The former Fort Homer Hesterly Armory is about to officially be reborn.

A groundbreaking is taking place today at the historic facility at 522 north Howard Avenue in Tampa.

The armory, that once housed concerts, dignitaries and even championship wrestling will be transformed into the new Jewish Community Center.

When completed, the facility will be called the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, with a nod towards the Buccaneers' co-chairman who is putting $4 million towards the project.

The facility will house an event center, a pool, track and gym, along with an art center and preschool. The revamped structure will offer 100,000 square feet of community space.

"This is the beginning of something special," Mayor Bob Buckhorn told the gathered crowd. "This is the beginning of what Tampa will look like 10 years from now.

"This anchor on Howard Avenue will serve Tampa in ways the city has never been served before. Jews and Gentiles brought together at a facility for a common purpose. This is a great day."

The building has been vacant since 2004 but has a special place in Tampa history. John F. Kennedy spoke at the building days before his assassination. Elvis Played there and Championship Wrestling from Florida was a staple at the building in the 1970s.

The building, constructed under Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

The new facility is expected to open in 2016.