The owner of WestShore Plaza has filed a rezoning request with the city to update plans that were originally approved in October 2020. The owner now wants to add medical uses to the redevelopment. A nursing facility, hospital, and clinic have been added to the redevelopment plans which may also eventually see the enclosed mall demolished.

Plans filed last week are the first update in three years. The project is one of the most anticipated for the City of Tampa. Ohio-based WPG owns the mall and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2021. WPG did not name a partner for the redevelopment project in their city filings, but it remains unlikely that they would be able to complete the project alone.

Previously approved plans focused on development along Westshore Boulevard and Kennedy Boulevard. The sears box and surface parking lots that include Seasons 52 and a Bank of America branch were purchased by WPG in 2019. Under previously filed plans, the existing enclosed mall was allowed to remain. The new filing will give WPG flexibility in plans which may include redevelopment of enclosed mall space. The rezoning request intends to add a skilled nursing facility, a free-standing emergency department, hospital, fitness center, and an entertainment venue according to plans with a maximum of 3.5 million SF to be built on the property.

Tyler Hudson, a partner in Gardner Brewer Hudson is a legal representative of the project. Ricky Peterika is the arborist, Kimley-Horn is the engineer, and Randy Coen in the traffic engineer. There is not yet a hearing scheduled for the WestShore Plaza redevelopment, but rezoning requests do require quasi-judicial public hearings in front of the Tampa City Council.

A spokesperson for WPG released the following statement: “WPG, the owner of WestShore Plaza, a longstanding enclosed mall in Tampa, Florida, has submitted new plans to the city for a transformation of its property into a vibrant mixed-use development that will cater to the evolving needs and desires of the Tampa Bay community. Potential plans include entertainment, retail, dining, office, wellness, medical, hotel and residential components among others, appealing to a wide range of visitors. The redevelopment project will likely be completed in phases. There is no definitive timeline for construction as of yet. More information will be shared as it is available.”

You can view the original plans in our blog post linked here. 

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Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal