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Public Opinions Heard On I-4 Study

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 29, 2008

SEFFNER - Opinions on the Interstate 4 Economic Corridor Study are as varied as land-use designations along the 26-mile stretch of highway.

Dozens showed up Thursday night at Burnett Middle School to view maps of the study area and discuss it with regional planners looking at ways to convert the swath into a high-tech business corridor.

The study area runs generally from Interstate 75 to the Polk County line.

"They have a long way to go, but I'm here on a fact-finding mission," said David Bennett, whose family has owned property north of Plant City for more than 100 years. "I want to see how the plan fits with our property."

Tania Kranich-Ritter, who lives on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Seffner, was concerned that developing the corridor will destroy sensitive wildlife habitat. "I'm trying very hard to make my voice heard, to preserve the wilderness that's left."

William Dennis, of Mango who owns property in East Tampa, said he would like to see land designated for hotels and other businesses to support East Tampa's black community.

The open house was the public's first opportunity to speak with county officials about the corridor study.

Planning Commission officials have teamed up with county and city planners and economists to research ways to make the plan work.

The Hillsborough County Commission expects to receive a final report within a year.

Some see the vacant land along the interstate as an opportunity to diversify the economy and fill in the gaps with industrial and high-tech businesses that could give a much-needed boost to the tax base and create higher-paying jobs.

Others consider it an invasion in the rural area.

Right now, the corridor is a quirky mix of agriculture, gigantic RV sales centers, businesses like Dinosaur World and residential homesteads.

To make the plan work, numerous land-use designations would have to be changed to accommodate light industrial or high-tech businesses. And the county would have to extend water and sewer lines in the area, something that concerns rural residents.

"Once they get this and the housing market picks back up, they'll come back asking for subdivisions," said Nancy O'Connor, a Dover resident who said she feels pushed from every direction by development.

"I'm concerned they'll bring the business before the roads," said Seffner resident Jerry Lewis. "County Road 579 is already over capacity."

Accessibility is also an issue, since many of the parcels along the corridor are only accessible from U.S. 92, an already overburdened truck route.

County officials say they will hold more public forums as the study progresses.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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