Tampa City Council held first public hearing on $20 million privately-funded observation wheel project while addressing infrastructure needs and dissolving racial reconciliation committee due to federal mandate.

Key People

Tony Miller (Developer for Tampa WOW (Wheel Over Water)) — Tampa Bay Wheel, LLC
- Presented $20 million observation wheel project to Council
Jim Shimberg (Attorney) — Shubin Law Group
- Legal counsel representing Tampa Bay Wheel, LLC
Officer Mona Noble (October 2025 Officer of the Month) — Tampa Police Department
- Recognized for exceptional work in training unit and holdover program
Darrio Davis (Lead Sewer Service Inspector/ATU Employee of the Month) — Wastewater Collections Division
- Honored for 27 years of service and leadership in grease management program
Gabe Hassan (Deceased 17-year-old Eagle Scout) — Former Wharton High School student
- Memorial bench dedication approved in his honor at New Tampa Recreation Center
Larry Washington (Solid Waste Department Director) — City of Tampa
- Presented generator repair funding request and waste-to-energy contracts
Eric Weiss (Wastewater Department Director) — City of Tampa
- Presented PIPES program progress report on wastewater infrastructure
Rory Jones (Water Department Director) — City of Tampa
- Presented PIPES program progress report on water infrastructure
Andrea Zelman (City Attorney) — City of Tampa
- Advised Council on pickleball regulations limitations due to Senate Bill 180
Abbye Feeley (Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity) — City of Tampa
- Presented land development code update timeline and pickleball regulation challenges
Melissa Zornitta (Executive Director) — Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission
- Updated Council on comprehensive plan timeline delays due to Senate Bill 180

Public Comments

Mark Siebenaller (Channel District resident and Community Advisory Committee member) — Concerned

Directed at: City mobility and safety planning Topic: Tampa WOW observation wheel concerns

Channel District resident and CAC member raised safety concerns about traffic distractions, speeding, and pedestrian crossing issues near proposed wheel location

“There is going to be a distraction both from the traffic coming into the city and down that street, and it is 250 feet in height. So you are going to have people looking up”

Jeff Jankiewicz (Channel District resident) — Seeking information

Directed at: Project transparency and public information Topic: Tampa WOW information request

Channel District resident seeking more detailed information about wheel project including site plans, equipment history, noise levels, and lighting impacts

“I couldn’t find very much. I looked in the news and so forth. What I did find is the scale of the project was going to be on one-third acre”

Nancy Stevens (Not stated) — Demanding action

Directed at: City noise ordinance and zoning regulations Topic: Pickleball court regulations

Advocated for measures to control residential pickleball courts due to noise concerns, citing 85 decibel impact noise levels

“Pickleball courts are quite loud. Pickleballs measured up to 85 DB. Impact noise. Very sharp impact noise. Freight train is about 80 DB”

Stephanie Poynor (Regular public commenter) — Critical/questioning

Directed at: City planning and budget priorities Topic: Multiple city issues

Questioned various agenda items including F.D.O.T. land maintenance costs, stormwater vulnerability study timing, and racial reconciliation board dissolution

“Who is paying for it? It doesn’t say anywhere in there who is paying for it” “Never ever should be on a residential lot”

Darryl Hych (Former racial reconciliation committee member) — Constructive/advocating

Directed at: City Council and CRA policy Topic: Racial reconciliation committee alternatives

Proposed using Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds and Chapter 163 mechanisms as alternative to address racial disparities without violating federal restrictions

“We can leverage the CRA funds to establish a defined, dedicated corridors in neighborhoods with documented slum and blight”

Connie Burton (Community activist) — Angry

Directed at: City Council and federal administration Topic: Racial reconciliation committee dissolution

Expressed anger and embarrassment about federal mandate ending racial reconciliation efforts, criticized quick city compliance

“I feel embarrassed, embarrassment for a country that has to follow orders from someone that was elected by the people, so they say, that has so much dirt and filth and bigotry and racism connected to them”

Pastor Williams (Pastor, former church owner on East Scott Street) — Demanding respect

Directed at: City Council and community relations Topic: Community treatment and federal politics

Called for respect for people of color and criticized federal leadership while advocating for better community treatment

“What can we do to get him impeached? Get him out of office. This man don’t mean us no kind good whatsoever” “We are citizens of the United States, and we want to be recognized as citizens of the United States”

