Facelift For the Sponge Docks?

The discussion of whether or not to update the popular Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks has been going on for years, but city officials hope to bring designs to the table later this year.

In 2008, the city agreed to invest a pretty penny on the Dodecanese Boulevard docks, one of the area’s biggest draws for tourism and business. The projected timeline had the start of the redesign taking place sometime this year.

When the original ideas were brought to the table at the commissioners' meetings earlier this year, there was a lack of response from the public. Few showed up to cast their opinions, so the city continued to develop the ideas on their own.

Once the city brought forth an actual proposal, the backlash from the community was undeniable, according to city manager Mark LeCouris.

“They were getting frantic,” remembered LeCouris. “So, we stepped away from the issue and went back to the drawing board.”

Officials decided that the plans for the new and improved sponge docks were too drastic, too soon.

The board of commissioners rerouted their plan and have broken the redesign into smaller phases. Instead of developing a massive makeover all at once, the city will take “baby steps,” according to LeCouris.

Currently, the project is being scaled down and broken into multiple plans. Once city officials and the public reach an agreement, the blueprint will be presented to the board of commissioners for approval.

Hoffman Architects is being commissioned by the city to design the sponge dock improvements. The company’s owner, Ed Hoffman, is a Tarpon Springs native. Hoffman's company is responsible for some of Tarpon’s well known landmarks, like the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art.

“If we’re on board and everybody’s happy, then we’ll go to commission and start putting shovels in the ground,” said LeCouris.

What's your take? Should the sponge docks be redesigned or left as is? Vote in our poll below or post a comment.