Tampa Riverwalk

[dmpeek77]

the city cannot afford that property and simdag is in the hole already they are not going to give the city any deals on it.

[HARTride 2012]

Originally Posted by dmpeek77

the city cannot afford that property and simdag is in the hole already they are not going to give the city any deals on it.

That is the problem...especially with property tax reform draining every municipality in the state of funds, forcing them to make serious cutbacks. Iorio said that she will be giving out tons of pink slips to city employees today cause of the budget cuts.

[FloridaFuture]

Raining On The Riverwalk

By ELLEN GEDALIUS The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 13, 2007


Work continues on the Riverwalk portion at Platt Street in Tampa. While other mayors have failed to complete the project, which dates to the mid-1970s, Pam Iorio is determined to finish it.
JAY NOLAN / Tribune

Mayor Pam Iorio: Make Tampa A City Of Possibilities
Riverwalk Dream To Finally Step Out

Be Prepared To Open Your Wallets For Riverwalk
to skate, for tourists to find a neat restaurant.

That is Mayor Pam Iorio's vision of the Riverwalk, a project she embraces as an economic engine that could help transform Tampa's drab downtown into a destination point.

But lately, as the city announces layoffs and service cuts, the Riverwalk has become a lightning rod for criticism. People wanting potholes filled, laid off workers and government watchdogs question why the city is spending money on a project they perceive as a luxury, especially as they open their wallets wider to pay property taxes and insurance bills.

"Financially, there are a lot more things the city can use than that," said south Tampa resident Patty Flanagan. "That money can go to other things that can benefit the city of Tampa as a whole, not just a select group that lives near the Riverwalk and the bums at night."

That's a sentiment Councilman Charlie Miranda said he hears from his West Tampa constituents, and one shared by homeowners in east Tampa who speak with activist and former council member Frank Reddick.

"People are concerned about property taxes and insurance. In my neighborhood, it's not a priority," Reddick said.

Iorio says she hears a different message. The public wants the Riverwalk, she says, so much so that they wish it were already complete. She says the excitement is palpable, and uses this as an example: After she gave a speech recently, someone, without solicitation, handed her a check for $300.

"I can tell you I have received so much positive [feedback] about the Riverwalk," Iorio said. "I have heard complaints about every major project that is funded, but I really received very few complaints about the Riverwalk."

Piecemeal Plan
In government circles, there's a joke: What do former mayors Bill Poe, Bob Martinez, Sandy Freedman and Dick Greco, as well as Iorio, have in common?

They all tried to build the Riverwalk.

The effort started in the mid-1970s when wooden planks were used to build a walkway across the river from Plant Park. The planks eventually were removed.

In the 1980s and 1990s, mayors started assembling land for the Riverwalk. When Iorio was elected in 2003, she made the Riverwalk a priority, chose Lee Hoffman to be her point man, and hired a consultant to design a master plan. She hopes by 2010 to connect the Channel District and Tampa Heights with 2.2 miles of green parks and waterfront walkways.

A bond could have been floated to pay for the project in full, leaving taxpayers to pay off the note. But Iorio chose to build it piecemeal, as money is available. That way, she says, taxpayers won't be on the hook for the project for years to come.

In recent years the city has built a couple of Riverwalk segments, including USF Park and MacDill Park, both along the southern edge of Ashley Drive. This year, work began on the Platt Street bridge segment at a cost of $2.6 million.

Funding Formula
There's a misconception that property tax dollars are funding the Riverwalk. In actuality, no property tax money is being used. But that doesn't mean public tax money is being spared.

The city set a goal of raising $40 million, the estimated cost to complete the Riverwalk.

About $24 million of that total is to come from private donations, not tax dollars. So far, about $7.6 million in private donations have been pledged, including about $600,000 already collected. A significant portion - about $5million to $6 million - of the private sector contributions will be from private developers building along the Hillsborough River.

Public money will be used to finance the remaining $16 million, most of it coming from gas taxes. To date, about $7.5million in public money has been put toward the project, including $2 million from Gov. Charlie Crist this year.

