TAMPA, Fla. — The City of Tampa’s mobility department announced changes to Ybor City stemming from safety concerns.
Tampa Bay 28 reporter Jada Williams was inside the city council meeting where the latest plans were announced.
Watch full report from Jada Williams
City of Tampa launches Ybor City safety enhancements amid concerns
The city plans to launch short-term and long-term changes.
Short-term changes include making all of 7th Avenue 25 mph. There is also a portion of 7th that will be narrowed. From Nebraska to Nuccio Parkway, the city will add 36 street parking spaces. They aim to reduce traffic, especially speeding traffic, in that area.
Long-term changes are also underway. The mobility department pointed to the ongoing rebricking process, saying it will serve as a traffic calming measure. The city also plans to add bollards at intersections, similar to those surrounding the Columbia restaurant.
Councilwoman Lyn Hurtak proposed raised crosswalks, which city staff said they will look into.
Councilman Bill Carlson proposed closing Ybor along the path where the deadly crash in November took, from Nebraska to Nuccio. The city said closing any portion of the road was not well-received at community meetings, especially by business owners worried about the impact it would have on their businesses. Therefore, that is not an option on the table.
The city says the additional 36 spaces will be installed within the next two weeks.
Earlier this month, Tampa Bay 28’s Annette Gutierrez spoke with community members who are demanding safer streets in Ybor City.
The community has been on edge since a car crashed into a crowd of people outside Bradley’s on Seventh in Ybor City and claimed four lives back in Nov. 8, 2025.
RELATED: TIMELINE: Speeding car crashes into Ybor City bar
In the meeting at Centro Asturiano de Tampa on Feb. 2, Gutierriez witnessed Ybor City residents express anger, frustration, and grief as they confronted city leaders about pedestrian safety in the historic district.
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