TAMPA, Fla. — Downtown Tampa is expanding once again.
Real estate developer Strategic Property Partners announced it plans to build a concert venue, hotel, retail space and parking on an empty lot across from Benchmark International Arena.
It will be on Channelside Drive, between Morgan Street and Jefferson Street.
Andrew Robinson, a barista at Shortwave Coffee on Channelside Drive, said it’s a busy area and there’s often a line just to get in the shop.
“(There is a) line around the corner here fairly regularly. Weekends are when it’s busiest. That’s when it’s going to be lining the door for a couple hours,” Robinson said.
And it could get even busier. The new entertainment district just several blocks from the coffee shop will include a small concert venue with 3,500 seats, a 250-room hotel, stores and more than 1,000 parking spots.
Developers said that the concert venue will be good for emerging artists to build their fanbase before they take on the bigger arenas in the area.
Robinson said he is excited about the idea and is looking forward to the possibility of serving even more tourists.
“I always love talking to people. I love seeing new faces of people from all over. So, more is always better, I enjoy it,” he said.
Other residents are also excited for the project. Aubrey Glover said he is excited to have more places to socialize. As for traffic, he said he isn’t concerned.
“It never hurts to have more stores, entertainment facilities or places for families or young people to hang out, drink and have fun,” said Glover.
Robinson, on the other hand, is concerned about traffic. He said he lives five minutes from work, and on really busy days it has taken him half an hour to get home; but he said it’s part of living in a city.
“Extra traffic is always a pain sometimes, and so hopefully they’ll figure out new routes, new light systems, whatever they can do to make it a little bit manageable,” Robinson said.
In a statement, Mayor Jane Castor said the Water Street expansion strengthens tourism and creates new experiences for both residents and visitors.
Developers are aiming to break ground on the district in 2027.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source baynews9.com ’
