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Pond, Traffic, Business On E. Tampa Agenda

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

EAST TAMPA - Mayor Pam Iorio hit the highlights of past and future projects in her annual review of the community's redevelopment.

•About $1.1 million will be spent in 2009 to turn a retention pond on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard into a mini-park.

•Money will continue to be spent on neighborhood projects such as this year's traffic calming in Highland Pines and road repaving in Grant Park.

•A long-range business plan to boost economic development is nearly complete.

•Tons of litter and debris have been removed and illegal dumpers arrested.

•And crime in the past year in East Tampa is down about 20 percent.

"I think we're on a good, positive track," Iorio said in delivering her State of East Tampa report to about 100 people at the Aug. 12 monthly meeting of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership.

Despite the generally good "report card," Iorio began by commenting on a shooting the night before at Fair Oaks Playground that left two teenagers wounded and three other teens under arrest.

"It's just unacceptable in our community that that kind of behavior goes on," she said. "We're going to keep a much closer eye on Fair Oaks. It's terrible. I'm disturbed by that."

Police Chief Steve Hogue said a patrol unit has been stationed at the park indefinitely to monitor activities.

Only days earlier, Iorio, Fair Oaks neighbors and the partnership had celebrated the opening of the Fair Oaks Community Lake at 34th and Caracas streets. The nearly $900,000 project turned a retention pond across from the park into a small park with a water spray, walking trail, gazebo and landscaping.

Iorio's annual report has become a tradition at the August meetings of the volunteer partnership, which works with the city in developing community projects. A portion of property taxes must be reinvested with the borders of Hillsborough Avenue, Interstates 275 and 4, and the city limits.

Residents posed questions about sidewalk fees, potholes, small business development and money for storefronts.

Barbara Ball-Bell wanted the city to return the $4,200 fee she paid instead of installing a sidewalk in front of her new home. Through a program created by the city council last year, such fees go into a city fund to build sidewalks elsewhere in the community.

Ball-Bell said she didn't have enough land to build a sidewalk; construction on her home was halted until she paid the fee.

"It does not make sense," she said. "I honestly feel like I've been strong-armed."

Iorio said the city is working with the council to address the fees, but any adjustments won't be retroactive.

"It's too high," she said.

The Rev. Pauline Cole wanted a new tire after having a blowout riding over a pothole hidden beneath a flooded street. Iorio directed the city's public works department to fill the hole.

Neighborhood infrastructure is a priority, Iorio said, noting that when she took office the city spent about $2.3 million annually on items including road repairs and paving. That has increased to about $7.5 million.

"By the time I leave I want to get it to $10 million," she said.

Bettye Griffin lamented the lack of retail in East Tampa.

"Aesthetics are great but we need businesses, restaurants, groceries," she said.

Iorio said the city is awaiting results of a study expected to show East Tampa has untapped spending power that isn't reflected in census data.

"Where we're hamstrung a bit is census data that paints a picture of East Tampa that is not accurate," she said. "I believe once this information is released, it will show businesses would do well in East Tampa."

William Dennis and Tatiana Denson, both nominees for the September elections to the partnership's board of directors, asked about jobs and help for small business owners.

Recent land purchases along 22nd Street could bring East Tampa an economic boost, Iorio said. Proposals for mixed residential and commercial projects will be sought.

"The city has been systematically buying up enough land to bundle it together to attract employers," Iorio said. "Eventually the strategy will pay off. We will be poised to work with this person or that company."
East Tampa redevelopment manager Ed Johnson said the city helped the owners of Fast Lane Clothing relocate a sewing plant from Drew Park to East Tampa. It employs about 24 workers, many from the community.

The city also is working with developers remodeling the former Milner Hotel on 50th Street. They plan to open a Quality Inn & Suites and a restaurant.

Businessman Marvin Knight asked why it has taken years to get approval for a façade program to give business owners money to improve their offices and storefronts.

Johnson said the city has not been able to find an individual or agency willing to administer a program only in East Tampa. The plan now is to join with other community redevelopment areas to create a larger pool of money.

"We're in the final stages of trying to pull that together," he said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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