Port Tampa City 1938

Wonder what your block looked like almost 70 years ago? Check out the searchable aerial photography database atAerial Photography Florida Then follow these instructions from the most excellent My Florida History blog

"From the site's home page, click "search." You will see a map of the state. Use the "zoom+" button to zoom on the part of Florida that interests you. After you zoom in several times, you will see dots with years, which are the links to photos from that year of that place. If you zoom in more, you will see street names. You can use the "select" feature to draw a rectangle around the dots you want. Links to the photos will appear below the map. Click on the camera icon by the year you want, and a new window will open with that aerial photograph. You can zoom in closer by using the drop down menu, or by clicking on the photograph (which also recenters the image). "

The empty block just below the center of the picture above is where the SW Port Tampa Park and Kwane Doster Rec. Center are now located. The large open space at the very bottom is still open space, occupied only by well used ball fields. Port Tampa City has certainly seen ups and downs over the years, but the Port Tampa blogger family appreciates the relatively high percentage of open space we still enjoy right in the city. Tampa in general does not rate very highly for open spaces and parks compared to other urban environments. It's important to support the Port Tampa City Women's Club in their efforts to make the Spanish American War Memorial Park something to be proud of.

What would you do with a Tampa mini grant?

Tampa Neighborhood and Community Relations Director, Shannon Edge, was at the CAPT meeting on Tuesday and mentioned the new city mini grants. Questions soon turned to neighborhood and park improvements far beyond the scope of a mini grant but here at the Port Tampa blog we believe it's time to go after that money. 106 different neighborhood organizations are eligible to apply and there's only $15,000 to go around so it would pay to jump on this opportunity fast. Here are the details as posted on www.tampagov.net:

City Launches Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program

Tampa, FL March 19, 2007 - On March 2, 2007, the Neighborhood & Community Relations Office launched the City of Tampa Neighborhood Mini-Grant Matching Program reinforcing the city’s commitment to investing in neighborhoods.
Through this program, the city is allocating $15,000 to be awarded as matching grants to officially recognized neighborhood associations in increments up to $750. All 106 officially recognized neighborhood associations in the city are eligible to apply for the grants.

This new initiative will help strengthen neighborhood associations by funding communication efforts, publicity and insurance for special events, beautification projects, and leadership training development programs.

For additional information or to obtain a Neighborhood Mini-Grant Application, please contact Neighborhood & Community Relations Director Shannon Edge at (813) 274-7835.

Have a good idea? Post a comment and let's hear about it.

Port Tampa Murder Suspect in Custody and Other CAPT Meeting News

Though he did not identify the suspect by name, TPD Cpt. Hugh Miller told a standing room only Kwane Doster Rec. Center crowd that a man in custody on other charges is the target of the department's investigation of the two recent murders on S. Morton St. Perhaps surprisingly for such serious crimes they were not the chief law enforcement concern of residents at the CAPT meeting. Traffic enforcement and the need for sidewalks topped the list and Civic Association President Jill Buford had petitions asking the city to install high priority sidewalks ready for signing.

Though many were vocal in their criticism of "no one telling us anything" and "not having a say" in community priorities the group fell silent during the call for nomination of new CAPT officers to serve through '09. While it's great to see more people attending CAPT meetings now that they alternate between the Southwest and Northeast rec centers, it's not so great if they aren't also willing to step up and be part of the solution to community problems.

On a personal note-it is very easy to get information about Port Tampa, and the city in general. This is one of the most Internet accessable city governments I've ever encountered. In the Port Tampa blogger family alone the city has twice cleaned up illegal dumping reported through tampagov.net, they've also had burned out street light bulbs replaced along Interbay just 2 days after they were reported on the tampagov site.

Other things take time, lots of time. The Tampa greenways and trails have been a decade in the making but we are finally on the cusp of seeing parts of the Port Tampa portion come to fruition.

TPD to Send Representative to CAPT Meeting Tonight

Captain Miller of the Tampa Police Department is planning to attend the Civic Association of Port Tampa (CAPT) meeting tonight at 7:00 PM at the Kwane Doster Rec. Center. The Center is at the far south end of S. Morton St. in the Southwest Port Tampa park. Miller will address the status of the investigations into two recent shootings. No doubt police presence will be a hot topic as there were calls for more of it during the forum with Council Dingelder last month, but Miller claims some have complained about too much police presence on their block. No matter which side of the issue you take, go to the meeting and have a voice.

