Glazer adds name to historic Tampa armory

It's been an iconic home to history for decades -- from an early performance by Elvis Presley that made the cover of his first album, to one of the final speeches delivered by President John F. Kennedy.

But now the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in West Tampa will create new history, beginning with a new name.

A groundbreaking ceremony May 11 dedicated the 100,000-square-foot facility as the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center. It's named for one of the sons of late Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer, who donated $4 million toward the $26 million renovation and construction of the one-time military facility.

The Florida National Guard left the facility in 2004, and ever since has been the subject of a number false starts to reinvent the property between North Howard and North Armenia avenues. The original plan was to build a luxury hotel out of the historic building, with Coast Dental Services as the primary backer. However, Coast Dental and the National Guard couldn't reach an agreement, and the company abandoned those plans in 2010.

The Tampa Jewish Federation stepped up in early 2012 with plans to sign a 99-year lease on the property. It's expected to give the federation a southern community center, complementing an existing 22-acre campus in Tampa's Westchase area.

The community center will include a visual arts center, fitness and outdoor aquatics facility, an indoor track, and a multisport gymnasium. It also will be the home of an innovation center allowing Israeli startup companies a place to do business in the United States.

Work started last year, and will be completed in 2016.