We’ve been sharing some of the nearly 200 results of the “What Tampa Bay Needs” survey, but some readers like storied Tampa Bay journalist Rob Lorei just dropped straight up wishlists.
Here’s are his suggestions for what would make Tampa Bay a better place to live in four years.
The local city councils and county commissions need to take action.
1. Light rail along heavily used I-275 corridor.
2. Elevated high speed rail connecting Tampa Bay to Orlando and Sarasota.
3. Tear up massive, unused paved parking lots in Tampa (on Gandy Blvd., Florida and Nebraska, Fowler just west of USF, 50th St. and I-4); re-wild the lots.
4. Restore underground spring flow in Sulphur Springs leading to Hillsborough River.
5. Take Legislature to court over loss of home rule.
6. Build more sidewalks in West Tampa, Seminole Heights, parts of Hyde Park and SOG.
7. Increase amount of public parks in Tampa.
8. Build more affordable housing for first time home buyers.
9. Enforce speeding laws on Bayshore, Florida, I-275, Dale Mabry, Fowler, Gandy and other streets where motorists routinely speed without being stopped by the cops.
10. Allow soon-to-be expired food (in giant stores such as Publix) to be distributed to local low income people for free. Reduce food waste.
11. Conduct an all-out effort to improve reading scores for K-3 school children.
12. Connect low income high school students to info on availability of STEM college scholarships. Steer kids away from brain injuring sports-such as football.
—Rob Lorei
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We asked locals what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place to live. Here’s what they said.
This article appears in Feb 29 – Mar 6, 2024.
