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Tampa CRA approves purchase of two Twiggs Street parcels to expand Channel District parkland
Summary
The Community Redevelopment Agency approved purchase of 1125 and 1127 East Twiggs Street to expand Madison Park in the Channel District, following public comment and a board discussion about cost and long‑term value.
The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Tampa on Sept. 11 approved a resolution to buy two parcels at 1125 and 1127 East Twiggs Street to expand Madison Park in the Channel District.
Board members said the parcel price was higher than they would prefer but that the cost of not acquiring scarce parkland in the rapidly developing Channel District outweighed paying now. The board voted to approve the purchase; the vote was announced as unanimously in favor during the meeting.
Why it matters: Channel District residents and several CAC members told the CRA the neighborhood lacks publicly accessible green space and that the site would create pedestrian access between Twiggs and Madison streets. Supporters said adding parkland will serve the growing number of families and children living in new downtown and Channel District housing.
Public commenters who spoke in favor included Mark Sebenaler, a Channel District resident and CAC member, who said the district currently has roughly 2% of the recommended target for parks and that the acquisition would move the area closer to the city’s goal. Jeff Jan Kaywitz, also speaking for the Channel District, asked the CRA to “positively respond to file number CRA2517036, the resolution approving the purchase of the real property in the Channel District Community Redevelopment Area located at 1125 and 1127 East Twiggs Street” to expand Madison Park.
Other residents — including Gary Greco, Chris Perrado, Ken Stoltenberg and Andy Scaglione — described family growth in the district and urged the board to secure the property now rather than lose it to private development. Multiple speakers said public ownership prevents future speculation and allows preservation or creative future programming on city‑owned land.
Board discussion acknowledged the purchase price was high. One board member said the “cost of not acquiring it is greater,” arguing that property values will rise and opportunities to buy would shrink. Another board member described Channel District as having very little remaining land and urged following the community’s stated priority for parkland. The board ultimately moved, seconded and approved the resolution to purchase the two Twiggs Street parcels.
Administrative details and next steps: The resolution was moved by a CRA board member and seconded; the board approved the item as presented. Staff noted that purchase agreements and closing details would be handled through the CRA’s regular contracting process; a formal purchase agreement and funding source were not enumerated on the record during the vote. Several speakers and board members asked staff to return with terms and any required funding agreements as they are finalized.
Ending: The purchase joins other recent CRA investments in the Channel District and downtown aimed at parks, connectivity and public realm improvements. The board completed several additional consent and administrative approvals at the Sept. 11 meeting and proceeded to a broader housing policy discussion later in the agenda.
