The West Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is funding a nearly $4 million modernization project to completely demolish and replace the historic Rey Park Center in West Tampa.
Project Details
The original facility was built in 1955 as the centerpiece of a 1.35-acre park. The new community center will be larger and will serve Old West Tampa, Macfarlane Park, Bowman Heights, West River, and surrounding neighborhoods.
The multi-million-dollar budget covers more than just the new building. The entire park grounds will undergo a major transformation, adding a brand new playground, basketball court, walking loop, and an outdoor fitness area.
City planners are also working to preserve a piece of the center’s identity. The prominent mural facing Howard Avenue, painted by artist Carl Cowden III in 1984, will be lost when the old walls come down. However, Cowden has been brought back to recreate his original artwork on glass, which will have a permanent display space inside the new building.
Once finished, the new community center will offer 5,082 square feet of interior space alongside 2,281 square feet of covered porch area. Construction is expected to wrap up by December 2027.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
