Background & 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 openings which connect the interior of the facility to the exterior. Regardless of the visit type, the AAACC will inform and emphasize the unique contributions that African American communities have made both to the Tampa Bay region and beyond.

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

 

First Floor and Outdoor Spaces

 

Second Floor Spaces

PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS

Question title

1. What activities would you most like to participate in at the future AAACC? (Check all that apply)

Visit the exhibits inside with children, friends, family, relatives
83%
Evening events or festivals indoors or outdoors
79%
Educational classes/studios
75%
Rental space at the AAACC for an event I am planning
45%
Other
17%
Closed to responses | 104 Responses

Question title

2. What AAACC planned outdoor experiences do you favor? (Check all that apply)

Flex space for outdoor festivals with food truck connections
80%
Ribbon-walk featuring historical markers of notable African Americans
73%
Sculpture garden featuring artwork and historical sculptures
60%
200 seat outdoor amphitheater with lawn spaces.
60%
Other
7%
Closed to responses | 15 Responses

Question title

3. How often do you anticipate visiting the AAACC?

A few times a year or less
44%
Monthly
43%
Weekly
13%
Daily
1%
Closed to responses | 124 Responses

Question title

4. What are your thoughts on how the new AAACC can support the local West Tampa neighborhood and broader African American community in the Tampa Bay Region?

Closed for Comments

Question title

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

Closed for Comments

Question title

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

Social media
67%
Email newsletters
63%
Flyers
20%
Other
11%
Closed to responses | 54 Responses

CONTACT INFO

Question title

Are you a resident of Hillsborough County?

Yes
98%
No
2%
Closed to responses | 53 Responses

Question title

How long have you lived in Hillsborough County?

more than 20 years
55%
6-10 years
11%
11-15 years
11%
3-5 years
9%
16-20 years
9%
1-2 years
4%
Less than 1 year
0%
Closed to responses | 53 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
48%
I am a property owner within or adjacent to the defined service area
23%
I am a commuter/visitor who passes through the service area
21%
None of the above
4%
Other
4%
Closed to responses | 52 Responses

Question title

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

10 – 15 miles
42%
0-5 miles
36%
15 – 20 miles
16%
Other
4%
0 -200 yards
2%
Closed to responses | 50 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
80%
Surveys
76%
Capital Improvement Projects
56%
User Experience Testing
44%
Other
12%
Closed to responses | 25 Responses

Question title

How did you hear about this project?

Neighborhood Sign
38%
Social Media
24%
Email
13%
Friend / Neighbor
9%
Other
9%
Website
4%
HOA / Community Newsletter
2%
Comment Card
0%
TV / Print / Radio
0%
Closed to responses | 45 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
65%
Male
30%
Prefer not to answer
10%
Other
0%
Closed to responses | 42 Responses

Question title

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

African American or Black
67%
White
22%
Hispanic or Latinx
11%
Asian
6%
Prefer not to answer
6%
American Indian or Alaska Native
3%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0%
My race is unknown to me
0%
Other
0%
Closed to responses | 36 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
48%
Unmarried
25%
Divorced
10%
Other
10%
Separated
5%
Widowed
3%
Closed to responses | 40 Responses

Question title

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

Bachelor's Degree
43%
Master's Degree
33%
Ph.D. or higher
12%
High School
7%
Trade School
2%
Prefer not to say
2%
Some High School
0%
Other
0%
Closed to responses | 42 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

Monday, May 6, 2024

6:30 p.m.

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

 

Monday, May 13, 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