Tampa Closes Streets to Open Outdoor Space to Restaurants

A pilot project in Tampa is closing select streets to cars to allow more space for dine-in restaurant service.

1 minute read

May 6, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Coronavirus Open Streets

Jose Fernandez / Facebook

"In an effort to help further stimulate businesses throughout Tampa, the city proposed closing down select streets to cars entirely," reports Andrew Harlan.

"[R]estaurants and retailers in Tampa can begin catering to customers on premises with 25% occupancy inside, and tables spaced 6 feet apart outside."

The new Business Recovery Zones pilot program launched on Monday May 4, and will run for 14 days during a pilot program. Several streets in the historic district of Ybor City are designated the Business Recovery Zones, as are streets in the neighborhoods of Downtown Tampa, Hyde Park, Hyde Park Village, Tampa Heights, West River, and SoHo, according to a separate article published by Tampa Bay Metro.

Jason Fernandez, owner of Tequilas Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Ybor City, posted a picture on Facebook of his restaurant all decked out in preparation for the Cinco de mayo celebration yesterday.

By closing streets to cars to allow more room for local businesses to operate with enough space for social distancing, Tampa follows in the footsteps of Vilnius, Lithuania and Brookhaven, Georgia. New York City could also follow suit

Monday, May 4, 2020 in That's So Tampa

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Row of older brick houses in Detroit with front porches and front lawns.

Detroit Says Problems With Property Tax Assessments are Fixed. Advocates Disagree.

With higher-valued properties under assessed and lower-valued properties over assessed, advocates say there's still a problem with Detroit's property tax system.

30 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA