New Tampa has lengthy felt that, for a rising space, with such a big tax base, we don’t get our justifiable share of parks. So, after I was elected, I labored to construct on previous successes for extra park fairness in New Tampa.
Step one was a virtually $3-million enlargement of our New Tampa Recreation Middle in Tampa Palms. That very same 12 months, I bought into town funds design funding for the New Tampa All Talents Park – the primary of its variety in Tampa funded solely by metropolis {dollars}.
Not lengthy thereafter, we bought funding for that All Talents Park — a completely accessible park for individuals with sensory and bodily challenges. We’d then work with the Hillsborough County Faculty District for a seven-figure enlargement of (and enhancements to) the basketball court docket at Liberty Center Faculty.
However, there was one promise I made to a bunch of New Tampa residents that I might be hard-pressed to neglect about.
At certainly one of my earliest city halls, New Tampa residents requested concerning the roughly 65 acres of land at Ok-Bar Ranch saved for a neighborhood park. Amongst these residents have been my associates Nagesh Nayak and Prahlad Madabhushi, who requested about house for cricket — a sport which could be very fashionable in India and with a lot of native residents.
I promised these constituents that, by the point I left workplace, I might get the ball rolling completely on this undertaking.
I wish to suppose that I’m a person of my phrase. In final 12 months’s funds, I used to be in a position to safe $750,000 within the metropolis funds for the Ok-Bar Ranch park design. This will get us to first base on creating this much-desired park and cricket pitch.
So, what’s subsequent for this park?
We may have numerous public conferences on park design. I already had one on August 6 of final 12 months for preliminary public enter. In attendance was park booster, State Home Minority Chief and Dist. 67 State Rep. Fentrice Driskell — and there can be extra such conferences.
It’s anticipated that by Spring of this 12 months, vendor submittals for design will start and this may final into this summer season and be accomplished with the execution of a contract to design the park. As soon as this contract is in place, the advisor will conduct the general public conferences. It’s throughout this a part of the method that design parts with neighborhood enter and curiosity can be performed.
In different phrases, now’s the time for you to consider your proposals for this park, with regard to density and lighting. Take into consideration facilities for this park and what lodging the neighborhood will want and can wish to see included on this park, which is being funded by the Group Funding Tax (CIT).
We are actually subsequently within the design stage. This park is probably going embrace a playground, trails, fields and a conservation space. Residents ought to start to think about what they need on this park. The design is anticipated to incorporate an all-purpose athletic area that’s adaptable for cricket. For a lot of of our Indian-American associates, I do know it is a outstanding ardour –it’s a ardour I share and can combat for. A cricket house wouldn’t solely be an actual win for our space, however it will be a formidable image of New Tampa’s wealthy cultural variety.
A lot of the Ok-Bar Ranch management has spoken out in favor of the cricket area — an emblem of the solidarity residents have with each other and the way we’re all Individuals. Ok-Bar Ranch Householders Affiliation president Patrick Leduc at all times speaks proudly of the cultural variety of this neighborhood.
Each growth — together with parks — goes via evaluation from varied metropolis departments, together with Hearth, Police, Mobility, Stormwater, and so forth. When you have issues about any of those areas, please tell us.
When you have concepts for this park, please e mail me at luis.viera@tampagov.web.
And, please know that, irrespective of your politics, the place you come from or who you’re, what an actual pleasure it’s to have the ability to signify you in workplace.
