Tampa City Council Votes on $4.1M SoHo Flood Project Today

UPDATE: The Tampa City Council is set to vote today, October 19, 2023, on a crucial $4.1 million funding proposal for the South Howard Flood Relief Project. This vote marks the beginning of the project’s “early works” construction phase, aimed at addressing severe stormwater issues in the area.

The proposed work includes “maintenance of traffic and site preparation, installation of new water mains, and roadway reconstruction/resurfacing” in key neighborhoods, according to City of Tampa documents. This project has been under consideration for over a decade due to long-standing concerns about flooding risks from both rainy days and storm surges from the nearby bay.

Brandon Campbell, the interim Mobility Director for the City of Tampa, emphasized the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades: “We know that there’s insufficient, inadequate infrastructure for stormwater in many areas across the city.” The project is expected to remove and reinstall 2.5 miles of century-old water mains and culverts, running from West Swann Avenue to Bayshore Boulevard via South Howard Avenue.

While the plan aims to protect both residents and businesses, it has stirred significant concern among locals. Pam Cannella, a resident near South Howard, remarked, “Oh, my gosh, it’s going to be a mess. The impacts are more than this neighborhood or any neighborhood could handle.” Anneliese Meier of the Parkland Estates Historical Preservation Society criticized the project’s transparency, stating, “It was presented as something that it’s not. It’s going to cost every resident a lot of money.”

Local businesses are also apprehensive about the implications of construction. The project could lead to partial closures of South Howard Avenue, with Steve Michelini from the SoHo Business Alliance predicting a staggering 40% loss in foot traffic and a potential $10 million revenue drop for the area’s 35 bars and restaurants. “There are no parallel streets, so there is no way to get to these restaurants and businesses through the back door,” he said, calling for urgent reconsideration. “If you want to turn South Howard into a graveyard, keep going.”

If approved, the city plans to initiate construction in small sections, approximately a quarter mile each, though officials have not provided an exact timeline. The project, projected to cost nearly $65 million in total, could take several years to complete, further prolonging the distress for local residents and businesses.

As the vote approaches, the community is on edge, awaiting critical news that could reshape the future of South Howard. Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.