More on the Gandy Extension

By Rich Shopes, Times Correspondent
In Print: Tuesday, August 23, 2011

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TAMPA — The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority hasn't committed to a bridge linking the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway to the Gandy Bridge, but that isn't stopping its opponents.

The project, they say, would divide South Tampa and destroy businesses on Gandy Boulevard.

"To me, there is nothing good from having a business under a bridge," said Mark Rubio, a South Tampa resident and commercial property owner. "Businesses just don't grow under bridges."

The authority earlier this month approved a study required to build the two-lane bridge but says it hasn't decided whether to move forward on the $130 million project to connect St. Petersburg to downtown Tampa, Brandon and Interstate 75.

Currently, drivers exiting the bridge have to drive about 2 miles east on Gandy Boulevard to reach the expressway's entrance at S Dale Mabry Highway. Business owners say a bridge to bypass Gandy Boulevard would mean losing thousands of drive-by customers and could separate them from customers north and south of Gandy. Others say it would destroy neighborhoods by creating a noisy barrier.

In a concession to residents and business owners who spoke against the plan, the authority's board called for a study to gauge attitudes toward the proposal.

Joe Waggoner, the expressway's executive director, said he will report back to the board in September about the scope and nature of that study.

If the authority moves forward, it will also need to complete a traffic and economic analysis to show lenders that the project would succeed.

Meanwhile, opponents say they've turned in 1,500 signatures of people against the plan and that they're trying to set up a meeting this week or next to decide on a strategy. Residents and business owners have been fighting the idea since it was introduced in 2008.

Al Steenson, president of the Gandy/Sun Bay South Civic Association, argues the authority should respect community concerns and that the agency's studies three years ago don't reflect current traffic levels or economic conditions.

The project would further hurt businesses by cutting drive-by traffic, he added.

"You put a 30-foot high elevated road down Gandy Boulevard and you will destroy this neighborhood," Steenson said.

"Most of the business here will go under," said Mikael Eskildsen, owner of Scan Design, a furniture store on Gandy Boulevard. "Everybody here has drive-by business: gas stations, liquor stores and banks. People stop here and do their shopping. But with this bridge, there won't be any off ramps. Forget it. They're going to be gone."

The authority estimates that traffic on Gandy will swell to about 48,100 cars a day by 2015, up from about 45,000 now. If the bridge is built, traffic on Gandy will drop to about 36,200 cars. Some 19,000 vehicles will take the new bridge, including drivers who otherwise would have used the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Tolls are estimated at 25 cents to 50 cents and would be collected electronically through Sunpass or the expressway's high-speed camera system.

[Last modified: Aug 22, 2011 11:50 PM]

Citizens Insurance

Citizens Insurance has notified some in our park that they will not renew thier home policy. In most cases, its because of the roof being over 25 years old. Should this happen to you, call AMS at 1-800-282-3572 and ask for Joe. They will come in, take 2 color photos, inspect the roof and send the form to Citizens. Cost is $45.00. The reason for this blog is that there are some companies that are asking 125.00 for the same service. Don't be taken. Dee Bedore

Brown Recluse Found

Today I got a phone call from the resident who found the brown recluse spider near his front door. Asked to warn everybody, and just refresh your memories. Here is the photo. They like to hide in clothes.These are the ones who have the violin on their backs.

Town Hall Meeting 8/20/11 10am

The recorded meeting was opened with a prayer by Ron Herb. Dennis Kralick then presided over the meeting of 4 board members and 60 residents. The unsightly mess at Georgetown will be addressed. Over 1/2 hour was covered on Parking, and suggestions will be referred to the Board. We will not replace the loss of one of our maintenance men. The West Shore gate will be open from 7am-3pm while waiting for parts to repair.

Interested parties wishing to be a board member were requested to submit their resumes, as it it will be discussed at next meeting on Sept.17. Outlook will be outsourced at NO CHARGE to the shareholder. To submit an article, email it to patti@regencycove.com Patti Fennessy.

Dawn, our manager is now permanent, which met with a large response of applause. Our new hall renovation is absolutely beautiful, and cost was donated by the Friendship Club. Pats on the back were given to Sandy Ross and her committees re: almost $8000.00 obtained in grants. The new park benches and swings being finished now.

The meeting was run extremely well by Ron Herb and Dennis Kralick.Meeting adjourned at 11:30am.

Westshore Gate Under Repair

The Westshore Gate will be open from 7am to 3pm daily until repaired....  We are still awaiting parts....

 

Dennis W. Kralick

 

Editors note:

As always, please keep your eyes peeled for suspicious persons or activities in the park. If you see anything unusual, please call the police.

ARMED SERVICE VETERANS OF REGENCY COVE

Good Morning All..As most of you know, Sandy Ross and I have started a project about our Veterans here in the park. Its turning out to be a daunting task, however, we have about 70 finished, most all with their early photos. Our biggest concern is that we DO NOT want to leave anyone out of the book. There are 10 of you who we are waiting for your photos and about 9 who still have to be interviewed. There may be even some we don't know about?? Please, we need your help if you are one of those, as we want this to be finished for presentation perhaps in January. Sandy won't be back here till Sept. so time is getting to be of the essence! Call Ed 813-839-6776, or email saltydg@aol.com with any help you can offer. Thanks................Ed Bedore

A meeting will be held tomorrow with a reporter from the St.Pete Times Re: our project. They seem to be very interested.

Grant Money

Regency Cove received a check today for $2491 to repay the expenses for buying the 6 benches around the hall, the 9 cement benches on the waterfront, and the 2 new swings to hang under the pavillion.There were three funding agencies responsible for these funds: The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the Hillsborough County Children's Fund, and the Frank E Duckwall Foundation. Once again, the residents of Regency Cove thank these agencies for their generosity, and all the volunteers who contributed to the benches and plaques.

Investment Advice

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you would have $49.00 today!


If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you would have $33.00 today.


If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you would have $0.00 today.


But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for the recycling refund, you would have received $214.00.


Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily and recycle.


It is called the 401-Keg.

And as a bonus...


A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that on average Americans drink 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means that the average American gets about 41 miles to the gallon!


Makes you damned proud to be an American!


Editor's Note: Don't hold me to the authenticity of the dollar amounts. Economic variables in today's market are highly unstable.

No August Board Meeting

I don't believe that there is a board meeting scheduled for this month. Time off to relax! It might be entertaining to tell our directors what we think are the issues to put on the agenda for September. Residents, what do you think? Maybe there is one or two who might be interested in your thoughts.

Gandy Overhead

An email sent out by Dennis Kralick Friday evening indicated that the Gandy Elevated has been taken off the THEA calendar for a year. There will be no state or federal money for this project. Thank you Dennis and Elaine for taking the time to sit down with Commissioner Murman. Its good to know our BOD is actively engaged in community affairs that impact our home investments.

We need to brush up on communications in the upcoming year, because this topic will no no doubt resurface again next year.