HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Today, Tampa City leaders approved $6 million in funding to revamp Franklin Street in downtown Tampa.
The road cuts right through the downtown area and used to be the shopping corridor. However, it fell out of favor when suburban malls were built.
“This is a major win for Tampa’s Downtown. With new infrastructure improvements and restoration of Tampa’s main street, this will be a street where small businesses establish themselves, grow, and thrive,” said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges.
The funding will come from the Community Redevelopment Agency Fund.
“We want to bring Franklin Street back as Tampa’s shopping, strolling, browsing street," Karen Kress with the downtown partnership said.
The project plans and renderings show that they plan to restore brick streets in the area. They also plan for small parks, cafe lights strung overhead, artistic crosswalks, and strategic landscaping.
David Bailey is the co-owner of 719 Franklin, and he has tenants from all walks of life. Bailey said he is excited about the possibility to revamp the neighborhood and give his tenants better business opportunities.
“It’s a huge opportunity, but, also, it’s a huge area, so you have to have a continuous flow of interesting things to do,” Bailey said.
Kress said they also want to preserve Franklin Street as a historic district, which in the long run could help property owners save money.
“We need to listen to the voice of the people, right?”
Last summer, the Florida Department of Environment Protection considered adding amenities like golf courses, pickleball courts, and hotels to state parks across the state. After public outcry, the plans were shelved, but the fight isn't over for some Florida residents.
