TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — There are new concerns about a huge construction crane at a high-rise building under construction in downtown Tampa.
The crane belongs to Kast Construction and is at the corner of Florida Avenue and Zack Street in Tampa.
The crane was being used to build “X-Tampa,” a planned 28-story building with more than 400 residential units.
John Fitzgibbons, a prominent attorney in Tampa, is among the proprietors of the Tampa Theater office building located near the construction site, and he is troubled by the crane.
“A couple of years ago, there was a small army of workers constructing this building, and then approximately around October of 2023, almost two years ago, everything just abruptly stopped,” Fitzgibbons noted.
Other projects by the Chicago-based developer have similarly been paused mid-construction. X-Phoenix, X-Denver, and X-Houston were additional projects that have come to a standstill, and the developer is contending with a series of lawsuits.
A representative of Kast Construction responded to a request for information from a reporter and says they will respond next week.
The City of Tampa has also issued a letter to the contractors, requesting information on inspection reports, a wind load safety plan, and a 24-hour emergency contact. The city has allotted contractors one week to reply.
Fitzgibbons is concerned no emergency plan is in place if a hurricane heads to Tampa.
“Well, that’s a ticking time bomb,” Fitzgibbons said.
