Residents Disappointed Over Pending NAPA Store

Since Patch broke the news about at 5206 N. Florida Ave., in the heart of Seminole Heights' emerging retail and restaurant scene, positive reaction in the community has been hard to come by. A slew of and its Facebook page, with some raising the question of parking.

Eight parking spaces remain at the front of the property from its former incarnation as a U.S. Postal Service branch. Whether that will be adequate for an auto parts retail store and warehouse — the proposed use, according to NAPA district manager Al Graese — is a question on the minds of some in the community.

“My experience with the auto parts stores in the neighborhood,” said South Seminole Heights Civic Association president Gary Ellsworth, “is that they have fairly large parking lots. I don't see how parking's gonna be adequate (at the North Florida location).”

Dave Jennings, a supervisor with City of Tampa Construction Services, said when a phase of NAPA's construction plans are reviewed sometime in January, it will be determined if NAPA must petition city council for modified parking requirements. Such a petition would require a public hearing.

But critics are upset about more than parking issues. NAPA has claimed a prime spot on a three block stretch of Florida Avenue that contains the epicenter of Seminole Heights' long awaited commercial renaissance. The symbolism of an auto parts store opening amongst popular newer businesses like the , and the — and in a neighborhood already rife with car-related businesses — is a hard pill to swallow for some.

“Obviously we really wanted something that was more serving of the clientele we're all building right now,” said Sherry King, owner of directly across the street from NAPA. “It's just not our vision of what the place could be. Not that people don't need an auto store, but my God, there's one right around the corner. It'll be as bad or a lot worse than the post office, as far as I'm concerned.”

When asked if she'd rather see the building stay vacant than NAPA go in, long time neighborhood activist Susan Long said, “Personally, yes. We're trying to develop an entertainment area there. Does a NAPA store really belong there at all? We're already inundated with car parts businesses and car lots.”

Long, who sits on the city's nuisance abatement and code  enforcement boards, said rallying local residents at a city council hearing would be “absolutely not a problem.”

But the issue may have a silver lining. The vacant building next door to the former post office, which previously housed a used appliance store, is also available for lease. Eby Paul, listing agent for the 1,040-square-foot building, said he's fielded a number of inquiries from mostly prospective restaurant owners. “The people that I'm dealing with now are looking to put a coffee shop in,” he said. Those interested in leasing the building can contact Paul at 813-463-3595.

NAPA's Graese referred further questions about the project to property owner ABC Capital Corp. of South Tampa. ABC has not returned calls seeking comment.