PROVIDED BY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
The two-story 18,000 square-foot structure sits on 4.64 acres and will include indoor and outdoor seating areas with parking provided for up to 215 spaces up to a maximum of 270 spaces, according to county records.

Some Riverview residents concerned about impact of new Tiki Bar

By Kevin Brady

While some can’t wait for a new riverfront restaurant to open in Riverview, others are worried Tiki Docks River Bar & Grill will bring too much traffic, noise and potentially dangerous boating conditions.

23 Restaurant Services, the parent company of the popular Ford’s Garage and one of the most successful themed restaurant companies in the bay area, is behind the project. 

“My biggest concern is that this is a residential community with some very high-end homes that were given no kind of input,” said Jeanette O’Connor, who has lived in the area for 16 years. “These roads are not even wide enough for two cars. School buses wouldn’t even drive down here because it was a safety hazard, but we are going to put this 15,000-square-foot restaurant here? Am I totally against the restaurant? Maybe not, but I just don’t like how it has been handled. The county has no concern over the people who have lived here for years and pay major taxes,” added O’Connor who is calling for a public forum between local residents, the county and developers.

The serenity of the small riverfront neighborhood could be lost once the new restaurant opens, said Patrick Bolger who has lived in the community for 17 years.
KEVIN BRADY PHOTO

Sitting on 4.64 acres on the corner of U.S. 301 and Palmetto Street just across the Alafia River bridge, the $7 million project will include three bars and docks, making the restaurant accessible from the water. Work has already begun on the property with the restaurant expected to open next summer. 

Initial press reports touted Tiki Docks’ plan to rent jet skis, kayaks and paddle boards as well as the restaurant’s new docks that would allow boaters and water craft to pull up from the river. However, in an exclusive interview with The Observer News last week, Marc Brown, president of 23 Restaurant Services, said the restaurant will open without any docks or watercraft rentals.

“In the future there’s the possibility we may add some of those things (water craft rentals) but, if we do we will ensure there are the types of disciplines that would be the norm for any type of place that has similar activities. Our initial opening will not include docks and everything will be drive-up activity coming to the restaurant.”

When the docks sprout will depend on “what the demands are for the business that we are doing there and what the county and other authorities that have to do with blessing that type of activity (say). There are a lot of different factors that go into determining that timetable, and we are nowhere near a position to make a call on any type of timetable (on docks).”

More immediately, a public hearing to approve an alcohol beverage permit is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, on the second floor of the County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 

County officials stressed that the Nov. 19 hearing “deals ONLY with the subject matter of selling alcohol and does not address the restaurant use, site design, access, etc.  The restaurant use (base use) is regulated by the underlying zoning and other applicable regulatory components.  In short, the use of the property for a restaurant is not up for review, only the alcohol component,” said Hillsborough County Public Works in a statement to The Observer News.

The county’s Land Development Code requires any business serving alcohol be 500 feet from any “community use” like churches, schools or civic clubs. Tiki Docks is 400 feet from First Baptist Church of Riverview, hence the need for an exception or “variance” to the county ordinance and a public hearing.

First Baptist Church of Riverview has no objection to the variance.

Tiki Docks River Bar & Grill is due to open in the summer of 2019, according to builders. Bowing to traffic concerns from county officials, developers are paying to close off the entrance to Palmetto Street from southbound U.S. 301. Vehicles will have to drive south to the light at Balm Riverview Road and circle around to enter the restaurant on Palmetto Street.
KEVIN BRADY PHOTO

“The church has communicated with 23 Restaurant Services regarding their special use application for their proposed business at 10708 Palmetto St., Riverview, FL,” wrote First Baptist Senior Pastor Jeff Knight in a July 10 letter to the county’s Department of Development Services. “Let it be known that the Church does not object to the approval of 23 Restaurant Services’ application for a Special Use for alcohol consumption within the prohibited LDC distance requirements between a community use (Church). Feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding this matter.”

Knight and Brown met in July to discuss the Tiki Docks’ request for an alcohol permit.

It would be hypocritical of the church to oppose Tiki Docks’ liquor license variance request when “we’ve already got on two sides of our property convenience stores that sell and promote alcohol,” Knight said. “If it was an Outback Steakhouse would it be any different? So while we may not be for it, we are not against it. The owner assured us that about 75 percent of their revenue comes from food, the other 25 percent from alcohol so it’s consistent with most restaurants you and I frequent.”

First Baptist is launching its own major construction project in the once sleepy neighborhood, a 12 year, multimillion dollar plan that includes a remodeled worship center, two-story children’s ministry building, fellowship hall/gymnasium and two-story “lifegroup” building. 

First Baptist and Tiki Docks said there was no quid pro quo deal to ensure the church did not object to the liquor license. 

“We have not, nor will we receive one cent from the restaurant company. Everything that is going on at our property is being funded by our own church family. We have not received one penny from anyone outside our church,” Knight said. 

Brown was equally emphatic. “We have no agreement in place and have no intention to have any agreement in place to provide any type of compensation to the church whether it be monetary or any other form. They never asked us for anything, and we never offered anything,” Brown said.

Increased river traffic is a major concern for Patrick Bolger, who lives a stone’s throw from Tiki Docks. 

“My concerns are many but mostly it’s a safety concern,” said Bolger, who worries about those operating jet skis and similar crafts on the river. “People from Harbor Island, Apollo Beach or maybe as far away as St. Petersburg (many of whom may not have the local knowledge to navigate the river safely) might be using this as a destination so the traffic on this river is going to increase exponentially.” 

Brown said his company is happy to listen to any concerns from residents and suggested locals call him at 23 Restaurant Services, 1-800-767-0882.