Heavy street construction is expected to impact Tampa’s SoHo district for several years.

The Tampa City Council approved the utilization of a $10.1 million state grant for a $65 million flooding relief initiative situated in the heart of the South Howard district. This project will introduce a new conveyance system to redirect rainwater into Hillsborough Bay, addressing hazardous conditions in Parkland Estates and neighboring communities. However, the endeavor, slated to span from June 2025 to December 2028, will pose challenges, particularly affecting two bustling streets: South Howard Avenue and a segment of West Swann Avenue.

Local businesses, including Bern’s Steak House, the Epicurean Hotel, and numerous bars and restaurants, stand to be impacted. Stephen Michelini, the general manager of the SoHo Business Alliance, conveyed in a January letter that all local business owners oppose complete road closures and urged the city to consider scheduling construction during nights and weekends to expedite the process.

Infrastructure development has affected various parts of the city, with long-term road closures due to the Southeast Seminole Heights flooding relief project and intermittent closures linked to other initiatives. King State, a brewery and cafe in Tampa Heights, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after facing obstacles related to a pipe project that restricted access to the establishment.

Addressing flooding issues is imperative for the city and the region. In St. Petersburg, residents in communities like Riviera Bay, Bartlett Park, and Shore Acres express frustration over what they perceive as insufficient efforts to combat flooding.

Concerns have been raised about transparency, including Mayor Jane Castor’s letter to key stakeholders in the area and numerous community meetings held thus far. With no design-builder currently contracted, the project’s design phase has yet to commence, with the city committed to keeping stakeholders informed throughout the process. Preparatory work, including resurfacing streets surrounding South Howard Avenue, will mark the initial stage of construction.