Downtown Tampa is poised to gain new sidewalks, landscaping, gathering areas and pedestrian-focused street improvements as Water Street Tampa advances its next phase of development.
New agreements scheduled for review by Tampa City Council on May 7 outline plans for Water Street Tampa Subphase 3A, an approximately 7.9-acre section generally bounded by Cumberland Avenue, Finley Street, Nebraska Avenue and Meridian Avenue.
According to the agreements, the phase includes roadway and infrastructure improvements, including a reconfigured street network, pedestrian and vehicular access improvements, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater systems, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping.
City documents show Water Street Tampa LLC would maintain many of the district’s public realm features, including decorative paving, street furniture, pedestrian lighting, trash receptacles, bike racks, landscaping, banners, wayfinding elements and other streetscape furnishings.
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“Phase 3A will be designed with enhanced and active public realm spaces consistent with other phases of Water Street Tampa,” the agreement states.
The agreement also allows permanent or temporary structures including kiosks and pavilions within designated public spaces, subject to city permitting requirements.
In addition, the developer reserves the right to use up to 10 on-street parking spaces for valet operations, recreational activations and dining parklets, subject to city approval.
A separate subdivision agreement tied to the project includes an engineer’s estimate showing approximately $17.1 million in infrastructure costs tied to the phase, including roadway work, sidewalks, drainage systems, utilities, lighting and landscaping.
The documents reflect how major downtown projects are increasingly incorporating streetscape design, pedestrian infrastructure and outdoor public spaces as part of broader mixed-use development plans.
Similar street-level design features are also appearing in projects outside Water Street. The under-construction ONE Tampa condominium tower along Ashley Drive is separately seeking city approval for building features including facades, canopies, balconies, signage and a green wall to extend into portions of the public right-of-way.
The request from KT North Ashley LLC reflects the growing use of landscaping, outdoor design elements and pedestrian-oriented features in downtown residential development proposals.
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