Making the Hillsborough River the center of downtown

USF802 · November 11th, 2012, 04:06 AM

So as of late, there has been a lot of talk in the news and from the City of Tampa about having the Hillsborough River become the center of downtown Tampa, instead of the proverbial "western boundary" that it is today.

I think it's generally accepted that the river itself and the land abutting it, is sorely underutilized and often overlooked when it comes to development along the river. The river could eventually be the focal point of downtown and spur everything else along the way.

Some ideas I have:
- A western bank riverwalk say from Bayshore to the Heights or even from UT to the heights.
- I think everyone can agree on this; the need for more waterfront restaurants on both sides of the river.
- Pedestrian bridge linking Curtis Hixon and UT and Bayshore to the riverwalk(s).
- More water activity, kayak/canoe rental stations and docks, paddle boats, gondola style ferries.
- Something to make the river a true focal point that will draw people to see it. Something similar to what Providence has with their river fires.
- Strict development rules by the City when it comes to development along the river and the areas nearby.

Lastly, the large swath of empty land, opposite the Sheraton that sits next to the Tribune needs to be developed into either res hi-rise or office tower that is a minimum of 'X' amount of stories tall, say 25 with ground floor retail and a restaurant on the river.

Comments, thoughts, ideas, would love to hear them.

Oh ya the pedestrian bridge I think would look awesome crossing the river: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=pedes...83&tx=43&ty=26

Jasonhouse · November 11th, 2012, 04:12 PM

Sorta makes the trip needlessly long.

ATampaArnold · November 11th, 2012, 08:55 PM

the mayor is going to move the definition of dowtown west to armenia and further north, i forget what road so the river will be in the middle of downtown

Del Mayberry · November 12th, 2012, 08:39 PM

The riverfront will always be important but I don't think it will ever be the center of downtown. If the skyscrapers were built closer and on the west side of the river then maybe it could be but dt is what it is. We need more scrapers on the west side of the river and it wouldn't hurt (IMO) to have a couple along Kennedy, west of Boulevard.

densitymatters · November 13th, 2012, 07:54 AM

A new boat rental business is now open near the convention center. I plan on giving it a try soon. Check out the site http://eboatstampa.com/info/

USF802 · November 14th, 2012, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

Sorta makes the trip needlessly long.

It does, but any pedestrian bridge would have to be high enough to clear passing boats below (without being a drawbridge), which would cause it to be a pretty steep incline/decline. This allows for the height without the steepness, the drawback of course a longer walk.

Also good to see some new boat activity popping up!

TPAMAN · November 14th, 2012, 07:12 PM

THA affirms McCormack selection for West Tampa
Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 10:19am EST
Enlarge Image
The project involves 120 acres on the west side of the Hillsborough River.

The Tampa Housing Authority unanimously agreed Wednesday morning to hire St. Louis community development firm McCormack Baron Salazar as development partner for 120 acres on the west side of the Hillsborough River.

The site includes two THA public housing projects as well as city and Hillsborough County school system property.

AECOM, which has a Tampa office and is working on the InVision Tampa project, is also part of the development team.

The initial contract is estimated to be worth from $200,000 to $350,000.

In 2005 McCormack was a finalist to redevelop the Central Park Village site, now THA’s Encore project. It has developed more than 16,500 homes and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space in 36 cities, including Miami.

November 11th, 2012, 04:06 AM	#1
USF802 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 189 Likes (Received): 3	Making the Hillsborough River the center of downtown So as of late, there has been a lot of talk in the news and from the City of Tampa about having the Hillsborough River become the center of downtown Tampa, instead of the proverbial "western boundary" that it is today. I think it's generally accepted that the river itself and the land abutting it, is sorely underutilized and often overlooked when it comes to development along the river. The river could eventually be the focal point of downtown and spur everything else along the way. Some ideas I have: - A western bank riverwalk say from Bayshore to the Heights or even from UT to the heights. - I think everyone can agree on this; the need for more waterfront restaurants on both sides of the river. - Pedestrian bridge linking Curtis Hixon and UT and Bayshore to the riverwalk(s). - More water activity, kayak/canoe rental stations and docks, paddle boats, gondola style ferries. - Something to make the river a true focal point that will draw people to see it. Something similar to what Providence has with their river fires. - Strict development rules by the City when it comes to development along the river and the areas nearby. Lastly, the large swath of empty land, opposite the Sheraton that sits next to the Tribune needs to be developed into either res hi-rise or office tower that is a minimum of 'X' amount of stories tall, say 25 with ground floor retail and a restaurant on the river. Comments, thoughts, ideas, would love to hear them. Oh ya the pedestrian bridge I think would look awesome crossing the river: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=pedes...83&tx=43&ty=26

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November 11th, 2012, 04:12 PM	#2
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,319 Likes (Received): 8	Sorta makes the trip needlessly long.

November 11th, 2012, 08:55 PM	#3
ATampaArnold Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tampa/Miami Posts: 360 Likes (Received): 1	the mayor is going to move the definition of dowtown west to armenia and further north, i forget what road so the river will be in the middle of downtown

November 12th, 2012, 08:39 PM	#4
Del Mayberry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 514 Likes (Received): 0	The riverfront will always be important but I don't think it will ever be the center of downtown. If the skyscrapers were built closer and on the west side of the river then maybe it could be but dt is what it is. We need more scrapers on the west side of the river and it wouldn't hurt (IMO) to have a couple along Kennedy, west of Boulevard.

November 13th, 2012, 07:54 AM	#5
densitymatters Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 44 Likes (Received): 3	A new boat rental business is now open near the convention center. I plan on giving it a try soon. Check out the site http://eboatstampa.com/info/

November 14th, 2012, 07:12 PM	#7
TPAMAN Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 434 Likes (Received): 3	THA affirms McCormack selection for West Tampa Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 10:19am EST Enlarge Image The project involves 120 acres on the west side of the Hillsborough River. The Tampa Housing Authority unanimously agreed Wednesday morning to hire St. Louis community development firm McCormack Baron Salazar as development partner for 120 acres on the west side of the Hillsborough River. The site includes two THA public housing projects as well as city and Hillsborough County school system property. AECOM, which has a Tampa office and is working on the InVision Tampa project, is also part of the development team. The initial contract is estimated to be worth from $200,000 to $350,000. In 2005 McCormack was a finalist to redevelop the Central Park Village site, now THA’s Encore project. It has developed more than 16,500 homes and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space in 36 cities, including Miami.