Latest news with #Buckhorn
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn wants his old job back
The Brief Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is preparing to run for another term as mayor. He is allowed to do so under the city's term limits rule that permits former mayors who have served eight years, to return to office after eight years. Former Mayor Dick Greco is the most-recent mayor to take advantage of that rule, returning to office in 1995 after several decades. TAMPA - When Bob Buckhorn left office in 2019, the chatter never stopped about him running again, apparently by design. "(The secret was kept) as well as I wanted it to be kept," Buckhorn said during an interview Friday. Buckhorn going public with his intention to run again is a warning shot to other potential candidates who would have to compete with his networks of fundraisers, supporters, and his name recognition. By the numbers Last week, his allies conveniently dropped a poll that showed him with 49 percent support, a point away from winning the primary outright, and 27 points ahead of his closest competitor, councilor Bill Carlson. "After six years being out of office, I was really satisfied by how people remembered my time." His supporters point out the city's downtown core grew for the first time in 25 years during his time in office. His opponents will say Tampa benefitted from a surging national economy and Lightning owner Jeff Vinik's investments. He argues his approach to governing and development converted those into results. What they're saying "Our kids and grandkids are not having to leave to go to Charlotte, North Carolina, that they're staying here," said Buckhorn. "It's been magical. And I think people are excited about that." A new Buckhorn term would be focused on the infrastructure struggles that come with more people and cars. And, there's affordability. From 2019 to 2023, Zillow says rent increased in Tampa by 50 percent, while wages only went up by 15 percent. "We're not in the housing business," said Buckhorn. "But I think in terms of acquiring land, in terms incentives for developers, in terms cleaning up the permitting process so that it becomes easier for them to get products out. Yeah, there's a lot we can do." READ: University of Florida presidential pick not approved in final vote amid growing GOP opposition The other side Other potential candidates include the second-place finisher in the poll run by Buckhorn's ally, Councilor Bill Carlson. He calls Carlson "anti-police." "I'm disappointed that he would go negative before he's even filed a run for office," said Carlson. "We know from previous campaigns that the people who go negative lose." Carlson calls him "corrupt." "Anything he says moving forward about me will be a lie," said Buckhorn. The backstory Buckhorn closed out his term in office with a 75 percent approval rating, with the new poll showing him at 58 percent. But he last ran for office ten years ago. "I think people saw me as a mayor whose party label was T for Tampa," said Buckhorn. "They saw me as somebody who didn't care about the partisanship, that only worried about whether somebody was willing to help move our city." How voters view Tampa's changes since 2015, may well decide whether he becomes Tampa's first three-term mayor since Dick Greco won a third term in 1995. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Evan Axelbank. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Tampa announces plans to ‘revitalize' north downtown area
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of Tampa announced plans Tuesday to 'revitalize' what the city called 'an underutilized part of downtown.' The city looks to redevelop around four acres of the northern portion of the Central Business District, an area between North Tampa Street and East Ashley Drive. Former Tampa Mayor Buckhorn 'really looking hard' at potential 2027 run The goal is to turn city-owned properties, like the old Army-Navy Surplus Market, into mixed-use commercial and residential development. The Request for Proposal requires a minimum of 750 housing units, half of which must be 'affordable.' The project fits into existing plans to improve connectivity for pedestrians and those who use public transportation downtown, the city said, as well as other developments in the urban core. 'This long-term planning and teamwork involving state and local partners are the special ingredients that build strong and thriving cities,' Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement. 'We are excited to begin the process of adding much needed affordable housing to this great location in our urban core and cannot wait for the other redevelopment projects in this area that will make it more walkable and accessible for all those living, working, and visiting Tampa's beautiful downtown.' The Request for Proposal closes on June 13. After that, the city will evaluate the submitted proposals and select a finalist. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says he's running again in 2027
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn at St. Leo University on April 24, 2025. (Photo from St. Leo's University) The former mayor of Florida's third biggest city says he wants to return to finish the job. Bob Buckhorn led Tampa from 2011 to 2019 before he was term-limited from office. Now, nearly two years away from the next election, he says he wants back in. 'Tampa has more chapters to write and to the extent that I can be helpful I will, ' Buckhorn told the Phoenix in a text message on Thursday night. 'It was a job that I loved and the opportunity to lead this city and finish the job would be an honor.' The 66-year-old Democrat won re-election for mayor by gaining 95% of the vote in 2016, sparking speculation that he would run for Florida governor in 2018. But he announced early in 2017 that, with two teenage daughters at home, 'the timing for me and my family would be a challenge.' There is precedent in Tampa for former mayors running again for office. Dick Greco was elected at three different times as mayor and just barely missed making a run-off for a fourth term in 2011 (losing by fewer than 400 votes to Buckhorn). Among Buckhorn's likely opponents is Tampa City Council Bill Carlson, a noted foe of Buckhorn and sitting Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Carlson told the Phoenix that he is working on a plan and will announced his candidacy 'when the time is right.' 'The community is clearly saying they want to move on from the Castor/Buckhorn era and move toward a positive, collaborative vision that's focused on people, not buildings,' Carlson said. The Tampa mayoral election will take place in March 2, 2027.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says he's running again