Losing Our Homeowner's Insurance

We've insured homes with Armed Forces Insurance for almost 15 years now. We moved, bought and sold houses, and always took AFI with us. No more. The Ft. Leavenworth based insurance company has "evaluated its risk portfolio" and determined that we are at too great a risk for wind damage and ours will not be among the few policies renewed in Florida.

Ironically, we are being bitten by legislation designed to make insurance more affordable. AFI is a non-profit member owned company, one that pays a dividend to policy holders if claims are lower than expected. To assume too much risk, for houses like ours, without enough in premiums to cover potential claims is to put all the other owners (policy holders like us) at risk.

We'll try the next insurer of choice for most military families, USAA. If you have suggestions, let me know. I fear we are going to join the ranks of people who have insurance payments as high as their mortgages.

What does a house cost down there?

I've been spending a lot of time out of town on business this winter and this time of year people seem to be particularly envious of a Tampa address. Some so want to escape where ever they are living now they start researching how to make a move to Tampa before employment or family ties bring them here. A recent visitor to the blog that covers all things Tampa,Sticks of Fire asked if a family could find a 3 bedroom 2 bath home for around $300,000.

So what does a house in Port Tampa cost? Wow, that is a really difficult question these days. A search of realtor.com for the 33616 zip code will include a lot of homes that aren't in Port Tampa proper, including Westshore Yacht Club. Here's the range I found after sorting through 187 listings:$179,900 will buy this three bedroom one bath home on a 50X100 ft lot. Built in 1900 it is on Fitzgerald just south of the Community Center.

There is no photo available for the 4 bedroom 4 bath $729,000 house going up on the far south end of Juanita. I don't think you can buy an insurable 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home in Port Tampa for under $375,000. Comment here if you can prove me wrong!

Opposition to Gazebo Demolition Growing

Is Tampa disregarding the historic heritage of Port Tampa City. Some think so.

Received via e-mail:

Hello everyone,

What is so terribly wrong with our historic gazebo that it is unsound and unsafe for public use??????

Just a scant three months ago Santa and Mrs. Claus sat in chairs in this gazebo, along with other adults and musical equipment, while approximately 200 children came and went, telling Santa their wishes. There was nothing wrong with the gazebo at that time. It showed no signs of serious deterioration or harm to anyone.

Back in the year 1961 the City of Tampa annexed Port Tampa, in spite of vigorous protests by the residents. Come on, people, let's speak up now and keep what precious little of our historic heritage that we have left.

Take a look at the pavilion at the northern end of the Park. Many of us believe that the pavilion needs an entire new roof, but ... the City is just making repairs to the old roof ... pieces of wood being replaced here and there. The worker is doing a good job and would be a good person to replace bad wood on the gazebo.

I do not want a replacement gazebo! Let's fix the old one. Even if it costs more to repair than to replace, let's fix it. We can hold a fundraiser to raise money to reimburse the City for the extra cost.

Also, there are contractors residing in Port Tampa, so let's get bids from them. I feel certain that they would take great pride in restoring our historic Spanish American War Memorial Park Gazebo.

Carol Curtiss

Gazebo Declared Unsafe, Tampa Parks Dept. Plans Demolition

Port Tampa City Women's Club President Chris Malzone sent out an e-mail earlier today with info about the imminent demolition of the Gazebo in the Spanish American War Memorial Park. Here is the e-mail response from Cathie Schanze of Tampa's Parks and Rec. Department.


"Staff met onsite with Ms. Malzone to discuss options for improving the Gazebo. They were very concerned about the condition of the structure and forwarded their concerns to me.

I met with our Building Services Superintendent to look at the structure on Monday. We found the structure to be unsound. The Pilings are inadequate. The base is not properly attached to the pilings. The deck boards are in need of replacement. The support posts are sitting onto of the deck boards and are not attached to the base or pilings in any way. The support posts and roof appear to be leaning.

Accounting for all the repairs it would take to remedy these situations, we felt it would be more cost effective to replace the structure in it's entirety.

I contacted Ms. Malzone with our findings and asked her to bring the information to your groups for discussion. I also offered to do some research on replacement structures to present to your groups as soon as possible.

At this time we have not determined any dates for the proposed demolition nor have we determined a source for the proposed replacement.

I apologize for not having more definite information but really wanted to let your group know what we found as soon as possible so we can work together to find a solution.

