Westshore 101, sponsored by Troy University, discussed the ongoing growth of Tampa’s Westshore District and the positive impact Westshore Alliance has had on our Tampa Bay community.

The Westshore Alliance is a not-for-profit busines- based organization that advocates for the Westshore District. The goal of this organization is to improve the quality of this district for everyone who works in, lives in, and visits this area of Tampa. The Westshore Alliance has made various strides in the areas of urban development, transportation, public safety, and much more. The organization is able to make this kind of progress with the guidance and participation of their member companies.

Ann Kulig, Executive Director of the Westshore Alliance, discussed the ongoing changes that they are making within this district. Apart from the progress that the organization has already made (Raymond James Stadium, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa International Airport) there is still many more things on the horizon. Some of these new developments include office space, five new hotels that are currently under construction, and multifamily apartments.

The Westshore Alliance is currently working on four new major developments, which everybody in the Tampa Bay community is buzzing about. One of these developments include Midtown, which will connect Downtown Tampa with the Westshore District to make one big urban area. Midtown is opening in 2021 and is bringing new hotels, apartments, offices, stores, and much more to the upcoming area. Westshore City Center, which includes the old office buildings that jumpstarted the Westshore office market, is currently undergoing renovations that include new plaza areas and projects that will improve the public space along Westshore Boulevard.

In addition to Midtown and Westshore City Center, Tampa International Airport is expanding their progress by constructing a major new office building which is scheduled to be completed by next year and will have a skywalk that connects to the SkyConnect at Tampa International Airport. The last major development is a major redevelopment of Westshore Plaza. The redevelopment will add over 1500 apartments, office buildings, create a street grid within Westshore Plaza, and redo of the retail.

With the redevelopment of the Westshore District by the Westshore Alliance, Tampa Bay will continue to thrive not only for the residents, but people from all over the world visiting the new and improved Bay area.