Historic Davis Islands house deemed eligible for local landmark; commission finds economic hardship and clears demolition permit

The City of Tampa Historic Preservation Commission on July 15 confirmed that the Mediterranean‑Revival house at 116 West Davis Boulevard on Davis Islands is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and eligible for local historic landmark designation, but the panel also found the owner had demonstrated an economic hardship after extensive storm and flood damage and voted to allow demolition of the structure.

The decision matters because it puts the property formally on track for local landmark designation (a recommendation to City Council) while simultaneously clearing the property owner to remove a building the commission found would impose an inordinate financial burden to preserve. Commissioner Gibson moved the designation recommendation and the commission voted 4–0; later the commission found economic hardship and approved the pending demolition permit by the same 4–0 margin.

The commission opened its hearing after staff presented the property history and the demolition application. Elaine Lund, historic preservation staff, summarized the building’s significance: “This morning, we're looking at, a property on Davis Islands, 116 West Davis Boulevard. … the applicant has submitted a request for demolition for this property.” Lund told the commission the house, built circa 1926 and designed by Franklin O. Adams Jr., was listed in the National Register on Aug. 3, 1989, as part of the Davis Islands Mediterranean Revival multiple property listing.

The property owner, represented by attorney Gina Grimes, and witnesses presented documents and expert testimony supporting an economic‑hardship claim. Grimes said the house had been the family home of the late Diane Lee Kemper for decades and was offered for sale after her death; she told the commission the owners “spent approximately $226,000 getting it ready to be sold.”

Engineering and remediation witnesses described storm damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Leo Cannon, a structural engineer and mold assessor, testified the property suffered substantial structural damage and significant mold and sewage intrusion: “This property is substantially structurally damaged as defined by the existing building code.” Jordan Lacey of Nexpro, a remediation contractor, gave a line‑item restoration estimate prepared in industry software and said the conservative repair estimate was in the millions: “In my professional opinion, I believe that this house is a hazard, and I do believe that it needs to come down.”

Appraisal and market testimony placed the site (land) and as‑restored values against repair costs. Appraiser Eric Hoening concluded the highest and best market value for the parcel as a vacant or redeveloped site was about $2,860,000. Realtor BG Homburg, who had listed the property, said fully renovated sales in the current Davis Island market could range from about $3.2 million to $3.8 million but that restoration costs would be substantial. Trustee Harry Kemper summarized the owner’s calculation: using the owner‑favorable revenue assumptions, restoration and mandatory flood adaptation costs still exceeded the likely market sale price by roughly $3 million; he said the total outlay (restoration, elevation, abatement, carrying costs) produced a negative financial outcome for the owner.

Staff reviewed the city code provisions the commission must apply. Elaine Lund and Dennis Fernandez (Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Manager) explained the two parallel determinations the commission must make under City of Tampa code: (1) whether the structure meets the criteria in section 27‑2‑60 and 27‑2‑57 for architectural or historical significance, and (2) whether the owner has timely established economic hardship under section 27‑2‑59. Fernandez concluded in his written recommendation that “the facts presented to the administrator and commission lead to the conclusion that the application and supporting exhibits satisfy the requirements for demonstrating an economic hardship as delineated in 27‑2‑59.”

Commission action and votes - Confirmation of administrative stay and eligibility review (HPC 25‑20): The commission confirmed the HPC administrator’s finding that the property meets the criteria for review under City of Tampa Code section 27‑2‑60 b(1) (National Register listing), motion carried 4–0. - Recommendation for local landmark designation: The commission voted to recommend City Council designate 116 West Davis Boulevard as a local historic landmark under section 27‑2‑57; motion carried 4–0. (If City Council designates the property, the owner’s demolition permit would normally be stayed; see next action.) - Economic‑hardship determination and demolition permit (HPC 25‑25): After hearing the owner’s economic‑hardship application and expert testimony, the commission voted that the owner had demonstrated economic hardship under section 27‑2‑59 and approved processing of the pending demolition permit; motion carried 4–0.

The commission’s rulings reflect separate legal steps the code requires: eligibility for landmark designation (a matter the commission forwards to City Council with findings) and, independently, a separate economic‑hardship application that may abate a designation or permit demolition if the owner shows an inordinate financial burden. Staff noted salvage and archival options could be negotiated with the owner if demolition proceeds.

What happened next and what to expect The commission transmitted its landmark recommendation and its economic‑hardship finding into the record. Because the commission recommended designation, City Council will receive a written recommendation on landmark status; the commission also approved the demolition permit based on the economic‑hardship finding, which staff said would allow the owner to pursue demolition consistent with the city process. Staff and the owner agreed to preserve and deliver selected historical materials and original plans, and the trustee offered to make tiles and certain fixtures available for archival purposes during demolition.

Votes at a glance - HPC motion confirming administrator’s finding (HPC 25‑20): passed 4–0 (motion: confirm property meets Section 27‑2‑60(b)(1) criteria; mover: Commissioner Gibson; seconded; outcome: approved). - HPC recommendation to City Council for local landmark designation (HPC 25‑20): passed 4–0 (mover: Commissioner Gibson; seconded; outcome: recommend designation to City Council). - Economic‑hardship determination and approval of demolition permit (HPC 25‑25): passed 4–0 (mover: Commissioner Gibson; seconded; outcome: economic hardship found; demolition permit processing approved).

The commission’s staff report, expert reports, appraisals and contractor estimates are in the public record for the two related cases (HPC 25‑20 and HPC 25‑25).