In a significant development for Downtown Tampa, the Tampa City Council has green-lit a project intended to revamp the Franklin Street corridor. The move, which was approved yesterday, allots $6 million for the corridor's facelift, an area of downtown steeped in historical significance. According to FOX 13 News, the plan aims to breathe new life into Franklin Street, transforming it back into downtown's "Main Street" with a strong focus on pedestrian-friendly retail, residential, and commercial space.
The council's decision echoes a sentiment among local business owners who see value in preserving the area's deep-rooted past. "I think we need to preserve the past instead of doing away with it,” Adam Waez, a server at Nana Street Food told WFLA News Channel 8. The revitalization plan encompasses upgrades like overhead lighting, artistic crosswalks, and the restoration of the brick streets, a feature close to the hearts of community members and local historians.
Highlighting the area's historical background which dates back to 1847, Rodney Kite-Powell from the Tampa Bay History Center explained to the council, "The first bank in Tampa, it was on Franklin Street. The first hotel was on Franklin Street, first department store, first brick building, so many important events happened on Franklin Street and in Tampa," as reported by FOX 13 News. The area's historical significance has become a rallying point for the project's support.
Reflective of the city's commitment to its heritage, the plan's components, such as the artistic crosswalks and small parks, are designed to honor Tampa's past. “They just make the street better, so I'm so glad they're going to make them look prettier, but we're still going to keep the sign of what Tampa is,” said Paula Monfort, the owner of Central Cafeteria, during an interview with WFLA News Channel 8.
The project is a nod to former revitalization attempts, which despite past shortcomings, has a renewed sense of optimism attached to its latest incarnation, as reported by Tampa Bay Business Journal.
This strategic boost to the city's connectivity and aesthetics is anticipated to enrich the downtown Tampa experience, making it more compelling for visitors and residents alike. Tampa Theatre CEO John Bell emphasized the importance of the improvements by saying, "When people come to the theater, the show actually starts on the sidewalk, right as they approach," in a statement obtained by FOX 13 News. The extensive effort is set to be completed over a three-year timeline.
