TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Demolition questions arise

ADVERTISEMENT

By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: June 2, 2009

TAMPA - Pressure mounted Monday to stop destruction of a 19th-century house on Egmont Key.

The two-story house, built in the late 1890s, is slated for demolition by the Tampa Bay Pilots Association, a group of mariners who guide big ships into the Port of Tampa.

Allen Thompson, the group's executive director, said Friday the demolition "process" was to begin this week.

Peter Aluotto, Hillsborough County's planning director, however, said his department has not issued any demolition permits for structures on Egmont Key, an island at the mouth of Tampa Bay. The county owns 5 acres on the 400-acre island, and leases it to the pilots.

"It's sounding to me unless they got a permit from any other state or federal agency ... they don't have the ability to authorize a demolition," Aluotto said.

Thompson said a private contractor is responsible for pulling all necessary permits.

The contractor was to start pulling asbestos shingles off the house this week.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT