Refreshed 7th Avenue Archway Lights Officially Unveiled
TAMPA, FL. (April 19, 2023) – Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Community Redevelopment Agency Board Member Joseph Citro, and TECO President Archie Collins helped unveil the rejuvenated 7th Avenue Archway Lights. Though all the new archway lights had been fully installed in March, this ceremony allowed community leaders to celebrate and recognize the update to this iconic symbol of Tampa’s Historic Neighborhood.
The old archway lights, which were originally installed in 1990, had reached the end of their life span. Originally intended as a temporary addition to celebrate the centennial of Ybor City, the archway lights became a welcomed fixture and icon of Ybor City.
The Ybor City CRA worked with local partners, including TECO and KCI Technologies, to redesign the 21 iconic archway lights for more than 2 years. The new archway lights are equipped with LED lighting and digital technology that automatically turns on and off from dusk to dawn with a daylight sensor. Additionally, the new archway lights are more structurally sound than their predecessors.
The refreshed 7th Avenue Archway Lights project also included the installation of new TECO poles that will support the archway lights and sidewalk enhancements. The new poles are black-coated to match the aesthetics of the historic district.
The original lights that have adorned 7th Avenue for more than 3 decades will be available to purchase at auction this summer. More information about the auction will be made available through Ybor FLASH emails, social media posts, and other media.