Ribbon-Cutting Set Tuesday For Lykes Gaslight Park Food Kiosk

TAMPA, FL — City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will join Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting officially opening of The Square, a temporary public space activation project at Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa.

The project features a food kiosk operated by the Tampa Downtown Partnership with grab n' go options provided by Inside the Box, part of Metropolitan Ministries. In addition, the Tampa Downtown Partnership temporarily installed movable tables and chairs, overhead lighting and will offer music and other public space activities during the project's duration.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the park, 241 E. Madison St.

"Over the past decade, the partnership has focused on activating public spaces like Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, which has now become a year-round gathering place for families and residents," Remund said. "Activating Lykes Gaslight Park is the next step towards seeing these great public spaces reach their full potential."

Remund said Lykes Gaslight Square Park has long needed additional park amenities and regularly scheduled programming.

While the partnership has long-term goals for Lykes Gaslight Square Park, the organization would also like to hear from those who live, work and visit downtown. Rather than a traditional public meeting or an online survey, Remund said the partnership has opted to construct a temporary version of the potential park improvements for the public to experience and engage while given the opportunity to offer feedback.

Following the ribbon-cutting, the partnership will provide an on-site mobile office for public engagement during the trial period to gather feedback.

The Lykes Gaslight Square Park project will run for 90 days. During that time, various operating hours of the activation will be tested to determine if the public prefers breakfast, lunch or dinner service or some combination of the three.

Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, membership-based not-for-profit organization that serves downtown through marketing, business development, transportation, advocacy, public space activation, planning and beautification.