From Alison: The intent of this memo is not to oppose redevelopment, but to elevate the conversation around how CRA and public investments can be structured to produce real public ownership, transparency, equitable participation, and long-term economic return for Tampa residents.

This discussion cannot be framed simply as whether the public should “subsidize a stadium.”

That is the wrong framework.

The proper question is whether public investment–particularly Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) investment–will create measurable public ownership, long-term community wealth, equitable economic participation, and redevelopment outcomes consistent with Florida Statutes Chapter 163. If CRA funds are utilized, then the public must receive more than symbolic benefit. The public must receive participation, protection, leverage, and return.

CRA Funds Are Not Intended to Function as Pure Private Subsidy

Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act was established to eliminate blight, stimulate redevelopment, increase economic opportunity, and improve conditions within redevelopment areas.

Under Florida Statute §163.370, CRAs are expressly authorized to:

• Acquire and improve property
• Support infrastructure and redevelopment activities
• Provide financial assistance to private enterprise where necessary for redevelopment purposes
• Facilitate mixed-use development and public-private partnerships
• Advance affordable housing and economic opportunity initiatives

The law does not contemplate unrestricted transfers of public wealth into private hands without measurable public return.

Accordingly, if CRA dollars are being considered for this proposal, the investment must be structured as a public equity position tied not only to the stadium itself, but to the entire redevelopment ecosystem, including:

• Residential and workforce housing
• Hotel development
• Commercial and retail components
• Entertainment and mixed-use revenue districts
• Parking and mobility systems
• Sponsorship and naming-right opportunities
• Ancillary development and future land appreciation

The public should not absorb the risk while the private sector retains all upside value. If the CRA participates financially, then the CRA–and by extension the taxpayers and residents of Tampa–must participate economically.

The CRA Must Have a Seat at the Decision-Making Table

If CRA funds are included in this project, then the CRA cannot function merely as a funding source after key decisions have already been made. The CRA must have direct participation in:

• Governance structure discussions
• Community benefit negotiations
• Land-use and redevelopment planning
• Affordable housing requirements
• Procurement and contracting oversight
• Equity participation models
• Long-term revenue-sharing frameworks
• Small business and workforce inclusion policies

The CRA’s statutory mission is redevelopment–not passive financing. Without meaningful CRA participation, there is significant risk that public investment becomes disconnected from public outcomes.

Public Investment Should Be Structured Through an Independent Entity

To ensure accountability, transparency, and long-term protection of the public interest, I strongly recommend the creation of an independent redevelopment entity or public benefit structure to oversee any CRA participation associated with the project. Such an entity could include representation from:

• The CRA Board
• City of Tampa
• Community stakeholders
• Economic development professionals
• Housing experts
• Minority business leadership
• Financial and legal advisors

This structure would allow for:

• Independent financial oversight
• Transparent reporting
• Community benefit enforcement
• Revenue participation monitoring
• Protection against unilateral private control
• Long-term stewardship of public investment

Most importantly, it would establish a framework where public dollars are treated as investment capital–not merely expenditure.

Public Investment Must Produce Public Ownership and Public Benefit

If the public contributes hundreds of millions of dollars toward redevelopment, then the public must receive measurable and enforceable benefits, including:

Affordable and Workforce Housing Commitments

A defined percentage of residential units should be reserved for affordable and workforce housing across multiple AMI levels.

Revenue Participation

The CRA and public partners should participate in revenue streams generated through:

• Naming rights
• Sponsorships
• Parking revenue
• Entertainment districts
• Ancillary mixed-use development
• Future land appreciation

Community Benefit Agreement (CBA)

A legally enforceable Community Benefit Agreement should be executed prior to final approval. The CBA should include:

• Local hiring requirements
• Workforce training pipelines
• Apprenticeship commitments
• Affordable commercial space
• Anti-displacement protections
• Community programming investments
• Minority and women-owned business participation requirements

Leveraging the Private Sector for Local, Women, and Minority Participation

Given recent legislative limitations regarding the use of public dollars for certain DEI-related initiatives, it is even more critical that the private sector component of this redevelopment commit meaningful private investment, profit participation, contracting opportunities, and long-term economic inclusion strategies that intentionally create access for local businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses. While public funding may face statutory constraints, private-sector partners are not prohibited from voluntarily establishing inclusive economic participation goals that reflect the diversity and economic realities of the Tampa community.

Accordingly, the development structure should require the private development team, affiliated entities, and profit-generating project components to commit to:

• Intentional local business utilization
• Women-owned and minority-owned business participation goals
• Joint venture opportunities with local firms
• Workforce training and apprenticeship pipelines
• Supplier diversity initiatives funded through private dollars
• Community reinvestment commitments tied to project profitability
• Long-term capacity building for small and emerging businesses

If this project is positioned as a transformational redevelopment initiative supported by public participation, then the private-sector beneficiaries of that investment should also bear responsibility for ensuring equitable economic opportunity and measurable community inclusion.

The economic impact of this project should not stop at the construction of buildings. It should extend into the creation of generational wealth, sustainable business growth, and meaningful economic participation for the communities whose tax dollars, labor, and public infrastructure make this project possible.

This project presents one of the largest economic development opportunities in the region. It must intentionally create pathways for participation by local businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses–not simply through aspirational language, but through enforceable economic mechanisms.

This Is a Defining Economic Development Decision

This project will shape Tampa for generations. The question before this Board is not simply whether redevelopment should occur. The question is whether redevelopment will produce inclusive economic growth–or whether public resources will once again be used without sufficient public ownership, accountability, or return.

The CRA has both legal authority and moral responsibility to ensure that if public funds are used, the public receives lasting value.

• Not symbolic value.
• Not talking points.
• Real value.
• Real participation.
• Real ownership.
• Real accountability.

This moment demands a redevelopment framework rooted in transparency, equity, measurable outcomes, and long-term community wealth creation. Anything less would fail to fully realize the purpose and intent of Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act.

Alison A. Hewitt is a third-generation East Tampa resident, East Tampa business owner, and community and economic development professional with extensive experience in redevelopment, public policy, and neighborhood advocacy. As President & CEO of Alison A. Hewitt & Associates, she has worked to advance equitable economic development, transparent public investment, and community wealth creation throughout Tampa and across Florida.

Her work is grounded in a commitment to ensuring that all neighborhoods and communities benefit from growth and redevelopment through a strong understanding of current laws, ordinances, redevelopment policies, and equitable economic participation strategies.