On Thursday, June 14, Tampa Theatre will be one of only a handful of theatres in the country to open the new documentary, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” In the spirit of Mr. Rogers’ enduring message, the historic movie palace and the Tampa Downtown Partnership will host a FREE Franklin Street Block Party from 5 […]

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn remembers how underutilized, underappreciated, and unattractive the city’s waterfront was when he first arrived in 1987. The blocks of offices and surface parking lots located downtown, near the confluence of the Hillsborough River and the bay, provided few reasons to come downtown beyond work. “The city had turned its back on […]

TAMPA — The network of six-seat electric golf carts that gives free rides around downtown Tampa may be joining the transportation big leagues. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit is in talks with the Tampa Downtown Partnership to take over running the Downtowner free shuttle service. The partnership started the service in 2016, putting a fleet of […]

By Tim Fanning, Times Staff Writer Published: May 22, 2018 TAMPA – If you looked up and down the Hillsborough River in the 1980s, you would have seen much of the shoreline reinforced with vertical walls built in an attempt to stave off erosion or, in some cases, as a convenient place to park a […]

The blue-and-white yard signs are flying off give-away tables. The car flags, too. And a big blue banner proclaiming “Go Bolts!” now hangs from the city’s Municipal Office Building downtown. It’s Stanley Cup playoff time in Tampa. On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the New Jersey Devils to open the first round […]

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority is “strongly urging” Jacobs Engineering and the Florida Department of Transportation to include dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit from downtown St. Petersburg to the University of South Florida, the agency told the Tampa Bay Business Journal Wednesday. The regional transit agency doesn’t have authority to implement provisions […]

March 14, 2018 by Press Release Games and Attractions Include Fun Run/Walk, Costume Contests, and Scavenger Hunts WHAT Join Mayor Bob Buckhorn for the 7th Annual Mayor’s River O’ Green Fest, presented by Grow Financial and brought to you by Tampa Downtown Partnership. Family and friends are invited to join the festivities with Irish fare, […]

By: Karen Kress, AICP Published by 83 Degrees “Motivating, Safe, Scenic, Pleasant and Introspective” were the words my colleagues at the Tampa Downtown Partnership used to describe the new way they used to travel to work during Commuter Challenge 18. I threw out the challenge to them thinking it was a long shot, but was […]

TAMPA, Fla. — Leave your car at home, and try another mode of transportation for a trip, a day, or the week, and see benefits of avoiding traffic, burning calories and saving money, Plan Hillsborough and the Tampa Downtown Partnership said. Plan Hillsborough and the Tampa Downtown Partnership are hosting The Bay Area’s Commuter Challenge […]

Legislation that would provide transparency and accountability provisions for publicly-funded economic development agencies and tourism promotion agencies advanced in a Florida Senate committee Monday afternoon, thanks to an amendment added to the bill (SB 1714) by the sponsor, Gainesville Republican Keith Perry. The transparency bill would would require local tourism agencies that receive more than […]

The Tampa Downtown Partnership wants to expand its special taxing authority to areas north of Interstate 275 where development activity is increasing. A proposal before Tampa City Council on Thursday would allow the group to expand its Downtowner shuttle into the Heights. Money collected by expanding the group’s special district would mean the popular free […]

Social wall brings together two large-scale events onto one social platform with use of hashtags TAMPA (January 24, 2017) — Tampa Downtown Partnership is launching a social wall to engage with the over 300,000 guests expected to attend the Gasparilla Pirate Fest and the NHL All-Star weekend in Tampa’s Downtown. When posts are made to […]

COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT #41 POTENTIAL DISTRICT EXPANSION WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COMMUNITY MEETING? All property and business owners, residents, and stakeholders located within: the Special Services District #41 (the “SSD”), which is shown in blue on the map below; and the areas surrounding the SSD that are shown in yellow on the […]

TAMPA — When Omar Garcia announced plans to transform a vacant downtown office building into 120 micro apartments of about 300 square feet each, the calls and checks poured in. “We got 90 reservations like that,” Garcia said Tuesday, snapping his fingers at a Tampa Downtown Partnership panel discussion on micro housing, and 88 percent […]

For Downtown Tampa families with young children, the neighborhood isn’t an urban jungle, it’s an urban jungle gym with easy access to outdoor space and cultural activities. According to a recent biennial survey compiled by Tampa Downtown Partnership, married couples with children make up 21 percent of the population living downtown or within three miles […]

