Council clears first reading to designate Dobie House at 1405 West De Zeel Street as local historic landmark

Tampa City Council on Jan. 15 approved an ordinance for first reading to designate the Dobie House at 1405 West De Zeel Street as a local historic landmark.

Dennis Fernandez, architectural review and historic preservation manager, presented the nomination and the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation. "This is regarding the local historic landmark designation of the Dobie House at 1405 West De Zeel Street," Elaine Lund, historic preservation staff, said during a presentation that summarized the structure's history and its association with Richard Dobie and the Dobieville neighborhood.

Fernandez and Lund told council the house dates to about 1912 and is significant for its association with Richard Dobie, a prominent Black entrepreneur who donated land for community uses including Dobieville Elementary School and Zion Cemetery. The nomination was recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission and found consistent with section 27‑257 of the City of Tampa Code.

Tara Nealon, the property owner and applicant, said she supports designation and described local efforts to document Dobieville's history. "Local historic landmark designation helps to keep the Dobie family's, Richard Dobie's contributions, his life story, and Dobieville's stories alive and Tampa's history," she told the council.

Patrick Cimino, land use chair of the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, spoke in support. Council member Carlson moved the ordinance for first reading; the motion passed on a voice/roll call with the chair noting the vote carried unanimously with Council member Viera absent. Second reading and adoption were scheduled for Feb. 20, 2025.

The ordinance will add the Dobie House to the city's inventory of locally designated historic landmarks and invoke the city’s demolition‑and‑design review protections for locally landmarked properties.