On Tuesday, Port Tampa Bay leaders expressed concerns about the future of deepwater access as plans to redevelop a portion of land north of the Ybor Channel develop. Darryl Shaw, who is behind the proposed Ybor Harbor, sat down with Port Executives to discuss the apprehension they have for the development.

The Ybor Channel offers combined access to deepwater, rail, and highways and few other properties offer this within Hillsborough County. Port Principal Counsel Charles Klug says the public needs to better understand the long history of relocating operations as Tampa has grown.

Shaw is under contract for roughly 25 acres owned by International Ship Repair & Marine Services Inc. Shaw plans to redevelop the site into a waterfront neighborhood. The sale could take up to five years to close, and the transaction remains contingent on finding a new location for the ship repair business that operates on the land. Port staff is helping that effort according to Klug.

Other concerns with the project included talks of opening Cruise Terminal 2 to the public on non-sailing days which looks to be an unlikely option as time goes on. Mayor Jane Castor has said the Riverwalk will eventually extend from the current end at Beneficial Drive all the way to Shaw’s proposed Ybor Harbor development.

Shaw expects the rezoning request for Ybor Harbor to go in front of Tampa City Council in November. A Ray’s stadium has been discussed for the site before, and while current plans do not include a stadium Shaw is open to changing plans to accommodate one. Rays principal owner Stu Stenberg said the team is willing to pay up to $600 million for a new stadium in St. Petersburg.

Klug wants to ensure that any development remains harmonized, so it remains compatible and not restrictive of the port doing different deepwater activities. The port does have room to expand. The port is the largest in the state by land size, having nearly 200 acres of waterfront land. The port could expand south with hundreds of new acres in the long term, but the expansion would not be easy.

Shaw reminded those present that he is buying land at the port, not any business. Shaw will make sure they have a home at the port and ensure they do not create scenarios where businesses cannot operate. Shaw has partnered with trustees to allow options of a leaseback of the property to allow time for the ship repair business to find a solution for relocation. Tampa Councilman Bill Carlson said at the meeting he would like to create a maritime designation that would protect maritime land more permanently from development, but Shaw’s property will not be affected.