Tampa City officials, Skanska representatives, and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the East Tampa Recreation Complex at Fair Oaks Park. Mayor Jane Castor highlighted the significance of the $34.7-million project, emphasizing the much-needed overhaul of the outdated park."Fair Oaks Park has served the community for generations, but it is small, outdated, and long overdue for a complete overhaul," Mayor Jane Castor expressed. "Once we are done, East Tampa will be home to one of the city's most magnificent parks, serving the young and the young...
Chief Lee Bercaw of the Tampa Police Department released a community debrief addressing the issue of gun violence involving young members of the Tampa community. Chief Bercaw expressed deep concern about the dangers posed by juvenile-related gun crimes, highlighting the higher risk of injury or death for those involved with firearms.In the debrief, Chief Bercaw emphasized the importance of preventing such incidents from happening in the first place, stating, "Reducing access to guns from those who should not have them is a focus of our PROJECT: Locked & Unloaded program."...
Tampa Police have identified persons of interest following a shooting near Armature Works on April 9, 2024. Chief Lee Bercaw expressed concern over the incident, stating, “It is disheartening that yet again our community has to deal with senseless gun violence.” The Chief emphasized the importance of community safety and urged cooperation in limiting juvenile access to firearms.The shooting occurred around 4:08 p.m. on the 1900 block of N. Ola Avenue outside Stones Throw Restaurant. Three victims were identified, with two women being transported to a local hospital in...
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell introduced the Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act, which would incentivize domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals."Domestic violence is one of the most underreported crimes in the nation, with one in four women falling victim in her lifetime. Oftentimes, friends and family members may not recognize the extent of the abuse," said Rep. Laurel Lee."Beauty professionals have a vantage point to...
The City of Tampa has taken a proactive approach to combat soaring construction costs by forming a new Engineering Construction Crew within the Tampa Water Department. This initiative has not only helped the city save money but has also expedited the completion of critical infrastructure projects.According to Mayor Jane Castor, "The City of Tampa is dedicated to revitalizing our water infrastructure and providing the best possible service to our customers. This team will enable us to complete more projects quickly and efficiently, stretching our dollars to the best extent...
The Head of Development and Economic Opportunity in Tampa, Nicole Travis, is set to depart from her position later this year to start her own consulting firm in the city. Mayor Jane Castor expressed her support for Travis' decision, acknowledging her contributions during her tenure.Travis, who has been leading the city's development efforts since January 2022, played a significant role in various initiatives under Mayor Castor's Transforming Tampa Tomorrow “T3” Initiative. This included adding over $4 billion in development value to the City of Tampa, advocating for $100M...
In an effort to combat an ongoing rain deficit and promote water conservation, the Tampa Water Department is launching "Water Conservation Month" with a community fair at the City Center on Hanna Avenue. The event aims to educate and engage community members in reducing their water usage.Participants of the fair will have the opportunity to receive free water-saving devices, valuable tips on water conservation, and even a chance to win Florida-native plants. This initiative comes at a critical time as Tampa, along with neighboring counties, faced water restrictions due to...
The City of Tampa is set to receive significant federal funding for a crucial flood mitigation project in South Tampa. U.S. Representative Kathy Castor has secured nearly a million dollars for the initiative, aimed at addressing the area's stormwater challenges.Mayor Jane Castor will be present alongside Representative Kathy Castor to announce the funding on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The $959,752 allocation will contribute towards the construction of a new stormwater pipe along a section of South Manhattan Avenue.The project comes as a relief to residents of the highly...
The Tampa Convention Center has been nominated once again for the Best Convention Center (Regional – Southeast U.S.) in the highly esteemed Stella Awards, marking the second consecutive year of recognition. David Ingram, the Executive Director of the Tampa Convention Center, expressed gratitude for the nomination, stating, “We are humbled to once again be in the running for best convention center in the Southeast region.” The center had previously secured the gold medal in this category in 2023.The Stella Awards, presented by Northstar Meetings Group, honor excellence in...
There were two companies in a city associated with Hillsborough County that received four FDA inspections in March, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association.
The Internal Audit Department released its Tampa Fire Rescue-Communications, Audit 24-06 on April 1, 2024. According to the report, Tampa Fire Rescue Communications is responsible for receiving and then dispatching calls for fire and medical services. The report in its entirety can be viewed on TampaGov.net.
The City of Tampa has introduced new regulations for the use of shared eScooters and eBikes within the city, effective as of April 1st. Riders are now required to park their e-vehicles exclusively in designated docking stations to avoid being charged an "out-of-hub fee."According to the announcement, each vehicle will come equipped with software to guide riders on where they can and cannot park. Failure to comply with the new rules may result in penalties imposed by the operating company, with fees potentially reaching up to $5.In a bid to incentivize compliance, riders...
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw has expressed gratitude for the swift actions of officers that led to the arrest of two teenagers involved in a shooting at Westshore Plaza. The incident, which occurred on March 27, 2024, resulted in one individual being injured.According to Chief Bercaw, "Juveniles who use a gun and commit a crime will face adult consequences and are mistaken if they believe they will not be held accountable."The suspects, identified as 16-year-old Tarivus Clemons and 16-year-old Armontae Wilson, attempted to rob the victim of marijuana in the mall's...
Tampa Police officers swiftly apprehended two teenagers following a shooting incident in the parking garage of Westshore Plaza on March 27, 2024. The suspects, identified as 16-year-old Tarivus Clemons and 16-year-old Armontae Wilson, were arrested after attempting to rob a victim during a narcotic transaction in the mall's parking garage.According to Chief Lee Bercaw, "Juveniles who use a gun and commit a crime will face adult consequences and are mistaken if they believe they will not be held accountable." He expressed gratitude for the quick actions of the officers...
Tampa, Florida - The City of Tampa has recently unveiled its new interactive online tool, the Economic Dashboard, providing stakeholders with real-time insights into the region's economy. Mayor Jane Castor expressed the city's excitement about the launch, emphasizing the tool's significance in decision-making processes. She stated, "From our strengths to our weaknesses -- that is what we want our new Economic Dashboard to show."The Economic Dashboard aims to offer a comprehensive view of Tampa's economic landscape, showcasing data sourced from various reputable sources....
There were 60 companies in cities associated with Hillsborough County that received 85 FDA inspections in 2023, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association.