01-05-2025
City leaders address details of controversial South Howard flood relief plan
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Tampa city leaders will discuss ways to mitigate the effects of the South Howard Flood Project, Thursday.
Neighbors and business owners are split over the traffic and economic impacts along the narrow road.
'You got to be kidding me, this plan is terrible,' One owner said during a recent meeting.
Water inundates South Howard Avenue and the surrounding areas when there's a hurricane or heavy rainfall.
'We've known that this watershed and several others within the city have had insufficient drainage systems for decades,' Vik Bhide with the City of Tampa said.
'I think this is an absolute wonderful plan,' an owner said.
The South Howard Flood Relief Project is a $65 million effort to improve drainage along the road, upgrade infrastructure, and create wider sidewalks.
It is expected to have no lanes open on Howard Avenue for at least two years due to the construction, according to Bhide.
Thursday, city staff will talk with council members about avoiding local roads and the New Suburb Beautiful neighborhood during the project.
A study is underway to determine which alternate routes are the most reasonable. The research explores factors like accessibility and environmental impacts.
Some business employees worry about the financial effects of the project.
'It's really a death by 1,000 cuts, is how you're going to do it, you're going to start at the south end and you're going to destroy all of those businesses as you head north,' an owner said.
City staff have been in contact with the SoHo Business Alliance as they create plans for the works. Staff members will reveal results from the study in early June.
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