Lease and Redevelop Centro Español at 2306 N. Howard

The City of Tampa is requesting proposals to lease and redevelop Centro Español, a 30,610 square-foot historic building at 2306 N. Howard Avenue, with proposals due November 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM and questions due October 19, 2026. Eligible proposers must be either a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or a private for-profit corporation registered with the State of Florida Division of Corporations and must demonstrate a minimum of ten years of continuous operating experience with at least one prior government or private lease or license agreement for similar services. The property carries a permanent CDBG-funded use restriction requiring creation of 74 jobs at $35,000 per job and services benefiting low to moderate-income persons. Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) participation is evaluated up to 15 points; City-certified SLBE primes utilizing certified SLBE subcontractors on meaningful work segments earn 5–15 points, while non-certified primes engaging certified SLBEs in substantive roles earn 0–10 points. All proposers must submit Good Faith Efforts documentation and comply with the City's Equal Business Opportunity and Apprenticeship programs.

The lease is structured as triple net, with the proposer responsible for all operating expenses, capital improvements, repairs, maintenance, utilities, insurance, and taxes. The property is provided as-is with interior and structural improvements at the proposer's sole expense and subject to City written approval. Occupancy begins February 2030 (pending current tenant vacation), with an initial ten-year lease term and two optional five-year renewal periods, plus three unilateral thirty-day extensions at the City's discretion. All building improvements must respect historic character and comply with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, subject to Architectural Review Commission approval. The lease cannot be assigned, mortgaged, or encumbered without City consent. Proposers must maintain minimum cash reserves of $50,000, provide three years of federal tax returns and audited financial statements, and carry Commercial General Liability ($1 million minimum per occurrence), Automobile Liability, and Worker's Compensation coverage with the City named as additional insured.

Evaluation criteria include consideration and benefit to the City (20 points), proposal completeness (20 points), proposer experience (15 points), financial capacity (10 points), diversity and apprenticeship goals (15 points), criminal history screening practices (5 points), and SLBE participation (15 points). Submissions are binding for 180 days and must be made electronically through the OpenGov eProcurement Portal. The lease is subject to City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency approval.