The City of Tampa is making sure minority and small business participation takes part in the construction of the Hanna Avenue City Center. The City Center is going to be a gathering place for neighborhood residents and house several City departments and divisions. Mayor Jane Castor is working to ensure that small businesses are able to participate in the construction of the center by setting a percent participation goal. The City of Tampa has set a goal of 35 percent participation in the $108-million project for African American-owned firms and other historically underutilized small businesses.
The Hanna Avenue City Center Project
The Hanna Avenue City Center will be located at 2515 East Hanna Avenue. What was once a vacant lot will be transformed into a community gathering spot and workforce development site. “The Hanna Avenue City Center is such a historic and important investment in East Tampa and the entire city that we want extra oversight to ensure we maximize minority participation and apprenticeships,” Mayor Castor said.
The mayor, along with general contractor DPR construction, is working with community partners including the Urban League of Hillsborough County, the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs, and the NAACP Hillsborough County. DPR has been conducting community outreach sessions since Tampa City Council members in November approved the project.
“Hanna is an extraordinary workforce development opportunity, and we need to get it right,” Mayor Castor said. “Our community partners will play a key role in recruiting and spreading the word about job and apprenticeship opportunities, and the general contractor, DPR Construction, shares our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
DPR has another informational session for the community, including prospective job-seekers and subcontractors, on Feb. 16 at Ragan Park Community Center.
