City of Tampa Breaks Ground on First Phase of Rome Yards Development, Creating Affordable Housing and Community Amenities

The City of Tampa Breaks Ground on Transformative Rome Yards Development

Tampa, FL – The City of Tampa is set to break ground on the first phase of Rome Yards, a groundbreaking and inclusive development project in the West Tampa community. The partnership between the City of Tampa, the Tampa Housing Authority, and developer Related Urban Development Group will kick off the construction of the Gallery at Rome Yards, the initial phase of the mixed-use master plan.

Located south of Columbus Drive between Rome Avenue and the Hillsborough River, the Gallery at Rome Yards will feature 234 apartment homes ranging from one to three bedrooms. Eighty percent of the units will be reserved for households at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), with the remaining 20 percent designated for workforce housing.

“This joint venture is a shining example of public and private entities coming together to address the critical need for affordable housing in our city,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “The groundbreaking of the Gallery at Rome Yards marks the beginning of a transformative project that will benefit Tampa residents for generations to come.”

One of the unique features of this phase of development is the inclusion of five live/work units, providing a space for small business owners to seamlessly integrate their residential and work spaces. Additionally, a workforce training center will offer valuable workplace training and resume-building assistance to residents.

Nicole Travis, the City of Tampa’s Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity, emphasized the importance of the Rome Yards development in meeting the growing demand for affordable housing in the city. “This project is a testament to the success of public-private partnerships in addressing the housing needs of our community,” Travis stated.

The Gallery at Rome Yards is just the beginning of the larger Rome Yards Master Plan, which will ultimately feature 954 units of mixed-income housing on the 18-acre site. The master plan aims to revitalize the area with new green spaces, a community amphitheater, and a historic brick observation tower paying homage to West Tampa’s rich heritage.

Construction of the Gallery at Rome Yards is expected to be completed by December 2026, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to provide affordable and inclusive housing options for its residents.