TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — The Tarpon Springs City Commission is hoping to purchase nearly two acres of land near the sponge docks to turn it into event space and to add more parking.
What You Need To Know
- The land is on Roosevelt Boulevard and Hill Street for $1.8 million and is made up of a former parking lot and empty parcels
- Some want to see the land used for hotel space; the city wants more parking
- Issue will be on ballot during Tuesday's Election Day
- MORE: Spectrum Bay News 9 Voting Guide
Some residents want to see the city make even more upgrades to the area, while others fear it will take away from the local small town charm. All of them will get a say next week on election day.
The land on Roosevelt Boulevard and Hill Street is selling for $1.8 million, and it is made up of a former parking lot and empty parcels.
Lisa Adams, a tattoo artist for 35 years, opened her tattoo business three years ago. She loves the vibe of the city but said that it needs a bit of an update.
“You can bring new things in and it’s not going to ruin that as long as it’s done smartly, and how you let it grow, but it needs to grow because things change,” Adams said. “Everything changes.” She thinks the land’s best use would be a hotel.
Tarpon Springs Mayor Costa Vatikiotis said the city would like to fix up the parking lot, construct another, and make room for special events.
“If any of the paid parking lots became developed with some kind of commercial purpose, that parking would go away and there would be no place for the visitors to come and park,” Vatikiotis said.
The city will take the purchase proposal to the voters on Tuesday, with city officials hopeful the measure will pass.
