Tampa, Florida -- In anticipation of heavier than normal traffic conditions during the International Indian Film Academy Awards, the City of Tampa is encouraging downtown residents and workers to prepare and allow extra time for potential traffic.
Downtown Congestion
During the evening hours on Wednesday, April 23 through Saturday, April 26, motorists traveling from the west are encouraged to use N. Boulevard and travel into downtown Tampa via the Cass St. Bridge, instead of traveling through downtown via the Kennedy Boulevard Bridge.
The official IIFA hotel is the Hilton Downtown Tampa, located at 211 N. Tampa St., which is anticipated to draw a crowd outside at different times throughout the event week. There may be intermittent lane and road closures along Tampa St. between Kennedy Blvd. and Whiting St. and Jackson St. between Ashley Dr. and Florida Ave. throughout the event to accommodate those crowds.
To view a map of potential closures surrounding the hotel, please visit tampagov.net.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - IIFA Stomp at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
IIFA Stomp is a free, public event for the community being hosted at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown beginning at 7 p.m.
There are no planned road closures or detours associated with this event. Please note: there is no guest drop off zone along either Ashley Dr. or Gasparilla Plaza.
For parking, visitors are encouraged to use the Poe Garage, located at 802 N. Ashley Dr., with a $4 flat rate or the Royal Regional Lot, located at 1240 N. Tampa St., available for a $4 flat rate. For overflow purposes, the Fort Brooke Garage, located at 107 N. Franklin St., will be available for $1.60 an hour. Rivergate Tower Parking Garage located at 400 N. Ashley will also be available at their going rate.
To view a map of these parking options, please visit tampagov.net.
Thursday, April 24, 2014 – IIFA Rocks at the Tampa Convention Center
Beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2014, Franklin St. south of Channelside Dr. and Old Water St. west of S. Florida Ave. will be closed to thru traffic due to IIFA Rocks at the Tampa Convention Center. In addition, Harbour Island Bridge will be closed to thru traffic; residents or those wishing to visit Harbour Island that evening should use Beneficial Bridge.
For parking, the City of Tampa encourages motorists to use the following garages: Tampa Convention Center Garage, located at 333 S. Franklin St., available at a flat rate of $12; or, Fort Brooke Garage, located at 107 N. Franklin St, available at a flat rate of $12. Another option is the Port of Tampa Garage, located at Channelside Dr. and Cumberland Ave., available at their going rate.
To view a map of these closures and parking options, please visit tampagov.net.
Friday, April 25, 2014 – Magic of the Movies at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Ampitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds
While this event is not within the City of Tampa, motorists should expect heavier than normal traffic throughout downtown Tampa.
Saturday, April 26, 2014 – International Indian Film Academy Awards at Raymond James Stadium
Beginning Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 6 a.m., Tampa Bay Blvd will be closed between N. Dale Mabry Hwy. and N. Himes Ave. until Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 6 a.m.
Parking lots surrounding Raymond James Stadium will be open to the public beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014.
Beginning Saturday, April 24, 2014 at 4 p.m., Himes Ave. between W. Columbus Dr. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will be closed to thru traffic. It will reopen immediately following the show and egress of event traffic. During that time, motorists will be detoured to N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
To park after 4 p.m., motorists should enter the Raymond James parking area from N. Dale Mabry Hwy. or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
To view a map of these closures and parking options, please visit tampagov.net.
Access to Harbour Island
Residents of Harbour Island should anticipate traffic and allow for delays on the evening of Thursday, April 24, 2014 related to the IIFA Rocks event at the Tampa Convention Center. Beginning at 5 p.m., roads immediately surrounding the Tampa Convention Center will be closed as will the Harbour Island Bridge. Those closures will remain through the night and reopen immediately following egress of the event traffic.
Beneficial Bridge will remain open for ingress and egress.
Access is not anticipated to be limited to Harbour Island at any other time during the event.
Public Transportation
For those traveling downtown between Wednesday, April 23, 2014 through Saturday, April 26, 2014 for events or see the celebrities at the Hilton Downtown Tampa, the City of Tampa encourages motorists to park in historic Ybor City at either the Centro Ybor Garage or Palm Avenue Garage and travel to downtown Tampa via the TECO Streetcar. Another option is to park at the Port of Tampa Garage, located at Channelside Dr. and Cumberland Ave., and either walk or travel to downtown via the streetcar.
For more information on the streetcar's operating hours, stops, and fares, please visit tecolinestreetcar.org.
Noise
On Saturday, April 26, 2014, the International Indian Film Academy Awards will be held at Raymond James Stadium. The event is scheduled to be over by 1 a.m. Residents living near the stadium may hear music and/or noise related to the award show throughout the evening and into the early morning. The City of Tampa appreciates residents' patience and cooperation as we host this international event.
Stay Connected
Alert Tampa - Sign up to receive important information and emergency notifications on your cell, mobile device, email or landline phone. Sign up for Alert Tampa online at tampagov.net/AlertTampa or via phone by calling (813) 231-6184.
Updates will also be shared on social media via Facebook on the City of Tampa Government and Tampa Police Department pages, as well as via twitter @cityoftampa and @tampapd.
More WTSP 10 News coverage leading up to the IIFA Celebrations:
-What to expect
-IIFA puts Tampa on international stage
-Bollywood event on track to be biggest awards ever
Housing for visitors:From deals to lavish luxury
-Bollywood stars come to Tampa
-IIFA Awards to bring Bollywood stars to Bay area
-Itinerary:15th Annual International Indian Film Academy
