Board hears East Tampa gateway signage concepts; CAC prefers illuminated totem (Option 4)

Design consultant API presented five sign and wayfinding concepts for East Tampa and summarized an online survey and CAC outreach. The consultant said the July online survey (about two weeks) received 44 online responses; additional input came through CAC members and neighborhood contacts. CAC members reported near-unanimous preference for Concept 4, an illuminated totem-style gateway that incorporates patterning and nighttime illumination.

The consultant provided ballpark pricing and breakouts: a total program budget of about $660,000 with current estimates coming in at approximately $620,000; the gateway-sign budget component was roughly $120,000 and wayfinding/directional elements about $500,000. Board members raised concerns about the modest online-response count and asked staff to circulate concepts to neighborhood leaders, CAC members and local groups (including NAACP and neighborhood associations) for a brief final outreach push. Several members suggested using the secondary gateway units to double as neighborhood identification signs and discussed maintenance and replacement liability over time.

The board did not approve final construction funding at the meeting but directed CRA staff to run additional outreach (via CRA social channels and neighborhood networks) and return a recommendation with broader community feedback and cost clarifications.