Free pink ping-pong in the Park. Free admission to the Glazer Children’s Museum. Free Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt in Curtis Hixon Park. The Tampa Downtown Partnership is hosting several free family events over winter break, including art-deco ping-pong at Gaslight Park, free concerts at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and free admission for kids, […]

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – You can ice skate for free and watch a classic Christmas movie tonight when Winter Village opens in downtown Tampa. The annual holiday event is held in Curtis Hixon Park, which is located along the Hillsborough River. Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Lightning Bug and Tampa Bay Rays mascot Raymond will join […]

TAMPA (FOX 13) – Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park has once again been transformed into a riverside winter village. There will be a holiday market and a waterfront cafe, plus the city’s only outdoor ice rink has been set up. The popular skating rink opens Friday. Skates are available to rent, and yes, it’s real ice. […]

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County legislative delegation has voted to support the idea of creating a commercial improvement district for the $3 billion Water Street Tampa project being launched by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ capital fund, Cascade Investment. The proposed Water Street Tampa Improvement District would collect assessments […]

TAMPA – Before the historic Tampa Theatre closed on Monday for six weeks to undergo $6 million in renovations, it hosted a special Sunday night screening - Back to the Future. The 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox is about travelling back in time, which also is the theme of the restoration project underway at the […]

TAMPA (November 2, 2017) – Tampa Downtown Partnership kicks off the holidays on November 17 with the ribbon cutting of Winter Village in Curtis Hixon Park, presented by USAmeriBank. Downtown Tampa’s only outdoor ice rink welcomes families and friends to share in this holiday tradition along the Tampa Riverwalk and Hillsborough River as Curtis Hixon […]

Tampa Downtown Magazine Who puts an ice rink in the middle of Florida? The Tampa Downtown Partnership, that’s who. Get a peek behind the scenes of the planning and assembling of downtown’s coolest event. People didn’t believe the ice could be real. “It has to be plastic” was the common reaction, says Rachel Radawec, the […]

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County legislative delegation has voted to support the idea of creating a commercial improvement district for the $3 billion Water Street Tampa project being launched by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ capital fund, Cascade Investment. The proposed Water Street Tampa Improvement District would collect assessments […]

TAMPA (FOX 13) – Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park has once again been transformed into a riverside winter village. There will be a holiday market and a waterfront cafe, plus the city’s only outdoor ice rink has been set up. The popular skating rink opens Friday. Skates are available to rent, and yes, it’s real ice. […]

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – You can ice skate for free and watch a classic Christmas movie tonight when Winter Village opens in downtown Tampa. The annual holiday event is held in Curtis Hixon Park, which is located along the Hillsborough River. Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Lightning Bug and Tampa Bay Rays mascot Raymond will join […]

TAMPA – It’s that time of year. Winter Village opening today at downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Holiday event runs through Jan. 5 Curtis Hixon Park Winter Village Downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is transforming into a winter wonderland. Winter Village kicks off today with a variety of activities, including the Bay area’s […]

It may feel like summer year round in Tampa, but our city always manages to infuse the downtown area with the spirit of the season. Beginning November 17 and through January 5, Curtis Hixon Park will be transformed into a magical Winter Village. Residents consistently flock to the park in the winter for the outdoor […]

TAMPA – The Broadway Series, the most lucrative shows of the year for the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, start this week, and this year the center wants all the drama to take place on stage, not during the drive to the theater. So Straz administrators have spent months working with […]

TAMPA (October 19, 2017) — Tampa Downtown Partnership and Downtowner celebrate a full year of the free ride service in Downtown Tampa, announcing ridership of more than 180,500 and the addition of a new “combo ride” feature during a press conference held today at 2pm in Cotanchobee Park. “Downtowner free ride service has changed the […]

Tampa Bay’s business community is not only growing in size but also in depth and diversity. There’s simply a lot more going on, and what’s going on typically is more sophisticated and, frankly, more interesting. Welcome to a maturing metro area. Tampa Bay’s still has big aspirations, as it should. And it still has plenty […]

TAMPA – Tampa Downtown Partnership president and CEO Christine Burdick is retiring after a 15-year run that saw the city’s urban core take some big steps along the path from dead zone to playground. Burdick, 68, plans to focus on special projects through her retirement on Jan. 1, with chief operating officer Lynda Remund helping […]