The Brief Bob Buckhorn says he will run for a third term as Tampa's mayor in 2027. He previously held the office from 2011-19. Two other candidates have already filed to run for mayor in the 2027 race. TAMPA, Fla. - Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced on Thursday that he's planning to seek a return to the city's top office in 2027. Officials at Saint Leo University say Buckhorn spoke to two sessions of a Faith & Politics course, during which he revealed his plans. The backstory Buckhorn served as Tampa's 58th mayor from April 2011 until May 2019. Prior to his mayoral stint, Buckhorn first worked in the mayor's office as special assistant to then-Mayor Sandy Freedman in 1987. PREVIOUS: Tampa Mayor Buckhorn reminisces as he begins clearing his office He was elected to the Tampa City Council in 1995, serving two terms before leaving public office to join a public affairs company in 2003. During his eight years as mayor, Buckhorn oversaw several major projects throughout the city and received more than 100 awards. What's next Current Mayor Jane Castor has been in office since Buckhorn's departure in 2019 and was reelected in 2023. According to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office, Alan Henderson and Julie Magill have filed to run for mayor in 2027. Buckhorn has not officially filed the paperwork. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from Saint Leo University, the City of Tampa, the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office and previous FOX 13 News reports. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
CBS News
03-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Major rockfall closes popular southwestern Colorado mountain road
Ouray County authorities declared a disaster emergency last week after rockfall caused significant damage to Camp Bird Road. Large boulders fell from directly above the road on Feb. 25 at a drainage just beyond Senator Gulch, according to the county. Photos show massive boulders completely blocking the roadway. Plus, significant damage can be seen to the retaining wall supporting the road where it crosses the drainage. A smaller number of rocks which fell tumbled to the valley floor. A mudslide damaged this same section of road in 2022. It was re-opened after a single day's work. Also known as Ouray County 361, Camp Bird Road, a popular access for backcountry recreation, now "is not safe for any mode of travel, including foot traffic." It has been temporarily closed to all access. The sheriff's office will enforce the closure and issue citations to violators, the county stated in a social media post. Ouray County Road & Bridge workers first examined the damage the day after the rockfall occurred. The next day, on Jan. 27, the Road & Bridge superintendent met with county administration, legal counsel, emergency management, and the sheriff. The indefinite closure and emergency declaration were then put in place. "After this latest analysis from Buckhorn," a Front Range-based structural engineering firm, the City of Ouray stated on social media, "it was determined essential to declare an emergency for this area, due to the severity of the damage and equipment necessary for full mitigation and repair." "[A] certified professional geologist," the county countered, "alerted the County that the area is not safe and is considered life-threatening and more rockfall is likely, due to fluctuating cool and warm temperatures." Camp Bird Road extends southwest from Ouray and into Yankee Boy Basin. It leads to camping, hiking and climbing areas, and is used by cyclists. It is also the opening stretch of road over Imogene Pass, a popular four-wheel-drive route between Ouray and Telluride during the summer. Ouray officials have not established when repairs might begin, let alone when they could end. The emergency declaration does put into motion the need for flexible coordination between Ouray first responders and those in neighboring counties with special resources. Any emergency calls in Yankee Boy Basin will likely see very extended response times. That's because San Miguel County side of Imogene Pass was closed in August of last year, also due to rock fall. The closure was extended through the remainder of the summer four-wheeling season due to retaining wall damage. Getting that part of the road repaired and open for off-road travel this summer is "a very optimistic timeline," a USFS ranger told the Telluride Times last week. The road to the Camp Bird Mine and the town of Gothic was built in 1879, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The mine and road were named after "the thieving Canada jays that were known to pilfered miners' lunches." The mine's gold lode was discovered in 1895. It soon became one of the state's top three gold mines. The mine, after decades of on-and-off production, was last closed in 1990. Camp Bird Road is known as one of the more dangerous backcountry roads in Colorado. Three people on a Jeep tour were killed in 2022 when the vehicle fell from the route and rolled to the bottom of the canyon.
