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 local leveraging would likely be required even if earmarks succeed.

‘‘This project hits just about every stated goal — safety, mobility, affordability, quality of life and connectivity to jobs,’’ Bide said, noting the city has secured most easements and that design is advancing toward 60% in coming weeks. He said staff expects to return with a more detailed finance plan as the earmark process and CRA vote progress.

Friends of the Riverwalk and other nonprofit and business speakers urged council to approve the CRA funding and to press for the federal and state allocations. Mary Beth Williams of Friends of the Riverwalk said completing the corridor ‘‘will not only enhance the Riverwalk experience, but also foster a stronger sense of community by connecting diverse neighborhoods’’ including West Tampa, Hyde Park and Tampa Heights.

Joe Robinson, chair of the West Tampa CRA Citizens Advisory Committee, said the project would be ‘‘a game changer’’ for mobility and economic opportunity in West Tampa and reported the CAC’s vote to recommend $10 million, 8–2 with one abstention.

Some council members and members of the public raised questions about trade-offs and the city’s use of debt and surtax dollars. Council members asked staff to clarify the city’s financing plan and the cost of interim borrowing. Mike Perry, the city’s budget officer, said the administration plans initially to use a short-term line of credit rather than issue bonds up front so the city would borrow only what it needs while awaiting other revenues. He said a line of credit would typically run several years and that interest would accrue while drawn.

Council members expressed different priorities. Some said they supported the extension as a way to invest in West Tampa’s neighborhoods and affordable housing connections. Others pressed for caution about adding general-fund debt or shifting surtax dollars away from voters’ stated priorities such as paving and stormwater.

City staff said some shorter-term resiliency and access upgrades tied to the Riverwalk work would continue while the broader finance plan is finalized; they also said design and certain preconstruction work are already underway and that some developer partners will construct segments adjacent to private projects.

The council did not take a final vote on November’s CRA recommendation or on specific city financing at the Jan. 9 meeting. Staff expects to return with a more detailed timeline, cost breakdown and proposed funding package as earmark decisions and CRA approvals are finalized.

Why it matters: The West Riverwalk extension links a large part of central Tampa, connects historically underserved neighborhoods to downtown amenities and jobs, and is tied to urban design, shoreline restoration and multimodal safety improvements. The project’s mix of federal, CRA and potential state funds, plus local debt if needed, makes the city financing plan politically and technically complex.

What’s next: Staff reported 60% design work is expected soon and that the City will continue to pursue federal and state earmarks while the CRA funding recommendation proceeds through the CRA process.

Community voices: Supporters argued the Riverwalk will spur walkable economic opportunity in West Tampa and help deliver shoreline restoration and multimodal safety. Skeptics warned about diverting limited local funds and about taking on additional borrowing while other urgent needs — notably stormwater and infrastructure repairs after Hurricane Milton — remain outstanding.

Ending: City staff said they will return with a detailed funding plan and timeline once earmark outcomes and CRA approvals are clearer.