In a tumultuous meeting, Tampa city officials provided an update on the South Howard Flood Relief Project while also collecting feedback from the community members.

Depending on who you ask, the project is either a step in the right direction or a costly mistake.

Some said, the project will provide necessary flood relief.

“The infrastructure they’ll implement is designed to act as a backbone to minimize or potentially prevent flooding in several areas of South Tampa,” noted Resident Ben Bernabei.

Others said, it’s costly, inconvenient, and will leave businesses in the crossfire.

“If our clients and employees can’t get to our business, we can’t service our clients,’ Body By Design owner Linda Misner explained.

Nevertheless, the city is moving forward.

According to city officials, the South Howard Flood Relief Project will feature a significant stormwater drainage system aimed at alleviating flooding issues along South Howard Avenue, West Swann Avenue, and in nearby neighborhoods such as Parkland Estates and Palma Ceia Pines.

The project is also expected to include more areas for sidewalks, new safety features, traffic calming measures, expanded street parking, landscaping, the addition of pervious (permeable) pavers, street lighting, and green infrastructure. 

Thursday, city leaders presented their recommended route going down Swann Avenue and then through South Howard Avenue.

They asked residents for their input on design themes and features like raised intersections and lighted crosswalks.

That didn’t go over well for some.

“They’re talking about architecture and dog parks, they’re not talking about anything that these people care about,” Stephanie Poynor said.

With much of the debate surrounding how much this project could impact businesses, we took that concern to the city.

News Channel 8 reporter Nicole Rogers asked, “Have you guys done an economic impact statement to find out how far that economic impact could go?”

Tampa Infrastructure & Mobility Administrator Jean Duncan responded, “We typically don’t do that with a public works type project, however, we do know that there are some economic impacts that do come along.”

“There will be very positive ones when we get the project done,” she continued.

SoHo Business Alliance General Manager Steve Michelini said he took it upon himself to get a private study done.

“We came up with about a million dollars a day,” he said. “You’re talking about 35 major establishments, major economic engines.”

“Really? You’re really expecting to say, ‘Oh we’re going to work around it,’ Michelini continued. “We’ve been hearing that for months.”

For more information on the project, click here.