Just two blocks east of the newly renovated Water Works Park — the crown jewel in Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s redevelopment plan for a prominent stretch of the city’s riverfront — quiet North Franklin Street is mostly vacant.
But volunteers, with members of the Tampa Heights Civic Association and Congress for New Urbanism, have big plans for the half-mile stretch of road.
The groups threw a block party Saturday to demonstrate what they think the area could become — with a little bit of work.
Posters were taped to the windows of vacant storefronts depicting what sort of businesses could move onto Franklin Street, including a bakery, pet shop and gymnasium. Food trucks were spread out along the road and existing businesses opened their doors for tours.