Tampa Receiving a Facelift with 'InVision' Project

Tampa is known for its beach access, strip clubs and variety of ethnic cuisine.

Now, community leaders and public officials want to add something else to that list of notoriety: A pedestrian-friendly City Center.

Enter InVision Tampa, a 25-year master plan for the area of town that extends from downtown Tampa to Ybor City, winding through Armenia Avenue on the west end and north toward Nebraska Avenue to Hillsborough Avenue.

highlights from a draft of the master plan will be unveiled on Tuesday during a press conference in the City Hall courtyard with Mayor Bob Buckhorn and urban planners from AECOM, a consulting firm.

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In addition, a community open house for the public will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Tampa Preparatory School, 727 W. Cass Street in Tampa.

The idea for the $1.43 million project, paid for using federal grant money, is to use the master plan to develop the city's downtown by connecting major portions of Tampa Bay - Ybor City, Tampa Heights and the Channel District, for example - by creating a pedestrian-friendly feel that would attract small businesses, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

What do you think of InVision Tampa? Are you going to the open house? Tell us in the comments.