Proposed Live Nation Venue Faces Pushback Over Grand Oak in Ybor’s GasWorx District
A planned Live Nation-backed music venue in Ybor City’s GasWorx district has encountered its first hurdle, as a dispute over the removal of a grand oak tree delayed approvals for the project this week. Led by Kettler and Darryl Shaw, the proposed venue is planned for 1419 E 4th Avenue and 1402 N 15th Street within the rapidly rising GasWorx neighborhood, where construction activity has accelerated in recent months. The project would replace a warehouse, a single-family home, and several trees currently occupying the site. At the center of the dispute is a grand oak slated for removal. This week, the Barrio Latino Commission reviewed both the proposed venue and a related variance seeking permission to remove the protected tree. According to the applicant, the development team has exhausted all reasonable preservation and redesign options, citing physical site constraints and Ybor City’s zero-foot setback requirements. “The test is not whether a theoretical design can be drawn,” the applicant stated in project materials. “The issue is whether preserving Tree #398 still allows a code-compliant, functional venue within the approved PD/A urban form.” Commissioners, however, challenged that assessment, saying the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated that preservation alternatives had been fully explored. The discussion means the possibility of additional redesign work, expanded justification for tree removal, or potential code variances. These can include height increases to offset seating losses associated with preserving the oak, beyond the 65 feet allowed. The venue, first proposed last month, is planned as a roughly 4,300-seat entertainment destination operated by national concert promoter Live Nation. According to a press release, the development is projected to generate approximately $80 million in economic impact and create more than 400 jobs. Plans call for a three-story building featuring balconies, lobby space, seating areas, ticket windows, and other venue components. The design incorporates brick facades, metal balconies inspired by Ybor City’s architectural character, exposed lighting elements, and additional details intended to reflect the neighborhood’s historic identity. “Our goal is to create a venue that carries that legacy forward by adding a new destination for residents, visitors, and artists,” said James Nozar, Kettler’s president of development. “It will bring a distinct atmosphere to the neighborhood and give people another reason to experience Ybor and stay longer.” Despite the delay surrounding the tree variance, other aspects of the project have continued moving forward. The Barrio Latino Commission has already approved demolition plans for a warehouse on the site, while a single-family home located on the property is set to be relocated. A follow-up meeting on the proposal is scheduled for July 28.
University of Tampa Nears Groundbreaking on Largest Residence Hall in School History at 110 South Boulevard
The University of Tampa is nearing groundbreaking on its next major student housing project, an 11-story residence hall planned just south of its campus at 110 South Boulevard. The large-scale development, which has been moving quietly and quickly through permitting, is expected to open ahead of the Fall 2028 semester. Once complete, the building will deliver more than 800 beds across approximately 210,000 square feet, making it the largest residence hall in the university’s history. The project is being developed through a public-private partnership between the University of Tampa and RISE Real Estate. Juneau Construction is serving as general contractor, while Niles Boston Associates is leading architecture and FBR Design is handling interior design. The proposal marks the second major development planned for the site. An earlier concept for the parcel called for a 22-story, 250-foot mixed-use tower containing 182 residential units and roughly 2,835 square feet of retail space. That proposal ultimately fell through, and the property was later acquired by the University of Tampa for approximately $10.25 million in early 2025. The new development is intended to address rising student enrollment and growing demand for university-led housing rather than off-campus housing by private developers. Inside the Project Targeted toward first and second-year students, the residence hall will contain 238 units totaling 833 beds, according to plans submitted roughly two weeks ago. Units will range from one-bedroom to two-bedroom layouts. According to the university, the building is being designed around the student experience: “The residence hall will provide a modern, intentionally designed living environment that supports academic success, community connection and student well-being. The building will include suite-style units with shared living space, along with study lounges, two common rooms, dining facilities, bicycle storage, and surface parking.” At ground level, plans call for approximately 2,040 square feet dedicated to dining facilities, alongside a lobby and other uses. The project will also include 46 parking spaces. This relatively low parking count reflects university policy. First-year students at the University of Tampa are not permitted to have vehicles on campus. Architecturally, the building will rise 153 feet to its highest architectural point, or approximately 141 feet to the roofline. Exterior materials will include brick masonry, red brick facades, stucco, and glass. According to the university, the design is intended to “complement the existing UTampa campus while respecting the character of the surrounding neighborhood.” Progress/Permitting: The development has already entered multiple phases of permitting. Applications tied to utilities, right-of-way work, and a general construction permit for the structure itself are currently awaiting approval. Notably, the city lists the project’s general construction filing under an Affordable Housing Accelerated Plan Review designation, potentially providing permitting advantages compared to more traditional developments. The residence hall is also being designed to meet LEED standards through the U.S. Green Building Council. The project will represent the university’s latest student housing expansion following completion of Grand Center Residence Hall, which accommodates nearly 700 first-year students.