Note from Storm: The City of Tampa, Florida is hiring an Ybor City Development Manager to lead the revitalization of this beautiful, fascinatingly-historic section of East Tampa.
As those of you who have read my books know, I lived in the Tampa Bay area for 15 years. I’ve written about the damage done to this lovely neighborhood by urban planners and highway engineers in the past. I’ve also written about the many efforts to revive it, and to better-connect it to downtown Tampa (such as via the troubled streetcar system). If you get this job, please feel welcome to call on me for free advice or contacts. I love Ybor City, and will be happy to help.
From the job posting: This is responsible professional and managerial work involving urban planning and redevelopment of the City’s Ybor City area.
Under general direction, the employee in this class is responsible for developing and managing City of Tampa initiatives to promote private investment in the Ybor City CRA areas. The job requires the exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment in planning, coordinating and organizing redevelopment efforts. The employee also implements policies and procedures relating to community redevelopment areas and initiates, monitors and evaluates redevelopment progress. The exercise of considerable tact and courtesy is necessary in dealing with the public.
The incumbent of this position is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse external and internal stakeholders. Work is reviewed through conferences, written reports, and observation of results obtained. Appointed position; employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, urban planning or a related field and five (5) years of experience in a lead role on private and/or public development projects and initiatives in an urban core setting with demonstrated success in community building and in working with diverse stakeholders.
[Photo of entrance to Ybor City by Storm Cunningham.]