Why does everyone in Seminole Heights seem to hate the Riverwalk
Over the past couple of months I've seen a lot of mention in the comments on the Seminole Heights blog about Mayor Iorio's Riverwalk project. I wonder why there is so much focus on this single project. Now, I realize that many of the comments also go on about code enforcement, or this or that, but this one project just seems to raise such a huge uproar in and of itself. I've been around a while, and in that time, I've been a number of places. For years and years Tampa had one of the least inviting downtowns I've ever visited. I look back at the pictures by the Bergert Brothers and see that the downtown was once a vibrant and lively center of urban life. What happened? Up until just a couple of years ago Tampa's downtown looked the same as it did in the early 70's. Very very little changed. Did white flight and inept administration cause a time freeze? Whatever it was, Tampa was a fine example of "what not to do" in urban planning. The CBD isn't close to downtown. Chicken and egg arguments aside, hardly anything was ever open to attract people in the evenings or keep them around past quitting time. Parking was always a problem, transportation alternatives were either non-existent or were so poorly scheduled they were unusable. Met Min and the Salvation Army draw homeless people from all over. Downtown became a lonely and scary place after 5:00.
Now I see these beautiful concept drawings of a park along what could be a lovely waterway. What a grand idea! Drive down Bayshore any evening and you see loads and loads of people young and old alike out on along the bay. If you build it, they will come as they said in that baseball movie. If Bayshore is any example people will certainly utilize this new linear park. I've heard folks poo-poo'ing about how no one will use it because theres no parking. I don't recall Bayshore having any dedicated parking either, but there's no shortage of people there. Not a whole bunch of parking for the Friendship Trail on the old Gandy bridge either, but it always seems to have fisherman, and bikers, and runners, and walkers too. People will find a way.
Someone also mentioned homeless people being a problem. Now, I was in downtown Atlanta not too long ago. The wife and I went out to stroll in once of the downtowna park in the evening and yes there were homeless people. It's a fact of downtown life, but it doesn't seem to keep people from getting out and using these public spaces. Adequate law enforcement I'm sure will take care of most of those sorts of problems.
I say build this beautiful park, I most certainly will take regular strolls along Tampa's waterfront.
Now I see these beautiful concept drawings of a park along what could be a lovely waterway. What a grand idea! Drive down Bayshore any evening and you see loads and loads of people young and old alike out on along the bay. If you build it, they will come as they said in that baseball movie. If Bayshore is any example people will certainly utilize this new linear park. I've heard folks poo-poo'ing about how no one will use it because theres no parking. I don't recall Bayshore having any dedicated parking either, but there's no shortage of people there. Not a whole bunch of parking for the Friendship Trail on the old Gandy bridge either, but it always seems to have fisherman, and bikers, and runners, and walkers too. People will find a way.
Someone also mentioned homeless people being a problem. Now, I was in downtown Atlanta not too long ago. The wife and I went out to stroll in once of the downtowna park in the evening and yes there were homeless people. It's a fact of downtown life, but it doesn't seem to keep people from getting out and using these public spaces. Adequate law enforcement I'm sure will take care of most of those sorts of problems.
I say build this beautiful park, I most certainly will take regular strolls along Tampa's waterfront.
posted by Grumpy at 10/01/2006 07:30:00 PM
5 Comments:
I agree with you entirely grumpy. I think the Riverwalk is one of the best ideas our politicians have had in a while. This will be a great asset to the community when completed. I also do not understand the criticism from many Sem. Hts. residents, at least judging from the blog. I guess if it isn't a project actually in Sem. Hts. then it is a waste of money to them. If they don't like it, they don't have to use it!
For all I have said about the Riverwalk it is not that I don't like the idea. But there has been a walk there for more than 25 years. I've walked it. No it is not as grand as Iorio's plans but what happened to the Greenways Trail? I think the city would be better served by finally addressing long standing neighborhood issues (not just in S.H. but citywide) before satisfying another mayor's ediface complex.
Honestly some of the people who scream the loudest about "pedestrian friendly" never walk anywhere.
Tampa has a reputation to overcome about pedestrians outdoors. It's darn near scary to walk in this city. Not to mention, there are certain months where walking is pretty darned uncomfortable. As for this particular project,I believe there is room for both. No, it shouldn't come at the expense of needed improvements, but we gotta do something about downtown. It's a dreary place and a vibrant downtown is a centerpiece for a good city. I think the Riverwalk might just be what Tampa needs to move into the present.
Sorry I meant about pedestrians and being outdoors.
It's a very narrow minded approach to think that the Riverwalk will not be beneficial to Seminole Heights. Currently it's slated to end right before the North Boulevard Bridge which is the heart of Tampa Heights. Tampa Heights is adjacent to Riverside Heights then comes Seminole Heights. If you clean up downtown and Tampa Heights, the adjacent areas will follow. The same problems that plague Tampa Heights are the same problems that plague every neighborhood from Downtown to Waters. There will be a chain reaction and some of problems that people feel are being ignored will be addressed. And there's a chance that chain could also produce more greenways along the river right into the heart of Seminole Heights. There are several parks in the neighborhoods along the river. One day their might be some option of connecting those parks with the Riverwalk but that won't happen unless the Riverwalk is created. The city needs to do something to make itself memorable and unique and attract tourists. If the tourists come and spend money the city's revenue increases and the tax rates decrease. The Riverwalk project may temporarily delay projects that would improve my neighborhood but it's a small price to pay for the end result. This project can't be any worse for my neighborhood or myself than paying for a new football stadium was or raising my sales tax to build new schools in the suburbs. The problem with Tampa is that the majority of it's citizens belong to a certain class of people who are too self centered to think outside the box. Take a second to think about the greater good it's a lot more rewarding than being selfish.
Post a Comment
<< Home