Council advances Port Tampa Bay land-use change to allow a fourth cruise terminal

Tampa City Council unanimously approved first reading of an amendment to the city’s future land use map that would assign a public/semi-public designation to a 5.42-acre Port Tampa Bay property at 1300 East Harbor and Channelside Drive, a move the port says would enable a fourth cruise terminal in Channelside.

Why it matters: Port Tampa Bay told council the site, now containing surface water in a historic slip, could be filled and restored to upland for a new cruise terminal—an action the port says would support increased calls, passengers and regional economic activity.

What council voted on: The council moved TACPA 25-05 forward on first reading and scheduled second reading and adoption for Oct. 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. The motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.

Applicant presentation and economic claims: Kevin Aneer, a certified planner assisting Port Tampa Bay, said the slip was created decades ago and that filling it would “restore what were uplands” and allow construction of a passenger cruise terminal at the Metroport site. Charles Clueck, general counsel for Port Tampa Bay, summarized consultant economic analyses the port provided: as of February 2025 the port forecasted 372 cruise-ship calls and roughly 1.6 million passengers for the year; the port projects growth to about 395 calls and roughly 1.8 million passengers in the next fiscal year and estimated that the fourth terminal would support roughly 100 additional cruise calls and about 500,000 additional passengers annually, producing new direct and total jobs tied to cruise operations. Clueck attributed these figures to Martin & Associates economic analysis and port forecasting.

Public comment and support: Ken Stoltenberg, a Channel District resident and developer, told council he has worked with the port for decades and supported expanding cruise operations, saying the port and regional authorities “are just top notch and really, really aid in the economic development of the city.” No members of the public spoke against the amendment during the hearing.

Next steps and caveats: Planning staff noted the site is within the Coastal High Hazard Area and in the Port Activity Center; under the public/semi-public designation, maximum development potential will be defined later during site-plan and development review. The planning commission found the amendment consistent with comprehensive plan policies and the port’s master plan; council advanced the ordinance to second reading on Oct. 23, 2025.

Provenance: Staff presentation introducing the site began with Danny Collins and the item’s staff report; the item concluded with a unanimous council roll-call to place the ordinance on first reading.