Mayor Buckhorn: InVision Tampa to 'Redefine' Downtown

With the hope of connecting major arteries of Tampa Bay to create a pedestrian-friendly feel and encourage small business growth, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, urban planners and a consulting firm discussed InVision Tampa's purpose and focus on Tuesday morning.

"We've set out on a course to reshape and redefine our urban core," said Buckhorn, standing behind a podium in the City Hall courtyard. "There's been a resurgence in downtown Tampa in ways you can't even imagine."

Buckhorn, county urban planners and members of consulting firm AECOM plan to unveil InVision Tampa's master plan to the community during an open house for the public from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. today at Tampa Preparatory School, 727 W. Cass Street.

The master plan for the two-pronged $1.43 million project, referred to as "City Center," will revamp the area of town that extends from downtown Tampa to Ybor City, winding through Armenia Avenue on the west end and north toward Nebraska Avenue to Hillsborough Avenue.

The goal?

"To connect the community to make it more walkable and liveable," said Peter Sechler of AECOM.

InVision Tampa's second leg will create rail transit for the Nebraska Avenue corridor, Buckhorn said.

"Our goal is that 10 years from now," Buckhorn said, "the waterfront is the center of our downtown, not the western edge."

What do you think of the project? Do you plan to attend the open house today? Tell us in the comments.