Federal Grant Supports More Transit-Oriented Development  News Community Partnerships and Neighborhood Engagement, News General, News Planning and Development, News[...]

Tampa's steady progress and commitment to make streets and neighborhoods more walkable, affordable, and transit-oriented has resulted in a second grant from the Federal Transit Administration to support these ongoing community planning & design efforts.

The $300,000 grant will go to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), the City of Tampa, and the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Pilot Program. The program works with neighborhoods to develop transportation, land use, and zoning code recommendations to improve the quality, form, and design of redevelopment in neighborhoods and along transit corridors.

More specifically, it will provide funding to work closely with neighborhoods to develop urban design plans for an additional four proposed stations along Tampa's future streetcar extension and HART's bus rapid transit line that will link downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida along Florida and Flower Avenues. This work will build upon the ongoing station area planning in Tampa Heights as well as expand community visioning throughout more of Tampa's neighborhoods. The next community design charrette for Tampa Heights is scheduled for February 12, 2022.

"Providing more housing opportunities in our neighborhoods and meeting our evolving transportation needs are critical steps as we Transform Tampa's Tomorrow," said Mayor Jane Castor. "Our undeniable commitment is reflected throughout the plans and projects currently underway to promote sustainable growth and mixed-use development throughout Tampa. We could not be more grateful for grants like these that fuel our efforts and help us cover more ground in a shorter timeframe."

The first grant from the FTA was awarded in 2019. More information about the TOD Planning Pilot Program can be found at https://goharttod.org/ .

The stacked fourplex is an example of a sustainable, pedestrian, and
transit-oriented building that can be found in several of Tampa's neighborhoods.