TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In a chaotic meeting, Tampa city leaders gave an update on the South Howard Flood Relief Project and gathered input from residents.

Depending on who you ask, the project is either a step in the right direction or a costly mistake.

Some said, the project will provide necessary flood relief.

“What they’re going to put in place is that spine that will prevent or reduce the likelihood of flooding for a lot of portions of South Tampa,” Resident Ben Bernabei said.

Others said, it’s costly, inconvenient, and will leave businesses in the crossfire.

“If our clients and employees can’t get to our business, we can’t service our clients,’ Body By Design owner Linda Misner explained.

Nevertheless, the city is moving forward.

City leaders said, the South Howard Flood Relief project will include a major stormwater drainage system to relieve flooding along South Howard Avenue, West Swann Avenue, and adjacent neighborhoods (Parkland Estates and Palma Ceia Pines).

The project is also expected to include more areas for sidewalks, new safety features, traffic calming measures, expanded street parking, landscaping, the addition of pervious (permeable) pavers, street lighting, and green infrastructure. 

Thursday, city leaders presented their recommended route going down Swann Avenue and then through South Howard Avenue.

They asked residents for their input on design themes and features like raised intersections and lighted crosswalks.

That didn’t go over well for some.

“They’re talking about architecture and dog parks, they’re not talking about anything that these people care about,” Stephanie Poynor said.

With much of the debate surrounding how much this project could impact businesses, we took that concern to the city.

News Channel 8 reporter Nicole Rogers asked, “Have you guys done an economic impact statement to find out how far that economic impact could go?”

Tampa Infrastructure & Mobility Administrator Jean Duncan responded, “We typically don’t do that with a public works type project, however, we do know that there are some economic impacts that do come along.”

“There will be very positive ones when we get the project done,” she continued.

SoHo Business Alliance General Manager Steve Michelini said he took it upon himself to get a private study done.

“We came up with about a million dollars a day,” he said. “You’re talking about 35 major establishments, major economic engines.”

“Really? You’re really expecting to say, ‘Oh we’re going to work around it,’ Michelini continued. “We’ve been hearing that for months.”

For more information on the project, click here.