Tampa museum and park contract approved

TAMPA -- The City Council today approved a $37-million contract for construction of a new Tampa Museum of Art and renovation of Curtis Hixon Park. The museum's new home will be a part of the waterfront park downtown.

The contract went to Skanska, which will oversee construction of both projects.

"I'm very happy to be at this point in the process," said City Council member Linda Saul-Sena.

Groundbreaking for both projects is slated to begin within the next month, with completion scheduled for late 2009.

In other council action today, the board elected Tom Scott as its first new chairman in several years. The post previously had been held by council member Gwen Miller.

-- Janet Zink, Times staff writer