The District Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 4, Winter 2016 | Page 45

projects. The proceeds from the
inaugural tour last December
were used to install the first
full wall art installation in the
courtyard at Grand Central at
Kennedy. That piece by district
artists Meghan Scalise and
Rebekah Lazardis is entitled
Waves of Change. Last year
the home tour likewise made a
donation to StageWorks Theater.
The proceeds from this year will
be utilized to install a sculpture
in the Central part of the district,
another wall mural on a building
on 11th street depicting the
history of the Channel District.
So how did this all happen in the
Channel District? In 2012 there
was an exodus of four families that
relocated to the Channel District
from Old Seminole Heights.
All of these families had been
active with the annual Seminole

Heights Home Tour including Eric Krause who had
led the Seminole Heights home tour committee for
several years and Jane and Vance Arnett who had
participated and volunteered in their tours. They
were joined by at least two other major volunteer
families who relocated to the Channel District from
Seminole Heights. The idea was posed to the Board
of the CDCA and immediately adopted. The unique
nature of the “Channel District Lifestyle” was an
added feature to any home tour and the curiosity
of how we live in our high rises was one that was
regularly mentioned by visitors to the first tour.
Bolstered by a great set of volunteers the 2016 tour
and block party was enjoyed by not just those who
participated but those who just showed up to have
fun. The music provided by Josh Walther and the
Phase 5 Band was an added benefit this year and
provided the music that matched the tempo of a
great neighborhood event. Join us next year and
visit those other association sponsored home tours
to get a feel for what Tampa living is all about. You
can get additional information on the home tour at
CDCATampa.org. under the event drop down.

THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

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