Legendary Bern’s Steak House, which has been a Tampa institution for 70 years, is one of six businesses suing the city over a $100 million flood relief project.
The 242- page lawsuit was filed Oct. 8 in Hillsborough County. It stems from city officials in September approving a plan to address structural and flooding issues in residential areas near Bern’s Steak House.
The project would result in three to four years of construction along S. Howard Avenue, where Bern’s is located.
"We were not opposed to flood relief as it was originally identified," Edward De La Parte, an attorney for Bern’s Steak House told10 Tampa Bay News. "But this project has morphed into a project that we believe is that the impacts are way out of proportion to the benefits
that they're going to create."
What does the lawsuit involving Bern’s Steak House and the city of Tampa say?
The lawsuit states the city illegally redirect $13.4 million from a stormwater fee to other projects like streetscaping without holding a required public hearing. It also claims the city awarded a $92.7 million construction contract to Kimmins Contracting Corp. without following proper selection guidelines.
The project originally was thought to have cost $45 million, but the cost ballooned to double that. Flooding has been an issue for residents in the area for decades.
De La Parte said the city should have backed out of the project when the cost increased so much.
What does Bern’s Steak House want the city of Tampa to do?
Business owners want a judge to stop construction, despite construction permits that already have been obtained.
City leaders have said construction could begin in spring 2027.
Messages were left for the city’s of Tampa’s attorney seeking comment.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Iconic, upscale 70-year-old steakhouse suing Florida city
