Tampa Riverfront and Downtown are going to be Fabulous!

An Update on Tampa Downtown's Community

• Residential:  1,700 residential units will open in 2007
• Retail:  Downtown is beginning to see significant retail and restaurants opening to meet the needs of the changing demographic.
• Arts & Culture:  There are 3 new museums planned for downtown with two of the projects - Tampa Museum of Art and the Tampa Bay History Center - beginning construction in the next 7 months.
• Education:  More than 8,700 students in grades kindergarten through law degree make their way downtown each school day.
• Commercial Office:  New businesses from the suburbs are discovering downtown as a new alternative.  Also, some firms are making the move to invest in the urban core by purchasing space in an office condominium development.
• Malio's Prime Steakhouse is all set to open at RiverGate Tower (400 N. Ashley Drive) this week and is a sign of the changing downtown restaurant seen - better restaurants meeting the demand of an ever improving business and social scene. The high end restaurant is really a re-opening of the famous Malio's that once called Dale Mabry Highway home. 
• Progress is being made in the redevelopment of Central Park Village. Bulldozers will be demolishing the current public housing project by the end of the year.  The first signs of redevelopment will be evident in March, when construction will begin on the first of several buildings to take shape the next 5 years.
• Tampa Bay History Center will shortly break ground on their new 60,000 square foot facility. Grants from private donors, Hillsborough County financing and a land donation by the City of Tampa will fund its new home in Cotanchobee-Fort Brooke Park along the Tampa Riverwalk at Garrison Channel and Beneficial Drive. Plans to be open Fall 2008.

The Tampa Riverwalk recently received a $2 million grant from the State of Florida. The Riverwalk is making great progress and 59% of the 2.2 mile Riverwalk is either complete, under construction or committed to by a developer.

·        The Riverwalk will artfully hem the downtown waterfront through the eclectic integration of history, natural scenery, social activity, and residential and business life.

·        Open spaces, restaurants, shops, museums and meandering walkways will attract families, runners, skaters, river gazers, and anyone appreciative of the outdoor experience.

·        Designed to complement its surroundings, the Riverwalk will capture the distinctive flavor of our neighborhoods.  Throughout the Riverwalk, there will be public art and historic remembrances of Tampa's forefathers.

·        The waterfront vision will be implemented in two phases.

·                    In phase one: we will focus on the largest and most important task of connecting 21 segments and creating a signature public amenity for the community.

·                    In phase two:we will be poised to move seamlessly into the continued

·        enhancement and development of Riverwalk offerings and activities

www.tampariverwalk.net

 

• Curtis Hixon Park is preparing for a complete remodel.  (Curtis Hixon was a 4 year term mayor of Tampa in 1943) including the location of the Tampa Museum of Art and the Children's Museum of Art. As part of the The Tampa Riverwalk, there will be boat slips, dog run, play area, visitors' center, café and restaurant what will overlook Kiley Gardens.
• Water Works Park will soon become an active park as an anchor for the northern section of the Tampa Riverwalk. To include an interactive water feature, playground, picnic grounds, benches, public art and canoe/kayak launch.
• In the Tampa Heights neighborhood attached to the Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Park and Water Works Park will be 1900 condominiums and town homes and 260,000 square feet of office and retail space.

 Tampa in the News:

1. 6/13/2007 - The Tampa Tribune Editorial Board - Turn Trump Troubles Into City Triumph
   The collapse of the Trump Tower project gives the city of Tampa a chance to buy the tiny downtown tract on the Hillsborough River, a plot that is wholly inappropriate for a skyscraper. more..
2. 5/24/2007 - Shoot Only The Turkeys, Gov. Crist
   The Tampa Tribune Editorial Board supports State funding of The Tampa Riverwalk. more..
3. 5/3/2007 - Upfront... From the Office of the Mayor
   Mayor Pam Iorio recently provided the Tampa Downtown Partnership with a review of the exciting changes in Tampa, specifically downtown, including The Tampa Riverwalk. more..
4. 4/13/2007 - City Set to Break Ground on Next Riverwalk Segment - Mayor to Hold Sign Unveiling Ceremony.