Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa has announced a collaboration with Walk Bike Tampa, which has been awarded an Accelerated Mobility Playbook (AMP) Technical Grant from City Thread, a national non-profit organization focused on enhancing community connectivity through transportation.

City Thread's Technical Assistance Grant requires a $15,000 match from Walk Bike Tampa and its partners. This contribution is part of the total $50,000 value of the grant program and deliverables. The initiative aims to help Tampa achieve its broader transportation goals more swiftly through City Thread's extensive support network, which includes elected officials, community leaders, funders, and engaged residents.

“We are excited to welcome Tampa into our cohort of cities prioritizing mobility projects,” said Sara Studdard, City Thread partner. “We look forward to providing Tampa with the guidance and strategies needed to achieve its transportation goals faster than thought possible.”

The AMP grant will be used to accelerate the development of safer roadways for all users in line with the City's Vision Zero plans. It also aims to expand the low-stress bicycle network, enhancing connectivity within the growing city. With limited funds available, creativity and flexibility are essential in expanding Tampa's transportation network; partnering with City Threads adds another valuable resource.

“The Accelerated Mobility Playbook grant’s goal of garnering broad-based community support for the implementation of multimodal infrastructure will further assist the city in meeting its short-term goal to almost double its existing 41 miles of low-stress routes,” said Guido Maniscalco, Tampa City Council Chairman. “We live in one of the most beautiful cities in America; our residents and visitors deserve our best efforts, and we intend to deliver.”

"Our City's Mobility staff comes into work every day driven to make Tampa a safer, better-connected city for all our residents and visitors. We are always open to new ideas and welcome any assistance by those who come up with innovative solutions that benefit everyone. We are thankful to City Thread for recognizing our hard work and we look forward to working together to make Tampa's transportation network even more equitable and efficient," said Tampa Mobility Director Vik Bhide.

City Thread excels at bridging gaps between government entities, residents, and industry advocates. The program thrives due to passionate advocates like Christine Acosta from Walk Bike Tampa.

“Walk Bike Tampa is thrilled to be receiving the AMP Grant and delighted the City is our key partner in its development,” said Christine Acosta, WBT Board Member and AMP Sub-Committee Chair. “Implementing Tampa’s well-defined and emerging network for safe active transportation will be within reach sooner rather than later thanks to City Thread.”

Alongside Walk Bike Tampa and Tampa itself, other recipients of this round of AMP Technical Assistance Grants include Baltimore, MD; Salt Lake City, UT; and Spokane, WA.

City Thread is a national non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating transportation projects that connect neighborhoods while ensuring safety, efficiency, and equity. Through its Accelerated Mobility Playbook (AMP) framework, it engages city stakeholders to overcome obstacles quickly. Led by three experts with over 50 years combined experience in urban planning and related fields, City Thread aims for positive social, environmental, and economic impacts through connected communities across the U.S.

Contact:

306 East Jackson Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 274-8211