Three new restaurants coming to Hyde Park Village, but some don't want them

TAMPA, Fla. - Cary and Cindi Herrera cherish their neighborhood. Retired from the Air Force, Cary could have moved anywhere. The couple chose to raise their two young children in quaint Hyde Park Village.

"We really wanted to raise our family here in this environment where we get a mix of small town and access to so many great things," Cindi Herrera.

Literally steps away, lies a mix of shops and restaurants. Plenty of spaces also sit empty.

Cary Herrera said, "We do support growth in the village.  It makes it good for all of us. It's just responsible growth."

On a recent walk, the Herreras couldn't believe what they saw: signs posted for three restaurants, including a vodka bar and a 24-hour diner were opening, right next to their home.

They worried about trash, parking and mostly, "The idea of a slew of unknown people streaming through right next to our house during all hours of the night and the fact that it could impact our life so immensely is unsettling," said Cindi Herrera.
 
They took their concerns to Hyde Park Management.  ABC ACTION NEWS followed up.

In a release, the General Manager Susan E. Martin wrote:  "(Developer) Madison Marquette is working to address all the concerns expressed by Hyde Park Village neighbors."

The release  also said there are plans on building a custom trash compactor and even developing an overall valet program.

But while signs for the three new restaurants are up the developer is, "currently engaged in negotiations on the lease and can't comment further on concept details."

ABC ACTION NEWS asked City of Tampa about zone permits. A spokesperson said years ago an agreement with the village allows restaurants throughout the development. Which means a public hearing is not required, unless the restaurants or the developer want to change terms of the lease.

The Herreras said they are speaking out on behalf of their neighbors and hope for some sort of compromise. An idea they would like considered is moving the restaurants into the center of the Village, an area not surrounded by homes.

Cary Herrera said "If anything, it's to open up that dialogue. That is our primary goal right now."
 
Cindy Herrara added, "They (the developers) could impact our lives tremendously and as my husband said, it would be nice if they could hear us, because we live here every day, 24 hours a day.  We are here all the time and it would be nice to be able to share some if those ideas and suggestions and it feels up to now that that had been limited."

An official with the City of Tampa is looking into if any new permits or changes to the lease have been filed. He said it could take a few days to learn that information.

Full Statement by Hyde Park Village Management:
"Madison Marquette is working to address all the concerns expressed by Hyde Park Village neighbors in anticipation of a new restaurant opening at the center. After meeting with community representatives, Madison Marquette is working with its trash contractor to build a custom compactor that will fit inside its loading dock. Available parking will meet needs (and city code) with the addition of those parking spaces behind the office building - and an overall valet program in the Village is being developed to further ease demand. Madison Marquette is currently engaged in negotiations on the lease agreement for this space and therefore cannot offer further comment on concept details at this time."
Susan E. Martin
General Manager