Politics & Government
Council: Redevelopment Not Being Put Aside
Councilwoman Alison Fernandez wants the community to know that city leaders are still focused on the downtown redevelopment project.
The City of Temple Terrace is working diligently on redevelopment issues and no action will be taken on the downtown redevelopment project without the community’s knowledge.
That’s the message City Councilwoman Alison Fernandez made sure came across at the council’s regular meeting July 2.
Fernandez said she had received questions and comments from residents regarding a confidentiality agreement that the city has entered into with Vlass Temple Terrace, the company in place to redevelop the city’s 21-acre downtown area.
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“I just want everyone to know that there would be no change to the contract or no change in how we move forward with the developer or this development that would not be handled publicly,” Fernandez said. “This order of confidentiality has to do with discussions of whether we will go forward with this developer in this current agreement so that both parties can speak very frankly and without concern about their comments being used to aid or hurt them in public discussion.”
She also said she was aware of people saying the city was focusing on other issues, such as the Temple Terrace Bat Tower reconstruction project, when it should be focused on redevelopment.
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“I just want to assure everyone that our staff is working very diligently on redevelopment issues and the council is at a point where there is nothing in front of us at this moment that we have to take action on,” Fernandez said. “So, at no time are other areas of the city, especially redevelopment, being neglected or put aside for other issues, but we are at a point where there is, in fact, nothing to decide on at this time.”
City Attorney Mark Connolly said the city is in the process of setting up a meeting with the Vlass group for July 16. Connolly, Temple Terrace Mayor Frank Chillura and City Manager Gerald Seeber make up the city’s team in negotiations with the Vlass group and its attorney, David Smith.
“There’s ongoing discussions,” Chillura said. “And no changes can be made unless authorized by this council.”
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