TAMPA, Fla. — It's been discussed for years, but a possible new riverwalk extension will be put to a vote on Thursday.
The City of Tampa wants to extend the riverwalk along the west side of the Hillsborough River from Kennedy Boulevard North to Rome Avenue, essentially creating another riverwalk on the other side.
“It starts where Bayshore ends, so you have seamless walk, bike connectivity from Gandy all the way up to downtown and the Heights,” Vik Bhide, Tampa's mobility director, said.
Bhide called the project a game-changer for neighborhoods in West Tampa.
The city is now asking the Community Redevelopment Agency to approve an additional $10 million for this project.
“They will be voting on whether to approve a $10 million request to add to this project to reduce the overall cost burden to the city in the form of future debt,” Bhide said.
This comes after the Citizens Advisory Committee approved the funding with an 8-2-1 vote. The meeting starts Thursday at 9 a.m. and the vote will come shortly after.
'Cruise lights' on Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office patrol cars raise questions, confusion among drivers
Every driver knows that when you see red and blue flashing lights on a patrol car, you slow down, pull over, or get out of the way.
But in Hillsborough County, drivers will also now see deputies with their lights on, but not flashing. They're called "cruise lights," and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) recently implemented their use on all patrol vehicles.