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City of Tampa updates TPO on streetcar-extension planning; financing and consultant procurement underway
Summary
City transportation staff updated the TPO on planning and procurement for a northward extension of Tampa’s streetcar line. The project has entered consultant negotiations for project development; local match financing remains to be identified following surtax invalidation.
Brandon Campbell, director of transportation services for the City of Tampa, updated the Hillsborough TPO on March 12 about planning progress for a proposed northward streetcar extension through downtown to Tampa Heights and possibly beyond to Columbus Avenue.
Campbell summarized 10 years of studies that examined alignments and vehicle modernization, noting earlier work recommended a modernized vehicle and alignments that originally stopped north of the Fort Brooke Garage near Palm Avenue. He said rising infrastructure costs have led the city to pursue an extension-only approach now while designing the alignment to allow future rolling‑stock modernization if desired.
Campbell said the project team published a project-development RFP in 2024, received two initial proposals and then re-advertised to solicit additional interest. City staff are now negotiating scope and fee for a consultant to complete NEPA evaluation, stakeholder coordination, financial-plan development for local matching funds and an operations funding plan. He said the city anticipated completing negotiations in the coming 30–60 days and bringing a consultant on board pending council approval.
Financing remains the principal constraint. Campbell noted prior plans assumed Hillsborough County’s transportation surtax would contribute local match, but the surtax was invalidated in February 2021 and a replacement surtax failed in November 2022. City officials will pursue a new local-match plan and collaborate with FDOT, HART and other partners. Council member Clendenin and Council member Maniscalco described strong local developer interest and said several private projects already incorporate streetcar stations into their plans.
Campbell emphasized the effort is informational and that the city will continue design and financial planning before entering federal capital grant agreements.
