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Delay Proposed On 34th Street

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

EAST TAMPA - With shrinking property tax revenue and tighter city budgets projected, a redevelopment group this week opted to recommend delaying a $590,000 redesign of a major community corridor.

The city has selected but not announced a contractor to redesign 34th Street from 23rd Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Design completion is anticipated in 2010 with an estimated $6.3 million construction project to follow.

The city has not committed funding for construction; property taxes from East Tampa's special tax district were approved last year for the redesign.

Sam Kinsey, a board member of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership, said paying for a plan with no construction money in hand was a "roll of the dice." The design could sit on the shelf for years.

"It is a blighted corridor in East Tampa," Kinsey said. "But unless we can find another source we probably ought to delay it."

Board members approved a motion recommending a delay, and East Tampa redevelopment manager Ed Johnson said he expected the city would accept it.

How long the project might be on hold is unclear. City and county governments are anticipating additional budget cuts after voters approved a property tax referendum last week.

The issue will be discussed at the partnership's general membership meeting Tuesday.

A makeover for a portion of 22nd Street remains on track with the city having pledged $2 million to the project. Johnson said half of the money is for redesign and half for construction.

No city money is committed to the 34th Street project, Johnson said.
Mayor Pam Iorio has made East Tampa redevelopment an administration priority and identified 22nd Street as a community gateway.

Residents have said they also want makeovers for 34th and 29th streets.

With the investment in 22nd Street, board member Charles Dudney Jr. said, "It's better to have one funded project instead of two unfunded ones."

If the 34th Street contract is delayed, Johnson said the $590,000 can be targeted for other projects in 2008.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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