TAMPA - Swank, style and luxury are on the march in West Tampa and could help transform the working-class neighborhood into a destination.

The Tampa City Council late Thursday approved rezoning the historic Fort Homer Hesterly Armory and its 10-acre property, paving the way for a 300-room five-star hotel, day spa and fitness center, farmers market, restaurants, cafes, artist studios, park and cultural center.

Heritage Square at the Armory predicts its $93 million project would boost the local economy by $250 million annually, attract 2,000 jobs and be completed by 2011.

"Right now it is an economic black hole," said Alex Spassoff, who owns a Howard Avenue business a block from the armory. "There is no revenue stream coming out of that 10 acres. This can be a village center similar to what you will find in European towns."

The council's unanimous vote is the latest step in a process that began in 2006 when the city received a half-dozen proposals to redevelop the 80,000-square-foot armory building and the property, 522 N. Howard Ave. A final public hearing is set for Feb. 7; if the rezoning is approved, Heritage Square can close on the property.

"I think this is not the end, but the beginning of a new West Tampa," said Councilman Charlie Miranda, who represents the neighborhood.

In March, the state's Department of Military Affairs Armory Board selected Heritage Square and the two parties signed a contract in July. There were two other finalists: an ice rink with multipurpose center and residences; and a creative industry center with film, video and sound studios as well as apartments and stores.

The developer is obligated to pay the armory board $830,000 for work that was done to the armory, and also must find a new location and build a facility for the remaining Florida National Guard staff.

Heritage Square says it has found a location in Pinellas Park across the street from where the Guard relocated most of its operation in 2005.

The city has a reverter clause on the armory property, which will be released in conjunction with Heritage Square closing on the property, officials say.

The armory was built in 1941 and has been home to the Guard since. It also served as an entertainment venue for decades. President Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke there and Elvis Presley and James Brown performed there. It held community events, dances, boxing and professional wrestling.

The developer cannot tear down the armory building, a local historic landmark. Heritage Square proposes stores and restaurants on the building's first floor. Upstairs will have artist studios and offices for creative industries, Heritage spokeswoman Chris Duffy said.

Critics say the project isn't appropriate for a working-class area and raised questions about its financing. One opponent at the hearing said it would bring too much traffic.

"It is a project that is too large for the community," said Pat Locker, who has lived near the armory since 1984.

"It is going to stifle the people who are living there now," she said.

Some council members also had complained that they were left out of the selection process.

Intelident Solutions, which owns Coast Dental Services, is a principal investor in Heritage Square. Intelident bought a former cigar factory near the armory and plans to move its headquarters there from Rocky Point.

Maura Barrios, a West Tampa resident and historian, credited Heritage Square for honoring the area's history and seeking neighborhood input. She asked the council to support the armory project.

"They wanted to know us," Barrios said. "They were impressed with us. They fell in love with us.

"I trust these folks," she said.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.