Luis Viera Column — Thank You For Ten Wonderful Years As Your City Councilman!

By Luis Viera 

District 7, Tampa City Council 

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (Photo by Charmaine George)

I always love to update my constituents on what is happening in the City of Tampa, especially in New Tampa’s District 7. 

Saying Goodbye To District 7 

Speaking of my district, I only have a few more weeks as your Tampa City Councilman. 

I began this journey in Nov. 2016 and it will end at midnight on November 2. The October 22 City Council meeting will be my last. After that, I will no longer be your Councilman. 

Words can not express my heartfelt gratitude for the welcome and the many life experiences I have gotten from District 7. 

I think of so many meaningful moments — not those on camera or on a stage, but little things. I think of the New Tampa immigrant families who are part of the American Dream – families from India, Syria, Venezuela, etc. Every time I meet one, I ask them about their journey to America and it touches me. 

I think of the pain every time I talked to a North Tampa family that got flooded after Hurricane Milton in 2024, and the little caustic details of their stories. 

I think of my first Town Hall in Tampa Palms, where I met my now good friends Tracy and Steve Falkowitz. I think of getting to know New Tampa residents like Auschwitz survivor Nat Ross, decorated combat World War II veteran and Buffalo Soldier Roy Caldwood and General Remo Butler — the first Black officer in the Special Forces to become Brigadier General. 

Perhaps the biggest part of public office is sharing from your heart and seeing people that society does not see, but that you see because of your own experience. For me, that always has been people with disabilities. No experience better defined my life growing up because of my brother Juan. I grew up going to Special Olympics and special education ministry meetings and to special needs dances where people danced to Village People songs. I also grew up seeing parents working harder than anyone should have to and feeling that they and their kids were not seen. Working in this space has meant a lot. 

So, I write to say thank you, District 7, from my heart. I also have some final updates for the people of New Tampa, where I live. 

K-Bar Ranch 

Last year, I secured about $750,000 in the City of Tampa’s budget to design the nearly-60- acre K-Bar Ranch park. This year, I secured in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) about $8 million for construction of this park, which should begin construction in 2028. 

There will be community input to help with the design of the park. Your first opportunity to share your opinions about the facilities you feel should be included in this park will be held on Thursday, October 15, during a community meeting. As of the writing of this column, we do not have a location yet for that meeting, but one will be provided soon (and I’m sure the Neighborhood News will post online about it as soon as the location and the time of that meeting are announced). Feel free to email me at luis.viera@tampagov.net for questions. 

North of Cross Creek Blvd., there are no city parks. This investment — part of almost $20 million in 33647 parks funding I helped secure since 2016 — remedies this for you. 

Remaining New Tampa Priorities 

There are things I am still working on in my final weeks on City Council that I still want. I am working on getting the funds necessary to repave the rest of Tampa Palms Blvd. in our budget. I also am working with the Rays for inclusion of funds for a New Tampa Police substation presence in the “Community Benefits & Legacy Plan” between the team, Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa. And, frustration over Morris Bridge Rd. (a county road) is something I, like you, feel and experience, although I don’t know how or when this roadway will be improved. 

Improved emergency and fire rescue times for K-Bar Ranch remains my biggest frustration. Yes, I have secured three new City of Tampa Fire Rescue Dept. (TFR) stations for New and North Tampa since I assumed office. 

But, I still want a fire station dedicated for K-Bar Ranch. Unfortunately, we currently do not have the necessary buy-in for this from downtown. But, within 45 days or so, the “cut through” from Morris Bridge Rd. into K-Bar Ranch should be opening, which will significantly reduce K-Bar and Easton Park response times from TFR Station No. 22 on Cross Creek Blvd. near Morris Bridge Rd. This is a good step for now — but a station located in K-Bar is still needed — and hopefully, inevitable. 

District 7 2027 City Council Race 

New Tampa is the Alaska of Tampa. When you represent this area on City Council, you have to fight harder, bang the podium a little harder and talk a little louder. And, New Tampa still needs a fighter. We have good people who have filed to run for this office who are already working hard — putting in the hard work. 

Although my fellow City Council members will choose someone to fill my seat for the four+ months between when I leave office in November and the City of Tampa’s Municipal Election in March of 2027, when you will help elect a replacement for me, I hope you will choose the candidate you believe is sincere and will work hard for you. Pick someone who has been putting in the hard work to earn your trust — not only the trust of other politicians. 

Thanks as always, New Tampa. 

