What Makes Tampa Great, Pt 1: The Riverwalk
Tampa has richly benefited from excellent leadership by men and women who have understood that the public realm is what makes a city great. Look no further than the Riverwalk for proof.
The Riverwalk was conceived in the 1970s by Mayor Bill Poe, who imagined a walkway along the Hillsborough River. Poe’s project stalled out due to lack of funding, but was jumpstarted by Mayor Pam Iorio in 2002 and boosted by the opening of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in 2010. Mayor Bob Buckhorn carried the torch forward, securing a federal grant in 2014 which paid for the section under the Kennedy Boulevard Bridge and created a continuous path. Another section was completed in 2016, and more extensions are on our city’s horizon.
In his book What Makes A Great City, renowned urban planner Alex Garvin laid out six rules for the kind of public space that makes a city great—a community area that is “overwhelmingly identifiable” and “accommodates people of different goals, backgrounds and reasons to be there”:
It is open to anyone; it has something for everybody; it attracts and maintains demand; it has a framework to allow for surrounding development; it is a sustainable, livable environment; it nurtures a civil society.
Today, the Riverwalk first envisioned in the 1970s has come to life. At virtually any time of the day or night you’ll see Tampa’s residents and visitors exercising, enjoying concerts and festivals, and even getting married! Kids play in splash pads and waterfront parks while adults dine al fresco at cafés and restaurants along the river. In fact, several Riverwalk establishments offer beverages in to-go cups so you can enjoy your drink as you stroll along the river admiring the beautiful nighttime lights.
For generations to come, the Riverwalk will be a defining characteristic of Tampa—both a landmark and a community space that perfectly meets Alex Garvin’s criteria for what makes a city great.
Carrie Rowland is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative,® Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist,® Military Relocation Professional,® Graduate of the Realtor Institute® and a Realtor-Associate at RE/MAX Alliance Group in South Tampa
