The city council's unexpected decision this week to cut funding for Mayor Pam Iorio's long-awaited Avenue of Arts project has city officials plotting their next step.
On Wednesday, the council voted unanimously to cut $2 million in proposed funding for the downtown redevelopment project, which would have turned Zack Street into an artsy, two-way, pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare leading to the riverfront.
Council members said they felt the money would be better spent on citywide improvements for neglected parks, pools and neighborhoods.
Iorio has not responded to requests for comment.
"The ball is in the mayor's court," said Robert McDonaugh, the city's urban development manager, who oversees the project. "We'll probably go back to the drawing board."
That could mean scaling back the project, completing it in phases or putting it on hold until money is available, he said.
City officials were counting on the project to create a pedestrian-friendly corridor linking the Franklin Street business district to the waterfront, guiding visitors to the soon-to-be completed Glazer Children's Museum, Tampa Museum of Art and Curtis Hixon Park.
Council members will meet with Iorio on Tuesday and the issue likely will be raised.
"I'm open to a compromise," said Council Chairman Tom Scott.
Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena, a supporter of the arts who made the motion to divert funding, said: "I believe it should and will happen, just not this year."
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement