Proposed power poles shock some Ybor business owners | News

TAMPA, Florida -- A controversial plan to install 75-to-115-foot tall concrete power poles along Adamo Drive is meeting resistance from some Ybor City business owners.

"When you look at how the project is scoped, these are massive poles, significant industrial infrastructure, and if that is in place here, you have to assume it's going to impact development," says Ybor City Development Corporation Chair David Scott.

Tampa Electric Company (TECO) says it is putting in the poles along the north side of Adamo Drive because the Selmon Expressway is being widened. Currently, the lines run along the southside of the expressway.

TECO Spokesperson Cherie Jacobs says they looked at several options before deciding to run the lines along Adamo between Channelside Drive and 19^th Street.

"What we chose was the most feasible, with the least impact," Jacobs tells 10 News. "It is along a major road in an industrial area, so it has the least amount of impact on those historical businesses."

But Scott believes the thoroughfare is the entrance to Ybor and could eventually be transformed to include a mix of homes and retail outlets. He believes the poles will stifle that change.

"Would you want a 51-inch diameter pole placed in front of your house or your office building or your anticipated hotel development?" Scott asks.  

The issue will be discussed on Thursday night during a public meeting with TECO.

The meeting will be held at the Italian Club in Ybor City at 5:30 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m.