About the CDC of Tampa
The Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa, Inc.) formerly Lee Davis Neighborhood Development Corporation) was incorporated in 1992 for the purpose of alleviating, poverty and physical deterioration in Hillsborough County's East Tampa community. This community consisting of many neighborhoods was plagued with dilapidated, overcrowded housing and high rates of poverty, unemployment, teen pregnancy, school dropout/suspension and drug abuse.
Founder and former CEO, Chloe Coney, then Manager of Lee Davis Neighborhood Service Center and Audrey Spotford, Chairperson of Lee Davis Advisory Board, with a group of concerned citizens formed the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c) 3 community development corporation that has spent more than a decade providing community and economic development services to East Tampa residents
Guiding Principles
We believe our work can improve the lives and spirit of the communities we serve. Our faith gives us the courage to do our work with passion and compassion.
Focus. We have a clear understanding of what we need to accomplish. We know our strengths and weaknesses and know we are most effective when we focus on the things we do best. We don't let distractions get us off track.
Discipline. We follow through on our commitments with consistent, timely, effective action. We are accountable to ourselves and those we serve. Our resources are used carefully and effectively.
Leadership. We are willing to step up to meet challenges. We lead by example - we are dedicated to our Mission, focused on our goals, able to see the big picture and are strong believers in common sense and consensus.
Resources. We define resources as time, talent and treasure; each type is important and deserves to be used effectively and wisely. We acquire financial resources, on terms that are favorable to us in supporting programs and initiatives that the community values.
Organizational Accomplishments:
Nehemiah Laundromat: In February 1999, CDC of Tampa completed the rehabilitation of a formerly abandoned full-service Laundromat. The 2,700 square-foot facility has more than 25 washers, 24 dryers, a separate TV room, children's playroom, and a community meeting room. In 2007, the CDC of Tampa sold the Laundromat to a private minority for-profit investor who continues to maintain the business.
East Tampa Business Center: In 1998-99, CDC of Tampa received a $350,000 Inner City Redevelopment Grant from the City of Tampa to purchase and convert an abandoned retail strip center into six (6) small business incubator storefronts. The building is situated in one of the City of Tampa's Weed and Seed areas and is located in a designated Enterprise Zone. The East Tampa Business Center provides technical assistance and affordable lease space to small minority-owned local businesses. More than 14 jobs have been created by the Center.
Audrey L. Spotford Youth & Family Center: The CDC of Tampa successfully converted an abandoned bar into a 5,000 square foot Youth and Family Center. Completed in 2000 at a cost of $1,226,000, the Center houses a computer lab, conference/training room, workforce development programs, Youth & Family programs, as well as serves as the temporary home of the CDC's administrative staff and offices.
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Retail Branch (formerly the One Stop Capital Center): In 1999, Bank of America donated a 24,000 square foot, two-story former banking center to the CDC of Tampa. After nearly $500,000 in recent renovations, the building now serves as the new home of a Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union branch – the newest full-service financial institution to locate in East Tampa in recent memory. The CDC of Tampa does retain the leasing rights to the second floor of the building, which is currently being marketed by a professional commercial real estate firm.
29th Street Open-Air Pavilion: The CDC of Tampa received funding under the State's Front Porch Initiative to develop an open-air market for vendors. Located directly across the street from the Nehemiah Laundromat, another of the CDC's economic development projects, the Market opened in 2003 at a cost of $250,000. While the original intention of the market was to create an active hub for local vendors to sell their goods, produce, merchandise and services under a sheltered environment, the project never fully realized its potential as an open-air market. The building does, however, continue to serve the needs of local residents as a community Open-Air Pavilion, hosting community health fairs, local church events, and other organized community-building activities.
Osborne Landing Apartments: This project consists of the new construction of 43 units of affordable rental housing for local families. Located at the intersection of East Osborne Avenue and 34th Street, the $4.0 million project was completed in partnership with Bank of America CDC and Greater Miami Neighborhoods (GMN). A portion of the equity financing was provided through low-income housing tax credits that were awarded to the project by the State of Florida and syndicated through Bank of America. In 2006, the CDC sold its limited partner interest in the project to Bank of America CDC, the general partner.
Belmont Heights Housing Development: In partnership with the Bank of America CDC, the CDC of Tampa successfully completed the development and sale of 25 single-family in-fill homes in the East Tampa community. These three- and four-bedroom homes were completed at a cost of $1.9 million and were sold to first-time homebuyers with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), utilizing the state's SHIP program to provide subordinate mortgage financing.
City of Tampa CHDO Single-Family Housing: In 2003-04, the CDC of Tampa completed the new construction of 5 single-family for-sale homes for first-time home buyers earning between 60% and 80% of AMI. The CDC utilized a $591,450.00 CHDO HOME loan from the City of Tampa to complete construction of the 5 units. Located in the CDC's primary East Tampa market the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes were appraised at $142,000 and $146,000 respectively.
Hurricane Rehab for Season 2004: Utilizing a $150,000 grant from NeibhorWorks America and Home Depot, the CDC of Tampa provided rehab grants to thirteen (13) senior home owners (earning 80% or less AMI) ranging between $12,000 to $19,000 thousand dollars to repair damage incurred from the four (4) major Florida hurricanes during 2004. The CDC of Tampa pre-qualified the home owners and contractors and managed the construction.
City of Tampa Katrina Rental Project: In response to Hurricane Katrina, the City of Tampa awarded the CDC of Tampa seven (7) single family homes to lodge displaced residents of New Orleans. The CDC managed and maintained the properties "in-house." The residents had the option to lease purchase the homes.
Columbus Arms Apartments: The CDC of Tampa purchased a ten (10) unit apartment complex to house local low income residents. The property is managed by a Real Estate Service company.
City of Tampa CHDO Single-Family Housing: In 2007-08, the CDC of Tampa completed the new construction of 11 single-family for-sale homes for first-time home buyers earning between 60% and 80% of AMI. The CDC utilized a $1,886,000 CHDO HOME loan from the City of Tampa to complete construction of the 11 units. Located in the CDC's primary East Tampa market and starting at $169,000, the 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes contain 1,744 square feet of gross living area (including garage and porches), are fully equipped with Energy Star rated appliance packages, and contain many other upgrades not common to the affordable housing market. The CDC expects to complete the sales of the remaining units by mid-2008.
Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center: The CDC of Tampa successfully assembled the required debt and equity financing to construct the 10,000 square-foot Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center. The Center will be located directly across the street from the new location of the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Branch – the site of the CDC's former headquarters. The project, at an estimated cost of $2.4 million, was successfully completed in December 2008. The project secured funding from: the Office of Community Services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services); Hillsborough County; the City of Tampa; NeighborWorks America; and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). |