Ybor City Street Renamed In Honor Of New Tampa’s Morris Lopez’s Grandfather

TPD Officer Morris Lopez 

Longtime New Tampa resident Morris Lopez III has spent 40 years building a career in public service, currently as a Division Chief with the Hillsborough County Fire Department. 

While that service alone is noteworthy and admirable, the legacy of Morris’ grandfather Morris — who “walked the beat” as a Tampa Police Officer in Ybor City in the 1940s after serving in the Navy in World War II — is part of why Morris III chose to serve as well. 

Unfortunately, Morris I’s service with TPD lasted only about two years, as he was shot and killed shielding and saving the life of a newspaper boy in 1949 during a drive-by shooting at 7th Ave. and 16th St. Eyewitnesses said that Ofc. Lopez was already falling to the ground when he pushed the paperboy out of the path of the gunfire. Long before the days of DNA evidence, the case remains unsolved and no suspects were ever identified, as the car sped away following the shooting. 

(L.-r.) Cherish, Rodney, Stephanie, Stevie, Robbie & Morris Lopez 

On Sept. 28, 77 years after that tragedy, Morris III and most of his family — including his wife Yvette, their daughter Courtney, Morris’ brothers Robbie and Rodney and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins — were all on hand at a ceremony honoring Morris I with a sign renaming the corner of Centennial Park (along 19th St. and E. 8th Ave.) in Ybor City after the fallen hero: “Office Morris Lopez Av.” 

Dist. 7 Tampa City Councilman & New Tampa resident Luis Viera, who pushed the city to honor Ofc. Lopez, said that Morris I was deserving of such an honor “and should be remembered as one of Tampa’s great heroes.” 

Viera then introduced Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who had a long career as a TPD Officer, including serving as TPD’s Chief. Mayor Castor said, “All of us, as first responders, take an oath to protect and serve…and law enforcement officers and firefighters across the country sacrifice their lives in the line of duty every single day. 

Mayor Jane Castor 

“And, as a community…we can never forget the impact those first responders, including Officer Lopez, had on their communities and on their families and friends.” 

She also thanked Viera for making sure that there is “a permanent reminder of Ofc. Lopez’s sacrifice, so that people who drive by that sign can ask, ‘Who was Officer Morris Lopez and what did he do?’ And we should all be able to answer that question with pride.” 

Viera’s fellow City Councilman Guido Maniscalco said, “Today, we know that the name Morris Lopez will not be forgotten. I’m so glad we were able to do this small token of appreciation for the [Lopez] family, so that his name will live on.” 

Next up was Cindy Roberts, whose husband, TPD Cpl. Mike Roberts, gave his all for the city back in 2009. Viera said, “Cindy does a lot of good work with an organization called ‘Concerns of Police Survivors,’ that advocates for surviving family members of officers that gave all in the line of duty.” 

Cindy Roberts

“I have the solemn honor of walking with the families of all of our lost officers as they go through their grief journey,” Roberts said. “But today, as we reveal this road dedication for Officer Morris Lopez, we assure that his sacrifice is met with an unending remembrance and community support.” 

Then, Chief Morris Lopez III said that although he never met his grandfather, “I heard the stories about him and the pride his name carried, and that made me want to [serve]…and I have served this community for 40 years. 

“A street sign can not repay [our] loss. Nothing can. But, a city can say that a life of service mattered. He gave his life for this city and today, the city gives something back. For our family, seeing his name here in Ybor City, it connects our children and our grandchildren to the man whose life helped shape theirs. It tells them that courage, duty and service can travel across generations. 

“I hope that everyone who passes this street remembers more than a name. Remember the men and women who put on a uniform and accept responsibility for people they may never know. And remember the families they leave behind.” — GN; all photos provided by Morris Lopez & Luis Viera 

The Resurfacing Of New Tampa Blvd. In West Meadows Has Finally Begun!

(l.-r.) Tampa’s mobility director Brandon Campbell, Mayor Castor, City Council chair Alan Clendenin, Viera & longtime West Meadows resident Brad van Rooyen in front of New Tampa Blvd. The dark gray strip is the first piece of the roadway to be resurfaced. 

Note – we are aware that the resurfacing of New Tampa Blvd. is progressing nicely and is much further along than what appears in this story. The following story was written when the project had just begun the day before.

When I attended the official groundbreaking ceremony for the resurfacing of a 1.8-mile stretch of New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows on Aug. 5, I was thrilled to see that one of District 7 Tampa City Council member (and New Tampa resident) Luis Viera’s most ardently-pushed projects was finally coming to fruition. 

