Copyright © 2005-2008 Preservation Resource, Inc.
Beginning in 1987, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) developed a master plan for much-needed interstate system improvements in Hillsborough County. After every effort had been made to minimize and avoid adverse impacts within the Ybor CityNational Historic Landmark District, 10% of the nearly 1,000 historic buildings would still have to be cleared to widen I-4.
After almost three years of research and negotiations between federal, state and local agencies, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed in late 1996. The methods for minimizing the impacts were unprecedented in their magnitude and included the relocation of 64 historic buildings, with FHWA and FDOT being responsible for the rehabilitation of 35 of the buildings within the proposed highway footprint.
Preservation Resource, Inc. was hired as the Historic Preservation Design and Construction consultant, responsible for the relocation and rehabilitation plans for the 33 historic buildings relocated during Phase I within the Ybor City National Historic Landmark District. This involved coordination with SHPO as well as local preservation agencies. PRI was responsible for construction administration during the relocations and renovations as well as conducting HABS documentation drawings of all impacted historic buildings and coordinating architectural salvage from non-contributing demolished buildings.
