TPA unveils final design for Airside D
Tampa International Airport’s new will feature a dedicated children’s play area, a quiet room, ample power outlets and lots of greenery, among other amenities. The final design for Airside D was approved by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors on Feb. 5, the first new Airside at Tampa International Airport in nearly 20 years.
Board members voted to greenlight the 100% design stage for the project, a state-of-the-art, 16-gate international and domestic gateway to Tampa Bay that will cost an estimated $1.528 billion. The board also approved a $902 million supplemental contract for the Airside D project during the meeting.
TPA broke ground on Airside D in December 2024. Completion is scheduled in late 2028, with the building opening to the public in 2029.
Airside D will help TPA, which currently serves about 25 million passengers per year, accommodate the region’s growth and serve up to 35 million annual passengers by 2037.
The final design incorporates feedback from travelers that was gathered during a series of listening sessions TPA hosted last summer in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Federal funds to support new fire station, Riverwalk expansion
TAMPA – The city of Tampa will receive $3 million in federal funding for Fire Station 24, located in the University area. The funding, requested by U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, is part of the FY26 appropriations package signed into law by President Trump.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor also secured $250,000 additional funding for the West Riverwalk project, bringing total federal investment to more than $24 million.
“This funding means faster emergency response times for families and students in North Tampa, a growing part of our city,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “We are excited to put this funding to good use, along with the continued investment in the West Riverwalk. This is a transformative project that will give West Tampa families a waterfront they can enjoy for generations. I’m grateful to our congressional delegation for helping bring these dollars home.”
The West Riverwalk is expected to be completed in early 2027, giving Tampa a 12.2-mile continuous pathway along both sides of the Hillsborough River.
Hillsborough College to offer spring flex start classes
Registration for Hillsborough College’s (HC) spring flexible-start classes are underway. HC is offering more than 1,100 flexible start classes this spring.
The start date for 12-week classes ends Thursday, Feb. 12.
This flexible schedule for starting classes provides a variety of start dates and times, as well as on-campus, online and live online availability.
The remaining flexible start dates for spring classes are:
• Feb. 17: 10-week classes
• Feb. 19: 5-week classes
• March 10: 8-week classes
• April 2: 5-week classes
Visit hcfl.edu/flexstart for more information.
Upgrades prepping fire stations for bad weather
TAMPA – Our area may be months away from worrying about weather systems off our coast, but Tampa wants to make sure some of its fire station will be ready for whatever comes.
City officials announced Feb. 11 they will be spending nearly $2.5 million in federal grant money to ensure four fire stations will be able to provide uninterrupted emergency response.
The money will upgrade Fire Stations 3, 12, 13 and 16 with new hurricane-rated windows, bay doors and new generators.
Work has already begun. “Hardening” of Stations 12 and 13 was completed in January. Upgrades to Station 16 will begin this month, with completion expected August. Weatherization of Station 3 is scheduled to begin in March and be completed by August.
Breeze to begin flights to Bahamas
TAMPA – Breeze Airways has announced it will begin nonstop flights to Nassau, the Bahamas, in June.
The flights will be Breeze’s first international service offered from Tampa International Airport.
Flights to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) are scheduled to begin June 11 and will operate on Thursdays and Sundays.
Breeze was scheduled to commence its first international nonstop flights from TPA to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Feb. 11. However, after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica in late 2025, Breeze delayed launching its flights to the island while the country recovers.
Developer opens rental townhome community
TAMPA – ARK Homes for Rent has opened a75-home townhome community, Parkside, in Tampa that offers three- and four-bedroom rentals.
Homes span 1,522 to 1,737 square feet and have five distinct floor plans. Each residence is designed with open gathering spaces, kitchens showcasing granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, two-and-a-half bathrooms, smart-home conveniences, and an attached one-car garage, along with a 240-volt outlet for electric vehicle charging.
Outdoor amenities include walking paths, a dog park and a playground, all arranged within a fenced setting to create a sense of retreat. Rents are projected to begin around $1,995.
Parkside is about 35 minutes from downtown Tampa.
For more information, visit https://www.arkhomesforrent.com/communities/parkside
Tampa student honored with top fashion honor
Ellie Warnke of Tampa, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, been named a recipient of the ultra-competitive Fashion Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship includes a $10,000 award.
She is among 20 students from the university’s School of Fashion and De Sole School of Business Innovation selected for the program this year. Warnke is scheduled to graduate this year with a bachelors in fine art with a major in fashion.
SCAD offers one of the most comprehensive fashion programs in the world, with undergraduate and graduate degrees in fashion design, accessory design, fashion marketing and management, fibers, jewelry, and sneaker design.
Voucher program to help buy eBikes
TAMPA – The city of Tampa will award more than $240 vouchers, worth up to $3,000, to Tampa residents in the next phase of its eBikes Voucher Program.
The program operates in a lottery fashion to award qualifying participants up to $3,000 off the purchase of a brand-new eBike from one of seven participating local bike shops. Through the first two years of the program (2023 and 2024) it has already awarded more than 450 vouchers.
Fueled by $500,000 in program funding this year, it’ll provide up to 248 vouchers, including:
⦁ 81 standard vouchers for $1,000 off a new eBike
⦁ 82 low-income vouchers for $2,000 off a new eBike
⦁ 85 very low-income vouchers for $3,000 off a new eBike
The application window opens Feb. 13 and closes Friday, Feb. 27.Applications may be submitted online at tampa.gov/ebike, in person at one of four eBike Rodeo events, or at the city’s Parking Division offices located on the third floor of the Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N. Franklin Street.
Vouchers may be used toward the purchase of either a Class 1 eBike (pedal-assist only) or a Class 2 eBike (pedal and/or throttle-assisted). Adaptive eBikes for individuals with specialized needs are also eligible.
Tampa residents ages 18 and older must submit a signed purchase quote from a participating bike shop to qualify. This quote is intended to inform applicants of any additional costs associated with purchasing an eBike and does not obligate the applicant to complete a purchase. However, voucher recipients will be required to purchase a new helmet with their eBike.
The city will also host four eBike Rodeo events to allow interested folks to test out various eBikes, ask questions of the city team & bike vendors, and fill out eBike Voucher applications. Event dates are:
⦁ Monday, Feb 16: Ragan Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
⦁ Wednesday, Feb 18: Al Lopez Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 23: Copeland Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
⦁ Wednesday, Feb. 25: Himes Sports Complex , 5:30-7 P.M.