“There are a few projects left that I am still working to get done before I leave office on Nov. 2,” Viera told me after the ceremony also attended by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Viera’s fellow City Council member and chair Alan Clendenin, City of Tampa Mobility Department director Brandon Campbell and long-time West Meadows resident Brad van Rooyen. “But finally getting New Tampa Blvd. repaved has definitely been one of my top priorities.” 

But, with the first New Tampa Blvd. repaving already having started the day before the groundbreaking event, all of the day’s speakers were thrilled to get this project finally started. 

“Since the loss of the All For Transportation sales surtax,” Mayor Castor said, “which would have been a great source of funding for paving projects like this throughout our city, we’ve had to look at other options. We’ve used a lot of our General Fund we’ve put into paving projects. We’re also looking at our regional infrastructure accelerator and some other ways to not only solve our transportation issues, but also the safety and conditions of our roads.” 

She lauded the work of the city’s two in-house paving crews, which she said, “They can do our [paving] work at about half the price in about half the time [of using an outside contractor], so they’ve been doing a really great job.” 

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor & Dist. 7 City Councilman Luis Viera at the groundbreaking event for the resurfacing of New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows on Aug. 5.

Mayor Castor also noted that, “We set a record in the City of Tampa last year, paving over 80 miles of roadways. But, even though that doesn’t begin to address the needs of our community, it really shows that we are focused on paving our streets.” 

She also complimented the city’s “Fix It Fast” program. “Anyone that sees a pothole in a roadway, signs being down, anything like that, if you call, the goal is within 72 hours to fix that. And, most of them are done in 48 hours.” 

And finally, she said, “One of the things we’ve been very intentional about is making sure that we’re hitting every single neighborhood. If anybody has a question about our paving progress and what roads we intend to pave in the future, go to Tampa.gov. There’s a map that shows all of the paving that’s been done and the streets we’re going to hit in the future.” 

She also noted, however, that while “it’s an inconvenience for our driving public to go over bumpy roads and potholes, for us, as that road deteriorates, it goes from a simple paving job to a rebuilding job. Every road in the city is graded, and we are hitting the worst first.” 

When introducing Viera, the Mayor said, “Short of jumping up on my desk with a map of New Tampa Blvd. saying ‘Pave this or else,’ he has been on this project relentlessly. So, I want to say thank you to Luis and his persistence and for really being a champion for New Tampa.” 

Viera started his comments by saying that, “Since I’ve been in office, with K-Bar Ranch forthcoming, we’ve gotten about $20 million in new parks funding for New Tampa alone and about 80% of that has been in partnership between City Council and Mayor Castor, who has proven herself to be, in my time, not just a good person, but a real supporter of New Tampa.” 

And of course, Luis reiterated his slogan that New Tampa “is the Alaska of Tampa. Most of the people in New Tampa aren’t from Tampa. They’re from up north and different parts of the world. We’re religiously and culturally diverse and all we want are safe neighborhoods and just the basics. This project is a very big win for New Tampa.” 

Viera also mentioned that he and van Rooyen “went to high school together. Brad helped me out on my first campaign and since I got elected, this road has been his Moby Dick and he is Captain Ahab. He is obsessed with this road because he’s a community leader here in West Meadows and he’s a wonderful person and a good friend and a great family man.” 

Next, Viera introduced Clendenin, whom he called, “a good friend, a good and decent person and a great community leader.” 

The Council chair started his comments by saying, “To say that Councilman Viera is a champion for New Tampa would be the biggest understatement anyone at this [event] would make today. I’ve never met anyone as passionate about his community as Councilman Viera has been about New Tampa serving on City Council.” 

“[Since] we started this, we have exponentially increased our paving budget,” Clendenin said. “Working with the administration, we have doubled our in-house paving crew. If you drive around the city, you see paving projects in every corner of the city. So, wherever you live in the City of Tampa, [your streets] are on our radar.” 

He added that, “We’re making up for decades and decades of neglect of the roads not being paved. So, this isn’t a problem solved in one, two or three years; it’s a much longer-term project, but we will get to those roads. 

“There’s a commitment on City Council and the administration to make sure we have the funding and the other six people I sit with on City Council are absolutely committed to improving the city’s infrastructure. 

“I’m happy for New Tampa for this accomplishment. This is the first, not the last. And, we look forward to continuing this momentum.” 

Up next was Campbell, who said that, “You’ll probably notice that the contractor is not out here today because this road carries about 12,000 cars a day, which hopefully means that we’ll have 12,000 happy customers at the end of this project. But, it also means that they’re doing most of their work at night.” 

