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Downtown Riverview Plan Disclosed

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

RIVERVIEW - Residents in this riverside community got their first glimpse Monday of a plan to redevelop the downtown area into heavily landscaped, pedestrian-friendly promenades with spruced-up businesses and a mix of suburban, rural and commercial development.

Although reviews were mixed, most at the open house at Riverview Elementary School favored the plan.

"I actually think it's a great opportunity to expand what we've started," said Riverview resident Brian Lorentzen. "It'll be a place to come together and an opportunity to enhance the river walk. There's all pluses to this plan."

Some at the open house worried, though, that the plan could change what they love - the peace and quiet of an old-time community near the Alafia River.

"I like the quiet and the animals. The wildlife will suffer with more building," said Barbara Adams, who has lived in Riverview for 28 years.

Hillsborough County Community Planner Elaine Lund agreed the plan would allow higher-density development near Adams' home on Sunset Path.

A working committee made up of local residents and businesspeople have been meeting monthly since February to devise the plan for downtown Riverview.

"A lot of people did have a feel for what they wanted to see, so there was some direction from the start," Lund said.

Because different parts of downtown Riverview have their own character, the group divided the plan into three segments - downtown, uptown and river walk.

The uptown area includes the U.S. 301 corridor north of the Alafia River. Design guidelines, commercial and residential densities and civic uses for structures in that area are outlined in the plan.

Plans for downtown, closer to Riverview Drive, include a walkable shopping area with shops close to sidewalks, additional landscaping and design guidelines for buildings.

The river walk would allow public access to the south side of the Alafia, where there are no residences, and have a pedestrian walkway and lighting on the bridge that carries U.S. 301 over the river.

After considering comments made at Monday's open house, the working committee will get a final draft of the downtown plan from county planners. The plan could be presented to the county Planning Commission and county commissioners by early summer, Lund said.

Jeff and Stephanie Hannett, who are building a house in Riverview, spoke favorably about the concept.

"I like that they are giving it a homey, down-home feel," Stephanie Hannett said. "I like the addition of more trees and the beautification of the area."

"I actually like the river walk and that they are making it a family-friendly place," Jeff Hannett added.

Rene Rogers of Riverview was concerned the plan had not adequately addressed traffic issues on U.S. 301, which she called a nightmare.

"Why is there no left turn from 301 onto Riverview Drive?" she asked committee member Tim Jagodzinski.

When resurfacing begins on U.S. 301 in two years, Jagodzinski said, the Florida Department of Transportation has promised that the turn lane will be added.

Rogers said she also was concerned further plans may expand the river walk to the north side of the river, where she lives. "I don't want people walking through my backyard. You hear all this talk about eminent domain, and it's scary."

Lund said there are no plans to encroach on private property along the river.

The downtown plan is an offshoot of the Riverview Community Plan, which was approved by the county commission in 2005 with a goal of preserving the community's relationship to the river.

The community plan lists 13 goals, which include enhancing the river's recreational and economic opportunities, particularly for boats without motors; better pedestrian access in certain areas; recognizing and preserving historic and cultural resources and places; and enhancing the community's sense of place.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or at yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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