A new phase of Ybor City’s 7th Avenue re-bricking project begins April 13, closing two blocks as crews lay historic bricks to improve safety.
A new phase of efforts to improve safety and restore history in Ybor City is set to begin next month, as crews prepare to re-brick another section of 7th Avenue.
The project will focus on two blocks between 17th and 19th streets. That stretch of roadway will be closed to traffic starting April 13, with construction expected to wrap up by early May. Cross streets will remain open during the work to help limit disruptions.
City leaders say the project builds on a first phase completed in 2024 and is part of a broader effort to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety in one of Tampa’s busiest entertainment districts.
“It’s been in the works for many, many years,” said Brenda Thrower, Ybor City development manager. “We’ve always envisioned 7th Avenue would be a brick street again. Now we’re on our second phase.”
The bricks themselves are more than 100 years old and were sourced to match the area’s historic character after the originals were removed decades ago.
“The community was very adamant of having historic bricks,” Thrower said. “So they have to be original, the contractor had to source them.”
Each block requires about 30,000 bricks, all laid by hand. In total, crews will install roughly 60,000 bricks during this phase.
Construction is scheduled to begin April 13, with a target completion date of May 8.
“Our goal is to be out of this — everything cleaned up and restored — by May 8,” said Shawn Gilbert, vice president of Harris-McBurney Company, which is overseeing the work.
During a public meeting Wednesday at Gaspar’s Grotto, some residents and business owners raised concerns about whether brick streets could create tripping hazards or challenges for people using scooters.
Gilbert said crews will take steps to address that, ensuring the surface is level and flush.
City leaders say the project is funded through the Community Redevelopment Agency using tax increment financing, which must be spent within Ybor City. About $660,000 has been allocated so far.
Beyond preserving history, officials say the brick roadway is designed to naturally slow drivers.
“Riding along a brick street, you can’t go very fast, so it’s an automatic traffic calming,” Thrower said.
The long-term goal is to re-brick the entire stretch of 7th Avenue through 26th Street — about 10 remaining blocks. So far, the city has been completing roughly two blocks per year, though leaders say they hope to accelerate that pace moving forward.
The project is part of a broader set of safety improvements in Ybor City, including narrowing roadways and lowering speed limits. City officials are also continuing to review how to implement protective bollards in high-traffic areas.