Campbell also noted that along with New Tampa Blvd., “we recently repaved Commerce Palms and Compton Dr. as well — and that really just highlights our commitment to not only New Tampa, but to all areas of the city.” 

He added that, “So, far this year, we’re at about 30 lane miles of resurfacing and this project will ad three-and-a-half more lane miles to that bank as we make our way towards last year’s record of 80 lane miles being resurfaced. Since 2019, we have resurfaced over 330 lane miles throughout the city, which I think is a testament to the commitment from the Mayor, City Council and my department.” 

The final speaker was van Rooyen, the president of The Promenade at West Meadows Homeowners Assn. “and I previously served as president of the West Meadows Property Owners Association. I also served three four-year terms on our Community Development District. 

“I have lived here for 22 years and I honestly thought this project was never going to happen. But, while Marvel has Captain America, we finally got ‘Capt. New Tampa,’ Luis Viera. 

“I want to thank Luis for listening to us. He’s stayed engaged with the community. He heard our concerns and he advocated for us. 

“New Tampa asks for very little of the city. We have homeowners associations and CDDs who take care of our infrastructure, so all we ask for from the city are safe roads, mobility and public safety — and this is the first administration that has heard our concerns. So, thank you to the Mayor, City Council and city staff for making this project a reality.” 

Viera has since posted that now with New Tampa Blvd. underway, “Before I leave Council, I hope to see the ‘cut-through’ finally being open for K-Bar Ranch, formal passage of $8 million for the historic K-Bar Ranch park, passage of our Public Safety Master Plan ordinance and some progress on provisional funding for a New Tampa Police Substation presence.” 

Gabe Hassan Remembered At Bench Dedication Event

The Wharton High Grad Has A Bench At New Tampa Rec Center Dedicated In His Honor & Memory 

The family of Wharton High graduate Gabe Hassan poses for a picture with the bench and plaque memorializing Gabe at the New Tampa Recreation Center that was unveiled at a dedication ceremony on May 8. Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (photo below) championed the honor for Gabe, who passed away at the age of 17 from complications related to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. (Photos by City of Tampa photographer Adam Wade) 

 District 7 Tampa City Council member and New Tampa resident Luis Viera has led a lot of efforts to help the people in all areas of his district. 

Very few of those efforts have been as personally important to him as the event that took place at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms on May 8, when Viera and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department unveiled a small plaque on a bench in the playground just outside the Rec Center dedicated in honor and memory of Gabriel (Gabe) Hassan. 

Gabe is the Wharton High graduate who passed away in early 2024 at age 17 (less than two weeks after receiving his diploma from Wharton in his hospital room) from complications related to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, a rare genetic form of leukemia affecting the bone marrow, exocrine pancreas and skeleton. 

Viera admits that he was on a mission to find a way to honor and remember Gabe and was happy to be able to have the bench dedicated in his memory. He said that because it was only a bench dedication, not a renaming of a portion of the park, like with the Harrison Boonstoppel dedication we reported about a couple of issues ago, he did not have to have City Council vote to make this dedication happen. 

“I was able to do it administratively,” Viera said. “But, I did make a presentation to Council, and had Gabe’s parents, Mahmoud and Carolyn Hassan, attend that meeting last October to show their support for the idea.” 

The Dedication 

“We’re here to honor the legacy of a young man who left us too soon,” Viera said as he opened the dedication event on May 8. “There are some hurts in life that no person should ever have to go through, but some people do go through them. And, they hurt in places that we didn’t know exist. When you undergo that pain, you’re tested in ways that you never knew, but so are your friendships and so is your family and so is your faith. And I can tell you the Hassan family, [their] friendships and faith have been tested. 

“But, just look at all of the diverse people here today — Muslim brothers and sisters, Christian brothers and sisters, the State of Florida (State House Minority Leader, Dist. 67 Rep. Fentrice Driskell was on hand), Hillsborough County Public Schools (Dist. 3 School Board member and New Tampa resident Jessica Vaughn also was in attendance), the City of Tampa, Jewish brothers and sisters…all coming here to support them. That’s what this moment is truly all about. 

“Gabe was a young man who was truly exceptional. He would undergo some terrible struggles in his life and he would meet them with characteristics that were truly God-given because he was a child of God created with resiliency and strength…the kind of resiliency and strength that comes from being raised by a good mom and a good dad and [being] loved by a family. 

