Tampa Gets $24 Million Grant To Extend Riverwalk West Of River

TAMPA, FL — The city of Tampa was awarded $24 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to extend the west side of the Riverwalk North and connect neighborhoods around the city.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor made the announcement Thursday.

“This is a transformative project for the city of Tampa that will lead to significant investments in West Tampa and the West River,” Castor said. “Not only will the continuation of the Riverwalk on the west side of the river provide safe multimodal transportation choices for pedestrians and commuting cyclists, but it will create a world-class destination for the surrounding new and existing neighborhoods.

The funds are part of the USDOT's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD)discretionary grant program, which has $1 billion available this year.

“BUILD grants will upgrade infrastructure across America, making our transportation systems safer and more efficient,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The grants are awarded on a competitive basis for projects that have a significant local or regional impact including roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation.

Projects for BUILD are evaluated on safety, economic competitiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability, state of good repair, innovation and partnership merits.

“Tampa’s strategic growth and quality of life are fueled in part by the Hillsborough River, and the completion of the Riverwalk on the east side has led to billions of dollars in new economic development that has brought downtown to life once again," Castor said. "A project like this will spur growth and lead to new business opportunities, jobs, affordable housing developments and more ways for our residents and visitors to enjoy our waterfront as we Transform Tampa’s Tomorrow.

“I could not be more thankful for all the hard work our federal partners, Sen. Scott, Sen. Rubio and Congresswoman Castor put in to make this happen," she said.

“It is great news that the city of Tampa will receive a $24 million BUILD grant,” Sen. Marco Rubio said.“This funding will help to significantly improve and modernize the city’s transportation infrastructure. I look forward to seeing the completion of these projects and to continuing my work with the administration to support efforts to improve mobility options across our great state.”

“Our $24 million BUILD federal grant to Tampa will lift our neighborhoods, build mobility and increase connectivity through 12 miles of contiguous multi-modal paths, and provide needed improvements to our streets," U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said. "I rigorously championed the city of Tampa’s vision due to the transformational improvements that previous grants have provided for our hometown and the related jobs. In fact, our Tampa Riverwalk was completed thanks to $10 million in federal funding and it’s been the linchpin in Tampa's redeveloping downtown and waterfront. Mayor Castor is a tremendous partner in helping to secure these infrastructure dollars and build on our vision for a safer, friendlier and connected Tampa."

When the project is complete, it will include a 12.2-contiguous-mile path separate from automobile traffic, except for enhanced crossing locations. This will connect three neighborhoods that are Opportunity Zones on the west side of the Hillsborough River to the downtown community.

It will also provide safe mobility options for pedestrians and bicyclists to commute to the University of Tampa, West Tampa, Ybor City, Tampa Heights and the downtown Tampa area.

The project lies within the West River Redevelopment Plan, which focuses on a 120-acre area bounded by Rome Avenue, Columbus Avenue, the Hillsborough River and Interstate 275, areas that were divided decades ago when I-275 was constructed in Tampa.

The plan recommends reconnecting the streets and blocks to each other, strong ties with public education and community services, a keen focus on linkages along the Hillsborough River to emergent activities south of I-275 in North Hyde Park to the waters of Tampa Bay, and more than 1,600 new residential units, with a variety of housing styles and affordability.

Ultimately, over the next 10 years, the goal is to create a diverse and economically integrated community.