March Newsletter - Community Events and Next Steps Progress

Hello, Sulphur Springs community!

We have been hard at work progressing on next steps for Sulphur Springs. City Planning has so far spoken with staff from Housing and Community Development, Econonomic Opportunity, Neighborhood Enhancement (Code Enforcement), Sustainability and Resiliency, and Mobility to identify easy wins, potential constraints, and priority actions if constraints were addressed from the recommendations of the Sulphur Springs Neighborhood Action Plan. We have meetings on the calendar to meet with Workforce Development, Art, Parks and Recreation, and Community Engagement before the month is over. In other words, just because the drafting of the Plan is finished, doesn't mean we are! We will be making an update to City Council on May 7th to discuss the finalization of the plan and our work since.

Mobility staff have shared that the speed bumps on Waters Avenue are being replaced this week! The first step is to remove the existing bumps, then to install the new enhanced design. Be aware, there may be a few days between removal and installation.

Additionally, City staff are coming together this week to begin design work imagining how Bird Street from Florida to Nebraska can be safer, more comfortable, and more activated for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers in the area. Community members will have a chance to provide more feedback on walking and biking preferences at the City of Tampa Community Engagement booth at the Sulphur Springs Lit Fest this Friday (more details below).

There are three community events that we have been asked to share with you all. First, the Sulphur Springs Lit Fest, taking place this Friday, March 20th from 11am to 2pm at the Sulphur Springs Resource Center. The event will have lots of food, games, entertainment, and most importantly, books!

Next, Tampa Family Health Center (8108 N Nebraska Ave.) is doing a free giveaway of 100 fruit trees on Monday, March 23rd from 12 - 2pm. For more information, please contact Nicole Pinson, TFHC Garden Manager at 813-459-3831 or npinson@tfhc.org.

And last but not least, the Sulphur Springs K-8 PTSA is hosting a community meeting Monday, March 30th at 2pm at the SSK-8 Media Center to discuss the School District proposal to close the Middle School portion of the K-8. See this webpage to get more details and school district contact information.

We are looking forward to continuing to work on these important next steps for the Sulphur Springs community.