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.