“And I have no doubt that when Gabe went through his struggles, he would remember not only the strength from his creator, but also the lessons and values that were imparted to him day by day, by the love given to him by his mother, his father and his entire family. 

“He was a young man of achievement who, despite all of his struggles, would get a 4.7 GPA at Wharton High School. And he was an Eagle Scout. That means something. It’s about integrity, character and patriotism. It’s about love of your community. 

“His parents speak of a young man who loved his community deeply with all of his heart. 

“And he was a young man who believed in his faith, who was raised unapologetically a believer of the Muslim faith, passed down from his parents, from their parents and from their parents and so on. He reached into that faith during his darkest times, [during] his deepest hits. 

“There’s a saying, ‘My feet are tired, but my soul is well-rested.’ But sometimes, your soul isn’t well rested, especially when you have these tremendous hits. It’s on everybody here to support this family and to always check up on them.” 

Dave Thompson 

Up next was Gabe’s Scoutmaster, long-time New Tampa resident Dave Thompson, who said, “I’ve spent the last week with hundreds of thoughts about what to say. 

“I’m not here to mourn the passing of a young man. I’m here to celebrate the life of a young friend — a life of compassion, service, curiosity and determination, something his mom would call ‘stubborn.’ 

“But, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him and his family for over twelve years, from the time he joined my Cub Pack 280 at Turner- Bartels to the time he crossed over to our Scout Troop 148, and Gabe was a daily inspiration to me. Despite his physical challenges, Gabe was a happy soul. He never whined or complained about his situation, it was all just part of his reality. 

“He was always there whenever anyone needed him. As one of our older Scouts, if a younger Scout was having challenges with setting up the tent on a campout, Gabe was the first one to show him how to do it and help him put it together. The younger Scouts often sought him out when they had questions, because Gabe was always approachable. He was there whenever we had service projects to complete, whether it was a food drive for the food pantry, raising a fence at the church, painting classrooms at Wharton or upgrading the playground at Quail Hollow Elementary. 

“And, even while in the hospital, Gabe, through his determination, completed his studies to graduate from high school and finish the requirements for his Eagle Scout. Many of us in that situation would’ve just given up. Not Gabe. I don’t think that ever occurred to him. It just wasn’t in his nature. 

“One of my favorite memories was when I was driving three of the Scouts back from an event. One was Jewish, one was Catholic and one was Gabe. The boys were carrying on a conversation, talking about their faiths…just a beautiful conversation, talking about the similarities and differences. There was no arguing or fighting, each was just teaching a little bit about themselves to the others. 

“And I thought about how nice it would be if all of us could share thoughts and ideas like this. And that was Gabe, caring and sharing. 

“It’s been two years, but not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. I still hear him in my mind saying, ‘Hey, Mr. Dave.’ I have a lot of good memories of him. 

“And now that this bench is here, I’ll be visiting occasionally, just to sit and talk with my friend, because I know he’ll be listening.” 

Mahmoud Hassan 

And finally, Mahmoud Hassan thanked Viera and the Parks & Rec Dept. for dedicating the bench “in honor of our son Gabriel. 

“Dear Gabriel, we love you so much and we admire the amazing but short life you lived. Mom and I always called you our ‘Sunshine Baby, because Gabriel was born on May 10, 2006, on a beautiful, sunny day. 

“As we commemorate you and dedicate this bench in your honor, it is still a beautiful, sunny day. 

“You radiance illuminates us with precious memories and how loving you were to us and how much we dearly loved you. This Sunday would have been your 20th birthday, and although sunny days are ahead, your passing has left us with the darkness and gloom that still causes us to cry and lament your unfortunate passing. 

“You have visited your Dad in dreams and I feel your warmth and caress during my prayers. You are with our Lord now and I get a sense of serenity that you are in comfort and peace as you await your family to one day join you. 

“We are so proud of your accomplishments and we look at your pictures in awe of how bright, kind and noble you were. One of the things I admire most about you, Gabriel, was your bravery. You were not shy about approaching strange situations, or speaking to people. 

Gabriel & Mahmoud Hassan (Photo provided by Luis Viera)

“Most of all, you faced your own death with peace and understanding that you will meet God. I can only hope and pray that I will be as brave as you when my time comes. 

“Gabriel had said, ‘There is no power, verily, than that which God provides.’ 

“Gabriel was at peace. He prayed with me, and he knew that the end was coming, and I talked to him peacefully about that. And although I expected him to shake with fear, a calmness and serenity was with him that I can not describe in words. When you’re in that state, and you have a connection with your higher power, with God, God puts that serenity in you…and he was glowing with that serenity. I will never forget that glow he had that day. 

