A long-anticipated stormwater project meant to ease chronic flooding along South Howard Avenue in south Tampa is dividing residents and business owners as the city prepares for a final vote.

The $100 million project is expected to take years to complete and would reduce flooding for more than 200 homes and businesses in the area, according to city officials.

Many residents are pushing for the project to move forward, saying flooding in the neighborhood has persisted for decades. David Adams, who has lived in the area and documented the flooding for more than 10 years, said the delays have gone on too long.

“When your house catches on fire, you call the fire department, the fire department comes,” Adams said. “When somebody shoots a gun, the police department comes. It’s been 11 years since it’s been flooding in our neighborhood, and nothing’s been done, despite the fact this group of people still don’t want a solution for us.”

Some business owners along South Howard Avenue, however, worry the construction itself could hurt their operations. Dr. Natalie Rougie, owner of Palm Wellness, said she is concerned about the impact of an extended construction period outside her business.

“To potentially, for me, to incur months of jack hammering and construction affecting my business, it doesn’t feel like an even exchange,” Rougie said.

City officials say they have accounted for those concerns. Brandon Campbell, the city’s mobility director, said the city plans to monitor noise and vibration levels and to redirect traffic during construction.

“Absolutely, we know it’s going to be disruptive, a disruptive project,” Campbell said. “Every infrastructure project has its challenges. With this one in particular, we are planning to help the South Howard business area with a marketing campaign and a high-touch surface with our contractor.”

The SoHo Business Alliance has also raised objections to the project’s design. Attorney Edward de la Parte, who represents the alliance, said the group supports fixing the flooding but believes the city’s chosen approach is not the right one.

“Our position has always been that the flooding should be addressed, but this is not the solution to address it,” de la Parte said. “The city was planning originally to put a pump station and a force main that would’ve avoided South Howard Avenue.”

De la Parte previously sued the city on behalf of the SoHo Business Alliance, alleging the city withheld documents related to the project. He said newly released records contain information he believes should halt the current plan, and the alliance intends to present its findings to city leaders.

The Tampa City Council is expected to hold a final vote on the project at the end of the month. The city will also hold a community meeting next week to update the public on the project’s progress.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Google, & X

St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater & Tampa Bay, FL news at PIE-Sun.com