Seminole Heights, Tampa, Florida

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seminole Heights is a neighborhood and district located in central part of Tampa. As of the 2000 census, the district had a population of 24,567 [1].

1 Description
2 Areas within Seminole Heights
3 Education
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Description

Known for its historic background. Seminole Heights is popular due to the craftsman style bungalows from the early 20th century that remain. Certain buildings in the neighborhood existed back in the early 1900's, including the Seminole Heights Methodist Church, Seminole Heights Elementary School, Broward Elementary, Hillsborough High School, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Nebraska Avenue, which runs through Seminole Heights, is also U.S. Route 41, a major commercial road through the neighborhood. The road contains several retailers including Publix, Family Dollar, and a few corner stores. Garden Center, a neighborhood park, is used for many events such as art festivals and picnics. Seminole Heights has the longest stretch of Riverfront parkland in the city of Tampa. Rivercrest, Epps, and several unnamed pocket parks provide access to the Hillsborough River.

In recent years the region has seen rising property values and a decrease in crime. The area is popular among young professionals and their families who are seeking an alternative to master planned communities. The area contains two designated historical districts including Seminole Heights (local and national designation), Hampton Terrace (national designation).

An ever evolving neighborhood tradition is the "porch party." Some are sponsored by one of the three active neighborhood organizations and others by individuals. There are also two annual home tours. Old Seminole Heights Home tour has become an April tradition. Southeast Seminole Heights conducts a holiday home tour in December.

The region also is known for having a significant gay and lesbian population and many gay establishments such as bars, dance clubs , coffeehouses and resturants catering to the gay community are located in the area.

Seminole Heights is known for its civic activism. In most city and county elections, a resident from Seminole Heights is a candidate. Rose Ferlita, neighborhood drug store owner, and former president of Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association was a 2 term Tampa City Council member from 1999 to 2006 until she was elected to the Hillsborough County Commission. [April Griffin], Seminole Heights resident, was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board in 2006. Randy Baron, current president of Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association, is a candidate in the March 2007 City Council race.