Chris Lancaster (Channelside resident) — Opposed

Directed at: Development process and zoning requirements Topic: Tampa WOW opposition

Channel District resident with infant son opposed wheel project citing light pollution concerns and lack of proper zoning process, compared to Orlando Eye’s 63,000 LED lights

“Orlando Eye at night it is described as a spectacular attraction with over 63,000 LED lights creating a dazzling beacon visible for miles” “I’m here for my 10-month-old son”

Bob Harrington (Channelside resident) — Opposed

Directed at: Project location and traffic impacts Topic: Tampa WOW concerns

Channel District resident opposed to wheel citing traffic increases, parking loss, and suggestion to relocate to Curtis Hixon Park

“I disagree with the traffic. Said there would be no traffic. I disagree with that” “Why don’t we put it in Curtis Hixon”

Ashley Morrow (Historical researcher/educator) — Educational/informative

Directed at: Public education and awareness Topic: Tampa’s Black History education

Presented historical information about slavery and slave trade in Tampa from 1850s Florida Peninsula newspaper articles

“Regardless of how much we wish to dissociate ourselves from Tampa of the 1850s or to disclaim that society provided the foundation for modern Tampa”

Robin Lockett (Former racial reconciliation committee member) — Disappointed but constructive

Directed at: City Council housing and equity policies Topic: Racial reconciliation and housing equity

Expressed disappointment about committee dissolution, requested final report amendments, and warned against changes to Urban Reworx affordable housing commitments

“If he comes and says that he can only do 80%, I want you all to kill that deal. I cannot support it”

Matthew Guinn (Tampa Bay resident, attorney) — Supportive

Directed at: Economic development Topic: Tampa WOW support

Tampa Bay resident supporting wheel project as private investment bringing jobs, tourism and energy to Channel District

“It brings jobs, tourism and energy to the Channel District” “I think Tampa deserves something like that too”

Tarah Bluma (Resident/environmental advocate) — Critical/opposed

Directed at: Development priorities and environmental protection Topic: Tampa WOW opposition and tree fund

Opposed wheel as unoriginal, questioned parking loss and lease terms, advocated for tree fund protection and better tree planting efforts

“It is not innovative like he said. Many other cities, including Las Vegas, London, Singapore, Atlanta have wheels” “I do not support taking even one dollar out of the South Tampa tree fund”

Projects & Initiatives

Tampa WOW (Wheel Over Water)

250-foot observation wheel with 27 climate-controlled gondolas, 20-30 minute rides, beverage service and place-making around base

Owner: Tampa Bay Wheel, LLC (private developer)
Status: First public hearing held, second hearing scheduled October 23
Timeline: Acquisition of refurbished wheel from Munich, 5 months to complete if approved
Budget: $20 million private investment
Funding Justification: No taxpayer funding required, will generate revenue share for city above break-even point
Related Projects: Integrates with existing Channel District attractions including Florida Aquarium, cruise terminals, and downtown entertainment
Concerns: Resident concerns about light pollution, noise, traffic, and lack of planned development process

PIPES Infrastructure Program

Six-year anniversary report on citywide water and wastewater infrastructure improvements including treatment plants, pumping stations, and pipe replacements

Owner: City of Tampa Water and Wastewater Departments
Status: Ongoing, 119 projects completed totaling over $730 million
Timeline: 20-year master plan implementation ongoing
Budget: Original $2.9 billion program facing $181+ million in cost increases due to post-pandemic inflation
Funding Justification: Essential infrastructure replacement - 60% of wastewater pipes pre-1970, 50% past useful life from before 1950
Related Projects: Includes Bayshore Pumping Station flood protection, Howard Curren Treatment Plant upgrades, and David L. Tippin Water Treatment Plant improvements
Concerns: Significant cost increases due to inflation and supply chain issues post-pandemic

Solid Waste Generator Repair

Emergency repair of damaged waste-to-energy generator at solid waste facility

Owner: City of Tampa Solid Waste Department
Status: Approved funding reallocation, 5-month repair timeline
Timeline: 5 months for repair completion
Budget: $10 million budget reallocation within existing solid waste funds
Funding Justification: Restore electricity generation capability while maintaining 85% waste processing capacity
Related Projects: Related $5.8 million Zampell Refractories contract for ongoing maintenance
Concerns: Temporary loss of electricity generation capability, some waste going to landfill

Comprehensive Plan Update

Major update to city’s future land use policies including transit-ready corridors

