Vibrant. Diverse. Pedestrian- friendly. Hip. Affordable. Safe. Friendly.

Those were among the adjectives that nearly 400 people gathered at Tampa Prep last Thursday evening kept coming back to as they debated how they would like downtown to look and feel a decade or two from now.

Two-Way Streets Are Needed

To get there more quickly, start by converting downtown's confusing one-way streets into two-way to make it easier to get around. Plant trees in strategic spots to provide shade. Add decorative curbing to slow traffic's rush into and out of the city. Increase on-street parking, perhaps using angled slots to provide more spaces. Demand certain properties spruce up or be gone. Establish incentives to attract a healthy mix of residential, retail and commercial along with office space.

Consultant Don Hunter led the group through an exercise in coalition-building that was sponsored by the city and the Downtown Partnership. The public and private entities aim to identify a cohesive blend of investments that will nurture each other while providing a place where people want to live, work and play.

Dozens of projects already crowd the drawing boards of developers keen on additions to downtown. Tampa has become a hot spot for investors eager to get in on the front end of the city's revival.

The most impressive outcome of Thursday's gathering?

No one expressed concern that consensus couldn't be reached.

The segment of the population most visibly absent? Elected officials.

While the mayor and a few others had representatives in the audience, the bosses weren't there to hear anguish voiced over the need for political leadership to support downtown as an avenue to help the entire county thrive.

A dependable tax base in an urban core generates revenue necessary to keep taxes low in the county. In-fill also helps relieve already congested suburban neighborhoods, keeping land open for those who are drawn to the countryside and easing overcrowding in schools and on roads.

Early Investments Will Pay Off

Initial investments in transportation, water and sewer pipelines and improved traffic signals and signage downtown will pave the way for better and more attractive developments that feed off themselves and multiply.

Changes in zoning and city codes will help such smart growth, as will encouraging sidewalk cafes and markets mixed in with hotels, ethnic restaurants, grocery and hardware stores, and places that people want to be.

The crowd gathered Thursday night could see that big picture. Now it's up to the consultants and community leaders to make it happen.