Group seeks money to nix New Tampa bridge project

Opponents of a proposed bridge across Interstate 75 to connect Tampa Palms and West Meadows are seeking financial support to keep the challenge going.

Evelyn Romano of West Meadows, and her attorney, Warren Dixon of Tampa Palms, are seeking at least $7,000 to cover the cost of expert witness fees, additional depositions and hearing and deposition transcripts.

"We need as much money as we have raised thus far," Dixon told an audience of about 30 Tampa Palms residents at the Compton Park Community Center in Tampa Palms July 8.

Romano and Dixon are entering the second phase of their legal battle against the city of Tampa and the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission to stop the planned $22 million New Tampa Boulevard Bridge project. Construction had been set to begin this year.

Romano is challenging an EPC staff decision to issue a wetland permit to the city, authorizing 2.2 acres of wetland impact for construction of a New Tampa Boulevard extension.

The extension would stretch from the dead end of New Tampa Boulevard extending west across I-75 to the dead end of Commerce Park Boulevard. The bridge would link West Meadows and Tampa Palms near the Freedom High-Liberty Middle school campus.

Romano and Dixon have said they want to nix the bridge project because they worry commuters from Pasco County and subdivisions along Cross Creek Boulevard would opt to take New Tampa Boulevard through their quiet, residential communities to avoid a long stretch of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, where construction - lane widening and possibly railroad tracks for light rail service, if voters approve the ballot item in November - could last 10 to 20 years.

They have hired George Deakin, a state registered traffic engineer, to serve as an expert witness on traffic studies when the appeal comes up for further review before the EPC hearing officer.

The fight isn't over.

On April 15, Hillsborough County commissioners, serving in their role as the county Environmental Protection Commission, gathered to hear the hearing officer's findings and issue a final order based on his recommendation. However, they sent the case back to address public health, safety and welfare concerns.

They also directed arguments be heard on whether the agency has properly notified the public through paid newspaper ads about public hearings on the bridge project.

No date has been set to hear the additional arguments, EPC attorney Richard Tschantz said.
Romano and Dixon scheduled their community meeting to update interested residents on the case and to ask them for donations.

The reaction from the audience was mostly favorable, with the exception of a New Tampa business leader walking out of the meeting after expressing concerns about the organizers providing misleading information.

"You are using a lot of exaggerations," said Scott Estes, president of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, as he headed for the door.

Dixon countered, saying he was talking about the case based on his perspective.

"We don't have to be neutral," Dixon said.

Dixon, who is representing Romano pro bono, said he has spent about $100,000 in personal funds the past 2 1/2 years to challenge the city's efforts to build the bridge, a project originally intended to meet state concurrency requirements. He estimates expert witness fees will top about $5,000.

Deakin, whose job it will be to pinpoint inaccuracies and inconsistencies in Tampa's traffic studies, said he has a 40-year track record reviewing traffic safety studies for municipalities across the state.

Michael and Dahlia Robinson, who live on Wesley Drive, wrote a check at the meeting as a contribution.

Dahlia Robinson and others said residents need to have a voice because about 4,400 households in Tampa Palms would be impacted if the bridge is built.

Contributions to assist Romano's challenge can be sent to Warren Dixon, Attorney at Law, 16006 Burnham Way, Tampa FL 33647. Checks should be made out to Warren Dixon and include "Romano LEPC 09-005" in the memo.