City, CRA and federal offices press to fund West Riverwalk extension as council weighs trade-offs

Tampa City Council members, city staff and neighborhood advocates on Jan. 9 pressed efforts to secure the remaining money needed to build the West Riverwalk extension in West Tampa, a project city staff described as a local mobility, resilience and economic-development priority that already carries a $24 million federal BUILD grant and a CRA recommendation for $10 million.

The council heard as many advocates and residents pointed to the riverfront project as one that will connect neighborhoods, boost pedestrian and bike access, and restore shoreline. City mobility staff said design is under way and construction could begin later this year if funding and property access needs are met.

City Director of Mobility Vic Bide told the council the project’s ‘‘core funding’’ is the $24 million BUILD grant the city received. The West Tampa CRA Citizens Advisory Committee voted to recommend $10 million over three years, he said, and the city’s government-relations team has requested a $4 million federal earmark through Congresswoman Kathy Castor and is preparing a separate state earmark request. The project budget cited by staff is about $52 million to $57 million including contingencies; staff said additional…