Walls may come down at Fremont Linear Park

An old issue that has literally divided a neighborhood for years is getting another look from city officials.

Within the next weeks transportation, public works, police and parks and recreation officials will meet to consider options and costs for removing concrete walls, and portions of a linear park, that block east-west traffic on Palmetto, Cherry, Walnut and Pine streets.

The 2 1/2-foot walls stretch along 1.5 acres of the Fremont Linear Park.

A recent question to Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor at an Old West Tampa Neighborhood Association and Crimewatch meeting prompted the re-examination.

Tampa police favor removing the walls, Castor said.

"It's an area where people loiter," she said, and that attracts a criminal element into the neighborhood.

Tampa public works director Steve Daignault also said his department has no problem with the walls being removed. Parks and recreation officials also said they would agree to the project.

A cost for the project and a revenue source has not been determined.

Two years ago residents petitioned the city to remove the barriers and re-open the streets. They said the walls attract a rough crowd of people who stand around or sit on the barriers, drinking alcohol, selling drugs and using obscenities.

An offer from parks and recreation to spend up to $7,000 to replace the walls with hedges was rejected. Residents said the hedges would not stop the loitering and would give criminals a place to hide.

The cost two years ago for re-opening the streets was pegged at $300,000 to $400,000.

Daignault said a new cost assessment is needed that includes estimates on road work to add new pavement and link existing streets all at the same level.

The worst street for loitering appears to be Pine, said association president Mike Vannetta. "Even if we got one street open, it would help," he said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.