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Davis Islands trail work in sight

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

DAVIS ISLANDS - Bids for construction of the Davis Islands neighborhood trail are due Dec. 1, putting the long-awaited city project on schedule to open next year.

The 1.3-mile asphalt trail that will run from Channel Drive and Davis Boulevard to Peter O. Knight Airport could cost $900,000, according to an August estimate by the consultant on the project.

"It's primarily going to run around the perimeter of the airport in the right-of-way property," said Laurie Potier-Brown, a landscape architect and planner with Tampa's parks department. Airport officials agreed to move a fence in some areas to avoid disturbing utilities and landscaping, she said.

At Martinique Avenue, the trail will cross Davis Boulevard and weave along the sea wall, providing a view of the waterfront and seaplane basin, Potier-Brown said. That trail will end at the airport's parking lot.

The trail to accommodate walkers, joggers and bicyclists will be 10 feet wide, except in a few areas where it narrows to between 6 and 8 feet.

The project will include benches, bicycle racks and water fountains that also will be able to fill dog bowls.

"We're trying to accommodate people and their animals," Potier-Brown said. Additional shade trees will be planted along the route.

Money for the project comes from $1 million Tampa General Hospital donated to the community in 2005 in return for leasing 0.4 acres of Marjorie Park for the 1,400-space garage completed in 2007.

As part of the agreement, the hospital also upgraded the portion of Marjorie Park that wasn't swallowed by the garage and agreed to build a quarter-mile trail segment on TGH property.

Though the segments are about two miles apart, the gap can be traversed via streets and sidewalks.

Evaluating bids could take several months, and construction will last six to eight months, Potier-Brown said.

The project that began with community meetings to receive thoughts from task force members, civic groups and others also required design work, easement agreements and approval of the Hillsborough Aviation Authority and city council.

In April 2007, when city officials first detailed plans for the trail, it was estimated it would open by December 2008.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 259-7124.

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