City officials in Tampa detailed plans this week to improve pedestrian safety in the Ybor City entertainment district, focusing on changes along 7th Avenue and nearby streets following a deadly crash in the area late last year.

The measures — discussed by city leaders and transportation officials — are aimed at slowing vehicle speeds and strengthening physical protections for people walking, particularly in the busy nightlife corridor.

Key changes underway include repaving portions of 7th Avenue, adding on-street parking spaces and bus bays to narrow the roadway, and reducing posted speed limits along the corridor to encourage slower driving. The work, funded by Tampa’s Mobility Department, is expected to be completed in early March and cover nearly 3.75 lane-miles. Officials said adding features such as crash-rated bollards at high-traffic crosswalks and continuing rebricking projects will further calm traffic.

City leaders said other safety enhancements under evaluation include raised sidewalks and additional traffic-calming features. Some community members have pushed for closing portions of 7th Avenue to vehicles to improve pedestrian safety, but officials noted that the idea did not receive strong support from local businesses at public meetings.

The safety push follows a crash in November in which a vehicle struck pedestrians and diners on 7th Avenue, killing multiple people and renewing calls for changes to protect pedestrians in the historic district.

Officials emphasized balancing safety improvements with maintaining access for visitors and commerce in one of Tampa’s most popular entertainment areas.

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