TAMPA, Fla. — A walk through Marti-Colon Cemetery is a journey through time for Barbara Diaz-Juskowski, who grew up right around the corner. 

“When we were little, we used to climb that fence over there and play in this cemetery until we’d get chased out," she said. "And the reason we got chased out is because they would tell us ‘You can’t play there, there are bodies buried underneath there.’”

Diaz-Juskowski was surprised to find a sign about a rezoning hearing for a section of the land that's currently vacant to build a new cemetery. She said she is worried about the plans to build a new entrance on the side of the property facing her neighborhood. 

"We’re concerned that if they’re going to start adding funeral processions and people coming in to visit, where are they going to park?" she said. "There’s no parking provided inside. We’re concerned that they’re going to block driveways and make it inconvenient and uncomfortable for the people who already live here."

The Marti-Colon Cemetery was founded in 1895. Aileen Henderson, founder of The Cemetery Society, said the grounds have a deep and dark history. 

“It’s common knowledge here in West Tampa that we know that bodies were buried on top of bodies," Henderson said. "We know that money was taken for plots and then resold to other people.”

There are now concerns that there may be bodies already buried on the cemetery land that's up for sale. 

“You see all of these red flags," Henderson said, pointing to the open land. "There’s about 75 out here, which is a strong indication that there is something underground.”

The flags Henderson described mark what was picked up by a ground penetrating radar, ordered by the Chabad CHAI of South Tampa. The organization is planning to purchase the land to build a cemetery for people of the Jewish faith. Rabbi Mendi Dubrowski said the idea was born out of requests from the community. 

Red flags mark points where ground-penetrating radar found a strong indication that something is underground. (Spectrum News)

"When people lose their loved ones at any stage in life, it is a very special and emotional time for them," Dubrowski said. "People often feel very spiritually connected in that moment, even if they didn’t consider themselves particularly religious before."

Dubrowski said that he has met with residents who live near the cemetery to hear their concerns. He added that he was not aware of the potential unmarked graves when Chabad sought out the land.

"As religious leaders, we believe burial is sacrosanct and should be respected and preserved and guarded," Dubrowski said. "That’s why we’ve taken the steps at our own cost to hire a ground penetrating radar company to come out and test the soil and see what exactly is there."

“If we do move forward, our goal will always be to respect and acknowledge anyone that is buried there," he continued. "If we don’t move forward, we will work with the community to make sure the City of Tampa does what probably should’ve been done earlier, which is to make sure that these historic cemeteries are preserved and protected for our community.”

Dubrowski said his organization is waiting for results from the ground radar penetration before deciding how they will move forward. 

Henderson started a Facebook page to help share the concerns of residents like Diaz-Juskowski. Ultimately, they hope to prevent development on the land in question. Henderson and Diaz-Juskowski said their concern is not with Chabad's concept, rather with preserving the cemetery and neighborhood. 

“I would love to see the city go ahead and purchase this piece of property," Diaz-Juskowski said. "That way, it’s put to rest — no pun intended — and the people in the neighborhood can feel safe and they can feel that the city is concerned about their needs.”

The final rezoning hearing is scheduled for March 28.