This new urban fabric will be woven of synthetic, with a few strands of vintage cotton and silk interspersed. Will it retain any of its old character? Not much. If Luisa and the dragon hold out, Spectrum Video stays, architects like Steve Smith keep their hand in, and the developers and city listen to Michael English and the Channel District Council, a few patches will remain. Those are a lot of ifs. But there'll be one consolation. Once the new Tampa Bay History Center is completed, you'll be able to walk down and find out what your brave new neighborhood used to be.
