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Council delays decision on $22 million Unite Ashley Drive project amid funding questions
Summary
Council delayed final approval of funding for the Unite Ashley Drive reconstruction project after staff said the total project is now estimated at $22 million and council members pushed to wait for CRA and federal grant certainty.
Tampa City Council continued action on the Unite Ashley Drive reconstruction after staff said the full project is now estimated at $22,000,000 and that the city currently holds a $5,300,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant for part of the work.
The resolution before the council would have recognized and appropriated the federal grant and moved earlier local funds into the project account so design work could proceed. Dennis O’Hara, chief (Infrastructure), told the council the item “is estimated to be a total of $22,000,000” and that the award covers only a portion of that amount. Mobility staff said additional funding sources being pursued include CRA contributions, bond proceeds and mobility fees.
Council members pushed back on the city’s assumed local share. Councilwoman Hertek said she could not support the proposal as written, calling the jump from an earlier $10.7 million estimate to $22 million “a huge discrepancy.” Councilman Viera and others said they were willing to pursue CRA contributions but were uncomfortable committing large amounts of general fund or city debt before CRA decisions and before federal grant funds were confirmed. Mobility staff said they have submitted a formal request to the downtown CRA for $8 million over three years and that the city intends to stagger the work and pursue partner contributions from FDOT and others.
Brandon Campbell, mobility, described the project area and how the city’s portion would fund work south of Laurel Street to reconnect the street grid, improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities and create developable frontage to support the Royal Regional Lot redevelopment. He said FDOT has preliminary plans for adjacent segments and that the larger corridor work could reduce traffic pressure on Ashley by restoring grid connections.
After extended discussion about grant certainty, CRA resources and competing priorities such as citywide paving, the council voted to continue the item for more information and coordination. The council directed staff to return with clearer commitments from CRA partners and to firm up which design tasks would proceed if only partial funding is available. The item was continued to the June 5 agenda for further review.
Council members emphasized the need for transparency about the funding mix and a clearer timeline before the council would commit significant local dollars.
