Tampa Heights Riverfront Roundabouts Project

Tampa Heights Riverfront  CRA is seeking to commission sculptures for two different roundabouts 

The Tampa Heights Riverfront CRA is invested in the arts and wants to add art to the community and continue to push growth to the area. There are currently two roundabouts on Palm Avenue that The Tampa Heights Riverfront CRA want to activate with artist designed sculptures.  Palm Avenue and North Boulevard and Palm Avenue and Highland Street.  These are existing round abouts.  The area is bustling neighborhood and has had a great deal of development over the last decade.   Both Roundabouts are under .5 mile apart.  They are both share a close proximity to the Hillsborough River .  

Total Project Budget for Both: $275,000 

Roundabout #1 at Palm and Highland (Budget approx: $__100,000___) 

Roundabout #2 at Palm and Blvd (budget approx: $__175.000____ 

Round about Sizes: 

Palm Ave and N Blvd:  Approx: 63’ diameter  

Palm Ave and Highland Ave: 50’ diameter  

COMMISSIONED ARTISTS SCOPE 

The Artist or Artist Team commissioned for each site is expected to: 

• Work with city staff and design team
• Some level of community engagement will be required
• Participate in design proposal reviews, respond to feedback
• Follow code for visibility in roundabouts
• Implement the approved design proposal
• Create a maintenance manual for the work of art
• Signed and sealed engineered drawings
• Provide content for interpretative signage about the artwork
• Artists(s) will be required to design foundation, lighting and landscaping.
• Artist will be responsible for choosing materials that will be conducive to Florida climate and close proximity to brackish river
• This is a turn-key project; the project budget is to encompass design, engineering, fabrication, installation, insurance, travel, accommodations, etc.

ANTICIPATED PROJECT SCHEDULE 

This schedule is subject to change. 

• All materials received: October  31, 2025
• Notification of artist(s): December 2025
• Artists’ Design Development 1Q 2026
• Artists’ Artwork Implementation 2Q 2026 – 4Q 2026
• Artwork installation completed 1Q 2027

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY OVERVIEW: 

Tampa Heights, established in the late 19th century, is Tampa’s oldest suburb and a foundational part of the city’s growth. During the Yellow Fever outbreaks of the mid-to-late 1800s, many families fled the dense, low-lying areas of “town” and moved north to the higher ground just beyond the city’s limits. Though the mosquito-borne nature of the disease wasn’t yet understood, this “heights” area—thanks to better drainage, lower population density, and slightly elevated terrain—was seen as a healthier alternative. 

In the 1880s, Tampa entered a new era of growth with the arrival of the railroad, the phosphate boom, and the birth of the cigar industry. Around the same time, a new town emerged just north of Tampa: North Tampa, incorporated in 1886 with boundaries stretching from the Hillsborough River east to Florida Avenue, and from just north of Harrison Street up to today’s Laurel Street. Though modest in size, the Town of North Tampa signaled the beginning of organized development outside the core city. Many of its founders were already influential in Tampa’s political and economic circles, further entwining the Heights with the city’s future. 

The Hillsborough River, which borders Tampa Heights to the west, has long played a vital role in the area’s growth by providing water, transportation, and access to the greater Tampa Bay estuary. From this rich environment emerged one of Tampa’s most iconic culinary creations: the devil crab. Made with blue crab native to local waters and seasoned with chilau—a savory blend of tomatoes, onions, and peppers influenced by Cuban, Spanish, and Italian home cooking—this fried croquette became a staple among Tampa’s working class. During early 20th-century labor strikes in the cigar industry, devil crabs were a source of both nourishment and unity for workers. Sold by vendors and pushcarts, they were affordable, portable, and deeply tied to the spirit of resistance. Their ingredients reflect the city’s immigrant roots, and their widespread popularity during times of unrest connects them to Tampa’s labor history. The area near these roundabouts once had many devil crab stands, and while the dish is less common today, it remains a symbol of the resilience, cultural fusion, and working-class spirit that built the city. Tampa Heights continues to embody that legacy—shaped by recovery from disease, waves of immigration, industrial growth, and the river that still flows through its heart. 

Tampa Heights, has experienced a dynamic wave of redevelopment in recent years, transforming it into a hub of activity while honoring its rich history. At the center of this revitalization is the Hillsborough River, once a vital artery for industry and transportation, now a focal point for recreation, culture, and community gathering. The Tampa Riverwalk, which stretches along the river’s edge, has connected Tampa Heights to Downtown, creating a scenic corridor for walking, biking, and public art. One of the most prominent developments is Armature Works, a restored streetcar warehouse turned food hall and event space that has become a destination for locals and visitors alike. With restaurants, markets, co-working spaces, and outdoor seating that overlooks the river, Armature Works reflects the blending of historic architecture with modern design. The adjacent Water Works Park offers green space, a splash pad, and an amphitheater, making it a family-friendly gathering place that also hosts concerts, festivals, and fitness classes. River-based activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat tours are now everyday sights, bringing life back to the water. These developments have reactivated Tampa Heights’ waterfront, creating a vibrant, walkable environment that celebrates both the neighborhood’s past and its evolving future. 

SELECTION PROCESS 

After an initial blind review, up to three finalists will be selected and compensated to create high level concepts. The Selection Committee is comprised of art professionals, architects and individuals associated with the project. 

Artists or Teams must have created art of this scale and can provide images and details of the Projects completed

Artists must be able to produce engineered drawings

National Artists only  

The Artist or Artist Team commissioned for each site is expected to: 

Work with city staff and design team 

Some level of community engagement will be required 

Participate in design proposal reviews, respond to feedback 

Follow code for visibility in roundabouts  

Implement the approved design proposal 

Create a maintenance manual for the work of art 

Signed and sealed engineered drawings 

Provide content for interpretative signage about the artwork 

Artists(s) will be required to design foundation, lighting and landscaping. 

Artist will be responsible for choosing materials that will be conducive to Florida climate and close proximity to brackish river 

This is a turn-key project; the project budget is to encompass design, engineering, fabrication, installation, insurance, travel, accommodations, etc.