Sale Agreement Nears For Hesterly Armory

Published: Jun 17, 2007

TAMPA - The two parties negotiating the sale of the Fort Homer expect to sign a deal in about three weeks, a first step in redeveloping the property.

The Heritage Square at the Armory group then would have 60 days to complete a land survey, title work, and archaeological and environmental studies of the 10-acre property, at 522 N. Howard Ave., said Mark Bentley, an attorney for the Florida National Guard.

After the work is completed, Heritage Square would have 50 days to submit three relocation sites for the Guard's vehicle maintenance unit. Each site must be within 15 miles of the armory unless the Guard agrees otherwise, Bentley said.

Heritage Square's $93 million project would include a hotel, day spa, farmers market, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, a park and cultural center. The 80,000-square-foot armory building must remain intact.

The developer also must reimburse the Guard for $830,000 in building improvements and pay an estimated $250,000 in relocation costs, Bentley said. The cost of a new location and facility hasn't been determined.

Two other groups were named as finalists for the property's redevelopment.

Jose Patino Girona