Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Tribune article on Columbus Drive study:

$5 million sought to make Columbus Drive stretch a two-way road

By Yvette C. Hammett | Tribune Staff
Published: February 3, 2015   |   Updated: February 3, 2015 at 01:51 PM

TAMPA — The cost is up to $5 million for signals to change traffic flow from one-way to both-ways along two streets — the segment of East Columbus Drive from 14th Street to 40th Street and the road that pairs with it.

Members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Board on Tuesday asked its staff to bring back a list of all possible funding sources for the work, including any available state or federal money.

Turning the one-way stretches to two-way would allow for on-street parking and slow traffic, making it a more business-friendly strip, planners say. The Columbus segment is now one-way east and its partner — called 17th, 18th or 19th avenues along the length it runs — carries westbound traffic.

The proposal is backed by most residents and business owners in the area.

Hillsborough County plans to resurface a portion of both roads in fiscal year 2016, which begins in October, and the city has agreed to stripe the roads. But neither government agency has money for the signalization.

With a county road running through the city, it’s not a clear-cut funding issue.

“I’ve heard from many constituents that say, ‘When is this going to happen and who is going to pay,’ ” said county commission Chairwoman Sandy Murman, who sits on the MPO board. “That’s the problem with these studies. They raise expectations.”

Board members agreed with City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione’s suggestion that the list of potential funding sources go first to the MPO policy committee for review, then come back to the full board. No specific date was set for a later review of the list.