Tampa’s TECO Streetcar Has Been Free Since 2018: That May Soon End
Fare-free ridership on the TECO Streetcar Line is quietly coming to an end, ending close to 6 years of free service. The Florida Department of Transportation’s final grant to maintain fare-free service will last until January 5, 2025. The news comes as ridership reaches record highs. A report from July shows that ridership hit 112,999, contributing to around 1.43 million trips in 2024 so far. The Streetcar Line introduced fare-free riding in 2018 thanks to a $2.7 million grant from FDOT, funding the service until 2021. Afterward, an additional grant of $1.4 million was provided to continue the service from 2021 to 2023. Concerns about the end of fare-free ridership resurfaced in 2024. FDOT has committed to a $700,000 grant for this year, but no promises have been made for the future. The team behind Tampa’s TECO Streetcar is working to change that. A Public Hearing on potential fare adjustments is scheduled for November 7, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, providing opportunities for public comments and survey feedback. The leaders are eager to hear from community members and potentially gather insight into reinstating fare-free ridership. Additionally, seven stations will host Q&A sessions for residents to voice their concerns directly. Fare-Free ridership has been vital for Tampa’s economy. Dense neighborhoods like Tampa’s Water Street District, Channelside, or Ybor, have relied on the streetcar both for tourists and local passenger travel. If fare-free ridership ends, community investment is feared to dwindle. If you’re concerned about fares ending and can’t attend in-person sessions, there’s also an available online survey: TECO Streetcar Survey.
1st Affordable Building Revealed for Rome Yards in Tampa
On September 6th, Related Group and The Tampa Housing Authority revealed plans for their first building at Rome Yards called Gallery at Rome Yards. The building is part of phase 3A. According to a recently filed PD-A Incremental Review Application, phase 3A will include a residential building measuring 11 floors tall and a 4 story parking garage. The 11 floor building will measure 150 FT. As per the site plan table, the multi-family building will include 234 units. The 234 units include 60 one-bedroom units, 152 two-bedroom units, and 22 three-bedroom units for families. Eighty percent of the units are for low-income individuals/families at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The leftover 20 percent is reserved for workforce housing. According to The Tampa Bay Chamber, workforce housing is for individuals making between 80% and 120% of the Hillsborough Country Area Median Income. This includes individuals who are typically teachers, fire fighters, retail workers, construction workers, and more. To handle the excess demand from move-ins, a parking garage with 447 spaces will be built adjacent to the tower. 266 parking spaces are reserved for the first tower, while the others are for future buildings. On the bottom of the parking garage is a workforce training center and 5 live-work units. Rome Yards broke ground on May 21, 2024. Rome Yards will span 18-acres along the Hillsborough River and include 954 units designated to affordable and workforce needs. The current site has no existing buildings beyond surface parking and construction equipment for nearby projects. Zyscovich is the main architect. The first building is located at 2609 N Rome Ave.
455 Foot Crane Submitted For the “Harrison” in Tampa’s Encore District
Aureate Development’s “Harrison” tower in Encore is moving forward. The tower, currently under construction, had 2 crane submissions filed to the FAA in May and July. According to previous submissions, tower crane one will rise 360 feet while tower crane two will rise 290 feet. However, new plans released show the 2nd crane refiled at a staggering 455 FT. According to the work scheduled on the crane, construction will progress from September 1st, 2024 to January 30th, 2026. The tower will be the tallest in Tampa’s Encore District if built. At 237 FT or 20 Floors, the building will house a generous 294 units. Likewise, there will be 23,824 SF of retail (for potentially a grocer), 43,884 SF of office, and 467 parking spaces (although 430 are required under code). Aureate development is planning another tower next door called Muse at Tampa. Construction hasn’t begun for that tower. Baker Barrios is the main architect. The location is 1280 E. Harrison St.