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Council requests written report on Franklin Street signaling and convention‑area traffic options
Summary
After sustained complaints about downtown congestion and ad hoc traffic controls, council directed staff to return a written report on options to study and possibly hire a consultant to evaluate signaling and traffic flow for Franklin Street and the convention center area; council set an April 3 written‑report deadline.
Council members and downtown stakeholders raised repeated concerns that traffic control at Franklin Street and other downtown intersections—especially during events—creates persistent downtown congestion. Council member Carlson led an extensive discussion describing repeated blockages on Franklin and related arterials, saying the city’s ad hoc closures and event traffic plans were causing daily backups.
Mobility staff (Brandon Campbell) said traffic control plans are developed for special events and implemented in coordination with Tampa Police Department (TPD), and that plans can be adjusted case‑by‑case; staff noted some recent iterative changes (for example to the ramp movement off the Crosstown) were made to improve flow. Council members said enforcement and consistent implementation have been inconsistent and urged a more thorough re‑examination of signal phasing and event traffic plans.
Council voted to request a written staff report, due April 3, that outlines options for hiring a consultant to conduct an updated and thorough study of signaling needs for Franklin Street (convention center/Historic Channelside area), and to consider alternatives for controlling convention center access and pedestrian flows during events. Council asked the report to describe expected timelines and costs for an outside study and to include options for short-term operational changes that could be implemented earlier.
