Franklin Street is set for a revival. Tampa’s City Council has unanimously approved the Franklin Street Vision project, paving the way for a $6 million investment to rejuvenate the historic corridor linking three dynamic Downtown neighborhoods.

This project aims to blend the street’s rich history with modern enhancements, reigniting the lively, community-focused atmosphere that once made Franklin Street the heart of Tampa.

Unlike typical city-funded projects, this investment will come directly from Downtown’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget—money raised Downtown that must stay Downtown. This ensures that the funding won’t impact the city’s general budget, focusing entirely on enhancing Downtown Tampa.

Revitalizing Tampa’s Historic Open-Air Shopping Hub

With $6 million allocated over three years, the initiative seeks to create a vibrant space where Tampa’s historic charm meets contemporary design. The Tampa Downtown Partnership’s efforts received overwhelming support during a CRA meeting, marking a significant win for the area’s future.

While the exact timeline for construction and completion will be established in the coming months, it’s clear that Franklin Street is “on the fast track to becoming the buzzing hub Tampa deserves,” as stated in a release.

Once the heartbeat of Tampa, Franklin Street was known as the city’s open-air shopping hub and home to the iconic Tampa Theatre. The Tampa Downtown Partnership is now on a mission to restore that energy, attract small businesses, and bring Tampa’s rich history into the future.

Reviving the City’s Former Main Street

“Franklin Street was the main street of Tampa,” said Karen Kress, Senior Director of Transportation and Planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “We’ve gathered voices from across the community to ask, ‘How can we restore that energy? How can we support and attract small businesses? And how can we elevate Tampa’s amazing history and bring it into the future?’”

The plan includes infrastructure upgrades and new initiatives designed to make Franklin Street a thriving destination for small businesses to establish themselves, grow, and flourish. “This is a major win for Downtown Tampa,” added Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, President and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

A Preservation Workshop in Tampa

This engaging session will provide tools and insights for leveraging grants, incentives, and funding opportunities to preserve Tampa’s history while creating vibrant spaces for the future. Key highlights include:

• Unlocking Funds: Discover grants and incentives at the city, county, state, and federal levels.
• Developer Insights: Learn from the creator of Le Méridien Hotel about attracting syndicators and investors.
• Real-Life Stories: Hear from local building owners about their preservation successes.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, November 19
• Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.
• Location: Historic Hillsborough Masonic Lodge, 504 East Kennedy Boulevard

Presented by the Tampa Downtown Partnership with support from Hillsborough County, the workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with experts and celebrate Tampa’s past while building its future.

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(Image credit: Tampa Downtown Partnership renderings)