Tag: Tampa
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Doctors and administrators tied to HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital and the South Tampa Medical Center are asking Tampa City Council to approve the South Howard Flood Relief Project. They say repeated flooding has already shut clinics, delayed care, and left the hospital running on generators. Council is scheduled to take up the construction contract…
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While other states pile on new levies and expand government programs to court residents, Florida’s tax-friendly approach just earned Tampa another national accolade: the city ranked third among the best places in America to retire, according to a new WalletHub study, trailing only Orlando and Miami. The results offer a data point worth noting in…
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Self-driving cars are officially picking up paying passengers on Tampa streets starting today, and unlike most transportation upgrades this city has seen, taxpayers aren’t footing the bill. Waymo announced Tuesday that Tampa is one of three cities nationwide — alongside Denver and San Diego — where the company is opening its autonomous ride-hailing service to…
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The Tampa City Council will decide Thursday morning whether to lock the city into its share of funding for a new $2.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, a vote that could commit taxpayer dollars to the project for years to come. The council meets at 10 a.m. to consider finalizing the city’s contribution to the…
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Tampa’s real estate market is doing exactly what a healthy market should: attracting capital, building housing, and creating value across the region. A recent CBRE survey ranked Tampa seventh among U.S. markets targeted by commercial real estate investors in 2026, with multifamily housing the top target — 74% of investors surveyed said they want in…
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Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency asked residents Wednesday to weigh in on how the taxpayer-funded agency should keep spending public money in Ybor City, part of an ongoing process that officials say will eventually funnel recommendations up to city leaders for a final decision. Urban planner Riva Heinrich, who addressed attendees at the meeting, said the…
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Tampa City Hall is pressing ahead with a $100 million stormwater overhaul in South Tampa, and while officials insist the massive underground project will fix chronic flooding, the businesses and residents who’ll have to live through years of construction are increasingly asking who’s really paying the price. The South Howard Flood Relief Project would bury…
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A long-anticipated stormwater project meant to ease chronic flooding along South Howard Avenue in south Tampa is dividing residents and business owners as the city prepares for a final vote. The $100 million project is expected to take years to complete and would reduce flooding for more than 200 homes and businesses in the area,…
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The Tampa City Council is expected to take a final vote on the design of the proposed South Howard Flood Relief Project, a stormwater infrastructure initiative intended to reduce chronic flooding in parts of South Tampa. The project has generated support from residents affected by flooding and opposition from some business owners concerned about its…
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Tesla has officially launched its Robotaxi service in the Tampa area, expanding its driverless ride-hailing network into Florida’s Gulf Coast as the company continues to grow its autonomous transportation program. The taxi service uses Tesla vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving technology to transport passengers without a driver behind the wheel. Tampa joins Orlando…
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A wave of Tampa commercial real estate deals is pushing several long-standing properties toward major redevelopment, as owners move to convert aging retail sites into mixed-use districts combining housing, offices and retail. Third Lake Partners, a company based in Ybor City, purchased the 57-year-old Westshore Plaza for $135 million after an earlier prospective buyer backed…
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Drivers traveling near 18 Tampa schools will soon encounter automated speed enforcement cameras as part of a city effort to reduce speeding in school zones. The Tampa City Council approved the locations after reviewing traffic data collected at 29 schools and 31 school zones. The selected sites were identified based on measured speeding activity rather…
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Tampa ranked as the best large city in the nation for first-time homebuyers and placed fourth overall among 300 cities studied, according to a new report from the personal finance site WalletHub. The rankings come as first-time buyers face mounting challenges nationwide. WalletHub said first-time homebuyers accounted for just 21% of the housing market last…
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Tampa is posting the fastest luxury home price growth of any city in the nation, according to a new report from Redfin, revealing a widening gap between the region’s high-end housing market and the rest of the market. Redfin found that luxury home prices nationwide rose 4.7% year over year in May, compared with just…
