As we know,portions of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park are temporarily closed for repairs and renovations until Oct.1. Specifically, the Great Lawn and paver walkways are off limits right now because of drainage repairs. It’s part of a two-year, $2.1 million plan for overall repairs and improvements that will be funded by the Community Investment Tax. And another reminder that the CIT pays for a lot more than a football facility.
It’s also a reminder of what we should never take for granted: eight acres dedicated to downtown’s de facto gathering place. From hanging out to attending festivals and concerts, Curtis Hixon Park is the go-to place to be. It’s all a lot of downtown residents have known. But it’s only been five years since Mayor Pam Iorio dedicated it on that special sunny Sunday of Jan. 24, 2010.
For years, it was decried that–in the words of Gertrude Stein, who was referring to Oakland, Calif.–there was no “there” there in downtown Tampa. No place with a vibe and soul and identity that was vintage Tampa. No, The Hub didn’t count. Tampa was empty at its core.
No longer. Now it has a magnet for new urbanism.