Plan Status Despite the challenges facing the University Area Community, Hillsborough County government, together with community stakeholders, recognizes the area's many assets and are committed to its revitalization. In the same year the Master Plan was completed, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) endorsed the plan and capital improvement projects identified in the document were submitted for funding consideration.  Projects funded to date include improvements to the 131st Avenue and 22nd Street intersection; improvements to 22nd St. from Bearss Avenue to the University Mall; and stormwater improvements. Area stakeholders consider the main street project a high priority and integral to fostering a sense of community identity. In February, 2001 the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan was amended to adopt the University Area Community Plan (click here to view amendment). Following this, Hillsborough County received a grant from the State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs, to complete an addendum to the Master Plan qualifying it for the Urban Infill program. The addendum was completed in January 2002 and will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan in late 2002. More recently, Hillsborough County and its consultant, PGAL, conducted a study to determine possible land use and zoning changes along 22nd Street to encourage redevelopment as envisioned by the Master Plan (click here to see map). The study, which resulted in a recommendation for a mixed-use zoning overlay for the area, was  completed in August 2002. The recommended overlay district incorporates design standards contained in the Master Plan, affordable mixed-use development and encourages pedestrian friendly design. In December 2002, Hillsborough County  submitted an application for designation of a portion of the University Area as State Enterprise Zone. The designation was approved and provides tax incentives for business located in the designated area (click here to see map). In June of 2004, the Board of County Commissioners approved Land Development Code (LDC) regulations applicable to the 22nd Street area.  The regulations, as recommended by the 22nd Street Master Plan, provide development design standards, allows for mixed-use residential and non-residential development and promotes a pedestrian friendly environment.  In order to implement the regulations, the Board of County Commissioners, on October 12, 2004, rezoned the properties along 22nd Street north of 131st Avenue to Bearss Avenue and those properties north of 131st Avenue to Fletcher Avenue.