In episode 141, Garrett sits down with Karen Kress, Director of Transportation and Planning at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, for a deep dive into how Tampa’s urban core is evolving. From expanding the Riverwalk and redesigning Bayshore Boulevard to making streets safer for bikes, e-scooters, and pedestrians, Karen shares the bold ideas and behind-the-scenes efforts shaping the city’s future. They explore why historic preservation matters, how parking policies can spark development, and what it will take to create a truly vibrant, connected downtown. Whether you care about transportation, public spaces, or Tampa’s growth, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

0:00:00 - Introduction

0:03:06 - Harbor Island People Mover

0:05:16 - Downtown Tampa in the 90’s

0:07:14 - Tampa Downtown Partnership

0:21:37 - Streetcar Extension

0:34:55 - North Downtown Vision Framework

0:52:35 - Parking Minimums 

1:09:15 - Franklin Street

1:20:09 - Dash Tampa

1:32:53 - South Downtown Vision

1:42:46 - Bike Transportation

1:52:56 - West River Walk

2:08:47 - Marion Transit Pkwy

2:22:44 - Yellow Brick Row