In Hillsborough County, motorists spend about 48.5 cents per gallon on gas taxes, generating more than $11 million for the city. That money generally goes to street lighting, traffic engineering and other transportation-related projects.

In all, Iorio says, the city plans to spend about $5.6 million in gas tax money on the Riverwalk.

"For a relatively small amount of money, that's a huge return," Iorio said.

'Are You Crazy?'
But to some taxpayers, the source of the money doesn't make a difference.

Lee Campbell, who lives near Carrollwood and works downtown, is vocal about her distaste for the project.

"I don't think with the things facing the city's economy, it should be a priority," she said. "It may be nice, but it's not an imperative."

Brian Thompson, a city surveyor for four years, mentioned Riverwalk last month after learning he'd been laid off. "I feel like priorities are not in order," he said this week. "It's nice for the city to move forward, but if you have a city full of jobless and homeless, what's the point?"

Not a week goes by that Miranda doesn't hear from his West Tampa constituents about the Riverwalk. The message: "Are you crazy building a Riverwalk? I have no drainage. I have potholes."

Reddick, who is active in east Tampa neighborhood groups, fields similar complaints.

"They've shown no interest in east Tampa," Reddick said. "Most residents would like to see improved street lighting, improved sidewalks."

Supporters: Now Is The Time
Beth Leytham, the marketing coordinator for Friends of the Riverwalk, has heard the talk.

"It's a project right now that seems to be an extra," she said. "It's hard for folks to understand why it's still important to wisely invest in our future."

But she is confident the timing is right, and that the Riverwalk will pay off big in the long run.

The economic benefits will be great, with restaurants and small retail shops along the riverfront. And residents and tourists alike will be able to enjoy the Riverwalk's low-cost entertainment by renting boat slips, going for walks or enjoying open-air concerts.

Sherry Genovar-Simons, an activist in southeast Seminole Heights, also supports the project.

"You bring a lot of people into town for events," she said. "If you do not have things for them to do when they come, it makes it less attractive."

Bringing the public's attention to the river is good for the city, said Rich Brown, an environmentalist on the board of the Friends of the River.

"I definitely would think the idea of using our natural resources as a focal point of building our city's identity is a great idea," Brown said. "It's a good use of tax dollars."

But he knows not everyone is so supportive.

"Just the luck of the draw, it's happening as the state of Florida is readjusting itself after a couple of decades of living large," Brown said. "It's one of the few things that acts as a lightning rod. It used to be the art museum, and now it's being replaced by the Riverwalk.

"For most people, the river just isn't part of their lives. Why waste money downtown?"

Hoffman, the city's Riverwalk manager, occasionally gives boat tours along the Riverwalk's future path. He said his passengers often board the boat with skepticism.

"When it's this fuzzy plan - Riverwalk - it doesn't mean anything. It's putting a sidewalk in downtown," he said.

"But once you tell them the big plan, they get excited about it."

Big-Ticket Projects
Of course, the Riverwalk isn't the first and won't be the last big-ticket government project that draws a reaction from weary taxpayers.

Former Councilman Bob Buckhorn, now a political analyst, reflected on the opposition decades ago to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. That was followed by the Florida Aquarium and the new football stadium.

Now it's the Riverwalk.

"Big projects like the Riverwalk are looked upon as unnecessary, are easy targets," Buckhorn said.

"As a result of that, it really takes politicians with guts to go out there and put the muscle behind the rhetoric, and I'm not sure that's being done."

Buckhorn wonders if the city should sell bonds to finance the project and build it all at once, rather than step-by-step.

"You've got to excite people," Buckhorn said, "and I'm not sure they've done that. Part of it is a communication problem, part of it is, it's not a priority."

