Federal dollars are finally kicking the long‑planned overhaul of Robles Park Village into high gear. The 35‑acre public housing complex in Tampa Heights is slated to transform from roughly 433 units into nearly 1,900 mixed‑income homes with added community space. A key piece of the plan is a 30,000‑square‑foot Smart Community Hub that will bring health, education and workforce services together under one roof for residents.
Federal grant and Smart Hub
According to the Tampa Housing Authority, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor secured $4 million in federal funding for the Smart Hub, with the authority chipping in roughly $2 million from local sources. The agency describes the hub as a cornerstone of the broader redevelopment that will serve thousands of neighbors. “The smart hub at Robles will function as a lifeline for our community,” Tampa Housing Authority CEO Jerome Ryans said in the release.
Where the project stands and timeline
Demolition of the vacated Robles Park site was scheduled to start Sept. 15, 2025, with construction on the first phase expected to follow in April 2026, according to Bay News 9. Plans call for a mix of apartments, retail, walking trails and the community hub to anchor the rebuilt neighborhood. Officials say the site covers about 35 acres along east Lake and north Central avenues.
Developer plans for Lot D
Developer PMG Affordable has submitted plans for a seven‑story building called “Lot D” at 3814 N Central Avenue that would add 233 affordable units reserved for households earning 30 to 80 percent of the area median income, Florida YIMBY reports. The proposal features extensive amenities and an approximately 32,000‑square‑foot community center on the second floor, and contractor Ducon LLC has indicated an April groundbreaking for Lot D. PMG is working with the Tampa Housing Authority and financing partners to move the first phase ahead.
History and community concerns
Part of the Robles Park site sits on top of Zion Cemetery, recognized as Tampa’s oldest African‑American burial ground. Current plans include a memorial and genealogy center to honor those buried there, though former residents and preservation advocates say they want firm assurances that the history will not be pushed aside. Michael Randolph, a former resident and member of the THA Zion Cemetery Preservation board, told WUSF he hopes the project can both commemorate the past and deliver jobs and services for current neighbors. Community advocates also caution that mixed‑income projects can speed up displacement if affordability protections are not tightly enforced.
What residents can expect next
The Tampa Housing Authority says it will continue resident relocation efforts and long‑term affordability planning as construction phases roll out, according to the Tampa Housing Authority. Coverage of the federal investment aired on WTSP on March 12, 2026, signaling renewed focus as Robles Park shifts from years of planning to on‑the‑ground construction.