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As hurricane season officially gets underway Monday, the City of Tampa used a weekend expo to roll out its first-ever Hurricane Preparedness Guide and remind residents of the lessons learned from the devastating 2024 storm season. City leaders unveiled the guide Saturday at a hurricane preparedness expo at Cordelia B. Hunt Community Center, which drew…
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The City of Tampa is making significant progress toward its goal of creating 10,000 affordable housing opportunities, having reached approximately 8,300 units through new construction, preservation efforts, and related initiatives. Mayor Jane Castor highlighted the city’s multi-pronged strategy, which includes both building new units and preserving existing homes for longtime residents. “We’re not going to…
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A crowd of South Tampa residents turned out Wednesday evening to weigh in on a planned traffic redesign of El Prado Boulevard, with many expressing opposition to a project they say will reduce traffic lanes and create congestion. The open house at Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library drew such a large crowd that the line…
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Downtown Tampa braces for a packed weekend as Riverfest, one of the city’s largest annual events, gets underway today along the Hillsborough River. The free festival, hosted by Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk and presented by Publix Super Markets, runs Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, with events stretching along the riverfront between Curtis…
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Tampa city officials are reviewing recommendations from the University of South Florida on how to rebuild and better protect Tampa’s urban tree canopy after recent hurricanes caused significant losses. A USF study, presented at a recent city council workshop, found that hurricanes Helene and Milton reduced Tampa’s tree canopy by roughly 5% — a loss…
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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…
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Several Tampa Bay area cities were ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Live in Florida in 2025-2026.” Riverview ranked 11th in the state. The job market in Riverview is better than the national average, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, lower than the national average of 4.5%. The median home value…
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A $15.3 million pedestrian overpass on the Courtney Campbell Causeway is expected to open by the end of the year, providing a walking and cycling route between Clearwater Beach and Tampa. The city of Clearwater is now planning improvements to the 1.6-mile Bayshore Trail, which will connect directly to the overpass. The trail runs from…
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Tampa City Council met Wednesday to discuss a comprehensive flood mitigation project for South Tampa’s South Howard Avenue district, with estimated costs reaching $98 million. The South Howard Flood Relief Project addresses chronic flooding in the area through a complete overhaul of aging stormwater drainage infrastructure. The plan includes underground pipe replacement, widened sidewalks, enhanced…
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Tampa Bay Water has started construction on a 26-mile underground water pipeline to serve southern Hillsborough County, with completion expected by the end of 2028. The $500 million project will install a 5-foot-diameter steel pipe capable of delivering up to 65 million gallons of water daily. The pipeline is part of Tampa Bay Water’s 20-year…
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Real estate developer Strategic Property Partners announced plans to build a new entertainment district in the heart of downtown Tampa, across from the Benchmark International Arena on Channelside Drive, between Morgan and Jefferson streets. The development will include a 3,500-seat concert venue designed for emerging artists, a 250-room hotel, retail space, and parking for more…
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Tampa city leaders are considering a substantial increase to transportation impact fees paid by developers, marking the first raise since 1989. The proposed fee increases would help fund critical infrastructure projects including roadways, traffic signals, intersection upgrades, and new bridges needed to support the region’s rapid growth. Under the proposal, fees for single-family homes would…
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Tampa City Council is reviewing a proposed ordinance to regulate bicycle use on city paths, including the Riverwalk and along Bayshore Boulevard, citing safety concerns. The ordinance would prohibit wheelies, tricks, and large groups of cyclists on these paths. It would also limit cyclists to riding no more than two abreast and require helmets for…
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Tampa has been named the second-best city in the United States for military veterans, according to a new report released for Veterans Day by the financial website WalletHub. The study compared the country’s 100 largest cities across 19 key metrics, including employment opportunities, income growth, housing affordability, healthcare access and community support. Austin, Texas, claimed…
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Tampa and St. Pete city councils have approved a five-year agreement to restore ferry service connecting the two cities, with each municipality contributing up to $350,000 annually. The service will be operated year-round by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved the measure, while Tampa City Council passed it with…
