Tampa Expressway Authority Selects Three Developers
The agency is moving forward with plans to redevelop two downtown properties into new commercial and residential spaces.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority has narrowed its search to three developers for potential projects on two downtown sites. The agency aims to transform existing office and infrastructure land into new mixed-use developments.
Why it matters
The redevelopment seeks to improve downtown street connectivity while optimizing land currently tied up by administrative offices and stormwater management systems. This shift could introduce new hotel, office, and residential capacity to the city center.
The agency manages a 1.41-acre site at South Meridian Avenue and a 1.42-acre site at 1104 East Twiggs Street. The current Twiggs Street headquarters spans 27,727 square feet, with the authority requiring 20,000 square feet of replacement space.
The players
Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority
This agency oversees the maintenance and expansion of major transit infrastructure serving the region.
Hines
A global real estate investment, development, and management firm that operates large-scale commercial projects.
SPP
A private development group known for managing significant urban transformation projects in the downtown area.
Gotham
A real estate development firm shortlisted for the authority's upcoming downtown land utilization project.
The details
The developers Hines, SPP, and Gotham are competing to build on the sites, which may include residential, hotel, or retail facilities. Proposals must integrate with existing transit infrastructure, including the Tampa Streetcar and the Selmon Greenway.
Timeline
February 2026: THEA President discussed road changes with the City Council.
August 2026: TBBW reviewed tourism studies regarding downtown hotel shortages.
October 26, 2026: Board voted to narrow the field to three developers.
Market Landscape
The project follows a pattern set by the Tampa Streetcar transit infrastructure by prioritizing density near existing transit hubs. This effort reflects a broader trend of leveraging public land for high-density, mixed-use urban development to counter space shortages.
Residents and visitors may see new residential or hotel options replace current administrative offices and utility sites in the downtown area. These changes aim to improve walkability and connectivity between key districts via better integration with local streetcar and transit lines.
The takeaway
Urban agencies are increasingly looking to divest or redevelop underutilized land to address city-wide shortages in commercial and residential space. Developers and residents should expect ongoing planning phases as the authority reconciles administrative needs with market demand.
Further reading
For more on evolving office requirements, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
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