Watch: Connecting Communities
Tampa is taking its first steps toward a massive redevelopment of the north end of its downtown.
An area ripe for renaissance, the northern area of Tampa’s Central Business District — between N Tampa Street and E Ashley Drive — will soon undergo a transformation focused on housing and improved connectivity.
Four properties owned by the City of Tampa and the Community Redevelopment Agency are part of a recently released Request for Proposal (RFP) that includes the old Army-Navy Surplus Market site, which the City purchased in December 2020, totaling approximately four acres in an underutilized part of downtown. Both the City and the CRA’s goals are to use this land for mixed-use development, including affordable housing, with the RFP requiring a minimum of 750 dwelling units — half of which must be deemed affordable.
Directly beside these properties is the Ashley Drive on-ramp to I-275, which, if approved, would be redesigned to drastically improve connectivity and pedestrian safety between the new development and surrounding neighborhoods. Located just blocks away from the Riverwalk, and entertainment venues, such as the Straz Center, Tampa Theatre, and the Tampa Museum of Art, the project would provide pedestrians a safer way to explore and enjoy all Downtown Tampa has to offer. Transportation officials also envision the streetcar eventually extending through this neighborhood, and up to Palm Avenue, providing residents, workers, and visitors another transit option.
“This long-term planning and teamwork involving state and local partners are the special ingredients that build strong and thriving cities,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “We are excited to begin the process of adding much-needed affordable housing to this great location in our urban core and cannot wait for the other redevelopment projects in this area that will make it more walkable and accessible for all those living, working, and visiting Tampa’s beautiful downtown.”
The redevelopment of North Downtown Tampa comes alongside other major redevelopment projects that are all ultimately connected in their mission to help the urban core flourish with life. The West Tampa Riverwalk Extension Project, the extension of Tampa’s Green Spine Cycle Track, Gasworx in Ybor City, Rome Yard in West Tampa, and Encore are all part of Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow.
The RFP for the four-acre property along N Tampa Street will close on June 13. City officials will then begin the process of evaluating and selecting a finalist.
