Commission approves Lions World Vision Institute building in Ybor City with conditions

The City of Tampa Barrio Latino Commission on a recorded vote approved a certificate of appropriateness for a three-story mixed-use building for the Lions World Vision Institute at 2112 East Third Avenue, allowing demolition of the existing noncontributing 1949 structure and authorizing new construction with conditions.

The commission’s approval followed a multi-part presentation by the applicant team and staff that reviewed site plans, elevations, materials and circulation; it included public staff findings that the proposal meets the Ybor City design guidelines. Ron Vila, a planner with Historic Preservation, told commissioners the application “is consistent with the Ybor City design guidelines” after staff reviewed final plans dated June 4, 2025.

The project as presented would replace the 1949 noncontributing structure with a three-story building that combines enclosed parking on levels one and two with office, lab and meeting space on the third floor and a limited rooftop terrace. Applicant representatives said the development will provide more parking than required: 58 proposed spaces where 27 were required, including five ADA spaces; civil engineer Jason Renard explained that all parking is contained within the building footprint and that stormwater would be handled in an on-site vault and upflow filter before connecting to the existing system.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff framed the vote as a decision about district character and public safety. Staff and the design team emphasized compatibility with nearby preserved buildings in Ybor City — including nearby cigar factories cited in the presentation — and noted transportation work to realign the curb at Third Avenue and 20 First Street to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety.

The commission recorded six conditions tied to the certificate of appropriateness. Commissioner Susan Cloud Smith moved the main motion and read the conditions into the public record; they require, among other items, (1) staff approval of the demolition permit for the existing structure, (2) consideration of surface treatments to aid visually impaired pedestrians crossing the vehicular driveway, (3) removal or reconsideration of a proposed flat metal plate “inner frame” between the second and third floors so brick detailing can be emphasized, (4) signage reviewed as a cohesive package including the building year, (5) additional landscape consideration in the Third Avenue right-of-way, and (6) supplemental documentation about the proposed artificial living-wall product (including warranty/Florida precedents) for staff review. The applicant team acknowledged the conditions on the record.

Applicants and design team members described the building as intended to respect the district while reflecting a modern institutional identity for Lions World, which the presentation said has operated its Ybor City campus since 2005 and conducts eye-research and tissue-transplant work. Carlos Molner of Soul Design Studio said the organization had been working on the site since 2012 and that Lions World secured a grant to cover roughly 70–75% of construction costs; he said the grant requires having a permit in hand by October 2025.

Commission discussion emphasized materials, rhythm of openings and details. Commissioners asked for precedent examples of the proposed arched window and for clarification of facade depth, brick coursing and the proposed metal trim. Several commissioners urged the design team to reduce the perceived heaviness of a flat metal plate element that sits above the arch window so brick detailing will be more visible. The commission also asked staff and the applicant to explore options for marking the vehicular drive to aid visually impaired pedestrians; the applicant agreed to consult experts and provide options.

Other actions at the meeting: the commission granted a continuance for a different case (BLC204-0000172) to Oct. 28, 2025, and later moved to receive and file meeting documents. The certificate-of-appropriateness motion passed after a voice vote: “All in favor of said motion, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries,” and the applicant acknowledged the conditions and the commission’s decision.

The design team and staff said they will return required documentation to staff for final permitting and that the applicant will work with city transportation and historic preservation staff on the curb realignment and other conditions. The commission closed the public hearing before discussing the motion and recording the vote.

Votes at a glance

- Certificate of Appropriateness, BLC25-0000143 (2112 East Third Avenue): motion to grant passed with six listed conditions (mover: Commissioner Susan Cloud Smith; second: recorded as “second” on the record). Tally: voice vote; roll-call totals not specified in the transcript. - Continuance, BLC20-0000172 (1401 East Sixth Avenue): continued to Oct. 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.; motion passed by voice vote. - Receive and file meeting documents: motion passed by voice vote.

What’s next: The applicant must obtain staff approval for demolition and provide the additional documentation the commission requested (living-wall precedents/warranty, signage package, and details addressing the inner-frame plate and pedestrian transition treatments) before staff will clear the project for permitting and construction.