Tampa Road Corridor
A Commercial Corridor
Tampa Road is Oldsmar’s main commercial corridor and busiest road. Redevelopment of the Tampa Road Corridor only enhances the reputation that Oldsmar is a great place to live, work and play by having the gateway into the City stand out from the rest of Tampa Bay’ commercial corridors. We’ve been told by many visitors, “I wish my City looked like Oldsmar” and we want more visitors to say that.
Appearances
For years, the City has worked with the Florida Department of Transportation to enhance the visual appearances of the medians along the Tampa Road Corridor with the planting of palms, oaks, shrubs, and flowing plants within the medians.
This helps breaks up the visual sea of asphalt that other corridors are hindered by. The City takes great pride in maintaining the medians, which are the foundation for the landscaping planted along the corridor.
Landscaping
As properties redevelop, the City requires that the landscaping along the Tampa Road Corridor be diverse, lush and interesting. Some communities are okay with just a straight hedge line. Oldsmar's design incorporates shade trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, a design that is interesting and serves as an example to others. The City wants to be the example that other communities look at when they decide to improve their corridors.
Pedestrian Friendly
Another goal of the Tampa Road Corridor is to make it more pedestrian friendly. While there are sidewalks, it can be intimidating for some to walk so close to moving cars on narrow sidewalks. The City intends to work with property owners to place wider, meandering sidewalks that allow access and protect existing trees.
Architecture
The City works with property owners to design their buildings with architecture in mind. Unattractive buildings can really diminish a person’s impression of an area. Broad architecture guidelines have been developed that ensure that owners will have the freedom to design their buildings but ensuring that boring and unattractive buildings aren’t constructed.
The City developed Land Development Code Amendments based on community feedback to improve appearance, mobility and economic opportunities along Tampa Road. The Plan includes architectural and landscaping guidelines and pedestrian friendly enhancements. City Council approved Land Development Code Amendments to implement these guidelines for the Tampa Road Corridor as a premier commercial corridor.
The Land Development Code Amendments for the Tampa Road Corridor Plan, Architectural Guidelines, and the adopted Amendments can be viewed online.