In a move that's causing a stir in Ybor City, Tampa’s own Pittman Design Group has just put a bow on their latest venture—a 10-unit affordable housing complex dubbed Casa Maceo Apartments. The project, a joint effort with the City of Tampa, was made possible through a generous $3 million grant awarded back in 2023 from a state affordable housing program to transform what was once a vacant lot. Targeted at households earning at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)—that's roughly $83,000 for a family of four—the development aims to ease the strains of housing affordability, an issue that's vexed the city for years.
The brains behind this operation, Dontavious Pittman, Kevin Johnson, and Ponce McNeal, come from modest beginnings—hailing straight from the classrooms of Tampa Bay Tech. Their journey didn't stop there; sticking together like three peas in a pod, the trio advanced their education at the Florida A&M University and circled back to their roots in Tampa to pave their career paths. In a statement obtained by Tampa's official news, Mayor Jane Castor extolled, “I could not be prouder of what Shacres Development has accomplished here in Ybor City. Dontavious Pittman, Ponce McNeal, and their team are homegrown talent, born and raised right here in Tampa, and now they’re giving back to the very neighborhoods that shaped them.”
Situated on Columbus Drive, teetering on the edge between East Tampa and Ybor City, Casa Maceo is a testament to smart city planning. The breakdown of availability is six units at 50% AMI and below, alongside four units at 80% AMI and under. Each apartment doesn't skimp on the finer things, featuring luxury vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, and quartz countertops—quite the package for a space deemed affordable.
The name Casa Maceo pays homage to Antonio Maceo, the 19th century Afro-Cuban military leader known for his valor and tenacious fight for Cuban independence, sustaining 24 battle-wounds in the process. Ensuring a lasting impact, the complex is set to retain its affordability for a 30-year duration and has already started taking applications from potential residents eager to call it home. It's a nod to not only Tampa's diverse history but also a commitment to the city's equitable growth. According to the City of Tampa's announcement, this is "more than just new housing — it’s a testament to what happens when local visionaries invest in their own community to make Tampa a place where everyone can afford to live and thrive."
