Sean Shaw files legislation to get funds for Cuban Club and Florida Community Catalyst Project

Tampa Democrat Sean Shaw has submitted his first appropriations request for the 2017 Legislative Session.

The freshman lawmaker is requesting $1 million for rehabbing the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City. According to the budget request, the facility has damaged structural support columns, beams and floor slabs on all four floors that would be removed and replaced in order to achieve the structural stability of the building. Part of the deteriorated southern part of the building as well as its adjoining fire escape will be removed and replaced. There is also a local match of nearly the same amount ($960, 571).

Shaw is also requesting $3 million for the Florida Community Catalyst Project, which is part of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC). The CDC works to foster sustainable homeownership, develop affordable housing and provide capital to build up communities. The requested funds will be spent to stabilize neighborhoods and communities physically and economically impacted by increased foreclosure rates and disinvestment over the past 10 years.

Members of the House have a limit of six bills they can submit each session. Appropriation requests do not count towards that total.

Shaw represents House District 59 in the Florida Legislature, after he defeated Dianne Hart and Walter Smith in the Democratic Primary last August.