Tampa Downtown Partnership CEO Christine Burdick is retiring at the end of this year, the group announced Wednesday. Burdick will stay on until Dec. 31 and will focus on special projects, while Chief Operating Officer Lynda Remund will help with day-to-day operations. “Christine has been an integral part of the growth and success of the […]

“We specialize in large graphic murals and commissioned artwork,” Scalise, who owns Tada! Traditional and Digital Arts, said. So it was no surprise that when Scalise was given the opportunity to paint a mural on the side of a Downtown Tampa building, she jumped on it. “It’s art, everyone loves it, and it puts color […]

Do the Local Motion is back this October with free guided walking tours of Downtown Tampa, highlighting the area’s architecture, public art or historical locations. Guided tours are a great way to uncover local culture, both indoors and outdoors, with an informed leader. Participants learn about the city and also get a daily dose of […]

That’s So Tampa The Coast Bike Share continues to see its popularity rise as new stations expand downtown’s fleet. With support from the Tampa Downtown Partnership, five new stations and one expanded station are set to be introduced with more stations forthcoming. The new stations can be found at: Laurel and Doyle Carlton NE 12th […]

Saint Petersblog Written by Peter Schorsch The Tampa Downtown Partnership and Downtowner cycled a pair of Chevy Bolts into its all-electric fleet Wednesday, promising lightning fast access for plugged-in downtown Tampa commuters. “Adding these vehicles to the fleet will reduce wait times, support increasing ridership demand and provide riders with protection from the Florida heat […]

TAMPA (August 2, 2017) – Tampa Downtown Partnership and Downtowner announce the addition of two new Chevy Bolts to the 12-vehicle fleet of GEM cars. The vehicles hit the roads of Downtown Tampa at 11:30am on August 2, 2017. “With the quick adoption of the app-based service and growing ridership, it was clear to us […]

Tampa Downtown Partnership is pleased to announce the promotion of three employees; Lynda Remund as Chief Operating Officer, Ashly Anderson as Senior Design Manager, and Rachel Radawec as Placemaking and Community Engagement Manager. “Each of these positions play an important role in supporting the four key initiatives the Tampa Downtown Partnership staff, Board and Executive […]

Working from the belief that Tampa’s streets should be safe for every user on the road, the FDOT will expand upon a pavement resurfacing project in 2018 with the installation of the first protected bicycle track on a state highway. The cycle track — also known as an “urban shared-use path” — will run along […]

ABC Action News Sean Daly TAMPA, Fla. – Wannabe Hulks might get angry this weekend when they can’t fins a parking space in downtown Tampa. Creating a perfect pop-culture storm, Tampa Bay Comic Con, Fourth Friday’s free museums and the Art of the Brick will all bring ginormous crowds into the city at the same […]

Tampa Bay Newswire TAMPA (June 15, 2017) – Tampa Downtown Partnership celebrates another year of growth and expansion by reflecting on spotlight projects from 2016-2017, establishing a set of new strategic initiatives for the coming two years, and welcoming new leadership. “We’ve been able to accomplish some pretty incredible things this past year,” said Immediate […]

Tampa Bay Times Written by Langston Taylor TAMPA – Whatever the future may hold for a stadium in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Rays are leaving their existing outpost in the city when the team merchandise store downtown closes up shop Friday. Customers received an email from the team saying the owner of the Park Tower […]

Tampa Bay Times Written by Laura Reiley CELEBRATE: INDEPENDENCE Do fireworks make you hungry? If a backyard barbecue isn’t in the cards over the holiday, Locale Market is hosting a four-day event Tuesday to July 7. They will offer a special tasting menu on those days of classic Americana foods for $17.76. (Get it?!) Each […]

Saint PetersBlog Written by Mitch Perry More than 40 residents of downtown Tampa gathered Thursday night at the John P. Germany Library to talk about making Herman Massey Park a more desirable place to frequent. Surrounded by trees – and rarely used by the non-homeless – the 29-year-old half-acre park on North Franklin Street is […]

Tampa Bay Business Journal Director of Placemaking at Tampa Downtown Partnership EDUCATION:  Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Baton Rouge, LA) Drinkard has been selected as one of the industry’s 28 brightest professionals for the 2017 Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program for the International Downtown Association. Link to full article.

