By MICHAEL H. SAMUELS The Tampa Tribune
Published: Aug 31, 2006
HYDE PARK - Each year, the Bayshore Task Force gathers at the Kate Jackson Center and talks money.
The group has recommended projects totaling about $250,000 to Mayor Pam Iorio during the past two years.
The city has $185,000 budgeted for road and safety improvements for the scenic road in fiscal year 2007, which begins in October. The task force, which was formed following traffic-related deaths on Bayshore, will present spending suggestions.
City sidewalks supervisor Jan Washington said the city is requesting the group earmark about $60,000 to complete the sidewalk along the southbound lanes between Bay to Bay and Gandy boulevards. The city plans to spend $180,000 this year on new sidewalks south of Bay to Bay and for sidewalk repairs, including about $80,000 for task force recommendations.
The task force, which met Tuesday, also is recommending for 2007:
•Installing another electronic speed sign along Bayshore's northbound lanes between Rome Avenue and downtown.
•Prohibiting right turns on red from Bay to Bay onto Bayshore.
•Studying Bay to Bay from MacDill Avenue to Bayshore.
•Exploring buying the property known as Patriot's Corner at Bayshore and Bay to Bay and a vacant lot at Bayshore and Desoto Avenue. Property owner Citivest has proposed building condominium towers on both lots.
City Councilman John Dingfelder said the softening housing market might make this a ripe time to buy those properties.
"This is a long-term proposition to approach them formally or informally," Dingfelder said. "This is to service the whole community who wants to use Bayshore."
Task force member Sue Lyon said she wants another electronic speed sign because the ones farther south have been successful.
"When they see it, they step on the brakes," she said.
Recent Bayshore improvement projects include new sidewalks along the southbound lanes north of Bay to Bay, a crosswalk-activated traffic light above the northbound lanes at Howard Avenue and signs declaring the road a scenic parkway.
Reporter Michael H. Samuels can be reached at (813) 835-2109 or msamuels@tampatrib.com.
