[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6394793,"mediaKeyId","2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2","parentId",2101968,"title","City, CRA and federal offices press to fund West Riverwalk extension as council weighs trade-offs","audioSeconds",1014,"startMs",7292000,"endMs",8306000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2&start=7292&end=8306","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2/thumbnail_7292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6394793/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/City-CRA-and-federal-offices-press-to-fund-West-Riverwalk-extension-as-council-weighs-trade-offs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394793-28ce3cbf7976ec96af275fe8d99294f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775130858&Signature=fkVqc3BBrPNscMeEH7Uk-aA8VHe2MV9Jvmxgi5n6pdacdXyhfDwJVArpvn8Q~Ebe5BzI1k8AIGfwi2NdalGpBUGPF0A-YQTKsi3bgnC7ddyhKm-XH8jhfoBAUXT9WvMIdikbgKT1GktyGmfaCwmUwQMR8yjVn7v99zkGK-ekfkKOI4oZ1P6I-XLoYqyGZFeKaqoaT65gxllHH~GY17ww2zpiPQ0O-nuIBcmVdpCroDZZJALY~4jMUY-L6cRDr2Kg6iD1vnprZXfe8D5vRw~uy6SCBE4yFHINm6Hcu5oSSMAmHMAGxVfeBB4rGzO0GiCDVP~XImCr5EpjvagogJJcsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Tampa, FL","date","2025-01-10T15:50:44Z","article","Tampa City Council members, city staff and neighborhood advocates on Jan. 9 pressed efforts to secure the remaining money needed to build the West Riverwalk extension in West Tampa, a project city staff described as a local mobility, resilience and economic-development priority that already carries a $24 million federal BUILD grant and a CRA recommendation for $10 million.

The council heard as many advocates and residents pointed to the riverfront project as one that will connect neighborhoods, boost pedestrian and bike access, and restore shoreline. City mobility staff said design is under way and construction could begin later this year if funding and property access needs are met.

City Director of Mobility Vic Bide told the council the project’s ‘‘core funding’’ is the $24 million BUILD grant the city received. The West Tampa CRA Citizens Advisory Committee voted to recommend $10 million over three years, he said, and the city’s government-relations team has requested a $4 million federal earmark through Congresswoman Kathy Castor and is preparing a separate state earmark request. The project budget cited by staff is about $52 million to $57 million including contingencies; staff said additional local leveraging would likely be required even if earmarks succeed.

‘‘This project hits just about every stated goal — safety, mobility, affordability, quality of life and connectivity to jobs,’’ Bide said, noting the city has secured most easements and that design is advancing toward 60% in coming weeks. He said staff expects to return with a more detailed finance plan as the earmark process and CRA vote progress.

Friends of the Riverwalk and other nonprofit and business speakers urged council to approve the CRA funding and to press for the federal and state allocations. Mary Beth Williams of Friends of the Riverwalk said completing the corridor ‘‘will not only enhance the Riverwalk experience, but also foster a stronger sense of community by connecting diverse neighborhoods’’ including West Tampa, Hyde Park and Tampa Heights.

Joe Robinson, chair of the West Tampa CRA Citizens Advisory Committee, said the project would be ‘‘a game changer’’ for mobility and economic opportunity in West Tampa and reported the CAC’s vote to recommend $10 million, 8–2 with one abstention.

Some council members and members of the public raised questions about trade-offs and the city’s use of debt and surtax dollars. Council members asked staff to clarify the city’s financing plan and the cost of interim borrowing. Mike Perry, the city’s budget officer, said the administration plans initially to use a short-term line of credit rather than issue bonds up front so the city would borrow only what it needs while awaiting other revenues. He said a line of credit would typically run several years and that interest would accrue while drawn.

Council members expressed different priorities. Some said they supported the extension as a way to invest in West Tampa’s neighborhoods and affordable housing connections. Others pressed for caution about adding general-fund debt or shifting surtax dollars away from voters’ stated priorities such as paving and stormwater.

City staff said some shorter-term resiliency and access upgrades tied to the Riverwalk work would continue while the broader finance plan is finalized; they also said design and certain preconstruction work are already underway and that some developer partners will construct segments adjacent to private projects.

The council did not take a final vote on November’s CRA recommendation or on specific city financing at the Jan. 9 meeting. Staff expects to return with a more detailed timeline, cost breakdown and proposed funding package as earmark decisions and CRA approvals are finalized.

