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Ybor Beautification To Divert Traffic

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By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: November 23, 2008

YBOR CITY - Motorists should avoid a portion of eastbound Seventh Avenue on Monday.

Crews are set to start a beautification project between 22nd and 23rd streets. Traffic will be diverted to 21st Street, Fourth Avenue and 34th Street starting at about 9 a.m. Westbound traffic will not be affected.

The project is the first of four for the blocks between 22nd and 26th streets and comes after several enhancements over the summer in Ybor, including renovations at Centennial Park.

"We're moving up," said Vince Pardo, director of the Ybor City Development Corp.

Pardo said the aim of the improvements is to bolster the district's shops and restaurants and shed Ybor's nighttime-only image. Revenue from the special taxing district will pay for the work.

The project includes replacing the crumbling sidewalks with gray and black hexagon pavers and adding ornamental light poles, benches, trash containers and nine Washingtonian palm trees.
Eastbound detours will be in place until Dec. 24. After New Year's, westbound traffic will be diverted to coincide with work on the opposite sidewalk. Further improvements east of 23rd Street will happen in subsequent years, Pardo said.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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