Please feel free to contact me, I would be meet with you and/or discuss alternatives.

Sincerely,



Cathie Schanz, CPRP
Operations Chief
City of Tampa
Parks and Recreation
1420 N Tampa St
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 274-7731 office
(813) 274-7744 fax
cathie.schanz@tampagov.net
www.tampagov.net/dept_Parks

Walk With Mayor Iorio March 17th

Gunshot Victim Dies at Hospital

Man Dies After Several Gunshot Wounds
Posted Mar 4, 2007 by The Tampa Tribune
Updated Mar 5, 2007 at 11:40 AM


By ELAINE SILVESTRINI
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – A man who was shot multiple times in the upper body Sunday night has died.

Tedric Dewayne Maynard, 25, of Tampa was shot in the 7500 block of South Morton Street near West Richardson Avenue, according to police.

Tampa General Hospital spokeswoman Ellen Fiss said Maynard has died, but she couldn’t say when because of medical privacy laws.

Victim Identified

As reported on TBO.com

Man In Hospital, Police Investigating Shooting
Posted Mar 4, 2007 by The Tampa Tribune
Updated Mar 4, 2007 at 11:16 PM


TAMPA - Police are investigating a shooting that injured a man Sunday night.

Tedric Dewayne Maynard, 25, of Tampa, was shot multiple times in the upper body and was in critical but stable condition at Tampa General Hospital, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

The shooting happened after 9 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Morton Street, near West Richardson Avenue.

A staff report

News Channel 8 in Port Tampa

The News Channel 8 van took out a mail box on S. Morton St. then got stuck in the ditch, so lets hope the reporter was more competent than the driver. Her report, has not aired yet. Onlookers say it will say tonight's shooting victim was hit 5 times but is at the hospital and still alive.

Police Wrapping Up at Port Tampa Shooting Scene

A crowd gathered at the corner of Morton and Richardson as about 12 police cars, an ambulance, and two firetrucks were called to the scene of the shooting near the Kwane Doster Rec Center. The victim was still alive when he left the scene in the ambulance. He has not been identified but bystanders believe he was not from the immediate neighborhood. This picture was taken at 9:45PM as police were wrapping up. Cones just visible in the center of the photo indicate where the victim fell.

Shots Fired Near Kwane Doster Rec Center

Police are investigating a shooting on S. Morton Street on the same block as the Rec Center. This just happened a few minutes ago. One man was seen running from the scene, another was taken away in an ambulance.

More details as they become available.

Friends of the Library to Meet on Wednesday

A note from Friends President, Jill Buford
Hello Port Tampa Friends

Our next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday March 7th 7pm 2007.

· Corey has a great summer schedule for the Library to share with us.
· Our computer Lab is a busy bee hive of activity thanks to Jeff the library’s computer specialist.
· We need to plan and prepare for the Dedication of the James Yeats Meeting Room on June 16th
· And we need to discuss the newest addition to the Library; the Ellen Haynes Green Reading Room.

Have a great weekend, see you next Wednesday.

Jill Buford


A portion of the library sidewalk damaged by tree roots was recently repaired with a new product. Read more about it here:
City Tests Flexible Sidewalk Material You can see more of this sidewalk at the corner of Idaho and Elliot where it was used for two newly constructed houses.

PTCWC Seeks Input on Park Gazebo, City Plans to Spend $250,000 on Another Port Tampa Park

From the Hibiscus Newsletter of the Port Tampa City Women's Club:This is a representation of the suggested renovations to the Spanish American War Memorial Park Gazebo. The Port Tampa City Women's Club wants to anchor the structure, replace the floor, balusters & handrails, add gingerbread at the corner of each post and
paint. And, if they can afford it, add a decorative metal roof.
They are in the process of accepting & reviewing bids. Any donations
of materials and /or labor would be greatly appreciated.
If you have any information on the history of the gazebo, or any old
pictures, please share them with the PTCWC.
Comments or suggestions are welcome, please e-mail them to
ptcwc@porttampa.org, or call Chris Malzone 813-493-5201.

In her "Letter from the President" Chris says:
The City of Tampa has been making big changes at Spanish-American War Memorial Park in the past few months. We even have new garbagereceptacles! Recently, the Tampa Tribune stated in an article that $250,000 has been earmarked
for completion of the park by 2009. This is great news should it become a reality. However, it's nice to know that a project initiated by the Port
Tampa City Woman’s Club over 3 years ago is in the city's plans.