Owner: Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission
Status: Delayed due to Senate Bill 180 compliance review
Timeline: New draft targeted for mid-January 2026, transmittal hearing February 17, 2026
Budget: Not specified
Funding Justification: Required periodic update of city’s guiding land use document
Related Projects: Coordinates with Land Development Code modernization efforts
Concerns: Senate Bill 180 restrictions may force rejection of entire amendment if any part deemed restrictive

Land Development Code Modernization

Comprehensive update to city’s development regulations and zoning code

Owner: City of Tampa Development Services
Status: First installment under review, public release delayed to coordinate with comp plan
Timeline: Public release pushed to late January 2026 to align with comprehensive plan
Budget: Not specified
Funding Justification: Modernize outdated regulations to support city growth and development goals
Related Projects: Must align with comprehensive plan updates and transit-ready corridor designations
Concerns: Senate Bill 180 compliance challenges, coordination needed with comprehensive plan updates

Money & Spending

$10 million — Emergency repair of damaged waste-to-energy generator to restore electricity generation capability
- Project: Solid Waste Generator Repair
- Type: Budget reallocation within existing solid waste enterprise fund
- Payer: City of Tampa
- Recipient: Generator repair contractors
- Debate: No opposition expressed, emergency nature of repair acknowledged
- No additional funding requested, moving money within existing solid waste budget
$5.8 million — Five-year contract for refractory maintenance services at waste-to-energy facility
- Project: Solid Waste Generator Repair
- Type: New contract approval
- Payer: City of Tampa
- Recipient: Zampell Refractories
- Debate: No concerns raised, routine maintenance contract
- Ongoing maintenance contract to support facility operations
$20 million — Private investment in 250-foot observation wheel attraction including refurbishment, shipping, and installation
- Project: Tampa WOW (Wheel Over Water)
- Type: New private investment
- Payer: Tampa Bay Wheel, LLC
- Recipient: Various contractors and wheel acquisition
- Debate: Some resident concerns about appropriateness and location, generally supportive business community response
- No taxpayer funding required, city will receive revenue sharing above break-even point of approximately 350,000 riders annually
$181+ million estimated increase — PIPES infrastructure program cost increases due to post-pandemic inflation on water and wastewater projects
- Project: PIPES Infrastructure Program
- Type: Cost increase on existing program
- Payer: City of Tampa
- Recipient: Various infrastructure contractors
- Debate: Concern about budget impacts but recognition that infrastructure needs remain critical
- Original $2.9 billion program seeing significant cost escalation, consultant being hired to reassess remaining project costs

Decisions

Approved $10 million budget reallocation within solid waste fund for emergency generator repair
Approved $5.8 million five-year contract with Zampell Refractories for waste facility maintenance
Conducted first public hearing on Tampa WOW observation wheel development agreement (second hearing scheduled October 23)
Approved memorial bench dedication for Gabe Hassan at New Tampa Recreation Center
Approved various second reading ordinances for property rezonings
Approved honorary street naming for J. Leonard Levy and George Levy at North Himes Avenue and West Ohio Avenue intersection
Received PIPES infrastructure program 6-year progress report showing $730+ million in completed projects
Received comprehensive plan update delay notification due to Senate Bill 180 compliance issues
Decided to delay land development code public release to coordinate with comprehensive plan timeline
Approved dissolution of Racial Reconciliation Committee due to federal executive order, with commendations scheduled for October 16
Received report on pickleball regulation limitations due to Senate Bill 180 restrictions

Action Items

Risks & Open Questions

Senate Bill 180 restrictions preventing adoption of new land development regulations including pickleball court controls
Potential rejection of entire comprehensive plan amendment by state if any provisions deemed restrictive under Senate Bill 180
PIPES infrastructure program facing significant cost overruns ($181+ million) due to post-pandemic inflation
Temporary loss of waste-to-energy electricity generation capacity during 5-month generator repair
Resident opposition to observation wheel project based on lighting, noise, and development process concerns
Coordination challenges between comprehensive plan and land development code updates due to timeline delays
Uncertainty about state legislature willingness to fix Senate Bill 180 restrictions in upcoming session
Ongoing litigation risks for jurisdictions attempting to adopt regulations under Senate Bill 180
Potential federal enforcement actions related to racial reconciliation programs despite local community support
Public engagement fatigue due to multiple major planning initiatives occurring simultaneously