A grand oak sitting on the property of 1419 E 4th Ave. and 1402 N 15th St. has stalled the development of a proposed Live Nation venue in Ybor City.
Last Tuesday at a meeting of the Barrio Latino Commission (BLC), Tampa citizens and the development team leading the construction of the venue discussed a variance that would allow for the removal of the grand oak.
Rich Simmons, chairman of the BLC—charged with preserving the historic fabric and architectural integrity of the historic distric—said the development team leading the venue’s construction had not exhausted their options when it came to the tree.
“So I’m not in favor of this tree being removed,” he added.
Tampa has long seen trees loom over development discussions. While the city has enjoyed rapid growth, proponents for trees say that Tampa’s once-lauded tree canopy has not kept pace. Earlier this year, tree advocates gathered to debate what to do with $6 million in Tampa’s tree trust fund.
In comments to the BLC, Ricky Peterika—founder of Dark Moss, a landscaping consultant firm and the arborist of choice for developers, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal—said the grand oak at the heart of the variance request is rated a B-6, “which is essentially good.”
In lieu of a vote on the variance last Tuesday, lawyers for the development team requested a continuance to evaluate the BLC’s feedback.
The BLC unanimously approved a motion to delay the variance vote about Live Nation’s proposed three-story Ybor City music venue to July 28.
As previously-reported, Live Nation—the promotions giant entangled in an antitrust lawsuit—wants to build a 4,300-capacity venue in the emergent Gasworx District between Ybor City and Channelside.
Real estate developer Kettler (stylized all-caps) hopes to open sometime in 2028, but public comment at last Tuesday’s BLC meeting suggests many in the neighborhood don’t want the venue to open at all.
Angel D’Angelo—who started a petition against the venue that has nearly 9,000 signatures—told the BLC that, “Giant corporate venues just don’t have the ability to bring that same substance to a place like Ybor City, and I’m not alone in that thought.”
D’Angelo said approval of the venue would be a nail in the coffin for folks who feel priced out of the district, adding, “It’s nearly $2,000 for a one-bedroom in Ybor City.”
Leslie Mattern told the BLC that she’s probably seen more than 600 music and art shows in Ybor City and pointed out that court documents from the antitrust case caught local Live Nation employees joking about overcharging concertgoers for parking, VIP and lawn chair rentals at Tampa’s Live Nation-operated MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.
“robbing them blind baby,” Ben Baker—then working in Tampa as a regional ticketing director for Live Nation—wrote in a message. “that’s how we do”
“I understand that the Barrio is not here to make decisions on whether we like or dislike Live Nation,” Mattern added. “But I do think that it’s a part of your decision to understand compatibility and whether Live Nation can come in with a slick group of folks to make it look like Ybor does not mean that it actually belongs in Ybor.”
Clark Brooks, a comedian who previously worked at the USF Sun Dome (now the Yuengling Center) acknowledged that growth and development are important, but told the BLC that the city should not sacrifice its identity in the process—especially when a different locally-based developer has already proposed a slightly smaller venue just a few trolley stops away.
“Why don’t we get rid of Columbia and put up an Applebee’s? Does anybody really want to trade the 1905 salad for BOGO riblets?,” he said. “Let’s do the right thing now, so we don’t have to answer such stupid questions later.”
Live Nation, for its part, seems gung ho on moving forward.
In previous comments to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, reps for the promotions giant pushed back on a recent jury verdict saying that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster are operating an illegal monopoly.
Craig J. Richard, President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council told CL that Live Nation’s desire to open the venue is a vote of confidence in the economy.
“A vibrant entertainment venue in Ybor City brings jobs, foot traffic, and new energy to the district, enhancing quality of life and helping Tampa attract and retain the talented workforce that fuels our long-term growth,” he added.
Brittany Flores, President of Live Nation’s Florida Market President said that Tampa’s live music scene is thriving and that the company is excited to “support its continued growth.”
“…we’re excited to support its continued growth,” Flores added. “Currently, there is no venue of this size in the market, and this project will help fill a longstanding gap for artists and fans. We believe the venue will help attract touring artists and strengthen Tampa’s position as a destination for live music. Together with KETTLER, we’ll continue listening to community feedback throughout the process to help ensure the project reflects the character and history that make Ybor City so special.”
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This article appears in May 21 – 27, 2026.