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New funding moving Tampa Riverwalk expansion plan forward

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Published  January 17, 2025 11:00pm EST
Tampa
FOX 13 News

Funding the Tampa Riverwalk expansion

FOX 13's Briona Arradondo reports on new funding earmarked to expand the Tampa Riverwalk and connect it between one side of the Hillsborough River and neighborhoods in West Tampa.

The Brief

    • New funding is moving Tampa Riverwalk expansion plans forward.
    • Officials want to connect other neighborhoods in Tampa, including West Tampa.
    • It will cost $56 million with half of it paid for through a Department of Transportation BUILD grant.

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa’s Riverwalk has largely been on one side of the Hillsborough River, and now new funding is moving a plan forward to expand it and connect neighborhoods in West Tampa. 

Visitors and locals alike enjoy walking and running along Bayshore Boulevard and the Hillsborough River. 

"I’ve been walking or running Bayshore for probably the last at least 30 years or more," said Tom Cornett, a Tampa resident.

What the expansion will do? 

Big picture view:

City of Tampa Mobility Director Vik Bhide said the downtown Riverwalk is expanding to the west side.

"We’re going to have an extension of the sidewalk under Platt Bridge, put it up right here at this park and then continue on north all the way along the west bank of the Hillsborough River," said Bhide.

City of Tampa renderings show bike lanes, sidewalks and living shorelines.

"I’ve loved the riverwalk since it’s gone up the east side of the river, so it’d be awesome to get it extended on the other side as well," said Cornett.

The six-phase project includes road improvements along Columbus Drive and Rome Avenue.

By the numbers:

It will cost $56 million with half of that paid for through a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant. On Thursday, Tampa’s community redevelopment agency board, which is made up of Tampa City Council, approved using $10 million from West Tampa’s CRA budget to help foot the bill.

"We’re trying to minimize the overall debt that the city takes on. So the CRA being a major benefactor of this project being in the area, that’s what the CRAs are for," said Bhide. 

Pushback on the Riverwalk expansion

What they're saying:

But not all residents agree.

"The $10 million could be better spent on funding or training for people to get jobs or for housing," said Valerie Bullock, an East Tampa resident during Thursday’s CRA meeting.

City council members Bill Carlson and Lynn Hurtak voted against it.

"I’m in favor of a riverwalk, but not now. Until we fix the basics, we shouldn’t be spending on things that are nice to have," said Carlson, the council member for District 4.

Carlson said Friday that West Tampa could use that money for its list of other projects and priorities.

"We need it eventually, but not until we repair the roads. We need to fix potholes before we spend on something that we don’t need," said Carlson. 

What's next:

Residents won’t see construction for about a year, but design work is well underway. The city said the expansion adds safety, connects neighborhoods and lays the groundwork for a growing city.

"This is a game changer for Tampa, and it’s a game changer on multiple fronts," said Bhide.

The mobility director said the vision for the riverwalk has been decades in the making, and it’s come together section by section over time. The city will also look to ask the state legislature for help, Bhide added.

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