“We miss your laughter, your silliness, your voice, as well as your warm embrace. Mom, Sophia (Gabe’s sister) and I are still struggling to make it through each day, and we wish you were still here with us. 

“Your new baby brother, Ibrahim, is a shining light and a precious gift from God. And, when he was born, I felt your presence protecting him. I know you are watching over him and I feel your love for him…until you eventually meet one another. 

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you and the impact you had on our lives. You are my first-born son, and one of the strongest shining lights in our lives. I still miss you very dearly, and I will always love you, dear Gabriel. 

“I hope that this bench brings comfort and peace to our community members who come by this park and need a place to sit and relax. 

“I want to thank the [city] officials, and the Parks & Recreation director (Ted Fowler), for dedicating this honor (photo below) to him. 

“And most of all, I just want to say that, as a father, this is one of the deepest tragedies I’ve ever faced. But, every day, you inspire me, dear Gabriel, to keep striving on. I don’t get lost in despair, but rather, I get moved by hope when I think of this. Thank you all again for coming.” 

Viera Still Hoping For A NT Police Substation; NT Blvd. Repaving Delayed & More

If you read this publication regularly, you know that District 7 Tampa City Council member and New Tampa resident Luis Viera will reach his term limits when Tampa’s Municipal Elections are held next March. 

You’re probably also aware that Viera is now actively campaigning to replace his friend (and current Florida House Minority Leader) Fentrice Driskell in the Dist. 63 State House seat in the November midterm elections. 

But, that doesn’t mean Viera is done fighting for the New Tampa community he calls home in City Council. Not by a long shot. 

Below are just a few of the items Viera has either recently gotten passed or is still working to bring to fruition: 

Morris Lopez Street Renaming — Although this one doesn’t directly benefit New Tampa, Viera has been lobbying for months to rename a street in Ybor City in honor of Tampa Police Officer Patrolman Morris Lopez, who was murdered on the streets of Ybor more than 75 years ago. Ofc. Lopez’s grandson, also named Morris Lopez, is not only a long-time New Tampa resident, but is also one of at least three people (Alan Cohn and Patricia Alonzo are the others, although only Lopez was listed at VoteHillsborough.gov as having officially filed his paperwork at our press time) to fill Viera’s soon-to-be-vacant seat. 

City Council is expected to have a first reading regarding the street renaming in Lopez’s honor at one of the May Council meetings. 

Viera says the honor for Patrolman Lopez is long overdue: “It’s just the right thing to do.” 

New Tampa Police Substation — Viera, who has been fighting for months for a TPD substation somewhere in New Tampa, said during the Apt. 7 City Council meeting that he “rejected” the memo he and the other City Council members received from Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw on Mar. 17 (right) that said, “Currently, however, the department’s most critical infrastructure priorities remain the construction of a new Forensic Facility and the development of a new Police Headquarters…Once progress is achieved on these critical projects, the department can better evaluate the need for future facility expansion opportunities, such as a New Tampa Substation, within a comprehensive long-term facilities plan.” 

“I’m not asking for a Taj Mahal big expenditure,” Viera says. “But all of the Tampa Police Officers I’ve spoken with in New Tampa support renting some small office in a strip center where the officers could meet with the community.” 

Viera’s motion for the City Council staff to look into what a substation office would cost and present a report to the Council, by the end of April or sometime in May, passed 5-0. 

New Tampa Blvd. Repaving — The funds allocated for this item were approved by Council months ago, and construction was expected to begin by sometime this month, but has been delayed until June or July of this year. In the meantime, almost all of the existing potholes on the 1.8-mile stretch of New Tampa Blvd. were recently filled in prior to the repaving (at left is one pothole that hadn’t been filled in at our press time). 

The City’s engineering department sent Viera the following memo: “The New Tampa Blvd project is ready to execute once the processing is complete of the 26-C-06 contract that council approved during the 3-26-2026 meeting. We are expecting paving to begin on New Tampa Blvd around June/July 2026, but this may vary to be sooner or later depending on the contractor’s schedule/availability.” 

Viera says, “You know I’ll be obnoxiously on this one until it’s done.” 

Nature Park All-Abilities Equipment Allocation — Viera also lobbied successfully for the City of Tampa to spend some of its surplus funds from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget on two pieces of All-Abilities equipment for the New Tampa Nature Park off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 

The equipment is allocated to cost $175,000 of the $4.4-million of the surplus funds to be spent on parks throughout the city.