Landscape architects interviewed

TAMPA PALMS -- Taxing district officials looking to update the community's landscaping interviewed and ranked three landscape architects last week.

Following the rankings made at a public meeting Wednesday, district manager John Daugirda said the next step is to go through contract negotiations.

Supervisor Ed Copeland with the Tampa Palms Community Development District noted that the choice of landscape architect could change depending on price.

"This process takes time," he said. "It's not something we can do at once."

At the top of the CDD's list is Hardeman Kempton & Associates, a Seffner-based group with its own contractor.

"We had a very diverse presentation," said Andy Miller, a supervisor with the community development district. "We have to decide if we're going to go Disneyesque and win awards (or) do we want to go low-cost and win environmental awards?"

In a preliminary ranking, supervisors opted for Hardeman Kempton, which placed emphasis on seeking public input.

The board's second pick was Ekistics Design Studio of Tampa, which offered a more environmental approach to renewing and maintaining the development.

Homeowners and board members also heard from Genesis Group, a large Tampa firm that has worked with Westchase for 10 years. The company also sets up Web pages so that residents unable to attend meetings discussing the landscaping changes can access them online.

In other district business, city officials discussed the possibility of placing speed bumps and other traffic calming measures along Compton Drive to slow speeders in the school zone.

Funding would first have to be secured before four possible speed tables or bumps could be installed. The project could take a minimum of two to three months, city transportation manager Elton Smith said.

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