Bat Tower Site Possibilities Narrowed Down

After looking at a list of 20 possible sites for the proposed Temple Terrace Bat Tower, the City Council narrowed their choices down to three.

Riverhills Park near the tennis courts, the northern part of Scout Park, and Rotary Park near Fisherman’s Landing Apartments are the contenders.

Before choosing the three sites at their meeting Tuesday, July 16, council members weighed the pros and cons of each.

The Riverhills Park site, which seemed to be the favorite among council members, has a riverside location, existing parking, easy land access and minimal clearing would be required. But it is close to residences.

The Scout Park site at the northern portion of 911 West River Drive has a riverside location, adequate parking, easy land access and a tree buffer to neighbors. But extensive clearing would be required, it’s close to nearby residences, and the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) owns the property so outside agency oversight would be required.

The Rotary Park site at 8000 E. Fowler Ave. has good visibility, riverside location, and parking available on the site. Minimal clearing would be required, and the site is located near a major highway and entryway into the city. But the site is close to Fisherman’s Landing, a large apartment complex, and homes across the river. Building a bat tower there would also affect the trailer parking for the boat ramp in that location. And the property is leased from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), so outside agency oversight would be required.

During council discussion, Councilman Grant Rimbey said he favored the Riverhills Park site.

“The tennis court site satisfies all the bat tower criteria,” he said.

Although residents live nearby, the tower would be built more than 200 feet away from homes, which is the “magic number” when it comes to any potential smells from the bats themselves, he said.

Councilwoman Alison Fernandez and Councilman Eddie Vance said they also liked the Riverhills Park site but didn’t see the need to narrow the choices down to one at this point.

Councilman Robert Boss said he favored the sites that were south of Bullard Parkway—Riverhills Park and Scout Park—because of their proximity to the redevelopment area.

Councilman David Pogorilich said he could see residents having the same concerns with the new Riverhills Park site near the tennis courts as the old Riverhills Park site near the boat ramp.

“If we’re going to look at the other two spots, I think we should be looking at Rotary Park, too,” he said.

Rimbey talked about the possibility of choosing one site to get the ball rolling on the project, but the council ultimately decided unanimously to choose all three sites and have city staff get more detail about which would work best for the community. They asked to hear a report within 30 days.

“We owe it to the citizens of Temple Terrace to let them know what we’re doing and ask for their feedback,” Pogorilich said.

What do you think of the three sites the council is considering? Which one do you think would work best? Tell us in the comments.

Other sites that didn’t make the cut:

• North Riverhills Park, 12011 N. Riverhills Drive
• Gail Park, located at Gail Drive and Fowler Avenue
• Railway Park, 1701 N. Riverhills Drive
• Riverfront Preserve, 6324 Temple Terrace Highway
• Riverfront Preserve Island, adjacent to 6324 Temple Terrace Highway
• West River Preserve, 1103 West River Drive
• Scout Park (South), 911 West River Drive
• Riverhills Park (North), 329 S. Riverhills Drive
• Riverside Park, 201 S. Riverhills Drive
• Billy Graham Park, 913 N. Riverhills Drive
• TECO Powerline Easement and Fletcher Avenue
• 127th Avenue west of Interstate 75
• TECO property on the east side of the Hillsborough River across from Railway Park
• Future wastewater plant at Fowler Avenue and I-75
• Tampa Bypass Canal south of Harney Road
• Harney Road and Harney Bypass Canal
• Redevelopment Area

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