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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #81 |
| Tampa Theatre Project Acquisition |
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| Requester: |
John C. Bell |
Organization: |
Tampa Theatre Foundation |
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| Project Title: |
Tampa Theatre Project Acquisition |
Date Submitted |
1/3/2005 8:29:37 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Miller |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| In 1926, Tampa Theatre was the most exciting and elaborate piece of architecture to be built in Tampa, and was considered a major architectural addition to Florida by national standards. It is an extremely well preserved example of atmospheric theatre design and one of two which survive in Florida (the other being the Olympia Theatre/Gusman Center in Miami). Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The architect, John Eberson, was the originator of atmospheric theatres and was a prominent theatre architect of his day, having designed over 75 theatres in the United States,Australia and Paris. By the early 1920's Eberson became disenchanted with traditional theatre designs and began to develop a new concept which emphasized the use of a central architectural theme, creating the illusion of being in "a magnificent amphitheatre under gloriuous mooonlit sky", thus the name atmospheric theatre. Tampa Theatre is a superior example of this style of movie palace architecture, and is one of the best examples of its kind remaining in the United States. Tampa Theatre is Tampa's namesake Theatre and a symbol of the community's cultural and architectural heritage.
Tampa Theatre's programs today serve an average of 130,000 citizens from across the state and eastern seaboard. The theatre serves over 37,000 school children from 6 counties annually through its education programs. |
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| Recipient: |
Tampa Theatre Foundation |
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Contact: |
John C. Bell |
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711 N. Franklin St. |
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Contact Phone: |
(813) 274-8680 |
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Tampa, FL 33602 |
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Contact email: |
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| Counties: |
Alachua, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Funding is requested to assist with acquisition of the ten story Tampa Theatre Building that houses the Theatre's lobby. Tampa Theatre is a National Register property that was constructed on several parcels of land that were assembled through long-term land leases. When the City of Tampa stepped in to rescue the building in the 1970's, the City assumed responsibilites for these leases, one of which is the lobby lease (this acquisition). The lobby and the office building contain approximately 40,000 sq. feet.
It has taken Tampa Theatre seven years to negotiate a contract with the partnership (eight private owners) of the Tampa Theatre office building. A very complex real estate agreement involving the partnership and Tampa Theatre's Foundation has been reached, and the Theatre is poised to ensure the property's preservation in perpetuity. Additionally, in the past six months developers have expressed a great deal of interest in purchasing the Theatre and real estate in the surrounding areas. Acquiring the property to ensure the Theatres' long-term preservation is best accomplished sooner rather than later, as the risk of the Theatre going to new private ownership and the cost of acquisition will likely increase dramatically.
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| Is this a project related to 2004 hurricane damage? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Acquisition of this historical structure will ensure continued educational benefits for the Tampa Theatre community. We currently host 37,000 Hillsborough County school children at Tampa Theatre field trips and educational programs relative to the Hillsborough County School curriculm every year. In 2003-2004, Tampa Theatre provided 1,225 complimentary tickets to underserved children for educational school shows. These chidren have been identified by School District Hillsborough County as receiving free or reduced lunch.
In addition, since 2001, nearly 1,500 4th and 5th graders have attended our Tampa Theatre History field trips that offer an explication of the theatre's integral role in our city's social and architectural history. Anecdotes from our Tampa Theatre Stories Project provide a personal touchstone to historical events that have shaped our city, state and country. The students learn about the Theatre's unique art and architectural elements and why historic places are vital to our community's soul.
Tampa Theatre introduced a "KidsMakesMovies" summer camp for children this past June. The idea for KidsMakesMovies was inspired by focus groups held with parents in our community. The Theatre's educational summer camp aligns with the mission and serves the needs of the community.
The Theatres frequently partners with community groups in offering the lobby for community events at no charge and frequently provides films admission for those community groups for the evening. Tampa Theater also host two public tours at this facility every month. The future of the Theatre's educational programs, tours, special events and concerts, as well as the historic structure itself will never be "saved" until the theaters has the ability to control its own destiny, through acqusition of the relative properties.
Tampa Theatre is a contributor to the economic and social health of our region and provides a diversity of benefits to the qualify of life in the Tampa Bay. The Theatre will be a vital agent for economic progress in the City of Tampa's North Franklin area. Money that is invested in Tampa Theatre is an investment in the economic growth and development of downtown Tampa. The acqusition process will employ local expertise to study, consult and complete the acqusition of this great investment in the communiy.
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$500,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$4,000,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
None |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$500,000 |
To Fund: |
Construction |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
No |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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No |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
