CELEBRATE THE FUTURE OF ROME YARD
TAMPA, Fla. (March 13, 2023) -- To embrace the brewing excitement surrounding West Tampa's transformational Rome Yard project, community members are invited to attend a celebration at the future site of this mixed-use development.
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., hosted by the Related Urban Group, the development team will provide a brief update on the project and engage with residents and other stakeholders who are interested in learning more about their visionary plans. Live music, complimentary food trucks, and even a cigar roller, representing West Tampa's iconic history, will be provided.
"As our staff works behind the scenes with the developer to get through the preliminary stages of the Rome Yard project, we want to keep community members up-to-date, engaged, and most of all, excited for what's to come," said Mayor Jane Castor. "This community event is a wonderful opportunity to meet the team that will transform this vacant area into one of Tampa's most popular destinations and I encourage anyone who is curious about it, or wants to provide input, to participate."
Nestled along the West Tampa Riverfront, the mixed-use development directly aligns with Mayor Jane Castor's Transforming Tampa's Tomorrow (T3) strategic initiatives. With housing affordability as a driving factor for the project, approximately 70% of the units will be income-restricted across a wide range of affordability. Retail and dining spaces are part of the building plans with at least 10% to be set aside for resident-owned small businesses. Connectivity and walkability will be emphasized and tied into the City's future west river Riverwalk expansion. Spacious sidewalks, trails, bicycle and scooter lanes, HART bus stops, electric charging stations, and parking areas will also ensure future residents and visitors can move around the property safely and effectively. Innovative sustainability and resiliency components will be integrated to achieve, at minimum, LEED Silver certification, and to make it all come to life, the developer has committed to hiring a diverse workforce. Related Urban Development Group is committing a minimum of 40% of the project budget, approximately $75 million, to minority and woman-owned contracting companies.
Tuesday's community outreach event follows a series of public meetings held last year, where residents and other stakeholders were invited to meet with the development teams to offer their input on what they would like to see be incorporated into the project. Tomorrow's community event will be held at 2609 N. Rome Avenue. Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP.