Tampa leaders to ask for 1-year extension on $10M grant tied to South Howard Flood Relief project

Tampa approves South Howard Flood Relief Project funding

City Council narrowly approved requesting an extension to a previously-approved grant funding agreement with the state that would help finance a massive stormwater project in South Tampa. FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer reports.

TAMPA - Tampa City Council narrowly approved requesting an extension to a previously-approved grant funding agreement with the state that would help finance a massive stormwater project in South Tampa.

In a 4-3 vote, council members agreed to ask the state for a one-year extension on a $10 million grant tied to the South Howard Flood Relief project. The vote, however, followed an hour of debate that highlighted the shaky ground on which the project appears to currently stand.

What we know:

The stormwater project would replace aging water mains and sewer lines in the neighborhood, some of which are more than 100 years old.

It would also add roughly 6,000 linear feet of new box culverts in areas where there is currently no existing drainage system.

City leaders say the project is designed to reduce flooding in seven neighborhoods around South Howard, which routinely flood during summer storms and saw hundreds of homes inundated during hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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Why is it controversial?

Despite South Howard’s long-standing flooding problems, the project has generated significant acrimony among residents and business owners in the wealthy corridor.

Much of the disagreement centers on the city’s proposed solution and its route down South Howard Avenue, a main artery at the heart of the SoHo entertainment district.

Some business owners warn months of road closures during construction could result in tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.

In December, opposition from high-profile businesses intensified. Victor DiMaio, a consultant for Bern’s Steak House and the Epicurean Hotel, said the businesses are prepared to formally intervene in the permitting process if necessary.

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What they're saying:

"We don’t want to do it, but if we’re forced to do it as intervener, we will be applying to the [state] agencies as the city applies for permits to oppose the permits being issued until we can reach an agreement," DiMaio said.

Several council members voiced concerns during Thursday's meeting that the project, initially estimated to cost about $65 million, could balloon to at least $100 million. They wondered how the city would be able to pay for it and whether it'd put other stormwater projects in jeopardy.

"This is fight over what's best for our citizens," Councilman Bill Carlson said. "We need to focus on what's the best for them and spend their money correctly. Besides the fact that if we're going to raise property taxes or sales taxes to pay for this or anything else, the public deserves to know that in advance."

Lynn Hurtak, however, agreed with homeowners in the Parkland Estates neighborhood, who have been begging council for help after dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by floods during the 2024 hurricane season.

"I'm sorry that we're at this point that we have to come back every year to talk about this [grant extension], but we have too. This has to be done. I don't see any other way around it," Hurtak said.

What we don't know:

A final design and total estimated cost for the stormwater project have not yet been released.

What's next:

Additional council votes are expected once construction design plans and cost estimates are finalized.