Ybor City's Historic 7th Avenue Goes Back to its Roots, Returning to a Brick Street

Ybor City's Historic 7th Avenue has undergone a significant transformation, reverting to its original brick surface for the first time in over 60 years as part of the 7th Avenue Bricking Project. The work, funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency, was completed ahead of schedule with only minor delays due to Tropical Storm Debby. About 80,000 historic bricks were used in the restoration, collected and preserved by the City of Tampa, making this project a priority for historically significant areas. Despite the full road closure during construction, pedestrian access to surrounding businesses was maintained, assisted by wayfinding signage. The project aims to enhance the character of the National Historic Landmark District while also providing natural traffic calming and promoting walkability.

Local business owners have expressed strong support for the project, with many requesting further restoration on additional blocks of 7th Avenue. CRA Chair Gwendolyn Henderson highlighted the importance of brick streets in preserving the area's authentic character and calming traffic. Future evaluations will consider extending the brick restoration from Nuccio Parkway to 26th Street, potentially covering a mile-long stretch.