A group fighting to save the Friendship Trail Bridge is running out of time.
Pinellas County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to send $515,000 to Hillsborough County for demolition of the span. That's in addition to $2 million Pinellas has already sent to pay for its half of the estimated $5.2 million the demolition will cost.
The commitment doesn't automatically doom the bridge, though.
"We're moving budget money," Pinellas commissioner Ken Welch told the Tampa Bay Times. "But there's still time for Hillsborough to decide whether to go ahead and demolish the bridge or study a proposal to turn it into a linear park."
According to the Times, Hillsborough County is taking the idea seriously enough to review the first draft of the plan.
A group of young professionals has proposed transforming the bridge into a park over the water with amenities such as ice cream kiosks and gardens. Most of the funds for the project would have to come from the private sector, and a substantial amount of money would have to be raised.
Pinellas County commissioners have said demolishing the bridge is the most fiscally responsible course to take.