The InVision Tampa consulting team, led by AECOM, observed that many of the streets in the urban core area are wider than they need to be to accommodate the existing and future levels of automobile traffic. The excess right-of-way is a valuable asset, as it provides room to create true complete streets. 

The City has already embarked on a complete street initiative through its recent Walk-Bike Study and the InVision Tampa plan builds upon this effort by identifying candidate streets and showing how complete streets can be created. Below is some additional information about complete streets and why they are important. 

What are Complete Streets?

Complete Streets is a term for streets that are designed for everyone - pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, and bicycle to work or places of recreation. 

Why are Complete Streets Important?

Because Complete Streets are designed to foster various users, they also tend to act as magnets for redevelopment. In the June 20 Knowledge Exchange, Ian Lockwood, former Transportation Planner of West Palm Beach, showed that whenever the move was made to create a more complete street in downtown West Palm Beach, redevelopment and reinvestment followed. According Lockwood, streets are not just infrastructure, they are opportunities to create value (through complete streets), which in turn creates more livable communities. 

What do Complete Streets Look Like?

Below is a model for creating a complete street. Note that there are dedicated zones for different modes of travel and amenities for people.