Guest post by Kevin Young and Kasi Martin
Recognizing a need
Seeing the potential for development, a Better Block Planning Committee formed. A
Mixed-use development
Redevelopment with an emphasis on low-rise residential buildings
Pedestrian/bike friendly thoroughfare
Locally-owned restaurants and retail
Expansion of artistic and creative offerings (The Rialto Theater and Franklin St. Finest Woodworking have already set up shop)
Significant obstacles to this vision were also identified during the planning exercise:
Exclusion of the corridor from Community Redevelopment Area special funding districts and a general lack of city redevelopment attention.
The lack of a neighborhood identity (no district name)
Perceived safety issues associated with a large homeless population using North Franklin Street to travel to social service offerings in the neighborhood.
A lack of transportation planning including no bike lane, needs for traffic calming, lack of foot traffic, lack of bicycle racks, no bike share stations, and no streetcar stop.
A new neighborhood identity
Hello…#YellowBrickRow, A bustling corridor unveiled
The planning group worked from the Better Block open source model, infusing it with distinctive local flair and ideas. The day-long event transformed five blocks of North Franklin Street into a prominent corridor of Tampa’s future.
Tampa’s offerings included:
Local Cuban art and food showcase inside an old dance club
Handmade building facades to mirror the unique yellow brick buildings on Franklin Street
A “Retail Row” featuring pop-ups from local jewelers, bakers and artisans
Handmade wayfinding signs
Local food truck park and outdoor cafe space Beer garden with up-and-coming brewery previews and local bands
Temporary bike station by Coast Bike Share
Metalwork sculptures from a local artist (one was permanently donated to the area)
Interactive parklets with gardens, games and rest areas
Interactive “Imagine____ on Franklin Street” chalkboard wall
Temporary transformed streets with painted crosswalks, parking and footsteps
Temporary greenspace
Artwork in street windows to reimagine vacant storefronts with tenant options
Another distinguishing element of Tampa’s Better Block was inclusiveness of the existing neighborhood and establishments. During the event, the homeless population mingled with 2,000 attendees, showing that the presence of social services in the neighborhood needn’t stall efforts to revitalize the corridor.
Better Block attendees were excited about the neighborhood, with many asking “What is next?” Business owners attended and told stories about their entrepreneurial efforts. Neighborhood residents strolling through said they were eager for a day when families could walk the sidewalks of North Franklin Street again. The most telling feedback came from an owner of Robertson’s Billiards, the oldest establishment on Franklin St. “I never thought it would take four generations to see my grandparents’ vision for this street come true.”
Follow #YellowBrickRow for continuing developments on Franklin St and the Tampa Heights neighborhood