Tampa CRA approves $500,000 for East Tampa stormwater ponds and $135,530 for Waterworks Park accessibility; asks report on Burrell Park structures

The Tampa CRA board approved several budgetary and project directions Wednesday, including a $500,000 allocation for stormwater-pond improvements in East Tampa, an appropriation of $135,530.21 for accessibility work at Waterworks Park and a request for a written report on demolition of structures at Burrell Park.

Board member Maniscalco moved to allocate $500,000 from the East Tampa CRA budget for improvements to multiple stormwater facilities — identified in the meeting as Williams Street, Chelsea Street, Bay Street and two ponds near 40th Street and 19th Avenue. Council members and staff indicated the allocation was coordinated with CRA leadership and that McCray had been consulted. The motion passed.

Vice Chair Viera moved — and the board approved — accepting $135,530.21 from the Tampa Heights CRA to fund disability-accessible improvements at Waterworks Park. Cedric McCray confirmed the source and staff indicated the money had been handed to the clerk for the record.

Separately, Board member Hertack moved that CRA staff work with Parks & Recreation to address demolition of structures at Burrell Park near Nebraska Avenue and produce a written report by Aug. 20, 2025. The board approved the request and asked for a timeline for removal.

Implementation

Staff will follow up with Parks & Recreation and with neighborhood stakeholders to scope the stormwater-pond improvements and to schedule removal work at Burrell Park. The Waterworks Park appropriation will be processed from Tampa Heights CRA funds for the specified accessibility improvements.

The items were approved as discrete motions during the meeting; no additional ordinance or resolution numbers were recorded in the transcript.