TAMPA, Fla. — “No water, no notices, brown water,” one Seminole Heights neighbor said.
That’s just a fraction what neighbors in Seminole Heights say they’re dealing with as a result of city construction happening in their area.
“Employees leaving garbage throughout the neighborhood, we understand it’s hot, it’s Florida, but this is a constant refrain,” he said at a Tampa City Council meeting on September 1st.
The construction is happening as a part of the Southeast Seminole Heights Flooding Relief Project.
But neighbors say, between ripped up roadways, blocked driveways, and blind spots…it’s bringing more grief than relief.
Now, councilmembers are pushing city infrastructure leaders for answers in a conversation that has spanned two council meetings and counting.
“This is a part of a $251 million project, this is not cheap,” councilman Guido Maniscalco said at a meeting on September 8th. The least they can do is not throw trash on the ground. I understand it’s a construction site, but it’s a residential area.”
Deputy Administrator of Infrastructure for the city, Brad Baird, says they are working to improve communication with neighbors and address concerns and planning a public meeting at the end of the month.
“We must and will do better,” he said.
Councilmembers have asked for the city infrastructure staff to provide another update at a workshop in two weeks on September 22nd.
The infrastructure team is also tentatively planning to host a public meeting to hear neighbor concerns on September 29th at 6pm in the Hillsborough High Auditorium.