Revitalization of West Tampa
Newly Paved Roads and City Parks
West Tampa is alive with change, and it’s hard to ignore the momentum reshaping one of Tampa’s most historic neighborhoods. For years, this area’s potential has felt overlooked—its rich history as an independent city and hub of the cigar industry overshadowed by other parts of Tampa. But now, that narrative is flipping. The investment and energy pouring into West Tampa are giving it the kind of attention it has deserved for decades.
A lot of the credit goes to the public sector, which has made some bold commitments. The West River Redevelopment, for example, is transforming the area along the Hillsborough River. What was once outdated public housing is being turned into a vibrant community with mixed-income housing, retail spaces, and parks, all designed to reconnect the neighborhood to the river. And then there’s the Rome Yard Development—a $500 million project bringing nearly 1,000 mixed-income apartments, retail, and community spaces to the area. These projects are more than just construction—they’re laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and connected West Tampa.
On top of that, the city is tackling the infrastructure that’s been neglected for far too long. The $50 million Multi-Modal Network Project is repaving and upgrading key roads like Main Street, Howard Avenue, and Albany Avenue. These aren’t just cosmetic changes; they’re investments in accessibility and safety for residents and businesses. Add to this the revitalization of three parks—Salcines Park, Freedom Park, and Rey Park—and you can feel the city’s commitment to making West Tampa a better place to live.
But it’s not just public dollars making a difference—private investment is stepping in with real creativity. The Cigar Lofts student housing project is one example, turning a historic cigar factory into modern living spaces while preserving the neighborhood’s character. Another factory has been reimagined as a winery, offering a nod to West Tampa’s history while giving locals and visitors a new spot to gather. And downtown West Tampa is buzzing with new life. COhatch’s shared workspace on Main Street is bringing fresh opportunities for local entrepreneurs, while new restaurants like Bar-B-Que King and Lucky Tigre are adding flavor and energy to the area.
This wave of change feels particularly meaningful when you consider where West Tampa has come from. It was its own city from 1895 to 1925 and, at one point, rivaled Ybor City as a center of the cigar industry. Historian Rodney Kite-Powell likes to joke that West Tampa, not Ybor, should be called “Cigar City,” and he’s not wrong. West Tampa’s identity was built on hard work, diversity, and innovation—traits that still resonate in the projects happening today.
What’s most exciting about all of this is that it doesn’t feel like a superficial makeover. The developments happening here—whether it’s new housing, upgraded streets, or a shared workspace—are rooted in creating opportunities for the people who live here. They honor the neighborhood’s history while making space for its future.
West Tampa isn’t just catching up—it’s setting the tone for what thoughtful, community-focused growth can look like. And if this is just the beginning, the best is yet to come.
West Riverwalk Expansion
The Tampa Riverwalk is set to expand to the west side of the Hillsborough River, marking a significant development in the city's infrastructure. On January 17, 2025, the Tampa City Council voted 5-2 to allocate $10 million from the West Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to support this expansion. The total budget for the project stands at $56.8 million. In 2022, the City of Tampa secured a $24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. The remaining $32.8 million will be covered by the city, with the recent $10 million CRA contribution being a part of this commitment.
This project encompasses more than just extending the Riverwalk; it includes comprehensive improvements to intersections, the addition of bike lanes, and enhanced crosswalks, all aimed at making the West River area more connected and accessible to downtown. Notably, the expansion will feature pedestrian bridges under existing overpasses, such as those at Platt and Brorein Streets, ensuring uninterrupted and safer travel along the river. These underpasses will mirror the design of those on the east side of the Riverwalk, maintaining aesthetic continuity.
The project is slated to begin construction in the coming months, with an expected completion date in 2027. Once finished, the expansion will complete a 12-mile network of continuous bike and pedestrian pathways throughout Tampa's urban core, significantly enhancing mobility and connectivity for residents and visitors alike.
This initiative reflects Tampa's commitment to creating a more connected and accessible urban environment, promoting alternative transportation options, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the city.
Bus Route 1
Starting this month, Tampa’s popular HART Bus Route 1 will be free for one full year. The route, which connects Downtown Tampa to the University Area, the University of South Florida campus, and the area around the VA hospital, will be accessible without charge thanks to a $1.6 million investment approved by the Tampa City Council. The initiative was introduced by Councilmember Lynn Hurtak, who believes that providing free rides on Route 1 will have a broader, more immediate impact on the community than the previously planned funding for electric vehicle charging station infrastructure.
HART’s CEO and city officials made the announcement at a press conference earlier this month, highlighting the initiative’s potential to improve public transportation access for residents, especially those in underserved areas. With this new funding allocation, Tampa aims to make commuting more affordable and accessible, while also reducing transportation barriers for many residents in key neighborhoods.
History of Gasparilla
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is Tampa’s most iconic celebration, blending myth, tradition, and community spirit. Created in 1904 around the fictional legend of José Gaspar, a pirate who supposedly terrorized Florida’s coast, the festival has evolved into the largest pirate-themed event in the world. Each year, the José Gasparilla II—a fully functional pirate ship—leads a dramatic “invasion” into downtown Tampa, kicking off a parade that rivals Mardi Gras and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. This event alone generates over $20 million annually for the local economy.
Now known as “Gasparilla Season,” the celebration spans multiple months and includes a children’s parade, marathon, arts festival, and music festival, offering something for everyone. Despite interruptions during World War II and the pandemic, Gasparilla remains a resilient symbol of Tampa’s creativity and community spirit. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Gasparilla transforms Tampa into a pirate’s playground, honoring a mythical tale while bringing the city together in celebration.
🎤 TBD POD Highlights
This month, our host, Garrett Greco, interviewed some of the most fascinating people in our community. If you have missed, here is a quick a full breakdown:
December 6th - Raul Alfonso, Port Tampa Bay
December 13th - Bill Carlson, Tampa City Councilman
December 20th - Jim Shimberg, Former Tampa City Attorney
December 27th - Jeff Vinik
January 9th - David Lysyy, TBD POD Producer
January 10th - Serenity Capital Management and Realty Dynamics
January 15th - Joshua Wostal, Hillsborough County Commissioner
January 17th - Dawn Shirreffs, Environmental Defense Fund
January 20th - Luis Viera, Tampa City Councilman
January 24th - Erica Moody, University Area CDC
Check out some of our social media clips that you might enjoy:
When Jeff Vinik sold his majority share of the Tampa Bay Lightning, he and his wife gave $10 million each back to the employees
Port Tampa Bay has an incredible opportunity with the real estate it owns in Downtown Tampa
The People Mover - Harbour Island
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