The decorative, lighted archways along 7th Avenue in Ybor City are iconic to the area. As a part of the city’s economic development focus, the archway lights are undergoing an aesthetic rejuvenation and converting to more environmentally sustainable technology. For more information on this project, please read the frequently asked questions below.
The decorative, lighted archways along 7th Avenue in Ybor City are iconic to the area. As a part of the city’s economic development focus, this project will provide an aesthetic rejuvenation to the lighted archways while using more environmentally sustainable lighting technology, with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. Tampa Electric has provided service to the existing archways since 1999, however, some poles were installed earlier. This project will allow for the equipment along 7th Avenue to comply with current safety codes.
The arches will be made of aluminum, 34 feet long, with a “Y” medallion in the center. The arches will be supported by black, powder-coated metal poles and will have new LED lights on the arches.
We have 21 archways planned between Nuccio Parkway and 26th. In most cases, each block will include two archways.
The archway poles will be installed on the north and south sides of 7th Avenue in Ybor City between Nuccio Parkway and 26th. Some of them will be in similar locations to the existing archway poles, and some will be added in new locations.
The project will be along 7th Avenue in Ybor City between Nuccio Parkway and 26th Street, which is just less than one mile in length.
As with other architectural elements in Ybor City, these archways went through a thorough review process before the final design and plan ultimately were approved.
In addition to the archway poles that will be replaced, many other nearby poles within the project area will be replaced with black, powder-coated, metal poles to match the archway poles.
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We anticipate communicating project updates on a bi-weekly basis and sometimes sooner, whenever there is important and immediate information to share.
Small, white lights, similar to those currently in place, will be installed to be consistent with the current decorative archway lighting and to maintain the aesthetic character of the historic district. The new lights will use LED technology. Color-changing LED lights were considered early in the project; however, the cost was prohibitive.
The lights will operate from dusk until dawn, using a daylight sensor.
Street lighting is separate from this decorative, aesthetic lighting being installed on the archways. Tampa Electric will continue to maintain appropriate street-lighting levels to support roadway safety. This could include replacing some streetlights along 7th. Some streetlight poles may be replaced to match the new archway poles.
Yes. A 5 x 5 area around each pole located in the sidewalk will be disturbed. Pavers to be affected will be carefully removed, stored and then returned to their original location. The disclaimer to the Walk of Fame Paver Program reads: ‘The lifespan of engraved pavers cannot be guaranteed since they are in the outside environment 24/7.’ The contractor is aware of how important these pavers are to families and individuals, therefore, they understand to treat each paver with the utmost care.
Construction is scheduled to start in November of 2022. We anticipate completing the project in 2023.
We anticipate the installation of archways on each block to take approximately one week. Lane closures will be required along 7th.
There will be a construction schedule available before work begins.
The TECO project Manager is Grey Rivera (813-275-3496). You may also use the “Ask a Question” button below to get in contact.