Community members, Mayor Jane Castor, and the CRA board will take the next big step in the beautification and restoration of historic Ybor City with the unveiling of the East 7th Avenue Monument. This monument marks the east-end entrance of the Community Redevelopment Area boundary located at 7th Avenue and 26th Street. The project also includes extensive streetscape updates, with wider sidewalks created with the iconic black and white hexagon pavers. Visitors will also find new granite curbs, bulb-outs for palm trees, trash receptacles, and historic benches and five-globe lampposts.
This project would not have happened without the vision, patience, and persistence of East Ybor’s first neighborhood association created more than 20 years ago and championed by Ms. Fran Costantino.
“Back then, this area was referred to as East of 22nd, with no defined neighborhood association, and just a handful of residents,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “Today, it is an established neighborhood with a thriving and expanded association. Thank you, Fran, for your vision and hard work to create a neighborhood identity for this special part of Tampa.”
Over the past two decades, the Ybor City National Historic Landmark District has experienced a renaissance. This is due to the renovation of many historic properties and the addition of several new mixed-use development projects that complement the historic district and attract visitors, businesses, and residents.
“The East 7th Avenue Monument and Streetscape Project has taken several years to complete, so this is very special not just to the Community Redevelopment Agency, the City, and the Mayor, but particularly to the Ybor City and East Ybor communities,” said CRA Board Member and Tampa City Council Chairman Joseph Citro. “I extend my deepest thanks to the East Ybor Historic and Civic Association, Inc. Also, thank you to Ms. Costantino and Wilder Architects, who provided the monument design free of charge, as well as design assistance for the entire streetscape.”
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