The Future of Downtown Tampa | Bikes, Dash, and Streetcars

In episode 141, Garrett sits down with Karen Kress, Director of Transportation and Planning at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, for a deep dive into how Tampa’s urban core is evolving. From expanding the Riverwalk and redesigning Bayshore Boulevard to making streets safer for bikes, e-scooters, and pedestrians, Karen shares the bold ideas and behind-the-scenes efforts shaping the city’s future. They explore why historic preservation matters, how parking policies can spark development, and what it will take to create a truly vibrant, connected downtown. Whether you care about transportation, public spaces, or Tampa’s growth, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.0:00:00 - Introduction0:03:06 - Harbor Island People Mover0:05:16 - Downtown Tampa in the 90’s0:07:14 - Tampa Downtown Partnership0:21:37 - Streetcar Extension0:34:55 - North Downtown Vision Framework0:52:35 - Parking Minimums 1:09:15 - Franklin Street1:20:09 - Dash Tampa1:32:53 - South Downtown Vision1:42:46 - Bike Transportation1:52:56 - West River Walk2:08:47 - Marion Transit Pkwy2:22:44 - Yellow Brick Row