Socom’s SOFWORX part of bigger Tampa Heights redevelopment project
By Tribune staff
As someone who covers special operations and a guy who once created an urban design column when I was
editor of the Philadelphia City Paper, I find The Heights redevelopment project fascinating on several levels.
In Monday’s column, I wrote about a concept being created by U.S. Special Operations Command and the local academic/industrial infrastructure called “Thunderdome,” which is essentially a plan to increase the
development velocity of SOF-specific products. It would be good news for commandos in the field and a
potential economic boon because it would boost the region as a leader in the high-tech accelerator movement,
proponents say.
The Thunderdome concept is being shepherded by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.,
which is putting together a business plan with the understanding that it will take regional buy-in to make it
work.
Socom is already up and running, with a program called SOFWORX, set up in the old Armature Works
building and designed to better interface with those who can provide high-tech solutions to the command’s
needs.
This morning, I heard from the developers of The Heights, which would be built in the old Armature Works
building.