Council approves East Tampa "Live-Learn" housing and training plan, with city funding for land acquisition

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa City Council on Jan. 23 approved agenda items 42 and 43 to move forward on a mixed-use development in East Tampa that combines affordable housing with workforce and training space.

Council members voted to authorize the housing component and related agreements after residents, business leaders and community organizations urged the council to proceed. Council member Lynn Hirtak said the city used $2.1 million to buy the 2.1-acre property that will support 117 housing units and told colleagues the land cost works out to “less than $22,000” per unit for the housing piece.

Council members said the project pairs housing with training and economic development managed by the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council and partner institutions. The plan includes on-site training space the EDC and supporters say can host culinary programs and potentially higher-skilled manufacturing or vocational training in partnership with local institutions.

Supporters from East Tampa’s community, nonprofit and business sectors told council the project is a long-sought economic engine for the neighborhood. Ernest Coney Jr., CEO of the CDC of Tampa, said the plan “delivers on a promise” to invest in East Tampa and to connect residents to training and jobs. Chloe Coney, a CDC of Tampa founder, said the project could finally bring “an economic engine in East Tampa” and generate local homeownership and business opportunities.

Some speakers and one council member pressed for greater transparency and clarity about contract terms and the sourcing of incentives. Council member Chris Carlson said he would vote for the items despite “object[ing] to many things in it,” citing a desire for more public disclosure on bidder selection and long-term operating costs. In response, council members and staff noted the housing dollars used to purchase the land were city funds, not CRA money.

Council member Hirtak said the housing portion of the approved action will keep the units affordable to households at 80% of area median income, with “quite a few” units set aside at 50% of AMI or below. City and EDC representatives said the development also includes program space to partner with the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College and local workforce providers.

Votes and next steps - Council approved the items during the consent process after discussion. The motion to advance the items (including the housing substitute) passed and the council directed staff and partners to proceed with the agreements on the schedule noted in the agenda. - Council discussion indicated the housing action will be part of a multi-stage implementation involving the EDC and partners; staff will carry out contract and funding details in follow-up work.

Why it matters East Tampa has for decades sought public and private investment to create jobs and housing on underused parcels. Backers say the project stitches together housing, vocational training and anchor institutions to create on-ramps to employment for neighborhood residents. Critics say the city and development partners must be clearer about who benefits and how community voice will be sustained during implementation.

What council said “This is a good project. It’s a great balance,” Council member Ken Clendenin said during the meeting. Ernest Coney Jr. said the plan would “begin the beginning of a trajectory” toward manufacturing and training opportunities for East Tampa.

Community reaction Speakers who identified themselves as long-time East Tampa residents and neighborhood leaders told council they supported the plan because it included housing and the promise of workforce training, while others urged stronger guarantees that jobs and long-term benefits will accrue to neighborhood residents.

Implementation questions that remain Council members asked staff and partners to provide more details about how training programs will be structured, what kinds of jobs will be targeted, and how residents will be recruited for those opportunities. Several council members said they expect continued oversight and community engagement as agreements are finalized.

Votes at a glance - Agenda items 42–43: Motion to approve housing acquisition and associated development agreements (housing substitute included). Mover: Council member Chris Carlson. Second: Council member Henderson. Outcome: Approved (council vote recorded in session; motion carried).