Parks Update: The Hillsborough River
Greenway Construction Drawings will be going out for bid in the
near future. The bid process takes 4 months and construction is
expected to begin in late April/early May. (UPDATE: DRAWINGS
WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONTRACTORS ON 1-17-03 FOR BIDDING. GROUND
BREAKING ANTICIPATED FOR MARCH '03) The area under consideration
is south of Blake High School through Riverfront Park to Tampa
Prep. The north area from Blake High School to ML King
Recreation Center is an add alternate and, due to retention and
grade change issues, is a more expensive proposition. A $100,000
RTP grant will pay for the work with the Transportation
Department giving an additional $80,000. No landscaping or
irrigation will be done in this phase, but a volunteer planting
with the Mayor's Beautification Program in late summer or fall
during the trail dedication is feasible.
After a CEPTD review with the Tampa Police Department,
several changes were implemented such as the use of lean rail in
lieu of benches under the interstate and North Boulevard bridge,
the use of stop rail at intersections, and the addition of two
(2) call boxes slated for the area behind Presbyterian Village
and behind Stewart Middle School. The gate currently at the
Blake High School property line will be relocated to the
southern property line of Presbyterian Village to allow that
area to be closed from dusk to dawn. The Tampa Prep section will
also be gated off from dusk to dawn. Lighting will be extending
into the existing trail area and illuminate the proposed
sections. Tampa Prep is currently reviewing the plans. (UPDATE:
AT A MEETING 1-9-03 WITH THEIR FACILITIES COMMITTEE THEY
REQUESTED WE MOVE FORWARD WITH AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT.) A new
lease underway with the University of Tampa will include a trail
easement and that area is being worked out.
Ms. Thompson asked about a possible passive walkway
alternative and what constraints or opportunities the Historic
designation might impose. Ms. Price pointed out we were probably
about 2 years from even applying for a grant and that the
historic designation might be helpful to getting a grant. Ms.
Thompson stressed the need to work with UT officials to educate
them regarding trail benefits and linkage north and south of the
University.
On the South Tampa Greenway, the Environment Assessment is
now under review by the base and acceptance is expected
"any day now." (UPDATE: THE E.A. WAS APPROVED BY AIR
MOBILITY COMMAND ON DEC. 23RD. THE AGREEMENT IS MOVING FORWARD).
A formal agreement for construction will be the next step.
Funding is available to construct the Bayshore Boulevard to Dale
Mabry Highway section. Design of a 1 mile trail section through
Gadsden Park is under way. An FDOT feasibility study for
Manhattan Avenue from the railroad south to Interbay Avenue is
underway, and T21funds are slated for the eventual enhancement
in '05 -'06.
South Tampa Greenway Properties: The Keen property purchase
just closed and is now owned by the City. The Liao property is
unlikely to proceed since the appraisal came in at $600K and
they received an offer from a developer of $1.4 M. The City is
hopeful to get an easement from the developer or use the
adjacent railroad right-of-way. Near the Royster property, two
sites have potential: the Ploof site (for sale) and the Hardeway
site (barrow pits). The ELAPP purchase of Picnic Island Bayou is
close and would be excellent for canoe trails. The acquisition
of the CSX site on S.Westshore Boulevard is also almost
complete.
Ms. Jill Buford mentioned an upcoming meeting on Thursday
January 28, 2003 at 7 p.m. in the New Port Tampa Recreation
Center at which Mayor Greco will address local concerns
regarding a proposed golf course. Ms. Price will send a mass
e-mailing prior to the meeting to garner support and Ms. Buford
has agreed to speak to the Neighborhood Liaison Office.
The Greenways and Trails Coordinator position has been
approved. Posting has not yet occurred.
Capt. Tom Bryan stated that there have been monies allocated
to create restrooms at each end of the Friendship Trail Bridge
span, on land owned by Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, and
an easement from FDOT must be in place prior to placing a
restroom. Capt. Tom also stressed the need for a
permanent-voting member from the City to attend the monthly
bridge oversight committee meetings. Approximately 20,000 users
each month are estimated to use the Friendship Trail Bridge.
Iron rangers accept donations but are not highly visible:
methods are being studied to artistically improve their
visibility.
Ms. Thompson suggested that Hillsborough County Commissioner
Kathy Castor be informed regarding the Friendship Trail Bridge
plans as she is serving on the Advisory Committee. Ms. Price
will forward a plan to Ms. Castor. Ms. Thompson also met with
Mayoral candidate Sanchez (at the request of Ms. Sharon Keene)
who is very interested in trails in Tampa. Ms. Price added that
Mr. Jim Fleming of the Bike Pedestrian Action Committee (BPAC)
will distribute a questionnaire to the City Council and the
Mayoral candidates for feedback on their greeenways and trails
position. Ms. Thompson suggests that after the new City Council
and Mayoral elections, that the CAC conduct a presentation to
update them. This date will be discussed and decided at the
March meeting.
New Tampa Nature Park (formally New Tampa Flatwoods Park) in
north Tampa has reached an agreement with Southwest Florida
Water Management District to use the area between the east
property line and the levy. The plans are under development for
this passive park, and include two (2) miles of hiking trails,
an access road with parking to include two (2) buses, a future
Nature Center/Classroom building with restrooms, and a paved
access trail to 2 Hillsborough County's adjacent Flatwoods Park.
No funding is currently available, but there is an offer by the
Transportation Department to assist in building the access
road/parking lot.
Riverview Terrace (part of the Hope VI project) is being
bird-dogged by Mr. Alan Wright to ensure the addition of
greenways and trails to integrate the project in the surrounding
community. The current plan had both single and multi-family
housing (rental and owned) with a senior center on Florida
Avenue. To link to the future River Tower Park and to the
Sulphur Springs Pool, there is a need for either widening the
existing bridge over Hillsborough River on Florida Avenue to
accommodate pedestrians or adding a separate pedestrian bridge.
There is a March deadline for T21 submission to accomplish this.
Also desired is a connection between the River Tower and the
Sulphur Springs Pool Complex, which may be accomplished via a
historic grant.
Canoe Launches are under development in at Sulphur Springs,
Templecrest Park and at Fort Brooke. An FCT grant is being used
to purchase the remainder of the downtown property adjacent to
the already acquired Fort Brooke parcels on Garrison Channel
between Florida Avenue and Beneficial Drive.
The Bruce B. Downs Trail has been completed from Amberly
Drive south to the city limits. Hillsborough County is working
with City of Tampa Transportation to make improvements at
Flatwoods Park: parking and restrooms.
BPAC has identified several roads ideal for On-Road Signage
and FDOT has responded by adding four (4) "Share the
Road" signs on Florida Avenue between downtown and Violet
Street. Other areas include roads adjacent to Rowlett Park and
Templecrest Park.
