Every summer, I get to teach about my high school and show folks how much landscapes can change within a decade: 200 acres awarded to a Miami condo developer and new projects sponsored by the non-profit Tampa group Friends of the Riverwalk have made an area I know well almost unrecognizable.
This area has been historically underserved: my high school was once called Don Thompson High School, a segregated school. Where the condos are now, managed by The Related Group, was once public housing up through 2018. Opposite the river now are parks and locally-owned venues and businesses.
Interesting developments here, that I think reflect the change in desirability of waterfront spaces. Rivers in the 50s-70s were polluted and cheap land, whereas after environmental laws now Rivers are highly demanded spaces. Although flooding susceptibility is already starting to change that.
Would definitely like to hear your more informed take on it though.
This sounds about right, but I haven't looked into it closely. Looks like Florida's Community Redevelopment statute was implemented in '69, with an amendment in '98 that started a pilot program in North Florida's St. John's River:
Yeah that sounds about right. This is about the same time these projects are happening in other cities, like the dismantling of the one I-195 bridge and interchange through Providence to open it up to redevelopment as waterfront/tourist space.
What became of the residents of the previous public housing?
The narrative is that the area was prone to crime and drug-related violence. The residents were given right to first refusal, of which only 2.5% accepted out of an anticipated 30%. Folks who will not return moved to similarly poor areas around Ybor City, University of South Florida, and East Tampa.
This change is part of InVision Tampa, which relates to Tampa's Community Redevelopment Agency; I say it is interested in raising tax revenue of the location. This area reportedly produced only about $150,000 per year; the master plan suggests upwards of $2,000,000 via taxes is possible:
So it’s gentrification all the way down, then.