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The U.S. Department of Transportation has turned down the city of Tampa's grant application for $10 million to complete two final segments of the Riverwalk project.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn said the decision hasn't dampened his spirits of one day having the Riverwalk completed.
"Our vision for the Tampa Riverwalk is as a cornerstone of our entire Tampa community and as a place that opens the river to the people of Tampa, attracts local business and connects our neighborhoods," Buckhorn said in a statement on Monday. "Our vision will become a reality."
"Unfortunately for this particular grant, there was a great deal of competition, but we will continue to look for various funding options to complete the Riverwalk," Buckhorn said.
The Department of Transportation said it received 828 project applications requesting more than $14 billion. Only $511 million was allocated for the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program.
The city's grant application was for $10 million in federal stimulus funds to connect two final gaps in the 2.5-mile pedestrian walkway: one from MacDill Park to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and another from Curtis Hixon to the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.
The 1,460-foot MacDill to Curtis Hixon segment, estimated at $10 million, would involve building a walkway extending into the river and under Kennedy Boulevard bridge. The segment from Curtis Hixon Park to the arts center is estimated at about $2.2 million.
For the full article, visit the Tampa Tribune.
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