The Campus at Harvest Hope
The Campus at Harvest Hope began through a Community Block Development Grant from Hillsborough County, with the intention of repurposing a commercial area to benefit the community. The rationale behind The Campus was determined through data indicating many residents in our community are challenged with a lack of education, unemployment, language barriers, inadequate health care access, and are transportation disadvantaged. The community’s need is reflected by statistics from a 2018 EPA Brownfields Study, and include the following findings:
- 32% of community residents have not completed high school
- The rate of unemployment is almost twice that of Hillsborough County
- 51% of community residents report speaking English “not well” or “not at all”
- An infant in the University Area is twice as likely to die during the first year of life than any other area in the state of Florida
- Nearly 22% of residents lack access to a vehicle, compared to 7% in Hillsborough County
The mission of The Campus is to serve as a navigational hub, connecting community residents and local businesses with anchored partners who are providing direct programing, services, and economic growth opportunities through a holistic approach. This will allow for the expansion of services, and the creation of partnerships, to meet the growing need of our community.
When developing initial plans for The Campus, we held numerous community conversations and conducted surveys to gather resident input regarding elements the initiative should include. We listened to those we serve and established an equitable development framework for success. Components of The Campus will include social services, economic & small business development, health & wellness opportunities, critical housing needs and more. To effectively implement The Campus initiative, we embarked on a five-year capital campaign in the amount of $12,500,000.
Planning Stages
The Campus at Harvest Hope development is located at 1916 E. 136th Avenue in Tampa, FL. The site is adjacent to Harvest Hope Park, and within walking distance to the Victor Crist Community Center Complex and additional campus partner organizations.
The capital campaign is proposed to fund the planning, site-mitigation, existing structure rehabilitation, new building construction and attainable rental housing developments for residents. Through this expansion into the community, we anticipate The Campus to be a critical neighborhood resource located right in the heart of the University Area, meeting the growing needs of residents exactly where they are.
Intentional Design
The Campus at Harvest Hope will be a driving force for change in the community for years to come. It will provide residents with expanded services, as well as sustain our commitment to anchor institutions in the area. The development will be built in four phases, following a blueprint that provides quality of life outcomes such as attainable housing, healthy environments and infrastructure improvements. We’re also taking into account the changing conditions of the Uptown region. Just as important, The Campus will showcase the growing cultural arts community in the area by incorporating an artist nook, murals by the Uptown Artist Collective and arts education. The result will be a vibrant street-scape, connecting The Campus development to Harvest Hope Park through sidewalks, street lighting and storefronts that activate 20th Street.
Our design strategy has been to take a precise, energy-efficient approach that considers the context of the neighborhood and not only incorporates new buildings, but includes creative renovations of existing structures on the site as well. The final build-out of The Campus will include a renovated Warehouse, a new Economic Development Center, attainable housing on the north two lots, a public plaza for festivals and events, and an educational garden. The design phases are as follows:
PHASE I: Land Acquisition, Site Remediation, Demolition, Rehabilitation
Phase I of the development is complete. After all four parcels of land were acquired, we partnered with the EPA through their Area-Wide Planning & Assessment grants. This allowed us to perform much needed site remediation, including contaminated soil excavation and replacement, to restore the formerly abandoned, brownfields land into a healthy, sustainable location for economic development.
Phase I also saw construction of a new fence, tree trimming, demolition of an existing building on site, and rehabilitation of another. The once abandoned structure that was rehabilitated and repurposed now serves as office space for two of our community partners, Casa Chiapas and the Caribbean American National Development Organization (CANDO) both of which provide needed services to residents in our community.
PHASE II: Existing Structure Rehabilitation, Additional Site Work
We’re excited to begin Phase II as it provides the opportunity to reuse an existing warehouse structure on the property, creatively adapting it to new use and serving as a touchstone to the site’s history. One of the key design goals of The Warehouse at Harvest Hope is transparency and openness, while reflecting the vibrancy of the community. We wanted residents to be able to see the exciting activities happening inside and throughout the building, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all.
Versatility has also been carefully incorporated into plans. Once complete, The Warehouse will provide 4,800 sq ft of flexible space for small meetings and large gatherings alike, as well as dedicated programs and services from University Area CDC and partner organizations. The building will accommodate a plethora of offerings, such as co-working space, educational workshops, Prodigy® art classes, Get Moving health & wellness programming, and additional services.
Existing (L) and proposed (R) exterior views
The interior design features a double-height entry/event space, sculptural wood staircase, classroom with glass wall, multiple offices & meeting space, and an art nook.
Existing (L) and proposed (R) interior views
The interior design features a double-height entry/event space, sculptural wood staircase, classroom with glass wall, multiple offices & meeting space, and an art nook.
If you would like to support University Area CDC’s mission and The Campus development plan, we encourage you to demonstrate your dedication through support of our capital campaign. We invite donors to designate their campaign contribution with the following naming opportunities, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Naming donors will generally be identified on an engraved plaque mounted on the selected item however, the identification method may be modified depending on the item you choose.
To learn more about The Warehouse at The Campus naming opportunities, please click the button below or contact Molly Longmire at (813) 558-5212 x 405 or mlongmire@uacdc.org
PHASE III: New Commercial Construction, Outdoor Plaza
Phase III includes building a brand new 12,000 sq ft Economic Development Center to assist families and individuals in achieving their highest potential. The center will include commercial capacity for local businesses, office space, workforce development and healthcare services. This phase also incorporates the construction of a beautiful outdoor plaza that ties The Campus together in an intentional way, building community efficacy and engagement. We envision a neighborhood where residents have access to the key determinants of their well-being, while promoting economic mobility.
PHASE IV: Affordable Housing Construction
Phase IV preserves and expands attainable housing options that create healthy and safe homes for families of various sizes and incomes. Incorporating a housing component into The Campus development will help to activate the site day and night. Plans include one row of housing units, adjacent to the Economic Development Center, that connects The Campus to Harvest Hope Park. The units along 20th Street will feature front porches overlooking new sidewalks, contributing to a vibrant streetscape. Housing is a key component to building a stable and resilient community, especially as housing costs rise while the University Area continues to grow and transform.
All Phases Complete
CONCLUSION:
The key to this development is engaging businesses & residents in the process of creation, implementation and management of the opportunities, designed to improve their economic levels, education and upward mobility. By strengthening the area and transforming our community, we will continue to provide opportunities of empowerment. Our ultimate goal is to ensure residents have a safe place that provides opportunities for all who need them. University Area CDC is so thankful for the partners and stakeholders that have supported The Campus at Harvest Hope development thus far, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. Can we count on YOU to stand with us and help make this dream a reality?