Why it matters: The West Riverwalk extension links a large part of central Tampa, connects historically underserved neighborhoods to downtown amenities and jobs, and is tied to urban design, shoreline restoration and multimodal safety improvements. The project’s mix of federal, CRA and potential state funds, plus local debt if needed, makes the city financing plan politically and technically complex.

What’s next: Staff reported 60% design work is expected soon and that the City will continue to pursue federal and state earmarks while the CRA funding recommendation proceeds through the CRA process.

Community voices: Supporters argued the Riverwalk will spur walkable economic opportunity in West Tampa and help deliver shoreline restoration and multimodal safety. Skeptics warned about diverting limited local funds and about taking on additional borrowing while other urgent needs — notably stormwater and infrastructure repairs after Hurricane Milton — remain outstanding.

Ending: City staff said they will return with a detailed funding plan and timeline once earmark outcomes and CRA approvals are clearer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tampa City Council - 01/09/25","oneSentenceSummary","Tampa City Council members, staff and community advocates pressed funding and scheduling for the West Riverwalk extension in West Tampa, which already carries a $24 million federal BUILD grant and a CRA citizen-advisory recommendation for $10 million but still needs additional local and state/federal money.","taxTitle","Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida","taxId",2914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6394787,"Council votes and continuances: rezoning approvals, tied votes on a vacating petition and items continued to Jan. 23",102,4265000,4367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2&start=4265&end=4367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2/thumbnail_4265000.jpg","/articles/6394787/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/Council-votes-and-continuances-rezoning-approvals-tied-votes-on-a-vacating-petition-and-items-continued-to-Jan-23","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394787-031490ba88189a8b4905df97e7bb469d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775130858&Signature=Utpm5h7zbRI2QX7JuJDL2i5oYssE5wbKRgMoiwx8wtBHL2x9eYaoxavsObosVoT7SR4OCZUmKalYABDGnXqJBJ72jikAfrXVGmOUyCyBL2gq12KtLRhPKFXdkCl1qljZRqNm00OSW8TGribVfwnEHPPJQvtax8auAxg13CFvmifXw~YDlHdDtcE~mATZ9htS~JrN-g0OuzpTL9rFwzGVTJ9f2g8f52FpTNkRH9kGklkh2M8uop7-SbXOhfdg6LGGJuWsw~HK298uqAnsusp6kbYyOuBwxABwy8BcocE4mm-E3s3fjPSlz6fAaFqLU~ZxuW9aORw28FvoXUjuVQplyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tampa City Council recorded a series of procedural and land-use votes at its Jan. 9 meeting. Several rezoning ordinances were adopted on second reading, two quasi-judicial items ended in tie votes and were continued, and the council moved forward with first readings on purchasing and work-order thresholds.

What passed at second reading
- REZ24-09 (4913 N. MacDill Ave.): Council adopted the ordinance rezoning property from RM‑24 (residential multifamily) to a Plan Development allowing single‑family attached development. Roll call: unanimous yes; Councilmember Carlson absent.
- REZ24-77 (4720 N. Clark Ave.): Rezoning from Industrial General to PD all industrial general uses; passed unanimously.
- REZ24-94 (4107 & 4115 W. Bruce St.): Approved to PD for residential multifamily; passed unanimously.
- REZ24-107 (203 S. Moody Ave.): Rezoned from RO1 to PD (single-family detached/semi-detached); passed unanimously.
- REZ25-11 (2705 & 2708 N. 18th St.): Rezoned to Plan Development (storefront residential); passed unanimously.

Tied votes and continuances
- Item 44 (vacating an alley in Richwood Park) failed on a 3–3 tie during second reading; the vote was recorded as: yes — Clendenin, Viera, Hertek; no — Henderson, Miranda, Minuscargo; Councilmember Carlson absent. Under council rules, the item was automatically scheduled for continued consideration at the next regular meeting; the council continued items 44 and 45 to Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.
- Item 51 (REZ24-52, a larger downtown/Florida Avenue/Columbus Drive rezoning and associated bonus provisions) also produced a 3–3 tie on final consideration (Henderson, Hertek, Clendenin voted no; Viera, Miranda and Meniscalco voted yes; Carlson absent). The council reopened the public hearing and continued the item to Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.

First readings and other motions
- E20248 (purchasing/contract threshold ordinance): Council passed first reading on a legislative ordinance to raise the council approval threshold for purchases from lower amounts to $200,000 and to authorize the director of purchasing to administer public-improvement contracts under $200,000; second reading scheduled Feb. 6, 2025.
- Section 2‑280 (work orders to professional services): Staff presented and council approved first reading to increase the threshold for work-order approvals for professional services to an aggregated $200,000 per fiscal year; second reading scheduled Feb. 6, 2025.

