With a lot of dust being stirred up, it look like the Tampa Museum of Art is still looking for a new home. Mayor Iorio is insistent on an open riverfront - although she hints of mid rise residential/commercial space and talks of a museum district in the Franklin Street Area. The Tampa Museum of Art Board maintains that they need more and new space and have pushed for a riverfront site.
Lots of issues have been raised over these plans. Among them are the continuing operating costs of the museum and of course, the cost of construction too. How important is the building itself ? What size and form of exhibit space is required and can be afforded ?
Do we need to spend the money ? What is the "real" value of the museum ? Should it be in downtown at all ? Lots of questions, and so far not many answers
At a potential cost of construction of over $100 million and a per year city contribution of near $1 million, can or should we afford it ?
What do you think ?
Monday, July 25, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Ybor City - What should we do ?
With the recent attention that has been given to Tampa's Ybor City, it is no wonder that everyone has an opinion. This multi block area has a clashing combination of businesses, architecture, history, and people.
It does seem that bad news in or even near Ybor gets larger headlines than most other bad news, but a high dollar Public Relations Guru is not the answer. Fix the Problems, Fix the News.
It is not the City's right to randomly close the bars and we will argue to the end for bars or any business to be able to price their legal products as the business owner wishes.
The effects are starting to become noticeable. While week nights were not usually that busy, they have now become even less busy. Some establishments have their own clientele and following, but even they are starting to feel the sting.
Parking in Ybor already adds to your headache. Parking on 7th Avenue is allowed at certain hours. Parking meters are randomly, but frequently enforced. Parking garages are not all that convenient. Private lot hawkers make you wonder about their legitimacy and rates vary according to location. Plus paying $5 or more to park when you are thinking about just a quick beer or two is not very cost efficient.
BUT add to this the charm of the neighborhood and the convenience of so many clubs/restaurants in such close proximity and it does add up to a big asset. The Ybor Market on Saturday mornings is always enjoyable. West Palm Wines is a first rate boutique shop. The Handmade in Florida Craft Gallery is more of an art facility than crafts. And the list goes on.
We would like your opinion on where Ybor City is , and where it should go. Please visit our Poll and let us know what you think. CLICK HERE.
AND of course, your comments are welcome on this blog too.
It does seem that bad news in or even near Ybor gets larger headlines than most other bad news, but a high dollar Public Relations Guru is not the answer. Fix the Problems, Fix the News.
It is not the City's right to randomly close the bars and we will argue to the end for bars or any business to be able to price their legal products as the business owner wishes.
The effects are starting to become noticeable. While week nights were not usually that busy, they have now become even less busy. Some establishments have their own clientele and following, but even they are starting to feel the sting.
Parking in Ybor already adds to your headache. Parking on 7th Avenue is allowed at certain hours. Parking meters are randomly, but frequently enforced. Parking garages are not all that convenient. Private lot hawkers make you wonder about their legitimacy and rates vary according to location. Plus paying $5 or more to park when you are thinking about just a quick beer or two is not very cost efficient.
BUT add to this the charm of the neighborhood and the convenience of so many clubs/restaurants in such close proximity and it does add up to a big asset. The Ybor Market on Saturday mornings is always enjoyable. West Palm Wines is a first rate boutique shop. The Handmade in Florida Craft Gallery is more of an art facility than crafts. And the list goes on.
We would like your opinion on where Ybor City is , and where it should go. Please visit our Poll and let us know what you think. CLICK HERE.
AND of course, your comments are welcome on this blog too.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS - JUST IGNORE THEM
Over the past two years, a very large and representative BAYSHORE TASK FORCE studied virtually every option for making this scenic drive and recreation area safer for all.
I attended a couple of meetings and was impressed with the size and dedication involved. Citizens from recreation, business, neighborhood, safety, and law enforcement groups were attending frequent meetings to address the concerns about Bayshore Boulevard.
When I interviewed the Mayor, prior to the Task Force's report, asking for her suggestions on Bayshore, she deferred to the Task Force and was proud of their work and efforts. "Why appoint a hard working committee and then make suggestions prior to their report ?" was her answer. Mayor Iorio has supported the construction of the sidewalk since the Task Force's recommendations.
The report was issued with many suggestions to improve safety. (KEY WORD HERE IS: SAFETY) With money and budget restraints; implementing the suggestions have gradually been planned and many suggestions implemented.
If you use Bayshore, you know the lack of a complete southbound sidewalk between Howard Avenue and Bay to Bay creates a safety hazard. That is why the Task Force made the suggestion to install that section of sidewalk.
BUT now, the Bayshore Diplomat condo association and a couple of Bayshore property owners don't want the sidewalk to be constructed in front of their property and have been successful in getting the city to rethink this plan.
This is very simple, if you want to walk on the south bound side of Bayshore, you will have to walk on uneven grass or you will have to cross the street. Still resulting in the safety issue that the Task Force addressed.
Take the Task Force's recommendations: construct the southbound sidewalk - ALL OF IT !
Call the City Council 274-8131.
I attended a couple of meetings and was impressed with the size and dedication involved. Citizens from recreation, business, neighborhood, safety, and law enforcement groups were attending frequent meetings to address the concerns about Bayshore Boulevard.
When I interviewed the Mayor, prior to the Task Force's report, asking for her suggestions on Bayshore, she deferred to the Task Force and was proud of their work and efforts. "Why appoint a hard working committee and then make suggestions prior to their report ?" was her answer. Mayor Iorio has supported the construction of the sidewalk since the Task Force's recommendations.
The report was issued with many suggestions to improve safety. (KEY WORD HERE IS: SAFETY) With money and budget restraints; implementing the suggestions have gradually been planned and many suggestions implemented.
If you use Bayshore, you know the lack of a complete southbound sidewalk between Howard Avenue and Bay to Bay creates a safety hazard. That is why the Task Force made the suggestion to install that section of sidewalk.
BUT now, the Bayshore Diplomat condo association and a couple of Bayshore property owners don't want the sidewalk to be constructed in front of their property and have been successful in getting the city to rethink this plan.
This is very simple, if you want to walk on the south bound side of Bayshore, you will have to walk on uneven grass or you will have to cross the street. Still resulting in the safety issue that the Task Force addressed.
Take the Task Force's recommendations: construct the southbound sidewalk - ALL OF IT !
Call the City Council 274-8131.
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