Tampa City Council: No high rise at Bayshore Boulevard synagogue
An unusual plan for a longtime synagogue on Tampa’s waterfront to sell half its lucrative property and share space with a high-rise tower got a unanimous no from City Council late Thursday.
“I find it’s not compatible with the surrounding neighborhood,” said council member Lynn Hurtak who made the motion to kill the deal, a decision met with applause in City Council chambers.
The vote came after hours of opposing pleas from members of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, supporters of the Tampa Garden Club next door, nearby residents and even a couple of brides-to-be.
The plan was for Miami-based developer The Related Group to build a 50 unit residential high-rise on about half of the synagogue’s 2.12 acre property. That condo tower would have co-existed with the existing 1969 synagogue building with its distinctive menorah facing Bayshore Boulevard.
Representatives and members of Rodeph Sholom — some in T-shirts that read “Honoring The Past, Preserving The Future” — said the sale would provide funds for future maintenance and repair and could prevent the congregation from one day having to sell off the entire property and move.
“I think it would be a shame for us to potentially lose a synagogue from Bayshore Boulevard,” said congregation member Marcy Baker.
Members of the Garden Club next door also turned out in full force. Nestled on more than 3 acres of water-view green space, the club serves as a busy wedding venue that’s booked 18 months out — a business that could be jeopardized by a looming tower next door, supporters said.
“Projects like this in Tampa belong in downtown,” Elizabeth Johnson, whose daughter is soon to be married there, told the council. “Please listen to the Garden Club. This is a gem.”
The project was called too big for the property — “ten pounds of sugar in a 5 pound bag,” said Todd Pressman, zoning consultant representing the club.
Of concern in the discussion were waivers sought by the developer — particularly one requesting to be required to preserve only 20 percent of the trees on the property instead of 50 percent. Three grand oaks would have been affected.
“Please vote no to these tree killing waivers,” a speaker said.
City Council member Bill Carlson, who represents South Tampa, was out of town for Thursday’s vote.
Members of the conservative congregation, which started in Ybor City in 1903, said they had often been approached to sell the property on Bayshore, which is lined with high-rises and waterfront mansions, but this deal would have allowed them to stay.
“Maybe this comes back to us in a different form in a couple of months,” said council member Luis Viera.
