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Residents debate sites for North Tampa library
By JANE BOKUN © St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001 WESTCHASE -- When it comes to new libraries, Cindy Gemmill knows exactly where she wants hers. Right in her own back yard. "We want to be able to have a library that's accessible to Westchase residents, that we can walk to," said Gemmill, who lives in Westchase's Greencrest section. She isn't alone. Other like-minded residents joined her at an informational meeting at Westchase Elementary School on Monday night, to learn about possible sites for a library to serve the Upper Tampa Bay area. Last November commissioners approved a $3.6-million budget to build and acquire land for two 10,000-square-foot libraries in Upper Tampa Bay and Brandon. For Upper Tampa Bay there is a budget of $790,000 for the building itself. "We need to find enough space to buy enough land to eventually build the Upper Tampa Bay library to 25,000 square foot," said Mike Kelly, director of the real estate department for Hillsborough County. "At the same time, we need to have both library projects constructed in 2004; that's a very aggressive schedule," Kelly said. He said the County Commission has been working with an advisory board to determine the best places for the area bounded by Linebaugh Avenue to the south, Sheldon Road to the east, S Mobley Road to the north and Race Track Road to the west. "We concentrated on properties in those areas," Kelly said. "We had 17 different sites, which were short-listed to four sites." Those include sites off Nine Eagles Road, Race Track Road, Race Track Drive and Countryway Boulevard north of Westchase. By the end of the often contentious meeting it was clear that many are pushing for a site near the Publix shopping center on Countryway Boulevard. Terrabrook, Westchase's developer, would help the county acquire that site. But officials also heard an ardent plea for a site off Race Track Road called Highland Park, which would be donated entirely by local developer Bill Bishop. "Not only is it free, it will yield the superior result," Bishop said. He said land in Highland Park includes the equestrian facility he has promised for handicapped riders. Brian Sewell, vice president with Terrabrook, said the Countryway Boulevard site would be more easily accessible to pedestrians, with sidewalks and a playground nearby. The matter now returns to the advisory board. "We're going to ask that they choose the preferred site or sites and meanwhile, we'll receive comment sheets and tabulate them," Kelly said. Those who want to voice their library land preferences can still e-mail Kelly at Kelly@hillsboroughcounty.org.
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From the Times |
