Channel District's Revolution Is Evolution

[bobliocatt]

By JANIS D. FROELICH [email protected]

CHANNEL DISTRICT - Urban redevelopment usually means mixed uses of property - residential co-existing with offices, retail and some industry - an executive of Amazon Hose & Rubber Co. says.

But for Amazon, a Channel District staple since the early 1950s, to stay in the community where four residential projects surround its 18,000- square-foot warehouse, isn't going to be possible .

``We originally thought, `Wouldn't it be neat if we could stay?' '' said Summer Rodman, Amazon vice president.

But several factors resulted in Amazon packing its boxes of hoses and industrial couplings to move to 1103 N. 50th St. in east Ybor on June 13.

The vacant Amazon building at 222 N. 12th St. - across from the Grand Central at Kennedy high rise that is under construction - will be sold, Rodman said. ``We've had offers,'' she added.

Rodman said property values in the district have risen too high for Amazon to fit in.

Full article:

http://tampatrib.com/News/MGBM4FKZ89E.html

[TallTampa]

By JANIS D. FROELICH [email protected]

CHANNEL DISTRICT - Urban redevelopment usually means mixed uses of property - residential co-existing with offices, retail and some industry - an executive of Amazon Hose & Rubber Co. says.

But for Amazon, a Channel District staple since the early 1950s, to stay in the community where four residential projects surround its 18,000- square-foot warehouse, isn't going to be possible .

``We originally thought, `Wouldn't it be neat if we could stay?' '' said Summer Rodman, Amazon vice president.

But several factors resulted in Amazon packing its boxes of hoses and industrial couplings to move to 1103 N. 50th St. in east Ybor on June 13.

The vacant Amazon building at 222 N. 12th St. - across from the Grand Central at Kennedy high rise that is under construction - will be sold, Rodman said. ``We've had offers,'' she added.

Rodman said property values in the district have risen too high for Amazon to fit in.

Full article:

http://tampatrib.com/News/MGBM4FKZ89E.html

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This trend will continue as political pressure begins to heat-up for these companies to relocate. I'd bet they received a sweatheart deal to move to Ybor. Too many residential projects underway in this area and developers will have trouble selling condos that are right next to industrial type properties.