Officials dedicate East Tampa 'lakes'

Two stormwater retention ponds are the talk of East Tampa.

"Who would have thought that stormwater ponds are so interesting?" said Mayor Pam Iorio. "But they are."

Iorio and more than 200 people today gathered beneath a spreading shade tree at a pond off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to dedicate a redesigned retention pond as the Robert L. Cole Sr. Community Lake.

Iorio moved on soon after to the Fair Oaks "lake" on 34th Street for a ceremony renaming that retention pond for Herbert D. Carrington Sr. Cole is owner of Cole's Beauty & Barber Shop where for decades people have mingled, debated hot topics and done their politicking.

"He has helped many people move forward and become elected officials," said Tampa Council Chairman Tom Scott, who recalled meeting Cole as a 26-year-old newcomer to the city.

Cole also has helped many others start businesses in East Tampa.

"The only way I could do anything in this community is through you," said Cole, looking out at the crowd. "I am a part of you in causing this community to be what it is."

Carrington, who died at age 107, was an icon at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club, where he served for nearly 60 years as head waiter, maitre d' and, finally, club host. Until age 105 he took long daily walks.

He also was one of the first developers to build affordable housing, said Councilwoman Gwen Miller.

Iorio said too often society seems to care too much for titles, such as chief executive officer. Carrington's life is a "re-affirmation of values of how a person lives a long and generous life. That matters more than wealth, fame and title," she said.

Herbert Carrington Jr. said his father would be elated to see the lake in his name. "I can only say my dad was a self-inspired individual dedicated to the redevelopment of East Tampa," he said.

The ponds are part of the city's long-term strategy of economic rejuvenation in the East Tampa community redevelopment area bordered by Hillsborough Avenue, interstates 275 and 4, and the city limits.

Trent Green, professor of architecture and urban design at the University of South Florida, was in charge of the redesign of both ponds. He sought area residents' ideas and worked with the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership to determine how the lakes should look.

Local property taxes paid for the lakes' construction and design. And USF recently won a national award and grant money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its redesigns.

Amenities at the Carrington lake include a walking trail, landscaping and a gazebo. At Cole lake there is a walking trail, an observation tower and pier, and an exercise course.

Students from Young Middle Magnet School, Lockhart Elementary School and King's Kids Academy will use the lakes as learning tools for science projects.

The city does large construction projects such as widening 40th Street, Iorio said, but the details of improving neighborhoods with resurfaced roads, sidewalks, and pond makeovers also matter.

"Collectively, all these things make a difference," she said.