Port Tampa Bay revealed its vision plan to develop acres of land in the Channel District which will feature landmark structures, residential towers, a marina and more.
The vision plan was unveiled Thursday, August 13, which will redevelop 45 acres of port-owned land along Channelside Drive and the Ybor Channel, states Tampa Bay Business Journals. The Miami-based firm, Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc., served as a consultant for the vision plan. This expansive project is not connected with Strategic Property Partners development plans for the Channelside District and downtown area. However, port and city officials said that it will complement the residential project currently underway in the Channel district. Paul Anderson, CEO of Port Tampa Bay, said, "This is a monumental project that will complement what's already happening."
According to the news site WTSP 10 News, the elaborate real estate project will develop more than 9 million square feet into a mixed-used space and will require a $1.5 billion investment over the next few decades or so. Port Tampa Bay's development plan will feature both private real estate developments and public amenities. Anderson, the Port Tampa Bay executive, revealed that the vision behind the project is to create a waterfront community that will revolutionize Tampa and benefit the entire region. Anderson added, "Great cities like San Diego, New Orleans and Vancouver have been built around their ports. We believe this will stand out as an innovative example of how to take full advantage of valuable waterfront, while balancing the needs of the maritime community and adjacent neighborhood.''
The WTSP 10 News report also described how the planned real estate development will have four districts: the cruise district, the central waterfront, marina district and park district. The project will feature residential spaces, retail areas, office buildings, and a central park. The main element of the plan are two "landmark towers" that will reportedly be among the tallest structures and most notable buildings on Florida's West Coast. Other planned developments includes a marina and a multipurpose cruise ship terminal. The current cruise terminal 6 will reportedly be demolished. All cruise activity will then be moved into terminal 3.
The Port Tampa Bay waterfront re-development is part of a larger plan for a 5,000-acre port over the next two decades, states WTSP. A more detailed master plan is expected to be released next year.
