The city-owned historic George Guida House remains tattered and is again unattended.

There’s good news—and some not-so-good news—for the former home of “Mr. West Tampa.” On the bright side, the city has finally cleared out the heavy equipment and construction debris that had cluttered the property since 2022, when the historic house was commandeered as a staging area for a neighborhood wastewater project. The perimeter fence has also come down, giving the structure a much-needed breath of fresh air.

The heart-shaped driveway—installed by George Guida as a romantic gesture for his wife—has been newly repaved, and the roof, rotted joists supporting the roof, and fascia have been replaced. However, they’re still sitting unpainted and exposed. Built in 1952, the home earned Local Historic Designation in 2005 and was added to the National Register the following year.

During a recent visit, I encountered a city official on-site. When I asked about progress, he said crews had been working on the roof restoration “for a while,” but that all activity has now stopped. That sent me to the source: Dennis Fernandez, the city’s Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Manager.

According to Fernandez, the project is moving- but slowly. The holdup is a thick mix of planning, paperwork, permits, stakeholder coordination, and the realities of historic preservation. The city is working closely with the Guida family, including George “Bebe” Guida Jr., to document original interiors, collect old photos, and understand what the home should look like when restored. An architect has been selected for the rehab, and $3.6 million has been earmarked for the effort. Fernandez also shared early design concepts, including ADA-compliant upgrades and proposals covering all five floors—yes, the house has a basement.

If all goes well, final designs could be in hand by spring. It’s a maddeningly slow process, but the wheels are turning, and people are working behind the scenes to bring the Guida House back to life.

Meanwhile, access remains an issue. I’ve been asking for months to photograph the interior (with an escort) for historical documentation, but the answer thus far has been a hard “no”.

The chain-link fence now hangs open in spots, and plywood over several windows is either leaning or punctured—leaving the house vulnerable to trespassers, the elements, and, worst of all, fire.

Good and Bad News for the Historic Guida House in West Tampa

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