Tampa Bay Times Written by Susan Taylor Martin TAMPA – Riverwalk Place, a 53-story tower planned for downtown Tampa, will have four restaurants, “many, many” outdoor tables and a rooftop bar atop the garage. And that’s not enough, developer Larry Feldman says. Ideally, the project will spur what he calls the “Beach Drive-ification” of Tampa’s […]

The Politico Written by Richard Danielson Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn likes to say that when he moved here in 1980, only 600 people lived downtown – 300 of them at the old Morgan Street jail. Now wonder. Downtown Tampa in 1980 had been in decline for decades. A century before, early leaders had charted its […]

Tampa Bay Business Journal Written by Janelle Irwin As the Tampa Downtown Partnership makes plans to expand its popular free Downtowner service with Chevrolet Bolts, the group’s sister agency in St. Petersburg is taking a different approach. It’s a prime example of why transportation planners say a one-size-fits-all model of moving people isn’t the best […]

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Written by Linda Saul-Sena Jane Jacobs kicked ass. As a journalist, activist and urban pioneer she stood up to Robert Moses, the second most powerful man in America, and fought successfully to save her neighborhood. Citizen Jane: Battle for the City, a new documentary about this dynamic woman, screens Wednesday night, […]

Tampa Bay News Wire TAMPA, Fla. (May 22, 2017) – Tampa Downtown Partnership is proud to announce the addition of the TECO Line Streetcar System to the Fourth Friday lineup of promotions. The Streetcar will now be free to all Fourth Friday participants wearing the complimentary wristbands distributed by participating arts and cultural venues. “THS, […]

83 DEGREES By: Jessi Smith The distinct metal clink and pressurized hiss of aerosol paint cans in action filled the air during the most recent Vision Zero Hillsborough workshop this spring, as more than 40 volunteers teamed up to create a bright green bike lane along the Bullard Parkway Bridge in Temple Terrace using temporary, […]

100,000th rider will receive a Tampa Bay Sports Package Sometime this week the Downtown Partnership’s Downtowner free rideshare service will hit its 100,000 rider marking an unprecedented milestone for the Downtowner and this collaborative project. The lucky rider will win a full Tampa Bay Sports package including tickets and gifts from the Rays, Bucs, Lightning […]

TAMPA, Fla. (April 21, 2017) – When the sun goes down, the streets of Tampa and Ybor light up with music, laughter, art, friends and FREE fun the Fourth Friday of every month. Now in its second year, Fourth Friday, presented by TECO Energy, announces its lineup for this month’s event on Friday, April 28: […]

TAMPA (April 20, 2017) – When Tampa Downtown Partnership launched the free ride service Downtowner six months ago, Greg Minder, Chair of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, knew it would provide a valuable service to residents, the downtown workforce, and visitors. “When Downtowner was launched on October 20 we knew it would serve a circulation and […]

Tampa Bay News Wire TAMPA (April 19, 2017) – Tampa Downtown Partnership is proud to announce the appointment of Karen Kress, AICP, Director of Planning and Transportation, to Commissioner for the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission. Kress took her oath of office representing the City of Tampa at the Planning Commission’s April 10 meeting. In […]

ABC ACTION NEWS, Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Shaun Drinkard discusses all the happenings at this year’s Mayor’s River O’Green Fest in Downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. View the morning segment. Join Mayor Bob Buckhorn for the 6th Annual Mayor’s River O’ Green Fest, presented by Grow Financial and brought to you […]

Events, new bike hubs, and a #CoastChallenge all happening during the month of March TAMPA (February 28, 2017) – Tampa Downtown Partnership announces the kick-off of Florida Bike Month by promoting local bike events, continuing the success of the Bike Friendly Business program, adding Downtown bike amenities, and supporting bicycle safety education. Director of Transportation […]

THE ORACLE By: Breanne Williams Due to its immense success, the cit is prepared to not only continue Fourth Friday, a monthly event in downtown Tampa celebrating the city’s arts and, but also enhance the festivities as it celebrates its one-year anniversary. Fourth Friday began as a collaboration between multiple cultural venues downtown, like the […]

