soho parking war
The recent forum on the SOHO parking problems clearly showed no real answers are in the immediate offering.
Demand currently continues to exceed availability on as many as 4 nights each week. At some point, the City hopes to eliminate street parking on residential streets, including half of Westland and parts of Azeele and Horatio resulting in 100 or more spaces being lost.
On the 300 block of South Howard, animosity between the current tenants and the efforts of Whiskey SOHO owner Tommy Ortiz is escalating. Many claims and accusations are flying. Some are valid and 
some are not.
The van we have pictured here has been parked in front of Sangrias for over a week. Many of the building’s tenants claim that vehicles such as this are being parked and left here on purpose. These business owners say someone is leaving unattractive automobiles in needed spaces for extended periods of time to prevent real customers from using the spaces, and to purposely damage their business.
This SOHO Parking War of 2007 is deeply affecting the political campaigns of City Council Candidates Julie Brown and John Dingfelder. Charges from supporters of both candidates have been flying back and forth. A lesser known candidate in the race, Joseph Citro has not been drawn into it thus far. We do not plan to take a stand in this race at this time, but we will try to clear up falsehoods or shortcomings when we see them.
Those of you concerned about the parking problem should not focus all of your attention on this individual council race. The candidates in other seats will have a vote on these crucial issues affecting SOHO as well. But the real attention needs to be directed to the Mayor’s race.
I have had several discussions with Mayor Iorio, and the option of a city parking garage being built in SOHO has NO chance of being considered due to the high costs of land and construction. With Hartline doing nothing to address the possibility of better mass transit in SOHO, leadership is needed now. Many SOHO businesses and residents feel neglected as their financial contributions to the city and county keep rising. The new inflow of tax money from the many new townhouses and upgrades in the South Howard area has to be significant.
As we have indicated on many occasions, while the accusations come and go, there is nothing like looking the candidate in the face and asking them your questions directly. You have that right and you have that opportunity. We hope you take advantage of it.
Previous Articles relating to this:
- The Start of the SOHO Parking War 2007
- SOHO Parking Problems Exist - No Real Solutions
- The Parking Issue - Creating Problems in SOHO
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want
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February 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I missed something here — what does Dingfelder’s race have to do with this other than he represents that area?
On a side note….Whiskey Park gets worse every month….when that place’s fire is snuffed out a bit more, parking will be a little better.
February 9th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
The SOHO parking problem is the making of lots of different people over lots of different years.
Blame is worthless. BUT real solutions are valuable.
Our intent is to raise the issue of parking and its relevant issue -zoning, so that the candidates - all candidates, not just in district 4 - actually work to find a solution. From our viewpoint, there are a few solutions - but they all require money the city does not want to spend.
We hope to raise enough awareness that someone decides it needs to be spent - now !
February 9th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Umm, other than he represents the area? Answering your own question much? This problem is out of hand. Seems like the government is content to take our money in return for diminishing services. I say out with Iorio and in with someone that has a spine.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
“Umm, other than he represents the area? Answering your own question much?” — yeah, i thought there was news that related to ‘deeply affecting the political campaigns of city council members’…but i guess not
February 9th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
tampa taxpayers built two new parking garages in ybor, then the current administration proceeded to try to kill off what should be the city’s premier entertainment district. now the energy has shifted to soho w predictable results: chaos over too many cars trying to park. the real solution is for the focus to return to ybor as a destination for clubs, bars and restaurants. perfect infrastructure and ample parking. move whiskey park to ybor and the problems disappear. any other city would be promoting a place like ybor as a priceless asset.
February 10th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I visit other Florida cities on occasion(Orlando, Fort Lauderdale for example), why is there no shuttle/tram/pedicab business on Howard Ave? Why dont the businesses make an effort if they are able to? I cant tell you how many times ive wanted to eat down by Ceviches, and have after dinner drinks desert up by Dubliner/Mangroves area…its just too long of a walk, and rediculous to find parking. Like Ybor, park once, enjoy the neighborhood businesses.
February 13th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I have long maintained there needs to be a rubber wheel trolley that runs up and down South Howard on Thurs, Fri, and Sat nites. with a connection at the north of south end of Soho that also has a stop in Hyde Park Village, then on to the beginning (or end–personal perception)of the electric trolley station across from the convention center. The electric trolley can then carry you on to Channelside and Ybor City. There are parking garages in Hyde Park Village (not City owned), Channelside and in Ybor. Ybor City would LOVE to have Whiskey Park by the way. Only charge a quarter for SoHo run. I call it the Entertainment District Trolley. Maybe one day……..
February 13th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
do what I do, Downtown St. Petersburg. Ample FREE parking. Great food and bars.
Enough said.