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Tampa and St. Petersburg moved forward Thursday with plans for a new cross-bay ferry service, with both cities voting on funding agreements. Tampa approved a five-year interlocal agreement that includes up to $350,000 annually for the ferry, which will be called the Tampa Bay Ferry. St. Petersburg was also scheduled to vote on contributing up…
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Tampa will begin accepting applications November 17 for a new hurricane assistance program offering up to $30,000 to homeowners affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Homeowner Hurricane Assistance program will distribute $2 million to income-eligible residents whose primary homes sustained storm damage. Funds can be used for roofing, HVAC replacement, interior restoration, flooring, cabinetry,…
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Tampa’s effort to modernize its noise ordinance is moving forward, with consultants gathering data and residents weighing in on concerns ranging from loud music to modified car exhausts. City officials hosted a community meeting Monday to share updates on the sound study, which began earlier this year. Consultants have been taking sound measurements in neighborhoods…
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City leaders in St. Pete and Tampa have unveiled their proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year—and both are placing a major focus on storm preparedness and storm recovery. In St. Petersburg, Mayor Ken Welch presented a $1.1 billion budget to the city council on Thursday, highlighting $202 million in capital improvement projects aimed at…
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As storm season ramps up, experts are urging residents to go beyond boarding up windows by preparing their homes, finances, and critical documents before disaster strikes. While much of the focus has been on protecting flood-prone areas, many residents in neighborhoods that rarely see major storm damage still lack the tools and knowledge to prepare…
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Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg may finalize a deal to sell the team as early as September, according to a report by The Athletic. The sale, valued at approximately $1.7 billion, would transfer ownership to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski. The prospective buyers reportedly intend to keep the Rays in the…
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Drivers crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge into Tampa will notice a major change starting Wednesday. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is moving northbound traffic onto the former southbound bridge, which was constructed in the 1990s. That span has remained unused since March, when the new southbound bridge officially opened. Crews have since been preparing…
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A new Redfin report lists Tampa as one of the most expensive U.S. cities for renters requiring childcare, with median costs for rent and childcare reaching $3,466 per month. This figure, based on one-bedroom apartment rents and local childcare rates, places Tampa 10th among major cities, where such expenses consume 36% of the median renter’s…
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As another round of rain looms this week, residents in South Tampa remain uneasy about the risk of flooding. James Adair, whose home was inundated during Hurricane Milton, has already spent thousands on repairs. Now, he’s taking a hands-on approach—clearing debris from stormwater drains and investigating the root causes of his neighborhood’s drainage issues, from…
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Tampa has officially begun construction on the next phase of a transformative infrastructure project designed to enhance mobility and access across the city. On Tuesday morning, city officials gathered at Purity Springs Park to celebrate the progress of the Green ARTery, a planned 22-mile trail system that will provide safe and scenic pathways connecting neighborhoods,…
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Breeze Airways is taking off with more options for Tampa travelers, launching three brand-new nonstop routes from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and officially beginning service to Memphis, Tennessee. Introductory fares for these new destinations start as low as $39 one-way. Known for its low-cost fares and premium in-flight experience, Breeze is connecting Tampa to: “We’re…
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Residents of the Delmar Apartment Complex in Tampa were stunned this week to find notices from the city taped to their doors, warning that water service could be shut off by May 21 due to non-payment. According to the notice, the apartment’s water bill has gone unpaid for months, despite residents continuing to pay rent,…
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The Cross Bay Ferry will operate its final route on Wednesday, officially ending service between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Hillsborough County Commissioners terminated the ferry’s four-year contract after discovering the operator was using a slower vessel than initially agreed upon. For more than three years, the ferry provided a popular transportation link across the Bay,…
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The City of Tampa is holding a meeting on Tuesday to discuss its post-disaster redevelopment plan, as city crews continue their preparations for the upcoming hurricane season. During her State of the City address yesterday, Mayor Jane Castor provided an update on the city’s ongoing efforts and highlighted the progress made so far. “We must…
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