FOX 13 NEWS By: FOX 13 News Staff Sure, downtown Tampa has the Riverwalk, the streetcar, Amalie Arena, and Curtis Hixon Park. But did you know there’s ping pong? Every Thursday is ping pong day at Lykes Gaslight Park. From 12 to 1 p.m., you can stop by for a free game of table tennis […]

THE ORACLE By: Nicole Cate, Lifestyle Editor Don’t touch the pieces. Stand behind the line. No playing. These are the most common guidelines displayed in places that exhibit art, but a Tampa-based design firm founded by USF alumni is throwing the rulebook out the window. The Urban Conga, run by Ryan Swanson, constructs installations in […]

  Tampa Bay Business Journal Written by Margie Manning A Florida legislative panel has approved a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida along with several tax incentives for businesses. The Florida House Subcommittee on Careers and Competition  voted for the measure on Wednesday, backed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land-O’Lakes) and opposed […]

BEST WORKPLACES FOR COMMUTERS Best Workplaces for CommutersSM named 231 U.S.-based companies to receive 2017 Best Workplaces for Commuters national recognition. This designation recognizes employers that offer exceptional employer-provided commuter benefits that meet National Standard of Excellence criteria. To be designated among the nation’s Best Workplaces for Commuters, employers must provide benefits that result in […]

TAMPA MAGAZINE Written By: McKenna Kelley Jeff Vinik and Mayor Bob Buckhorn Give a Glimpse into Downtown Tampa’s Next Five to 10 Years. A note from the Publisher, Greg Jasso: TAMPA Magazine’s office has been located on Harbour Island – in the shadow of Downtown Tampa – for the past 14 years. During that time […]

New website features bold imagery, easy navigation, and a fresh face for Downtown Tampa Tampa Downtown Partnership is proud to announce the launch of the newly redesigned website, TampasDowntown.com. The new website features a clean design that showcases Tampa’s urban core to residents, workers, business owners, and visitors alike. “Our new design is dynamic and […]

TAMPA BAY TIMES By: Sue Carlton Okay, so it’s not quite the same as being a man without a country. But suddenly I find myself a woman without a parking space. Except in college when I waited tables and we lowly employees were banished to the outermost edges of the mall parking lot, I have […]

CREATIVE LOAFING The Tampa Downtown Partnership honors a decade of urban excellence. By: Linda Saul-Sena Time passes, things change and we rush on. There’s value in freeze-framing a moment in the evolution of our community and reflecting on the accomplishments to date. The Tampa Downtown Partnership (TDP) took a beat Nov. 30 atop the Beck […]

83 DEGREES MEDIA The Tampa Downtown Partnership is soliciting responses for its fifth biennial survey of Downtown Tampa’s student, residents and workers. Since the surveys were firs compiled in 2008, their findings have helped seed initiatives in Downtown Tampa such as enhanced accessibility to the river, fitness events in the parks, new museums and attractions, […]

Ridership of the free ride service continues to grow each week On October 20, the Tampa Downtown Partnership launched Downtowner free ride service and within one minute of going live, the app had the first ride request. In the first month of being launched, Downtowner has served nearly 13,000 riders and its drivers have covered […]

TAMPA BAY TIMES By: Anastasia Dawson Between construction, a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game and typical rush-hour traffic, it was difficult to get to the Downtowner launch party near Channelside Thursday night. But the heavy traffic created a fitting backdrop for the launch of the new shuttle service, which hopes to encourage downtown residents and […]

Outdoor ice rink, holiday market, and waterfront cafe add holiday cheer to Downtown Tampa TAMPA (October 18, 2016) – Tampa Downtown Partnership announces the transformation of Curtis Hixon Park into a Winter Village this holiday season. Running November 18 through December 25, all are welcome to enjoy Downtown Tampa’s Winter Village complete with an outdoor […]

TAMPA BAY TIMES By: Richard Danielson After a week of asking South Pinellas commuters what they think of the soon-to-begin Cross-Bay Ferry, the Tampa Downtown Partnership said Monday it’s gotten more than 400 online responses and likes what it’s hearing. “We are really encouraged by the interest in the program and believe it is another […]

TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL By: Ashley Gurbal Kritzer Apartment development in downtown Tampa shows no signs of slowing any time soon. Two major projects took key steps forward this week. The developers of a 22-story tower in the Channel district announced an equity commitment of more than $15 million and closed on a construction loan. […]