Water Taxi Charrette

A FUTURE FOR TAMPA’S WATERFRONT

The Tampa Downtown Partnership retained the services of the Urban Charrette to plan and facilitate a design charrette focused on the potential for a water taxi service in the downtown Tampa area. The final report provides findings, summaries of the design team’s analyses and recommendations, and refined schematic design proposals that were prepared for the Tampa Water Taxi Design Charrette. The charrette process was built on the qualitative and quantitative analyses completed prior to a three-day workshop held in December 2008 in Tampa, FL.

Tampa’s geographical location and warm climate make it ideal for year-round waterfront experiences. The Hillsborough River has played an important role in Tampa’s cultural heritage and early economy. The river is lined with historic neighborhoods, parks, museums, and employment centers. The new Tampa Riverwalk provides more opportunity for public access to the river. The river offers a fundamental link between residential, recreational, commercial, cultural, and institutional amenities.