launched to improve the overall health of all community residents.
  • Community Impact Awards established, in partnership with !p.
  • University Area CDC earned Top Work Place Award in 2016.
  • Community Safety Action Plan implementation.
  • Mort Elementary becomes a Community School.

2017

  • UACDC received the Planning & Design Award of Merit for “Turning Designs into Reality: The Power of Partnership” from the Hillsborough County Planning Commission.
  • Organized and implemented community Walkability Study to identify ways to create a more walkable neighborhood.
  • Installed “LOVE” creative placemaking sculptures in University Area Community Park.
  • UACDC received the “Housing for Everyone” award from TD Bank.
  • University Area CDC earned Top Work Place Award in 2017.
  • Harvest Hope Properties LLC was created and the Land Banking Program began.
  • University Area Park Band Shell was built.
  • Create Learn Play Social Enterprise was created.
  • Kaboom! Playground installation in Harvest Hope Park.
  • University Area Leaders Collective was formed.
  • University Area CDC received Gold Level Bike Friendly Business designation from the League of American Bicyclists.
  • Block by Block program began.

2018

  • University Area Park Pavilion was built.
  • Arthenia Joyner University Area Community Library grand opening.
  • University Area CDC earned Top Work Place Award in  2018.
  • Neighborhood Transformation Strategy put into action.
  • University Area CDC joined local network for hurricane disaster relief.
  • Prodigy® Cultural Arts Program partnered with The Florida Orchestra to provide programming.
  • University Area Community installed 19 Dreamboxes throughout the community.
  • UACDC received recognition for “Outstanding Support and Dedication to USF Students” from the USF Office of Community Engagement & Partnerships.
  • UACDC received the Planning & Design Award of Outstanding Contribution to the Community for “Harvest Hope Community Garden” from the Hillsborough County Planning Commission
  • University Area CDC celebrates 20th Anniversary.
  • Launched Sound & Secure Housing, and innovative modular homeownership pilot program for single moms in the University Area.
  • Installed Creative Placemaking Statue of family togetherness in Harvest Hope Park.

2019

  • Established inaugural Innovative Solutions to Attainable Housing Summit, in partnership with the Commission on the Status of Women.
  • Received EPA Brownfields Assessment grant to rehabilitate contaminated and perceived contaminated properties in the University Area.
  • Began acquisition and development of University Area Cultural Campus.
  • UACDC was a finalist for the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce “Ed Hanna Business of the Year” award in the nonprofit category.
  • Coordinated and launched inaugural Uptown Music Festival in University Area Community Park.
  • UACDC officially opened Harvest Hope Park (Nov. 21st).
  • Completed the first two modular homes through Sound & Secure Housing, along with partners Vincent Jackson and TD Charitable Foundation, and welcomed new tenants in September 2019.
  • Joined the Tampa !p alliance as an anchor institution.
  • UACDC received the “Good Neighbor Community Partner” award from the USF Office of Community Engagement & Partnerships.

2020

  • Installed “HOPE” Creative Placemaking Sculptures in Harvest Hope Park.
  • Installed new LED lighting throughout the community.
  • Through Land Banking program, partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build 10 single-family homes bordering Harvest Hope Park.
  • UACDC received the Planning & Design Award of Outstanding Contribution to the Community for “Start in the Heart – University Area CDC’s Harvest Hope Park” from the Hillsborough County Planning Commission.
  • Secured over $1M through SDOT and Hillsborough County to build new sidewalks in the community.

2021

  • Rehabilitated and opened the UACC Partners Annex, which serves as a home office for the CANDO & Casa Chiapas organizations.
  • Established the UACDC Eviction Defense pilot program in partnership with BALS and United Way
  • The University Area Cultural Campus warehouse design received the 2021 Chairman’s Award from the Hillsborough County Planning Commission.
  • Broke ground on Uptown Sky development, in partnership with Blue Sky Communities.
  • Broke ground University Townhomes development.
  • Painted creative placemaking mural at Mort Recreation Center.
  • Installed “PEACE” Creative Placemaking Sculptures in University Area Community Park.

2022

  • Installed “JOY” Creative Placemaking Sculptures in University Area Community Park.
  • University Area residents highlight issues in University Area through their photography with Project PhotoVoice.
  • Tampa’s University Area Cultural Campus awarded $2 million from Omnibus Funding Package President Joe Biden signed into law in March 2022.

2023

  • Sidewalk installation starts in the heart of University Area, leading to Harvest Hope Park.
  • UACDC celebrates its 25th anniversary.
  • Prodigy® Cultural Arts Program receives a $10,000 Stand for The Arts award.
  • Uptown Sky, a 61-unit affordable housing complex, hosts is grand opening in the University area.