Neighbors in Tampa’s Rocky Point neighborhood held a rally Tuesday to protect a 9-acre lagoon from a developer’s plan to build townhomes. The plan could get approval from City of Tampa leaders in just two days.
Residents like Stacey Pryor say this project moving forward could harm the entire bay area.
“I was fortunate eight years ago to find an apartment on the waterway, and I haven’t left since. If this project gets approved, this could pave the way for other developers to start building along the water in other parts of our area,” she said.
Pryor is one of hundreds of people living in Rocky Point whose waterfront view is being threatened by the possibility of a New York-based developer, Prime Companies.
Plan to build townhomes
Residents against the plan are part of Facebook group called “No Rocky Point Rezone” to fight Tampa City leaders from approving the project at Thursday’s city council meeting.
Neighbor Margie Wright is also one of the organizers. “We want to stop this Thursday evening. We want our local government to step up and say that this is not good for the community,” she said.
The developer wants to dredge and fill 3 acres of open water.
It’s not just the view neighbors are concerned about.
“There are dolphins, manatee and sea plants that provide oxygen for our environment right here in this little basin. We enjoy it every day,” Wright said.
Dredge and fill projects haven’t been done in the Tampa Bay area since the 1970s because of protections to marine life, although a lot of the area’s priciest homes were built using the outdated practice.
Dredging is how Davis Island and Snell Isle were formed. With dredging practically banned after a series of lawsuits to protect the ecosystem, neighbors are surprised Tampa city leaders are considering this latest project.
“This is a 3-acre project. For what. Townhomes? It’s not going to do anything to stimulate the economy or grow this marketplace,” Pryor said. “There’s plenty of vacant land nearby.”
State Sen. Dana Young (R) came to the protest.
“If there is a need for a stop gap at the state legislation, then I just want you to know that I am here for you,” she told neighbors.
For now, the group is trying to get the word out to make sure as many people as possible will attend Thursday’s city council meeting with hopes to sway the vote.
The meeting is set to 5 p.m. Thursday on the third floor of Tampa City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.
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