Tampa's Drew Park To Get New Look, Design

The City of Tampa recently held a community meeting to discuss the Drew Park Streetscape and Beautification Master Plan project.

The third and final meeting for the project included a presentation of the final draft of conceptual designs for the community plan, providing local residents and property and business owners with a guide for future aesthetic and streetscape public improvements throughout the Drew Park neighborhood.

“The plan outlines design objectives, principles and criteria for specific streetscape sections, as well as guidelines for future projects,” says Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, manager of the Drew Park and West Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). “The plan consists of both descriptive narrative and detailed graphics that capture the intended look of major corridors and other business and residential road segments.”

With funds mainly coming from the Drew Park CRA Tax Increment Financing (TIF), substantial investments will be made to the Drew Park area over the next five years. Among the plans to greatly improve community infrastructure, a major storm water improvement project, which is included in the Master Plan, will significantly reduce flooding while improving roadways and streetscapes for both residents and business in the area.

“Developed with the input of the Drew Park CRA Community Advisory Committee and other community stakeholders, the Plan provides for comprehensive, coordinated improvements that will vastly improve the appearance of Drew Park and its attractiveness for investment,” says Fenton.

Work on basic improvements is slated to begin by the end of 2011.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, City of Tampa