Balancing Development and Preservation in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, Concrete Jungles dominate the landscape with towering structures, creating noisy and polluted environments filled with air pollutants. These urban areas are notorious for their instability in terms of climate. However, amidst the challenges, TBEP’s new water plant has made significant strides by dramatically reducing nitrogen loads into Tampa Bay.
Despite this positive development, local advocates remain steadfast in their fight to protect the city’s natural resources. A recent clash between activists and city officials vividly illustrates the ongoing challenges of striking a delicate balance between development and preservation in Tampa FL Concrete.
City Council Considers Zoning Change
The City Council considered an ordinance to modify zoning to permit the construction of multifamily housing on lots smaller than those required for single-family homes. This zoning change will allow for the creation of duplexes on single-family residential lots, making it easier for families to share living space.
Derek Kilborn, manager of the City’s Planning and Historic Preservation Department, gave a presentation in favor of the zoning changes. He pointed out that the City’s zoning code is outdated and doesn’t account for the needs of today’s households, such as those with two working parents.
However, City Council Member Mike Floyd believes that as long as development is done with profit as the main motive, then housing will not be built for everyone who needs a place to live. He believes that the City could better address this issue by requiring developers to build affordable units as part of new developments and allowing for a larger number of affordable apartments on existing lots.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom Faces Zoning Change
As Tampa continues to face a housing shortage, developers like Related Group are doing everything they can to increase the supply. However, one business is fighting back against these developments because they believe it would hurt their bottom line.
Last year, Tampa council members rejected a plan for a residential tower on the property of Congregation Rodeph Sholom. But now, the developer is back with a new proposal.
The synagogue wants to sell part of its land, which includes a parking lot and preschool, to Miami-based developer Related Group for a 29-story condominium project. They say the funds from the sale will help keep their doors open for many years to come.
But the synagogue’s neighbors don’t want that to happen. They gathered at a recent Tampa City Council meeting to voice their concerns over the project. Some of them argued that the condos would ruin the neighborhood by creating noise, traffic and other issues.
The City of Tampa Receives a $67 Million Grant to Develop Public Transit
The city’s largest single transportation award will fund a new extension of Tampa’s historic TECO Line streetcar to the neighborhoods beyond downtown and Ybor City. The funding would make the streetcar a viable transit option rather than a tourist attraction, and help move people who can’t afford cars to jobs and other necessities.
A new Build America Bureau grant is also helping to finance a regional infrastructure accelerator office that will assist the city in pursuing projects like expanding the TECO line into east Tampa, extending SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit from Pinellas County into Tampa and adding stops at USF and the airport, and creating incentives for transit-oriented development along corridors.
In a survey conducted by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, 90% of downtown residents and workers say they want more options other than personal vehicles to get around town. The TECO Line extension could begin service as early as 2026. But the full project will depend on local and federal funds to come through.
The Future of Bayshore Boulevard
The city’s famous boulevard is home to a diverse range of architectural styles, from impressive mansions to modern high-rise apartments. The waterfront views of Tampa Bay create a serene atmosphere and a picturesque backdrop for the area.
However, the sidewalks along the Boulevard are often cluttered with trash and debris from the busy road. Many residents worry that the lack of safe walkways could lead to a rise in pedestrian accidents.
In the 1930s, federal WPA funds helped to widen and pave Bayshore Boulevard. Trolley car service ended in 1946. By the 1960s, high-rise buildings began to replace the homes in neighborhoods north of Bayshore Boulevard.
The Tampa Garden Club next door is a good example of the type of community-based uses that could be affected by future high-rise developments on Bayshore Boulevard. The Garden Club, which is on three acres and hosts weddings that are booked 18 months in advance, helps fund philanthropic work across Hillsborough County.