Tampa Riverwalk

[tommyduncn]

Anyone know where I can find renderings of the redeveloped Curtis Hixon Park? What will be the big difference between the existing park and the new plans?

[AKBTampa]

Hi Tommy, nice to see you lurking around here!
http://www.tampagov.net/dept_contrac...ects/index.asp
The main difference will be the layout of the new museums along the site.

[tommyduncn]

Thanks, AKB. Just what I was looking for.

To all of you - please forgive my ignorance, but what's wrong with the existing park? Yeah - the lights are not working, and it could use more shade trees, but that's about it. The park is only 13 years old!

In your opinion, does it really need $15,000,000 of upgrades?

[tampasteve]

I think the new park will look great, but you do have some valid points....I do agree that the $15m could be better spent in the area, like on transit for the arts district, or just amenities and general sprucing up of the area.

Steve

[JBrisco]

I think its money well spent. We don't really have a park that is TAMPA you know?
The downtown parks are ofcourse Tampa but they're tiny.
How about Joe Robbel's Park? That Park is amazing! But look at where its at.
I think Curtis Hixon is gonna be a bad ass park when its done.

[Jasonhouse]

Originally Posted by tommyduncn

In your opinion, does it really need $15,000,000 of upgrades?

Allow me to interject...

$15mil is a pittance for the centerpiece park of our downtown. The city actually could have gone full bore and done even more to that parcel. Like put those two museums some place else, and gotten rid of the garage entirely for Rivergate, and built it some place else, like across Ashley (or vertically, hugged up against the tower, with a ground floor restaurant overlooking the rIver and UT)... The park could have been like 3x bigger, and actually been worth a damn.

[Atl Dan (via Tampa)]

Yeah Jason but that requires creativity and oh nevermind......

[Jasonhouse]

^It doesn't require creativity. Just leadership.

[Atl Dan (via Tampa)]

Unfortunately most of us in this forum have big city tastes but Tampa has a medium city budget. Also, we tend to want things all at once. Remember we (me too since I can't get rid of my house down there yet) are still making the bond payments on:
Ice Palace, Convention Ctr, TBPAC, Centro Ybor, TBHist. Mus., approx 2 miles of streetcar, and associated other projects that were financed over the long haul. Throw in storm water projects (that were long since overdue) and you have budgetary problems.

We could be more creativity with what we have to work with. Hiring local architectural/design firms might help. Nothing breaks a budget like some Chicago architectural firm that doesn't understand the Tampa climate and personalities of the locals. I know that I can't design for San Fran or Seattle, I know that I can for anywhere in Florida, Atlanta and DC (all places I have actually spent a significant amount of time).

[FloridaFuture]

Originally Posted by Atl Dan (via Tampa)

Unfortunately most of us in this forum have big city tastes but Tampa has a medium city budget.

Yes, I have a big city taste but I don't expect Tampa to make parks and other amenities comapred to big cities. It's more proportional then that. I, however, do expect Tampa as a growing, medium sized city to at least be able to work with what it does have, and have the leadership and planning abilities to make a nice medium sized city in relation to similar cities.

That can also go for the metro as a whole, not neccesarily just the city of Tampa.

[ChicagoNative]

This arrived via the Downtown Partnership this morning.

I will not be able to attend, but for the folks who have a strong interest in the direction the park is taking, and the choices made, this would be a great opportunity to meet with the person who's pen is helping shaping Tampa ( under the firm direction of the city!).

Tampa Downtown Partnership invites you to coffee with Mr. Thomas Balsley
*
Mr. Balsley is the architect of the New Curtis Hixon Park and we are very pleased that he has been able to make some time available to show and further describe the plans for the $15 Million renovation of this significant public space.


Where:*Maestro’s Restaurant at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place)
When:* Monday, February 26th at 8:30am to 9:30am
Parking:* Parking as available on the arrival plaza
This is a FREE event.* All who are interested are encouraged to come to this event.* Please share this message with anyone you believe would benefit from this opportunity to learn more about the new Curtis Hixon Park.
*

-

[ChicagoNative]

*
CORRECTION NOTICE
The previous notice had the wrong date.* Please note this event is on Monday, February 25th.
*
Tampa Downtown Partnership invites you to coffee with Mr. Thomas Balsley
*
Mr. Balsley is the architect of the New Curtis Hixon Park and we are very pleased that he has been able to make some time available to show and further describe the plans for the $15 Million renovation of this significant public space.


Where:*Maestro’s Restaurant at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place)
When:* Monday, February 25th at 8:30am to 9:30am
Parking:* Parking as available on the arrival plaza
This is a FREE event.* All who are interested are encouraged to come to this event.* Please share this message with anyone you believe would benefit from this opportunity to learn more about the new Curtis Hixon Park.
*

-

[TampaMike]

Does the City think we have no lifes and are able to go anywhere between the hours of 6 am and 4 pm?

[tampamobster21]

Yeah!! I am just getting to my office at that time. Does anyone NOT work then?? If so, can someone take pictures?

[FloridaFuture]

Riverwalk A Step Closer To Completion
ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 27, 2008

TAMPA - Business and community leaders laced up their walking shoes Saturday morning for the introduction of the Riverwalk's $2.6 million Platt Street Bridge segment.

Mayor Pam Iorio was on hand to celebrate the new link between USF Park, dedicated to the community contributions of the University of South Florida, and the Tampa Convention Center.

After the ribbon-cutting, pedestrians took a stroll on the new passageway from USF Park to Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. Another free Riverwalk tour is set for Saturday at 10 a.m., starting from Cotanchobee park on the pier.

The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the city $600,000 for the segment, and will reimburse an additional $860,000 of the project in 2010, according to the city.

The Trump Tower and Curtis Hixon Park segments are among the 2.2 miles of the passageway along the east banks of the Hillsborough River and the Garrison Channel that are still in the planning stages, the city's Riverwalk update states.

A staff report

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr...on/?news-metro

[HARTride 2012]

This is good news. I'm just hoping the next mayor will carry on Iorio's vision for this.

[Jasonhouse]

^If this isn't done by the time that Iorio is done with her next term, then it ain't ever going to be finished.

[dudeintampa]

I may be wrong, but this is Iorio's last term. She's term limited. She can always do what Greco did and come back after a break, but I think she's done after the current term is over.

[HARTride 2012]

Yep, she's done after this. And as I've said in the past...and Jason saying the same thing basically. If the next mayor doesn't have the same vision, then all bets are off for the completion of the Riverwalk anytime soon.

[Jasonhouse]

right yeah, duh she's in the last term. brain fart.

hey, I was only off by a year! hahaha