DOWNTOWN - Construction crews are reshaping the old Maas Brothers site on N Franklin St. into a parking lot with more than 100 spaces and possibly charging stations for electric vehicles.

Maas Brothers closed in 1991 and, aside from a couple of restaurants, the building sat relatively vacant for years. In 2006, the lot sold for $11 million. The old department store was destroyed to make way for a high-rise condo complex. However, that project never left the ground, and ICI Shopping Centres bought the lot in December for $2.7 million.

Once it's completed, downtown's latest parking lot will be accessible from Zack, Tampa and Twiggs streets. It is expected to open in July. Seven One Seven Parking Enterprises will operate the lot.

Jason Accardi , president of the parking company, said he is in discussion with TECO Energy Inc. to feature charging stations for electric vehicles.

Ultimately, the lot will be sold or redeveloped, Accardi said. "We feel it's a good addition for downtown for the interim," he said.

Christine Burdick , president of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, said the spaces will be a boon for now, but hopefully the lot will not be there forever.

"That area can use some additional parking, there are a number of things that have either opened and developed or are going to," Burdick said. "Long term, everyone agrees that the highest and best use would be commercial or retail but for now we can use parking in that area."

Jared Leone can be reached at (813) 226-3435 or jleone@sptimes.com.