Sulphur Springs Redevelopment: What Tampa’s Council Chair Sees for North Tampa

And what it could mean for buyers, sellers and investors watching the Fowler Avenue corridor.

When people talk about where Tampa grows next, the conversation usually lands on downtown, the Westshore district or the waterfront. Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin thinks north Tampa deserves more of that attention. In a recent interview with the Tampa Bay Business Journal, he singled out Sulphur Springs and the Fowler Avenue corridor as two of the city's most overlooked opportunities.

If you own property in north Tampa, are thinking about buying there, or invest in Hillsborough County rentals, here is what was said and how we'd think about it.

How the council chair thinks about growth

Clendenin is a retired air traffic controller with a long interest in land use and transportation policy. In his view, the council's job is to set the conditions for growth while protecting quality of life and keeping the public's trust in how development decisions get made.

He also defines economic development more broadly than recruiting new companies. For him it includes roads and infrastructure, transportation, housing affordability and the long-term strength of the city's tax base. He made the point that new projects bring jobs and tax revenue that pay for roads, parks and public services, and that the real test is whether growth benefits the whole city.

He mentioned the planned Tampa Bay Rays stadium district as one area that could shape Tampa's next chapter. But most of his attention went north.

Fowler Avenue and the former University Mall site

Clendenin said Fowler Avenue doesn't get enough credit for how much change is coming. He pointed to three things happening at once: changes at MOSI, redevelopment around the former University Mall property, and plans for Fowler Avenue itself. Taken together, he expects that whole area to be rebuilt and reimagined, and he called the old mall site in particular one to watch.

For homeowners and buyers in the University area and surrounding neighborhoods, corridor improvements like these tend to matter. New retail, dining, employment and better road design can change how a neighborhood feels day to day, and how buyers value it.

Why Sulphur Springs stood out

Sulphur Springs is a historic north-central Tampa neighborhood on the Hillsborough River, just east of Interstate 275. It's named for its natural spring and was a tourist draw in the early 1900s.

Clendenin acknowledged that Sulphur Springs has been talked about for years without much actually happening. Still, he sees real potential, pointing to several large sites that could be redeveloped:

• The former Home Depot property
• The old mall property that once housed Montgomery Ward
• The former Kmart property
• The former greyhound track property

“It’s like a sleeping giant.” Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin, on Sulphur Springs

Asked what the area could become, he was careful to say he doesn't have all the answers, but he described a possible “North Midtown.” His reasoning: the river, natural beauty, quick interstate access, and a drive of only about seven or eight minutes to downtown. He also sees it as a natural link to future transportation options, and possibly a reason to build them.

One important note: these are a council chair's observations, not an approved plan. No specific project or timeline was announced in the interview.

The affordability question

Clendenin was clear that the opportunity comes with a responsibility. There is a lot of affordable housing on both sides of I-275 in that area, and he doesn't want redevelopment to price out families who have lived in Tampa for generations. He said he'll be watching to make sure new development doesn't change the neighborhood so much that it stops serving the people who need a place to live, noting that workers across every part of the local economy need homes they can afford.

He also described what makes Sulphur Springs unusual: most of it isn't owner-occupied. Much of the housing is held as rentals, including short-term rentals. He said the private sector will ultimately need to figure out how to make redevelopment work there.

What this means for you

If you own a home in north Tampa

Public attention on a corridor can shift buyer interest before a single shovel hits the ground. That doesn't mean you should sell or hold. It means it's worth knowing what your home is worth today and what nearby sales show, so any decision is based on real numbers rather than headlines. Our free home valuation is a good starting point.

If you're buying a home

Neighborhoods close to downtown with interstate access and planned corridor investment often attract buyers looking for value. Before you buy anywhere near the river, look closely at flood zone status, insurance costs and the condition of older homes. We help clients compare these factors side by side.

If you're an investor

With so much of Sulphur Springs already held as rentals, investors are a big part of this story. Redevelopment talk is not a guarantee of appreciation, and timelines in this area have stretched before. Do your homework on zoning, flood risk, insurance, renovation costs and any local rules that apply to short-term rentals before making an offer.

Source: Interview with Tampa City Council Chair Alan Clendenin, Tampa Bay Business Journal, October 30, 2026. This post summarizes public comments and is for general information only; it is not investment, legal or financial advice. Solara Real Estate Team, brokered by Avenue Homes.