The Sponge Docks Improvements Moving Forward: Cooperation and Competition

I have spent my entire life here in Tarpon Springs, so I am very familiar with our historic treasure that is the Sponge Docks.

I grew up on the Docks and still frequent many of the cafes, shops, and of course restaurants. While talking to business owners on the Docks, it does not seem like there are that many disagreements on whether we should improve the Sponge Docks or not, but rather how.

This subject is very touchy to business owners on the docks, some of them owning businesses for generations and generations. One thing that is clear, many businesses are struggling on the Docks and something must be done to revitalize and restore this treasure.

Going business to business and hearing their concerns is something I have been doing since day one of my campaign. On the sponge docks, nearly all of the merchants first question was, “What will you do to improve the docks?”

While talking about this issue it became very clear that a large majority want the improvements, but disagree on exactly what improvements should be done. One business owner expressed his concern to me over the lack of choices and competition when deciding the design for the Docks. Some echoed these feelings at the Tarpon Springs City Commission meeting February 5th during the Billiris application. So where do I stand on this issue, how would I “make the docks come together?”

Since I began this campaign, I have stressed the importance of building community relations and a sense of unity in Tarpon Springs. This cannot be done with a waive of a wand, or wishful thinking; It can be done with reaching out and genuinely listening to the concerns of the constituents.

I believe a community workshop located on the docks, with proper advertisement and exposure, exploring different designs and even different architects can help the City make a decision with as much knowledge as possible and a decision that a majority of residents can rally behind.

Living in Tarpon Springs my entire life, I know that some will always be opposed to any kind of change. Is it worth it, though, to leave everything the way it is, risk businesses closing down, and losing a part of the treasure that has basically given Tarpon Springs the identity it has? I don't think inaction is worth it, just to satisfy a very small group of people, or on the other hand extreme action with the majority of folks affected by it against it. We must find common ground, and we must start from the ground floor up on this important project.

We must exhaust all forms of communications with business owners and nearby residents to reach a responsible, educated, and fair decision to ensure responsible growth and sustainability of our Sponge Docks.

Tommy Frain for Tarpon Springs City Commission Seat 4—TommyFrain.com