A Tampa development group has proposed building West Tampa’s planned African American Arts & Cultural Center through a public-private partnership. Legacy Development Association estimates construction and design would cost $56.3 million, with total project costs reaching $68.7 million after financing and development expenses. The proposal needs Hillsborough County Commission approval and would require a substantial county contribution and long-term payments.
Key takeaways
- Legacy Development Association proposes a 50,000-square-foot center on county-owned land at 2103 N. Rome Ave.
- The financing plan calls for $25 million upfront from the county, plus annual lease payments of about $2.7 million for 30 years.
- The group targets substantial completion in September 2027, though its baseline schedule assumes construction began in February 2026.
A community-focused cultural center
The county has set aside a roughly six-acre West Tampa property for a center celebrating African American history, arts and culture. Existing buildings on the site would be replaced. The county held three public meetings about the project in 2024, and Commissioner Gwen Myers has championed the effort.
LDA envisions a two-story facility with a quilt-inspired exterior, galleries, art studios, a sculpture garden and an amphitheater. The proposal also describes school field trips and internships developed with Hillsborough County Public Schools. The group says local contractors and suppliers would play a central role, with a consortium that includes AAA Builders, DuCon, Horus Construction Services, Barr & Barr and FG+M Architecture.
How the financing would work
Under the proposed structure, a nonprofit would issue tax-exempt bonds and enter a lease-purchase agreement with the county. The county would make payments toward principal and interest, with ownership transferring to the county after the debt is repaid.
LDA’s preliminary model assumes the county contributes $25 million upfront and finances about $43.7 million over 30 years at 4.75% interest. The group estimates annual lease payments of approximately $2.7 million. Optional reserves for maintenance, security, cleaning and groundskeeping would average about $357,000 per year. The figures are preliminary and could change.
County plans and timeline
Hillsborough County’s capital improvement tracker lists the center in the design phase with a $15.5 million budget. County documents anticipated design completion in late 2026 but do not set construction or opening dates. The development group says its partnership could speed up delivery and is targeting substantial completion in September 2027.
That timeline remains uncertain: the proposal’s baseline construction schedule assumes work started in February 2026, a date that had already passed when the pitch was announced. The county commission must also approve the unsolicited proposal before the partnership can proceed.
- Developer pitches $56.3M plan for west Tampa cultural center, Business Observer.