CHANNEL DISTRICT - If developer Michael J. Scarfia Jr. achieves his dream, residences, stores and a hotel could transform an area filled with the gritty ship industry in the shadow of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.

Scarfia, president of Gibraltar Development Corp., unveiled a rough outline of the urban community plans at the Channel District Council meeting Nov. 14.

Gibraltar will seek rezoning of 22 acres where the majority of International Ship Repair & Marine Services is located. The company will seek city council approval Jan. 10, and plans to include three public parks in its North Ybor Channel project, including a streetcar stop.

The Clearwater-based company, developing the residential high-rise Venu on the southwest corner of Ashley Drive and Kennedy Boulevard, plans three towers for North Ybor's first phase. The buildings could house more than 800 residences, offices and retail, and a hotel.

Scarfia cited the "location and the feel of the area" as the reason to develop an industrial strip of land bordered by Adamo Drive, 19th Street, Channelside Drive and Harbor Street. He said he planned his project before Ikea, a Swedish furniture chain, settled on a nearby Adamo location.

Another developer's plan to build a deluxe hotel and residences south of the Gibraltar site failed this year. But Scarfia said his project will roll out in phases, plus offers the city many amenities, including a makeover of the desolate area under the expressway and a Harbor Walk along the water.

Michael English of WilsonMiller, an engineering, planning and design company, presented Gibraltar's plans to about 20 people at the neighborhood council's gathering at The Florida Aquarium.

He said International Ship is selling the property to Gibraltar and plans to move in a year or so. The project's architecture style hasn't been set, so English showed sketches of block buildings where the complex will be.

Developer Ken Stoltenberg, who recently opened the Grand Central at Kennedy residential and retail project, asked whether a marina could go on the site. English said that proposal would have to be considered separately. Later, Scarfia said boat slips wouldn't be possible because of Port of Tampa security concerns.

The property, which wraps around the channel, will have significant drainage issues, so construction could be three years away, English said.

Andy Scaglione, who owns property across from the site, said he would support Gibraltar's plans.

"I'm excited about the integrity of this builder," he said.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.