TAMPA, Fla. — A memorial for Zion Cemetery in Tampa is one step closer to reality.

What You Need To Know

Built in 1901, Zion Cemetery is the oldest African-American cemetery in Tampa. Over the years, it was replaced by businesses in public housing, with hundreds of people left buried underneath

On Thursday, Tampa City Council approved a land swap with restauranteur Richard Gonzmart

Family members with loved ones buried there are relieved that the project will take place

The Zion Memorial project is expected to cost more than $8 million

Built in 1901, Zion is the oldest African-American cemetery in Tampa. Over the years, it was replaced by businesses in public housing, with hundreds of people left buried underneath. 

On Thursday, Tampa City Council members approved a land swap with restauranteur Richard Gonzmart. He owned a piece of the property off Florida Avenue. 

As part of the swap, Gonzmart will donate that property to the Zion Memorial. In return, Gonzmart’s company will develop a building next to Ulele restaurant in Tampa Heights that’s been part of a legal dispute after being first awarded by the city in 2012.

The swap will allow for a memorial to be built on the Zion property.

“Those are people, human beings that have been discarded, and I never could understand that,” said Gonzmart.

This deal has been six years in the making. Tampa’s mayor says this is just the beginning.

“Moving forward, preserving and protecting Zion Cemetery is an ongoing process,” said Mayor Jane Castor.

“We have 90% of the land that we need,” said Leroy Moore of the Zion Preservation and Maintenance Society. “We should be able to proceed with funding pursuits and fundraising to get the memorial design designed and eventually constructed.”

Sunstate Towing still has a piece of property that sits on top some of the graves. A lawyer for the owner of Sunstate Towing says there have been no negotiations with the city.

Zion board members say they can still move forward with the memorial, and family members with loved ones buried there are relieved. Geraldine Williams is a board member, and her great-great grandmother is buried at Zion.

“People upon death are expected to rest in peace,” Williams said. “And I think she is finally on her way.”

The Zion Memorial project is expected to cost more than $8 million.