Things are building up up and away across the Tampa Bay area.
We’re bringing you an update on some of the latest projects to watch in Tampa + the Burg. Here’s the rundown:
Welcome to East Tampa
Last week, Tampa city leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of the Fair Oaks Park transformation.
The massive $34.7 million project features a ~33,000-sqft center with room for seniors, an indoor basketball court, and classrooms, according to a release. Once complete, the park will also boast one outdoor basketball court, two outdoor pickleball courts, a multipurpose sports field, and walking trails.
Leaders say the new center will be finished in fall of 2025, and the full project will be complete in spring of 2026. Never fear, current patrons, the center will remain open while construction is ongoing.
Updates on the TradeWinds Expansion
Remember the proposed glass observation deck looking out over St. Pete Beach? The vote on the TradeWinds Island Resorts expansion — which includes the new public rooftop deck — was delayed to Tuesday, April 23.
City Council was supposed to vote on the proposal — which calls for an additional 629 rooms, parking garages, retail and restaurant spaces, new pools, and a kids center — on Monday, April 15, but the special meeting stalled out after eight and a half hours of public comment and discussion.
While the St. Pete Beach Planning Board unanimously approved the $500 million plan, the expansion still requires final approval from St. Pete Beach City Council.
Tampa General Hospital’s new surgical tower
Tampa General Hospital also celebrated a groundbreaking this week: Leaders just kicked off work on the new Davis Islands surgical tower, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Tampa-based Belcher Pharmaceuticals just gave TGH $25 million for the tower. Located next to TGH’s Davis Islands campus, Taneja Tower will house surgical, neuroscience, and transplant services.
The facility is expected to open in 2027.