Other notes
- A walk-on agreement allowing the mayor to execute a license and hold-harmless with the Port of Tampa for Gasparilla-related temporary work was approved.
- Several staff reports and continuances were scheduled across upcoming agendas; the council recorded routine motions to receive written reports and schedule public hearings.

Why it matters: The passed rezonings clear specific development pathways for properties across the city. The tied votes on an alley vacating petition and its associated rezoning underline the sensitivity of some local land‑use changes and will require a full council reconsideration at the next meeting.

What’s next: Items 44 and 45 (vacating/rezoning pair) and item 51 will be returned for public hearing and decision on Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.; ordinances that passed first reading will return for second readings on Feb. 6.

Ending: Councilmembers and staff noted additional outreach, corrected agenda items, and follow-up reporting dates for procurement and stormwater matters.","Council approved several rezoning measures (46–50) on second reading by roll call, recorded ties on a vacating/rezoning package and continued those items to Jan. 23; council also advanced two first‑reading ordinances that change contract approval thresholds to $200,000 with second readings scheduled in February.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6394791,"Audit of stormwater pump stations prompts short-term fixes and a Jan. 30 report on upgrades",259,9936000,10195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2&start=9936&end=10195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2/thumbnail_9936000.jpg","/articles/6394791/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/Audit-of-stormwater-pump-stations-prompts-short-term-fixes-and-a-Jan-30-report-on-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394791-f336862e71d769e266d10fdfcb14c1fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775130858&Signature=g4ExAa65jLrn~UeEry5hPKT6BpvRqipFKZRhqz7zPdBBCLcBRKeydz16DwBqRGyShkMgGagAwjUkQ7-TTkLQ2Gsy-HE97DSDB63qkJPTSx9zSrvvJwRL8XfZ6HKkNWP93OGmwmQdi5m-DYgA1lpeJlKXgKflbAG4~lXyl3vgpDwgnE7FphH96-58Cpb4Dp6y9KXIGgzlXVsuupWQWEhJ4NayGB7cPc94kfyglWRB-91gLJC3EJcH3kVJvYXgJ8Rugq8sBl7Z--MEIPiJ5SDXGOq~GRU5CqPJfY2CREyO9BMO1YPFRbO4ZKUk97VrvBrGsDGxF9DrFugYmnx9t1exDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A city audit of stormwater pump stations and related bridge operations prompted Tampa staff to report Jan. 9 on near-term fixes and to promise a more detailed engineering and financing proposal on Jan. 30.

City audit staff reviewed bridge operations, stormwater operations and pump‑station readiness; Director of Mobility Vic Bide said the audit had been requested in 2023 and completed in December 2024. The audit raised reliability and monitoring concerns tied to instrumentation, generator transfer systems and standard operating procedures.

Bide told the council the city already has begun steps to reduce vulnerability: staff engaged instrumentation contractors used by the water/wastewater utility to inspect pump stations, began upgrades to sensors and controls, and are improving monitoring and camera coverage. He said generators themselves were generally functional when tested, but transfer switches and other controls failed to engage reliably at some locations during power loss.

‘‘We are taking additional precautions now,’’ Bide said. ‘‘When we reduce pond levels before a storm, we will switch to generator power proactively when needed and we will accelerate necessary instrumentation and transfer‑switch upgrades.’’

Budget staff told council the near‑term plan will use a short-term line of credit rather than upfront bond issuance, to allow the city to draw only as much as needed while additional fund sources are pursued. Budget Officer Mike Perry said the line of credit would likely be for several years and incur interest while funds are drawn; the administration plans to brief council on bond capacity and financing at the end of February.

Staff estimated a full package of pump‑station modernization — including generators, transfer switches, sensors, cameras and controls — could require mid‑single-digit to low‑double-digit millions of dollars; Bide said staff would provide a more precise scope and cost estimate on Jan. 30 with recommended phasing and interim measures.

Council members asked for clarified timelines, contracts that would allow rapid deployment of repair crews and portable equipment in future storms, and greater public transparency about which pump stations have backup power and which do not. Staff said they will return with standard operating procedures, a prioritized list of stations for upgrades and procurement options for emergency staffing and equipment access.

