In an effort to help calm traffic on a road that sees a significant amount of pedestrian traffic throughout the year, a project to brick Ybor City's historic 7th Avenue will commence today, Monday, July 29th.
The bricking, funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency, or CRA, will be done in phases, the first, between North 15th and 17th Streets, is expected to take two weeks and will be done one block at a time. Upon completion, the entire project will encompass fourteen blocks along 7th Avenue, from Nick Nuccio Parkway to 26th Street.
The sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the street will remain open during construction, however, street parking in this portion of 7th Avenue will be closed during construction. Business signage will be posted at each corner to help patrons find businesses during this time.
We also encourage people to use the TECO Line Streetcar to get to and from Ybor as a car-free alternative to enjoy the district during construction.
This project will also promote alternative modes of transportation, and connectivity, boost local businesses, and contribute to the economic growth of Ybor City, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Using authentic historic bricks, this project will further enhance the authenticity of the National Historic Landmark District and allow residents and visitors to better connect to the city's past.