Tampa Mayor Jane Castor delivered her annual State of the City address Tuesday at Fair Oaks Park, building her remarks on a “Built to Last” theme.
The event also celebrated the December 2025 opening of the approximately $34 million Fair Oaks Park Recreation Center in the East Tampa district. Key topics included infrastructure improvements, transportation enhancements, housing, public safety and park and recreation repairs.
Infrastructure
Castor discussed the multibillion PIPES program, which was developed to enhance Tampa’s water infrastructure. The City has “undertaken more than 100 different pipe projects,” she said. Over 78 miles of “aging waterlines” have been replaced. More than 210 miles of wastewater lines have been rehabilitated.
“These upgrades have prevented leaks, reduced sinkholes, conserved water, improved reliability and protected against costly failures,” she explained. “In the next year, we’ll complete an additional 17 miles of water and wastewater lines along with major upgrades to our water and wastewater treatment plants.”
Suspended Ion Exchange (SIX) technology will be installed at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility to remove chemicals and improve water quality, Castor added. The system will be able to “treat up to a peak of 140 million gallons per day,” according to a prepared statement.
She said that the City has invested “hundreds of millions” in stormwater infrastructure projects. The Tampa government is “moving forward” on the South Howard Flood Relief Project. It will feature a stormwater conveyance system to “improve drainage and reduce flooding along South Howard Avenue and adjacent neighborhoods,” according to the City’s website.
“It would be far easier to shelve that project for years of additional study,” Castor explained. “But floodwaters don’t wait for a consensus. Any delay is a decision to stay vulnerable.”
Transportation enhancements
Since 2019, the Tampa government has “paved more than 310 miles of streets,” “repaired more than 100 miles of sidewalks,” and “added 56 miles of bike infrastructure.”
The City, in partnership with Hillsborough Transit Authority, is planning to extend the TECO Line Streetcar into the Tampa Heights neighborhood. “The groundwork to fund and operate the streetcar is being developed today so that construction can begin soon,” she said.
Residential and neighborhood projects
“More than 23,000 residential units have been added since 2019,” Castor said. “More than 8,300 affordable units have been completed or are underway. We’ve invested $100 million in affordable housing and housing assistance since 2019.”
Multi-family residential and neighborhood enhancement projects include the nearly 2,000 unit Robles Park Village, over 1,000 unit Rome Yard and the West River Redevelopment initiative.
“This isn’t just about buildings,” she explained. “It’s about stability, opportunity and making sure that people can stay, work, build and grow here in our city.”
Public Safety
Public safety has been a key priority, Castor said. The City has focused on “strategic policing,” technology investments, community partnerships and crime prevention initiatives.
“We have the lowest violent crime rate and the lowest non-violent crime rate we have seen in generations,” she added, “including a 21.4% reduction in the last year alone.”
The government has also made investments for Tampa Fire Rescue, Castor explained. In 2025, the department responded to over 10,000 fire calls and over 76,000 rescue calls. Six new rescue units were deployed and the department hired 44 additional staff members. She said that “response times are down” and “coverage is stronger.”
Parks and Recreation
Currently, the City of Tampa maintains more than 200 parks. Last year, over 10,000 improvement projects were completed including playground equipment, bench and facility repairs. Castor added that more than 15,000 trees were planted “citywide” as well. By 2030, the government plans to plant 30,000.
“We’re not done,” she said. “We are going to keep investing, keep building and keep moving forward because this isn’t about one moment, it’s about building something that lasts.”
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