BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

When West Tampa Community Group facilitator, Dwight Bolden, and West Tampa Black Business Association President, Bennie Small, read the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s plans for the redevelopment of West Tampa, they had plenty of questions.

“One glaring omission was any mention of the role African Americans played in the history of West Tampa,” said Bolden.

“I quickly noticed that their plan was kind of vague, and loaded with undertones,” said Small.

The gentlemen requested, and were granted, a meeting with the Chamber last week, and after the meeting neither Bolden or Small felt confident that they were taken seriously.

“I got the impression they were basically telling us what their plans were, and letting us know they were in charge, and anything we wanted, we had to go through them.

“They gave us a lot of information, and I appreciate them taking the time to sit down and talk with us. We told them where we stood on their plan, and we were seeking inclusion at the ground level, not after the plan is initiated.”

Small said it appeared the Chamber members were more than happy to talk to them, but also were careful not to mention anything specific.

“They gave us subtle hints of what their intentions are, and I felt like they were talking over our heads, or at least trying to.

“This will all come down to the approval of the Tampa City Council, and before that happens, we as a community will be heard and represented.  As we’ve said in the past, we have no problem with West Tampa being redeveloped. We think it’s long past due. What we want is to be a part of that project, have some input into what lies ahead, and get some employment opportunities out of it.”

Small said the Chamber has scheduled a series of meetings that are supposed to begin in December to present their plan to the general public.

“I want to make sure the people understand what this plan is all about, and the impact it will play on their lives.

“It seems forgotten somewhere in the process that in order to redevelop West Tampa, residents will have to know what will happen to them, and will they be able to stay, or forced to leave.”

Small and Bolden said the best way to accomplish that is to create better unity among the residents and business owners in the area, and make sure they know what’s going on.

Tatiana Denson, former State Representative candidate and part of the WTCG, said one suggestion was to turn Main Street into a historic landmark to protect the African American businesses.

“We also asked for them to amend their plan for the redevelopment of West Tampa to make it more inclusive.”

Ms. Denson said she also plans on joining the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce to have a more hands-on look at what’s going on in West Tampa.