Sponge Docks & Greektown Community Placemaking

UPDATED AUGUST 27, 2024

The final draft Sponge Docks and Greektown Community Placemaking Plan can be viewed here!

Thank you to all of the passionate members of the community that provided invaluable feedback throughout the planning process.

UPDATED AUGUST 5, 2024

The draft Sponge Docks and Greektown Community Placemaking Plan is now available for review! A copy of the draft plan can be viewed here and comments about the draft plan can be provided here.

The draft plan will be presented to the City Board of Commissioners on August 20, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Auditorium (324 E. Pine Street). View the memo to the Board of Commissioners here.

UPDATED JANUARY 19, 2024

The City is conducting collaborative design sessions at Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill February 12, 2024 at 9-11 AM and 6-8 PM. The sessions will be identical. Please arrive on time and be prepared to collaborate in groups.

The City conducted a public meeting on October 18, 2023. If you were unable to attend, you can view the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wj-oKxzLfQ&t=462s Presentation materials and results of the polling from this event are available in the Documents Tab on the right side of this page.

PROJECT PURPOSE

Develop an actionable resident-driven Vision Plan providing recommendations for:

• Placemaking and public spaces
• Sustainable historic/cultural preservation
• Asset-based economic development
• Accessibility and mobility

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Vision Plan Collaborative Design Sessions

Monday, February 12, 2024, 9 to 11 AM and 6 to 8 PM

Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill

937 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Stay tuned for additional online and in-person engagement activities.

WHAT WE'VE HEARD SO FAR

In our Kick-off Survey, you told us why you love the Sponge Docks and Hope-Athens Greek Community and what makes it special! There's no surprise that Greek Businesses and Cultural Institutions was the #1 response! Respondents also highly valued the Working Waterfront, Historic Buildings and Sponges (tie), Sidewalk Cafes, and Building Decorations and Signage.

You also told us about perceived threats: Lack of Building / Property Maintenance, New Buildings with Incompatible Architectural Styles, Non-Local Businesses, Vehicular Traffic, and Incompatible Scale and Massing of New Buildings

Based on the feedback we received, we asked for your help in a Follow-Up Survey. We heard general support for some sort of preservation actions. We also heard support for grants and funding assistance, more stringent code enforcement and fines, and incentive programs.

At the October 18, 2023 meeting we heard one thing loud and clear: the overlapping districts in the area is confusing. Based on this feedback, we have removed the area that is currently in the local historic district, as there are already preservation regulations and guidelines in place.