We all know Tampa has a huge cuban and spanish background, my question is as we build this riverwalk ,around the perimeter of the huge growth we are expected in downtown. Should we have spanish restaurants and businesse's etc.. As the main theme ???

While Malio's has already said they were going down near there,could others follow???

Comments??

Side bar nothing better than some cuban sandwiches,devil crabs,stuffed potatoes,ropa veja,piccadillo,chicken malanesa,yuca mash,and finally roasted pork with moho..

I'm all for part of the riverwalk being Spanish themed, like maybe the part around the Performing Arts Center. But making the entire riverwalk a Spanish theme would be silly IMO.

I think you need to use caution when applying a theme to a public project. Often times, theme can equate to gimmick.

That said, I think that incorporating Spanish elements into the Riverwalk in spots would be fine. In order to create something that's special, it's important to accentuate what makes Tampa unique from other cities.

Our Spanish heritage and influence is certainly one of those aspects. So are alligators, Pirate lore, tropical flora, etc.

When it's finally completed, I hope the Riverwalk will be something so unique to Tampa with features that you could never find in Chattanooga, San Antonio, or the other cities that are cited as reference points on this project.

I as well think that a themed Riverwalk would be too, how do I choose this wisely, umm, well it would be kind of displaying only one of the many heritages that make up the melting pot of Florida. I think that if they were going to do a Spanish theme, then they should do an Italian, French, Dutch, and so on and so forth. I think that a section, like others have said, could be devoted to Spanish heritage.

Does Spain's riverwalk have a Tampa theme??? Do something original, don't make it a contrived, phony theme park.

Well I think that Tampa and all American cities for that matter should make an effort to share its heritage, good or bad, because in this age cities (some) are making the move up and getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. Although when they do that they take away the past and the history is lost to those of the past. Case in point...Tampa with the mob. It basically built the city. If we were going to have a theme at all I think actually be contemporary, personally I like contempo design.

Does Spain's riverwalk have a Tampa theme??? Do something original, don't make it a contrived, phony theme park.

I dont want it all spainish.lol But have some vendors with even carts that has Tampa's cuisine all along the river like say on the nights and weekends.

Kinda like New York-Chicago-Philly they serve up some of the best city streets food you could only imagine how great it is to go and get a hotdog-polish dog , maybe a slice of pizza..
I can see cafe's and coffee shops, tatoo parlors, art venues, even pubs and outdoor drinking areas..

Make it happen TAMPA by Superbowl time 2009... :runaway: :cheers:

I can not wait to see what is going to be coming downtown when Skypoint is built. I will definitely be downtown more often at night. Without the hobos of course.

Does Spain's riverwalk have a Tampa theme??? Do something original, don't make it a contrived, phony theme park.
I heard Madrid was doing a Tampa theme project. :jk:

The reason they want to do a Spanish theme, is because of our history and we were founded by Spaniards, so it would be smart to put them in our Riverwalk. Tampians didn't find Spain, did they?

I agree, it would look a little chessy if we have a section for every history on the Riverwalk. One or two would be fine

I would have to agree. (I heard Madrid was doing a Tampa theme project.) Great comment.

No Spanish theme. Not all the people that live in Tampa are from Cuban descent. Hell...I said about 80% of us that live here are from the north or from another countries. Displaying Spanish theme will elinate the other majority or minority groups.

No Spanish theme. Not all the people that live in Tampa are from Cuban descent. Hell...I said about 80% of us that live here are from the north or from another countries. Displaying Spanish theme will elinate the other majority or minority groups.
There are now more puerto ricans (read: americans) in the region than cubans.

Italy?Mini Leaning Tower? England? Mini Big Ben? China? Communist.......Great Wall?

What all great ideas, but maybe for a theme park. Thinking about it, I would rather have a nice, layed back Riverwalk that brings out the beauty of Tampa. Have a couple restaurants and cafes, but leave it with the benches and nice trees and............ what the heck, I hate the design already.

No Spanish theme. Not all the people that live in Tampa are from Cuban descent. Hell...I said about 80% of us that live here are from the north or from another countries. Displaying Spanish theme will elinate the other majority or minority groups.

I am a native Tampanian and would just like to see some of the old Tampa brought back.. The cuisine-cigars just something..

I want it to be Americana as well..

Here's an idea - burn the silly renderings and the $40 mil price tag. Next, build a walkway next to the river - with some nice pavers, landscaping, and lighting. Then, let there be restaurants and stores next to the walkway. Then add some access from the main streets. Then, build a pedestrian bridge to Bayshore or make a good sidewalk on the bridges already there. Then let people walk. I have no idea why this concept is so hard for all involved.

I thought it might be cool if the city were to build like pedestrian bridges across the Hillsborough River, downtown of course.

Does Spain's riverwalk have a Tampa theme???

That would be one giant riverwalk. :)

That would be one giant riverwalk. :) Explain please.

Explain please.

Spain is a rather large country with a huge coast.

Make the riverwalk a ethnicity theme with culture from many different countries if you want to have a culture theme. But even that would be very crappy. If they have a Spanish restraunt I'd be happy. I just want something original and modern.

Me as well. I think it should highlight the class of Tampa, well parts.

I think a Cuban theme would be interesting. Aren't there more Cubans in Miami, though?

I think a Cuban theme would be interesting. Aren't there more Cubans in Miami, though?

Ya but Cubans were VERY important to Tampa. If you've ever been to Ybor City, it wouldnt exist if it werent for the Cubans.

Ya but Cubans were VERY important to Tampa. If you've ever been to Ybor City, it wouldnt exist if it werent for the Cubans.
What about the italians

Like I said previously in my last posting. Let keep ethic theme from the riverwalk or risk offending other group. Keep it simple and functional. Sometime the simplest design are the best. FloridaFutre is right that Cubans played a major roll in developing Tampa in the hay days but that is why it is in Y-Bor City and let keep it there. Design the riverwalk for Tampa of today and for the future.

That is exactly what I was saying. I said it should be something that will be more contemporary.