Background and Site

The future site of the AAACC, 2103 N. Rome Ave., is in West Tampa, which is one of the eight original African American neighborhoods in Tampa. West Tampa was an area that many African American families moved to for housing, homeownership, and developing businesses. The strong ties of the African American community continue in West Tampa today. According to the 2020 Census, the area has a 69% African American population living near the project site.

Over time, several of the original eight areas have been lost or reduced. Today, West Tampa remains a predominantly African American community; however, one with no anchor facility for the community to gather and celebrate the area's unique history.

The AAACC will be a two-story, 50,000-square-foot structure that consists of a range of public experience spaces, meeting spaces, galleries, labs, studios, event spaces, retail, and a café. On the exterior, the cultural center will feature an amphitheater, lawn space, sculptures, a ribbon trail, and multi-use gathering spaces.

The AAACC will be a unique space in Hillsborough County where the history and stories of African American communities and African diaspora are honored and come to life through the events, arts, and educational experiences. The AAACC is intended to be an active facility open seven days a week for visitors, events, and educational groups. The building design includes open spaces or large corridors which connect the facility's interior to the exterior. Regardless of the visit type, the AAACC will inform and emphasize the unique contributions that African American communities have made to the Tampa Bay region and beyond.

The design phase is currently underway, and construction is partially funded. The facility cost is estimated at $30 million, and fundraising initiatives are underway.

 

First Floor and Outdoor Spaces

 

Second Floor Spaces


PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS

Question title

Do you have any additional comments or suggestions regarding the AAACC?

Closed for Comments

Question title

How would you prefer to stay informed about upcoming events and activities at the AAACC? (Check all that apply)

Social media
63%
Email newsletters
63%
Flyers
18%
Other
11%
Closed to responses | 62 Responses

CONTACT INFO

Question title

Are you a resident of Hillsborough County?

Yes
97%
No
3%
Closed to responses | 70 Responses

Question title

How long have you lived in Hillsborough County?

more than 20 years
52%
6-10 years
12%
16-20 years
12%
3-5 years
10%
11-15 years
9%
1-2 years
4%
Less than 1 year
1%
Closed to responses | 69 Responses

Question title

Please select the statement that most closely describes your relationship to this project (select one):

I am an interested resident or business owner located outside of the immediate service area
51%
I am a property owner within or adjacent to the defined service area
22%
I am a commuter/visitor who passes through the service area
18%
None of the above
4%
Other
4%
Closed to responses | 68 Responses

Question title

Please indicate below how close you live to the proposed project site?

10 – 15 miles
42%
0-5 miles
32%
15 – 20 miles
12%
Other
9%
0 -200 yards
5%
Closed to responses | 66 Responses

Question title

Please provide your zip code.

Question title

Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to subscribe to participate in other opportunities to provide valuable feedback on Hillsborough County-related initiatives?

Focus Groups
79%
Surveys
74%
Capital Improvement Projects
59%
User Experience Testing
50%
Other
9%
Closed to responses | 34 Responses

Question title

How did you hear about this project?

Neighborhood Sign
41%
Social Media
21%
Website
12%
Email
10%
Friend / Neighbor
7%
Other
7%
HOA / Community Newsletter
2%
Comment Card
0%
TV / Print / Radio
0%
Closed to responses | 58 Responses

TELL US ABOUT YOU

The following demographic questions are optional.

We would really appreciate your response to ensure we are reaching all segments of our community with our outreach efforts.

If you do not want to answer these demographic questions, please scroll to the end of this page and click 'Submit'.

We thank you for your participation!

 

Question title

What gender do you identify as?

Female
68%
Male
28%
Prefer not to answer
8%
Other
0%
Closed to responses | 55 Responses

Question title

Which of the following describes your racial or ethnic identity? Check all that apply.

African American or Black
72%
White
20%
Hispanic or Latinx
11%
Asian
4%
Prefer not to answer
4%
American Indian or Alaska Native
2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0%
My race is unknown to me
0%
Other
0%
Closed to responses | 46 Responses

Question title

What is your age?

Under 18
18-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66-75
Over 75
Prefer not to answer
Closed to responses

Question title

What is your marital status?

Married
41%
Unmarried
30%
Divorced
15%
Other
7%
Separated
4%
Widowed
4%
Closed to responses | 54 Responses

Question title

What is the highest degree or level of education you have completed?

Bachelor's Degree
45%
Master's Degree
32%
Ph.D. or higher
11%
High School
7%
Trade School
2%
Prefer not to say
2%
Other
2%
Some High School
0%
Closed to responses | 56 Responses

Question title

The contact information below is optional. Complete the fields below if you would like to participate in future engagement opportunities to share your input on key topics.
Visit HCFLGov.net/HCEngage to learn about outreach and listening efforts that shape the future of our community.

planned
planned
Community Meetings


MondayMay 6, 2024

6:30 p.m.

C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library
2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610

 

Thursday, May 16, 2024

6:30 p.m.

Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center
5725 S. 78th St.
Tampa, FL 33619

 

 

Monday, May 20, 2024

6:30 p.m.

West Tampa Community Resource Center

2103 N. Rome Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607