A year ago, crowds swarmed an old church in Tampa Heights to see the latest from the area's underground art world.
The work of dozens of artists - some widely known, some obscure - hung from near-century-old trusses and crumbling brick walls. Bands played beneath the sanctuary dome, surrounded by stained-glass windows taller than two people.
Visitors hailed the fourth annual Gala Corina a huge success, calling the art and the venue a perfect marriage. About 3,000 attended on opening night.
TODAY, THE HISTORIC Tyer Temple has been converted into a 32-unit loft apartment complex called the Sanctuary. It's home to mostly young professionals attracted to the open floor plans, the industrial-style fixtures and the location close to downtown.
Many of the tenants discovered the place at Gala Corina. They saw potential in the rickety staircases, lofty ceilings and worn concrete floors.
So when Gala Corina organizers announced plans to hold tonight's opening at the Arlington Hotel on Franklin Street, supporters of moving people downtown had cause to celebrate. Once again, crowds would pack the show, fall in love with the historic building and want to call it home.
Apparently, it wasn't meant to be.
THE FIRE MARSHAL said the 1913 building couldn't accommodate such an event. It lacks sprinklers, adequate exits and other key safety features. It would take too much work to get it up to snuff. He couldn't risk it.
While no one can argue against public safety, it's a shame organizers and fire officials couldn't have worked something out. Maybe they could have hired firetrucks to stay on guard. Maybe they could have redone the stairs.
But there just wasn't time.
Fortunately, organizers found Ybor Square at 1901 N 13th St. to host the show, which runs through Nov. 22. The renovated building across from the Spaghetti Warehouse once housed a cigar factory before it was converted to a marketplace and later into office space.
Gala officials aptly named this year's show "Milagro," Spanish for miracle.
"We felt that if we can pull this off in light of all the negative doubts . . . it's somewhat of a miraculous thing," said Brandon McCoy, a spoken word performer who helped with the event.
No doubt "Milagro" will be a hit. Ybor isn't exactly up-and-coming like Tampa Heights or downtown, but it's still the artistic heart of the city. And maybe some of the guests will stick around Ybor afterward and see that it attracts more than young gangbangers and hoochie mamas.
Organizer John Langley says plans to host the show at the Arlington aren't dead. Maybe by spring, once renovations on the hotel have begun, they can revisit the idea.
It turns out Russ Versaggi, who owns the Sanctuary with John Tennison and Vivian Salaga of the Atelier architectural firm in Tampa, is considering buying the hotel and converting it into living quarters.
Versaggi, who also owns the 1301 SoHo apartments on Howard Avenue, envisions residential flats on the second floor and live/work spaces on the first floor. Units would cost under $250,000 and average about 1,000 square feet. He would redevelop it with architect Stephanie Ferrell, who now owns the building with city housing chief Bob Harrell.
As at the Sanctuary, Versaggi says hosting Gala Corina at the Arlington would be a marketing coup, if it could be done. He sees alternative artwork gracing the 54 rooms and extra-wide hallways. He sees people flocking downtown.
THE LAST DROP: Old Hyde Park Village is abuzz with fitness fanatics at the new Lifestyle Family Fitness. Want proof? Just head to the parking garage above the old Jacobson's store, where the last few spots are now on the roof. All the traffic reminds me of the garage near Centro Ybor on a Friday night. Let's hope the masses spill over to the stores.
