Can Tampa grow into a world-class city???

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

I hate to sound like a recording on repeat, but again, it is in dire need of a rail network linking Downtown to USF, St-Pete, and either Clearwater or North Pinellas. Tampa is in a bizarre position in that it has strong urban characteristics, but somehow fails to be an urban place. Light Rail similar to what Charlotte has would do great.

No more a record on repeat than me, as I've LITERALLY posted several times in this topic "Tampa could be a world class city IF systemic leadership deficiencies and lack of vision are addressed". That train has left the station, lol.

Seriously, Tampa has rejected and/or blown opportunity after opportunity for alternative transit decades ago. City leaders could've petitioned and entered into an agreement with CSX for the same kind of mediocre deal that Orlando now enjoys with Sunrail. The mindset has to change and leaders with a vision need to push that agenda and stick to it. Tampa Bay has several underutilized rail lines heading in all directions from Manatee to Hernando counties. Those lines parallel commuting patterns of I-75, I-275 and I-4 and a few other arterial thoroughfares into the city that could've easily bolstered rail travel in the region. With the demise of TBARTA, the Bay Area's LAST hope is Brightline, and even that's years away. The fact that the Bay Area couldn't keep a multi county transit authority alive is very telling. Meanwhile in Jacksonville, ENTER First Coast Commuter Rail....

[cjairo191]

Who is in control in Hillsborough County and back a few decades is all you need to know. Starts with a R. We know South Florida passed you in progress, but now we have Orlando way ahead with Commuter rail and a fast train to Miami. Come on Tampa Bay. Jacksonville next?????

[persephone0]

Originally Posted by saturno_v

Metro Tampa Bay lack of mass transit system alone severely limits its ability to make it into Alpha status, that is one of the parameter.
The real question is.....why Tampa needs to be officially recognized as a "world class city"?? For all intent and purposes, it is already, great place to live, gorgeous environment, great food and social scene, great climate and it got already its fair share of BS recognition prizes.
Times magazine declared Tampa the most beautiful city in the world or one of the greatest for 2023, I do not recall the exact title, Forbes voted Tampa has having the best quality of life than any other large US cities and the World Economic Forum voted Tampa the most green (in term of trees) city in the world.
We do not need quarter of mile skyscrapers either...what for?? One of the most attractive features of Tampa and the other metro downtowns (St. Pete, Clearwater) is how even at their core, they are not very dense. I do not like to see too many people living in vertical concrete beehives....

People around the world are starting to know about Tampa. Tampa Bay area, including Sarasota, is already a 5 million souls behemoth

We do not need the publicity (and the increase in home prices) associated to an official Alpha city status. We do need that Transit System ASAP though....

I agree... wholeheartedly..what makes tampa stp/clearwater itself is not skyscrapers (yawn) but its indie artsy Character.

And you know the metro stations always bring the riff raff..however, i will say Im a non-driver and i get around with biking and scooters and uber just fine!!

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by persephone0

I agree... wholeheartedly..what makes tampa stp/clearwater itself is not skyscrapers (yawn) but its indie artsy Character.

And you know the metro stations always bring the riff raff..however, i will say Im a non-driver and i get around with biking and scooters and uber just fine!!

Definitely don’t need a bunch of skyscrapers. Mid and low rise infill to replace abandoned lots and surface parking lots is the best approach to vitalizing neighborhoods.

Curious, where do you live?