Project Information
Background
The project will also include improvements to the City’s 48-acre
environmental property acquisition, known as MacDill 48 Park, located off MacDill Avenue just south of Interbay Boulevard. The property was originally purchased in 2002 through the Environmental Lands Acquisition Protection Program (ELAPP) administered by Hillsborough County to protect and preserve the property. Subsequently, the City took ownership and control of the property and with this project will now enhance the diverse environmental habitat it contains, provide for passive park activities, reduce the hazard of brush fires, and provide for water quality treatment of stormwater runoff.
The aesthetically pleasing pond will be strategically placed in the central lower lands within the MacDill 48 Park property to enhance habitat diversity and provide needed water quality improvements. The City is taking extreme care in its enhancements of the property and is working with environmental specialists, the Florida Communities Trust (FCT), Hillsborough County’s ELAPP General Committee and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to ensure the design preserves the Park’s diverse habitat and saves as many trees as possible.
The use of MacDill 48 Park will allow the City to maximize flooding relief and enhance water quality within the Lower Peninsula Southeast Watershed. It will also fulfill a required element of the City’s agreement with FCT to rehydrate the wetlands, restore onsite habitat and provide a high-level of water quality treatment to improve the quality of the stormwater entering Hillsborough Bay.
The map of the MacDill 48 site shows the preliminary design concept of the regional pond layout, pending final data collection, regulatory agency requirements and public input.
Our team will work closely with ELAPP, the Florida Conservatory Trust (FCT), the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, and environmental specialists to ensure the design saves as many trees as possible.
Current Activities
Construction activities are ongoing on S. Himes Avenue from W. Ohio Avenue moving northward. To accommodate this activity, S. Himes Avenue is closed within the construction area. As work progresses northward, driveways and intersections within the active construction zone will be inaccessible for a period of approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Detours will be in place to direct drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians around construction areas.
Other activities include the installation of storm pipes and inlets on W. Paxton Avenue, with construction moving 100’ east and west from S. Himes Avenue. This work is expected to continue for several weeks with no anticipated driveway access impacts on W. Paxton Avenue. Restoration crews will also be working along S. Himes Avenue from Interbay Boulevard to W. Paxton Avenue, and on W. Bay Avenue to S. Sterling Avenue.
Construction takes place Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with occasional Saturday work occurring as needed. Construction activities and timelines are subject to change based upon weather and other unforeseen circumstances.)
