TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — Temple Terrace, nestled between the University of South Florida (USF) and I-75, is home to less than 30,000 residents. It was recently recognized with the prestigious "Best of the Best Hometown" award by The Tampa Bay Times, thanks to its reputation as “The Beautiful Suburb.”
Known for its tree-lined streets and close-knit community, Mayor Andy Ross emphasized the city's strong community spirit, He says people who move to the area quickly feel at home.
“Unless you intentionally stay to yourself, you can become part of the city’s fabric in just a few months,” he said. “You’ll be running into friends at Publix in no time.”
City officials are working to further enhance this sense of community by improving pedestrian safety, upgrading local parks, and increasing road safety.
As part of that, the Temple Terrace Police Department is teaming with the Florida Department of Transportation for their High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) Program.
From this month through May 2025, additional officers will patrol high-risk areas, focusing on educating and enforcing traffic laws. Hillsborough County ranks among the top in Florida for traffic accidents, resulting in death or serious injury. The goal of this safety campaign is to make improvements.
Marketing and Communications Officer Joel Duarte underscored the importance of road safety.
“The police are actively working to ensure people obey speed limits and drive safely so everyone can get to their destination without harm.” he said.
The Florida Department of Transportation is working to improve roads in the area as well. There are several improvement projects underway. It includes a new traffic signal at Fletcher Ave. and I-75 southbound ramp, and repaving portions of Fowler Ave, from Bruce B. Downs, to Riverhills Dr. Another repaving project is underway from west of the Tampa Bypass Canal to US 301.
Another part of the city's revitalization efforts includes creating a scenic boardwalk along the river at Riverside Park. With more development on the horizon, including the construction of USF’s new stadium, Duarte says city leaders are coordinating with state officials to manage the anticipated traffic increase.
Looking ahead, Temple Terrace residents can look forward to a series of community events, including a fall festival, the National Night Out in October, and Winter Wonderland in December. The city's recreational complex, a hub for fitness, community and after-school programs, is another example of how Temple Terrace is focusing on providing a variety of amenities for all ages.
While city leaders are working together to improve Temple Terrace on all levels, the mayor says there’s always room for growth
“If we are good today, we want to figure out how to be even better tomorrow. And we are headed in that direction,” he said.