GASSING UP
The $40 million Riverwalk project is being funded in large part by private donations. On the public side, no property taxes are being used. Instead, several million dollars of gas tax money will help pay for the 2.2-mile walkway. Gas taxes can be spent on transportation-related projects that include:
•Public transportation operations and maintenance

•Street drainage

•Street lighting

•Traffic signs, traffic engineering, signals and pavement markings

•Bridge maintenance and operation

•Debt service on transportation capital projects, including constructing roads and sidewalks

GASSING UP
The $40 million Riverwalk project is being funded in large part by private donations. On the public side, no property taxes are being used. Instead, several million dollars of gas tax money will help pay for the 2.2-mile walkway. Gas taxes can be spent on transportation-related projects that include:
Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGB6LKL324F.html

[Jasonhouse]

Originally Posted by wslupecki

That is the problem...especially with property tax reform draining every municipality in the state of funds, forcing them to make serious cutbacks. Iorio said that she will be giving out tons of pink slips to city employees today cause of the budget cuts.

Indeed, this has got to be the most irresponsible state legislature that this state has had in at least a generation... They are unquestionably placing short term political gain ahead of this state's economic future. The fact that they are using the inequity of the SOH issue to game the property tax system even more is unconscionable.

But lately, as the city announces layoffs and service cuts, the Riverwalk has become a lightning rod for criticism. People wanting potholes filled, laid off workers and government watchdogs question why the city is spending money on a project they perceive as a luxury, especially as they open their wallets wider to pay property taxes and insurance bills.

There is a word for this reasoning... it's called 'myopia'...

[randommichael]

Well, as long as people keep electing these Rhonda Storms Republicans...this is what you'll get.

[jonknee]

Lee Campbell, who lives near Carrollwood and works downtown, is vocal about her distaste for the project.

It's good to know that people who don't live in the city have an opinion on the Riverwalk that they will get to use for free.

If the Riverwalk does get finished it will bring in way more jobs than could be "saved" in the short term. We'll be down one surveyor but be able to get more conventions, sporting events, movies, public art displays, hotels, restaurants, etc.

[TamBay]

I believe this is one of the most "responsible" acts (cutting property taxes) from a state legislature in a long time. We spend an ungodly amount of money in the local, state, and federal governments. It has gotten to the point that we spend so much, much of it is not monitored and frankly goes to waste. I say continue cutting taxes. With more money in people's pockets, I believe you will see an increase from private donors to projects such as the Riverwalk and the Art Museum, and people from "Carrollwood" will stop bitching about where their tax money is going.

Oh, by the way, I teach high school here in Tampa, so I am not a rich American trying to get out of paying my taxes.

[smiley]

People in Carrollwood - of whom I know a lot - don't pay for city projects. They are in the county and many of them support the downtown development.

[HARTride 2012]

Originally Posted by randommichael

Well, as long as people keep electing these Rhonda Storms Republicans...this is what you'll get.

Don't even mention that name! That witch did practically nothing for Hillsborough Co. when she was a commissioner. At least nothing that seemed very satisfying to me. Not to mention she started countless stupid arguments with the good politicians like Kathy Castor. And what has Storms done in the Senate so far that has been good? Please name some if you can.

[FloridaFuture]

Originally Posted by smiley

People in Carrollwood - of whom I know a lot - don't pay for city projects. They are in the county and many of them support the downtown development.

I'm a former Carrollwooder, and almost all of my old friends from there also know and support a downtown revitalization.

Also, something that needs to be remembered about this particular project, though, is that people form outside the city likely won't make the trip downtown just to walk the riverwalk. They will likely go for something they will pay for while they are down there, thus in a way they are paying for it.

Especially if they gas up while in the city limits in this case, since gas tax is a major source of funding.

[Big Jon]

Im telling you now if the city buys trumps(simdags )property for a park and myself and 230 other employees of the city were laid off IO really have a serious problem with that!!!!

[HARTride 2012]

Of course, now that I read the article earlier, I now realize that the riverwalk has been in the works for a long time. I knew the Greco administration had presided over the construction of a couple parks along the river/channel but I had always thought the concept did not stretch back as far back as the 70s. But I will continue to say that Iorio is spending too much of her time and energy for that project. I say she should hold off on it and focus on keeping the city aloft until the property tax thing blows over.

