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District OKs $80,000 For Surveys, Signs

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By GEORGE WILKENS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

TAMPA PALMS - Moving ahead with plans to upgrade signs and parks, the Tampa Palms Community Development District supervisors have authorized nearly $80,000 for design work and surveying.

At their Oct. 10 meeting, they unanimously authorized the design of new monument signs at the community's two main entries on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard - at Amberly Drive and at Tampa Palms Boulevard. The $54,000 price for design work in the initial phase by landscape architects Hardeman-Kempton & Associates includes $20,000 for design of entry signs at about 20 villages.

In approving 'a pretty aggressive schedule' for obtaining permits for the work by February, supervisors agreed to hold additional monthly meetings for progress updates, the first Nov. 1.

The five-year improvement program known as Visioning 2011, a joint project of the CDD and the Tampa Palms Owners Association, is intended to refresh the community developed in 1986.

Architect Ted Kempton outlined improvements to Hampton Park, one of three CDD-owned parks in Tampa Palms Areas 1 and 2. The CDD also approved $25,000 for a survey of it and Amberly Park.

The initial phase of the plan calls for remodeling the Hampton Park pavilion, which will include making the restrooms handicapped-accessible. Sidewalks and playground equipment will be improved and rubber surfacing installed in the play area.

Additional Hampton Park pavilions and an interactive water feature are included in later phases.

Supervisors took issue with Kempton's plan that Amberly Park improvements be delayed until initial Hampton Park improvements are made.

'Amberly Park is used by more children who live in town homes or apartments,' which also fund CDD operations, supervisor Patty Maney said. Calling that Area 1 park 'a critical area for children' lacking alternative recreational facilities, Maney added, 'That's also a park where seniors are more likely to be active and walking around.'

Amberly Park improvements will include a multipurpose court, two additional pavilions, playground equipment over rubber surfacing, a garden and a picnic area.

For the 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 special meeting of the CDD supervisors, Kempton said he will present conceptual renderings of several designs for the main entry signs.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4847 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com.

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