Tampa Bay commuters almost got their very own ferry, to link the Channelside District, the convention center-St. Pete Times Forum-Marriott Waterside area; MacDill Air Force Base, Apollo Beach, Safety Harbor, The Pier in St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach and maybe Clearwater.

But it’s not going to happen. At least, not yet.

Tampa Developer Roger Gatewood, who envisioned the ferry as an amenity for his condominium project, Seaboard Square, even commissioned a $75,000 feasibility study in 2005. The study, by the Glasure Group of St. Petersburg, produced a whole lot of data and a slick report saying that—in a nutshell—it sure is feasible.

Jack Glasure, who authored the study, believes a ferry service is inevitable. “It will happen one day,” he said. “It’s only a matter of time. It’s just a matter of how it’s structured.”

MacDill service members and base employees were especially enthusiastic, he said, and there was a lot of support from downtown Tampa businesses. And as the character of downtown changes as it becomes increasingly residential, the demand to get to St. Petersburg and the beaches - without driving - can only grow, he said.

But the Seaboard Square project, going up on 6 acres between 12th and Whiting streets and Meridian and Cumberland avenues, was bought out by Sembler Investments of St. Petersburg early this year.

Sembler has no plans to move forward with the ferry proposal, the company’s president, Darian Johnson said: “With all the work we’ve had to do, that’s not really something we’ve had time for.

“But we support the trolley, anything that can benefit downtown, and bring it a lively atmosphere,” he said.

When interviewed by the Glasure Group, a whole lot of area officials and other leaders gave it hearty endorsements, including these, from the report:

* We absolutely can make this project work at the Pier/Port of St. Petersburg—City of St. Petersburg: Anita Treiser, marketing director.

* Cruise lines could offer day packages for ferry trips before or after cruise vacations—Steve Polzin, director, USF Center for Urban Transportation Research.

* Ferry service is routine in other areas; it has the potential to become routine here.—U.S. Rep. Jim Davis’s office, John Kynes.

* Egmont Key could possibly become an eco-tourism destination. We are currently building a new visitor center, and could rebuild Coast Guard dock and build restrooms.—James Kraus, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service project manager.

* We would love to have the boat docked at the Aquarium.—Florida Aquarium: Thom Stork, president.

* Potential federal funding is available for a commuter-based service, and the MacDill segment would qualify.—FDOT, Jerry Comellas, special projects administrator.

* We are very interested in any options to relieve congestion at the gates to MacDill.—MacDill Air Force Base, Col. Irvin Lee, 6th Mission Support Group commander.

* There is definitely a demand for this type of service and the novelty is appealing.—Marriott Waterside, Alex Kapzan, director of sales.

* Our port is VERY interested in being a part of the project, including nighttime harborage.—Port of St. Petersburg: Walt Miller, marina/port Manager.

* People will use a service that is enjoyable and provides amenities such as TV, Internet access, coffee, etc.—Senator Sebesta: Jim Sebesta, Florida Legislature, Committee on Transportation, chairman.

* Every meeting planner looking at an event in Tampa asks, “How do we get to the beach?"-- Tampa Bay CVB: Steve Hayes, executive vice president.

But thus far, no governmental agency or business entity has stepped forward to put together a coalition to make the ferry a reality, one the Glasure study estimated would cost between $2.1 million and $3.6 million a year to operate, depending on the size of the vessel purchased.

How much of that is offset by fare income is dependent wholly on occupancy rates, and the study doesn’t list outcomes any lower than 50 percent, at which a modest profit can be realized, according to the study.