Spending money on a city amenity — such as the new Curtis Hixon Park — is always problematic during challenging financial times. And the legal uncertainty of revenue generated by the downtown Community Redevelopment Area, of course, hardly helps.
Mayor Pam Iorio, however, seems determined to make the waterfront makeover happen, and the case can certainly be made for Tampa finally having a downtown gateway that doubles as the city’s official, long-sought, community gathering place. One that aesthetically complements the Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum and the Riverwalk.
Having said all that, however, what’s with those cheesy, 50-foot glass pylons that would spell out the city’s name near Ashley Drive? Did Rafael Vinoly have something to do with the Curtis Hixon Park rendering?
At least the pricey pylons are part of Phase 2 – and subject to likely change.