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New Work Aims To Ease Street Flooding

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

EAST TAMPA - The city's stormwater division is excavating and landscaping city land to improve drainage and ease flooding in Grant Park.

The project at 52nd Street and 32nd Avenue will cost about $60,000 and take up to two weeks to complete, stormwater director Chuck Walter said. He discussed the plan with residents at the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership's recent monthly meeting.

"It will be a nice, green open space," not a pond, Walter said.

The city bought the property for the stormwater project last year for $250,000 using the threat of its power of eminent domain, property records show. A house facing 32nd was torn down.

The L-shaped drainage area won't be fenced.

That prompted Grant Park Civic Association President Ralph Johnson to ask about safety.

"We have a lot of children here," Johnson said.

Walter said the drainage area won't have steep banks or be used for long-term water collection.

"That's why we made the slope so gentle," Walter said.

Rainwater tends to collect along 32nd, which "is a pretty main drag to get in and out of" the neighborhood, he said.

Stormwater officials will discuss the project at 7 p.m. Monday at the Grant Park Civic Association meeting at Grant Park Community Center, 3724 N. 54th St.

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

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