TAMPA, Florida – Port Tampa Bay announced its vision plan for its land within the Channel District area Thursday that aims to transform Tampa's industrial waterfront into a dynamic, community centerpiece.
Across its 45 acres of port-owned land along Channelside Drive and the Ybor Channel, the vision plan calls for the development of more than 9 million square feet of mixed-use space and $1.5 billion in private investment over the next decade or so.
While still in the preliminary phase, the vision plan features a bold mix of private development and public amenities, from residential, retail, office and hotel space to a central park, marina and multipurpose cruise ship terminal. A key element of the plan are two "landmark towers'' that will be among the tallest and most notable on Florida's West Coast.
"Our vision is to create a waterfront community that is the envy of other top cities around the country,'' said Paul Anderson, president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay. "This is an unprecedented development that will revolutionize Tampa and benefit the entire region.''
"Great cities like San Diego, New Orleans and Vancouver have been built around their ports,'' Anderson said. "We believe this will stand out as an innovative example of how to take full advantage of valuable waterfront, while balancing the needs of the maritime community and adjacent neighborhood.''
"This is another exciting step toward bringing the waterfront back to the people,'' Mayor Bob Buckhorn said. "The time is right to take this area to the next level and create a new destination for generations to come.''
The re-imagining of the Port Tampa Bay waterfront property in the Channel District is part of a larger, overall plan for the 5,000-acre port over the next two decades. A detailed master plan for the PTB's land within the Channel District is expected in the next year.