Ending: The administration will present a detailed modernization scope, costs and short‑term deployment plan at the Jan. 30 council meeting.","An internal audit of bridge operations, pump stations and stormwater operations prompted staff to outline interim actions — portable generator support, instrumentation reviews and SOP updates — and to promise a detailed scope and cost return on Jan. 30; staff estimated full upgrades could take up to two years if funded.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6394792,"City outlines funding and vendor plan to help residents hit by flooding after Hurricane Milton",2197,6723000,8920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2&start=6723&end=8920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101968-f831853a042843680a1d894e3b85efd2/thumbnail_6723000.jpg","/articles/6394792/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/City-outlines-funding-and-vendor-plan-to-help-residents-hit-by-flooding-after-Hurricane-Milton","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394792-b82e654a12d8545090be37bc27bb822c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775130858&Signature=EjCaoiGbR1-~aY71rKWN4Z4kg9~fg1nnOShx4EFFn2FUfYaPkKywBwf32osjivjt9B7ynNzUNW97TXNFmfu2TQHOddyjo7nOkDHmaRMlDl6WCsGOuKu9VSqafGbiqFWJWxES7yiT96obE3wIVtnGlB-xShfie9x6gEGfVyY7ywid201P8cYcSp8HuNY9pHYAx9gWj3waZbIACaA0EYTqnoamry-CRzzGCbIqUzWJgjL34O362Ge6krXHWdscDhkuQ~x5bPOOh2VZCiutjbYVY9jWGQaGirhj9HNIdtlaRofyMjAwFUbs6EVKcVDDuGXUrDn1Dm3M4HGTrb6QTVS5Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tampa city staff on Jan. 9 outlined an initial package of housing and disaster-relief funding and a plan to use an outside vendor to manage distribution for residents whose homes were damaged or flooded during Hurricane Milton.

Director-level staff described three immediate sources the city is preparing to deploy: roughly $3 million in SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership) program income the city can target, a forthcoming SHIP disaster allocation (about $213,000 noted by staff) and broader federal disaster relief announced Jan. 7–8 that included large sums directed to Hillsborough County. City staff said they were in early discussions with county officials about coordinating an expected $700 million county allocation from a federal disaster package.

Abby Feeley, administrator of Development and Economic Opportunity, told council the city is negotiating with a third-party administrator (staff referenced ICF as a vendor under consideration) to run an intake and payment system so the city does not overburden internal staff and to reduce duplication across jurisdictions. Feeley said any contract with an outside administrator would be presented to council for approval.

‘‘We don’t want the website or application to crash or to duplicate county services,’’ Feeley said. She said the city is structuring eligibility to prioritize lower-income households and those with greatest damage and that program details will be posted publicly before applications open.

Brenda McKenzie, director of workforce partnerships, reported results from the city’s returning-citizens employment initiative, which has been run through community partners: 253 people enrolled, 207 completed a mandatory six-week professional development course and 164 have obtained employment so far. Council members and staff discussed making the returning-citizens effort permanent and discussed the possibility of an Office of Returning Citizens to coordinate placements, services and employer engagement.

Staff also confirmed operational steps to help residents with storm-damaged homes: building-permit fees for storm repair were being waived and city inspectors and code staff are prioritizing substantial-damage assessments. Staff pointed residents to a dedicated email address (floodfocus@tampa.gov) and said permits tied to storm damage would be expedited.

Why it matters: Hundreds of households in parts of Tampa experienced storm damage and flooding after Milton. City and county coordination will determine how quickly homeowners and renters get temporary assistance and longer-term hazard mitigation help. The use of a third-party administrator is intended to speed assistance but will require council approval of contracts.

What’s next: Staff said it will return with a vendor agreement (targeting Jan. 23 or early February for a council agenda item) and described a tentative schedule to make applications available in early February once contractual and administrative steps are complete.

Ending: Council members praised early results for the returning-citizens employment program and urged prompt, transparent deployment of relief funds and clear public instructions on how to apply for aid.","City staff told council about a package of disaster-recovery tools: $3 million in SHIP program income, a SHIP disaster allocation and a large federal allocation to the county; the administration plans to use a third-party vendor to distribute funds and will return with an agreement and public intake timeline.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City, CRA and federal offices press to fund West Riverwalk extension as council weighs trade-offs

Council votes and continuances: rezoning approvals, tied votes on a vacating petition and items continued to Jan. 23

Audit of stormwater pump stations prompts short-term fixes and a Jan. 30 report on upgrades

City outlines funding and vendor plan to help residents hit by flooding after Hurricane Milton