[tampamobster21]

She is trying to make this project her claim to fame, and she is doing it the wrong way. It is like she is Marie Antoinette and she is telling the people that she laid off to eat cake. This project will be one of the things that will unite the city, but it is on the backs and wallets of people who are already stretched thin. I feel bad for those who were laid off and I wish that there was a loop hole that would provide them their jobs back.

[Jasonhouse]

^The project will create far more jobs than you people are erroneously portraying it as eliminating.

It is ridiculous to try and stop it now, and threaten the city's reputation, as well as the desireability of downtown's revitalization... I don't know if anyone noticed, but DT Tampa pretty much sucks, and we NEED all of these little projects to be tied in together by something like the Riverwalk (and I pray to God by the trolley when people finally wake up), so that we can increase the return on the hundreds of millions already spent downtown.

That's what people aren't seeing here. The money the city is spending on the Riverwalk is dick compared to just the return on that investment seen in the from of higher property tax and sales tax revenues (from higher land values and increased DT activity).

Besides, city workers who lost their jobs, ESPECIALLY people in the parks department, should be thanking their lucky stars that Iorio is wisely insisting that the Riverwalk be completed as promised. because frankly, you would probably never get your jobs back if the Riverwalk was cancelled, but with it being built, there will naturally be more money and more work for city employees.

[HARTride 2012]

^
Now that I think about it Jason, it may be far worse at this point to stop the Riverwalk cause of city jobs. However, my views on the Riverwalk and Iorio remain. I still think she is wasting too much of her efforts on the project.

[JBrisco]

The riverwalk is very important for Tampa, and will open the doors for future development. This is an attraction that I think we will see in its completion that people will always be around all day and all night.
For Instance, in Paris they have the riverwalk on the Sein, and when I did a river tour of Paris there were always kids with their girlfriends/boyfriends out there, its romantic, well if we have that in Tampa, there's a hot date spot, the same with rooftop restaurants that we have an extreme lack of.
In terms of attractions, the riverwalk is important, and as for the community of downtown, it is needed. But its more than that too, its greenspace, a relaxing walk, and so much more. This has way more benefits than most of the public think.

Iorio is not wasting her efforts, her efforts are to revitialize downtown, not to make a name for herself. She can say how much she wants rail but she can't do diddly about it with out the help of the state, which she won't have.

[HARTride 2012]

Originally Posted by JBrisco

Iorio is not wasting her efforts, her efforts are to revitialize downtown, not to make a name for herself. She can say how much she wants rail but she can't do diddly about it with out the help of the state, which she won't have.

Darn right she won't get her rail. No funding...rail no go. Why can't any of these govt officials realize this reality? That's what I don't understand.

I understand fully that Iorio's wish is to have a more vibrant downtown, and I'm all for it. It is just a couple of these elements (like the riverwalk) that I believe Iorio is wasting her time on. I sure hope the project gets completed within the next fifteen years, if that's what she wants to continue working on. More than likely, the project will have to be carried on by whoever becomes Tampa's mayor next. And I have no clue as to whether or not that mayor will be willing to actively complete the project.

[smiley]

True - she will not get her rail, but rail will come after she is gone. It is inevitable due to growth, traffic, environment, etc. IF Houston and LA have rail, Tampa will get rail.

Finally, as I said when Orlando approved rail - that guarantees we will get it eventually.

[tamparican]

good Point^ Orlando already having rail, its a must Tampa eventually will at somepoint too. it would be crazy not to..as far as the riverwalk goes, i dont think most people are seeying the full potential it will have on Tampa as a whole. I think its real important for not only the greenspace that will acompany all the New museums that will be U/C DT but will also generate more sales for the residential DT as more people will be impressed with the vibrant riverwalk that will some day grace that river. And as mentioned above it will eventually create jobs for the city as it will need lots of maintenance, and will also i think positively impact the UT school which will have the best view in my opinion...as well as bring retail and entertainment business DT as more people begin to take a night out starting @ the riverwalk. I just feel its a good step in helping bring DT to life and see way more pros than cons in it

[HARTride 2012]

^
Agreed. Tampa will get rail...someday. Certainly NOT under Iorio's administration. I'm not betting it will be done by 2020 either though.