TAMPA - A major battle is forming over the future of the Stovall-Lee House, a more than 100-year-old mansion located on Bayshore Boulevard.
On one side is Blake Casper, a wealthy entrepreneur with visions of creating a 1 million, are worried about their - and their neighbors' - property values.
"The people in the city zoning department told us the council will not care so much about our property values as about whether the project fits in with the city's comprehensive plan. We have to have objective arguments," says Robert Nichols.
He and his neighbors are planning to attend the city council hearing "in force" to make a "very strong" presentation against the project.
Meanwhile, Casper is scheduled to close on his $9.5-million purchase of the Stovall property next month, a sale he says is not contingent on a successful rezoning.
"I don't have a Plan B yet," Casper admits when asked what he plans for the property if his project is rejected.
His Plan A is well under way and will take up to two years to complete, according to Brad Cooke, whose architectural firm, Practice, is designing the project.
If approved by the city, the project will include a new pavilion for private dining, events and five guest suites; a new conservatory that would serve as the main dining space; an "elegant" English-style garden and relocated greenhouse; parking for about 90 vehicles; and, of course, a renovated main house that will be used primarily for meetings and lounging.
The 2.6-acre Stovall-Lee site is the largest residential property along the section of Bayshore Boulevard north of Gandy Boulevard.
The Georgian-Colonial style home was built in 1909 and named for Wallace Stovall, the founding publisher of the Tampa Tribune.
"Our priority is to preserve and honor the existing house as a showcase for Tampa," Cooke says.
Contact Sheila Mullane Estrada at hillsnews@tampabay.com.