The Ybor City Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), a division of the City of Tampa’s Development and Economic Opportunity Department, facilitates the development, redevelopment, economic revitalization, and general improvement of Ybor City’s CRAs 1 and 2.
In late April of 2016, HCP Associates was named marketing firm of record of the Ybor City CRA. In May 2016, HCP Associates launched the first Resident and Worker Study for the district. The objectives of the study were to 1) assess the development priorities from resident and worker perspectives, 2) establish benchmarks for satisfaction and recommendation levels, 3) collect perceived assets and opportunities for the district, 4) document motivating factors for use in attracting future residents, 5) gleaning benefits for potential businesses to relocate to Ybor City, 6) identify challenges to achieving residential, retail and commercial capacity, and 7) solidifying how the stakeholders define Ybor City’s brand.
Learnings from visitors, residents, workers, business owners and leaders would shape the strategy and call attention to the district’s broader offerings to help grow its diverse community through additional economic development efforts. Over the years, the study has brought to light community-driven changes and improvements, including new types of retail, pedestrian friendly crosswalks, greenspaces, the YES! Team, enhancements to lighting, new residential dwellings, and much more.
The study is conducted every two years to track changes in resident and workers sentiment and to gauge opinions on new topics of interest. In the most recent iteration of the study, four main themes were identified: community activation, retail development, parking and transportation, and safety and security. The findings reinforce existing opportunities for Ybor City to improve the quality of life and encourage redevelopment in the historic district.