I left Tampa in June of 2016. What has changed since then? (Brooksville: how much, construction)

[Downtown Dave]

I spent 4 months in early 2016 living in Tampa to see if I wanted to live there permanently. I left to work overseas and now I am headed back to Tampa.

I am curious as to what has changed since I left - new or upcoming infrastructure and transportation projects, downtown developments, entertainment options, etc.

1. I am reading up on the Selmon Extension to the Gandy bridge. This seems like a good idea.
2. Is there a Ybor streetcar expansion currently underway? I can't find out if this has started or only in the planning stages.
3. What is Sparkman Wharf? I walked the Riverwalk many times but I don't recall this.
4. Back in 2016 I recall seeing something about a billion dollar toll road that was being discussed or maybe even a vote was coming up. Is there something in the works?
5. Are the Rays ever going to leave Tropicana Field?
6. Any new bike paths/trails/parks in the area? I can't wait to get a bicycle and finally hit the Pinellas Trail.
7. Is the Zika virus still a problem like it was in 2016?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[LKJ1988]

Just hotter is about all.

[Hammocks Bum]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Just hotter is about all.

And trafffic a tad worse....

[TampaFrank]

Hotter
More crowded
Worse traffic
Less affordable

1. Selmon extension is under construction, so Gandy is a nightmare but this will be nice once complete.
2. Streetcar is now free to ride, not sure of the expansion plans/progress.
3. Sparkman Wharf is the new and improved Channelside plaza, due to open late next month.
4. Not sure about the toll road. I think now the push is for paid express lanes on existing highways.
5. Yes, on their way up to Nashville, Charlotte, Montreal or some other baseball starved city that will throw money at them. Ownership tried to strip the team of it's talent prior to this season ala the movie "Major League," but somehow they strung together 90 wins regardless.
6. Pinellas trail is a real gem. There is a new trail in Brooksville called the Good Neighbor Trail -- ten miles that connects to the Withlacoochee trail.
7. Zika doesn't seem to be a concern anymore. The new issue du jour is red tide and toxic algae.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Hammocks Bum

And trafffic a tad worse....

True. And taxes have gone up.

[sinatras]

This will tell you exactly how much hotter Tampa is.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...-hometown.html

[LKJ1988]

This last Sept was the hottest Sept ever and the hottest month ever. This Oct will also be the hottest Oct ever. Nov will be record heat and dry. Every year just keeps getting hotter. It has warmed up so much since i started keeping records in the 70's it is unreal neal.

[MAniacTHW]

1. I am reading up on the Selmon Extension to the Gandy bridge. This seems like a good idea.

2. Is there a Ybor streetcar expansion currently underway? I can't find out if this has started or only in the planning stages.

Still in planning. They secured a grant to do the research to start talking about expanding. Don't expect this to happen for many years, if at all.

3. What is Sparkman Wharf? I walked the Riverwalk many times but I don't recall this.

You'll know it under it's original name: Channelside.

4. Back in 2016 I recall seeing something about a billion dollar toll road that was being discussed or maybe even a vote was coming up. Is there something in the works?

Nothing I've heard of.

5. Are the Rays ever going to leave Tropicana Field?

More than likely, yes. As to where, we have no real idea. The popular opinion is Ybor, but nothing has been worked out.

6. Any new bike paths/trails/parks in the area? I can't wait to get a bicycle and finally hit the Pinellas Trail.

The Riverwalk has been expanded (and finished).

7. Is the Zika virus still a problem like it was in 2016?

No.

[kbrkr]

Heck of a lot more people living here, that's for sure.

[sinatras]

1. More people.
2. More heat.
3. More traffic.
4. More people bragging about Tampa finally "arriving" as a city when in fact it's still a podunk small town with zero sophistication.
5. More people bragging about Downtown Tampa finally "arriving" as a destination when in fact it's still dead after 5 p.m.
6. More taco joints and all of them blow.