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.