Work could soon be underway to preserve the historic Jackson House.
After years of trying to save the deteriorating structure, crews are expected to begin stabilizing the Jackson House by next week.
The stabilization phase is the first step toward fully restoring the home.
During segregation, the Jackson House was a rooming house for African American greats. Guests included singers James Brown, Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.
It's Willie Robinson's family legacy. His mother started the rooming house.
"I think the Jackson House stands for the American dream," Robinson said.
Now, the nonprofit Jackson House Foundation has been formed to preserve it's history. The biggest task will be raising more than $1 million needed for the project.
"If we can spend the millions that we do for a campaign to elect a person, certainly $1.5 (million) should come real quick and very easy," said Carolyn Collins, chairwoman of the Jackson House Foundation.
The Foundation has received $50,000 from the Tampa Bay Lightning. That money will be used for the stabilization efforts.
"People will look at it and they may not see a big external difference, but it'll be a stronger house," Collins said.
The Jackson House Foundation is also holding meetings at the West Tampa Library to get the community involved in the project.
The meetings are held at 1 p.m. on the last Friday of every month.