Developers and city of Tampa officials gave a glimpse Tuesday of an ambitious plan to remake West Tampa near the Hillsborough River.

The Tampa Housing Authority held an open house and showcased their plan to several residents that turned out.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was in attendance and spoke about redeveloping the sometimes troubled area and reshaping it with parks, mixed-income housing, shops and restaurants - all in walking distance of the river.

The development, called "West River" is part of a long-range plan covering 150 acres. The area lies between Interstate 275 and Columbus Drive, Rome Avenue and the Hillsborough River.

The project calls for the demolition of the existing North Boulevard Homes and replacing it with mixed-income housing.

Funding for the project is the next step as the housing authority is seeking a $30-million "Choice Neighborhoods" grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Certainly the adjacent community for the next five, six, seven years should see a lot of construction activity," said Leroy Moore, the Tampa Housing Authority Vice President. "That brings economic development opportunity, jobs opportunity that is so in need."

Another public meeting about the project is set for Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at the MLK Community Center at 2200 N. Oregon Avenue.