City still seeking opinions on Sponge Docks project

The third in a round of informative workshops designed to give direction to future Sponge Docks renovations and improvements is set for Thursday.

The meeting will be at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum at Craig Park from 5 to 7 p.m. and is an open-house format. Public participation is welcomed.

At issue is how best to utilize the $1 million the city of Tarpon Springs has budgeted for improving the Sponge Docks and Dodecanese Boulevard. Tarpon-based Hoffman Architects and the engineering firm URS Corporation have been hired by the city to design the project.

The first meetings, sponsored by the city of Tarpon Springs, were held in early November with merchants and dock workers.

"The first two (meetings) were about trying to get input about what people would like to see or if they have any ideas to share them with us," said Ed Hoffman, principal owner of Hoffman Architects. "We've spent the last few weeks interviewing people and using that workshop information. We've translated that into a series of different ideas. I believe we have eight different focal points to look at."

The scope of proposed improvements includes street furnishings, planters and paving elements. Also discussed has been better lighting, as well as the creation of an elevated observation deck near Roosevelt Boulevard to attract more pedestrian traffic to that area of the district.

Susan Bridges Hutton, secretary with the Sponge Docks Merchants Association, said that the initial workshops have gone smoothly.

"Both meetings were very well attended," she said. "Everyone spoke up and were pretty much on the same page in terms of what is needed down there."

Along with specific enhancement details, Hoffman and Bridges Hutton said agreeing upon what areas to renovate is still a major point of discussion. Some feel all the group's energy should be focused in a condensed area, Hoffman said, but others think it should be spread along Dodecanese Boulevard from U.S. 19 Alternate to the docks at the west end.

Hoffman also echoed Bridges Hutton's sentiments about the positive attitudes exhibited by all parties throughout the workshop phase of exploring design options.

"I think it's been very successful and constructive," he said. "We've been happy with the feedback. The only surprise so far is that everybody has been fairly on the same page. I was expecting a little more diversity."

To find more information on the project, go to www.ImagineTheDocks.com.