A Riverwalk route beneath Cass Street

REAL TAMPA BAY // OCTOBER 28, 2026 // DEVELOPMENT DESK

BY TAYLOR GANGIS

A Riverwalk connection that lets people keep walking instead of negotiating a busy crossing. HYROX bringing a different kind of sports weekend downtown. A World Series run filling rooms in St. Pete.

This week is about how people move through Tampa Bay, and what happens when they have a reason to stay awhile. Plus, Halloween plans from Wednesday through Saturday.

IN THIS ISSUE

01 The Riverwalk could go beneath Cass Street

02 HYROX brought a different sports crowd downtown

03 The World Series boost reaches beyond the ballpark

04 Three new stops are coming to Water Street

05 Development Briefs

06 Halloween Events: Wednesday–Saturday

STORY 1 // THE SAFER CONNECTION

The Riverwalk could go beneath Cass Street

A. WHAT HAPPENED

Hillsborough County commissioners voted October 21 to allocate up to $200,000 toward preliminary engineering design for the Cass Street Underpass Extension of the Tampa Riverwalk.

B. THE DETAILS

The proposed passage would take walkers and cyclists beneath Cass Street Bridge, bypassing the street-level crossing at Cass Street and West Tyler Street and continuing toward the Straz.

WUSF reports Tampa has contributed another $200,000. The funding advances design, not construction, and there is no confirmed completion date.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

The county identifies pedestrian safety and access to local attractions as the purpose. A continuous riverfront route would give people a way around the road crossing without closing the street to cars.

This is the kind of pedestrian-friendly design I love. Connect the places people already want to go, and make walking between them easier. We should be applying that thinking beyond downtown, too: coffee, the gym, dinner and everyday errands should be able to fit into a connected neighborhood.

PRESENTED BY WATER STREET TAMPA

Whispers After Dark arrives October 28.

Water Street’s Halloween evening is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, October 28, from 6–9:30 p.m. The outdoor event is free and open to the public. The separate 21+ Tasting Quarters is sold out.

→ EXPLORE WHISPERS AFTER DARK

Paid partnership with Water Street Tampa.

STORY 2 // THE EVENT ECONOMY

HYROX brought a different sports crowd downtown

A. WHAT HAPPENED

Tampa hosted its first HYROX competition October 22–25 at the Tampa Convention Center, bringing four days of fitness racing to the waterfront.

B. THE DETAILS

Before the event, organizers expected approximately 18,700 athletes and more than 18,000 spectators. Those were projections, not a final attendance count.

The competition combines running with workout stations, with individual, doubles and relay formats. Its downtown location puts the competition close to hotels, restaurants and the Riverwalk.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

Convention Center officials pointed to visiting athletes and spectators spending at hotels, restaurants and attractions. That is the local opportunity: a race weekend can bring business well beyond the competition floor.

A verified Tampa-specific dollar-impact total is not yet available in the reporting reviewed. The next useful measures are actual attendance, visitor stays and spending at surrounding businesses.

The Riverwalk story fits here, too. When people can walk from a major event to coffee, dinner or another stop, more of the neighborhood becomes part of their visit.

STORY 3 // THE BASEBALL BOOST

The World Series boost reaches beyond the ballpark

A. WHAT HAPPENED

The Rays’ World Series appearance brought baseball visitors to St. Petersburg, with local lodging operators reporting stronger bookings during a normally quieter stretch.

B. THE DETAILS

The Hollander Hotel’s general manager told Tampa Bay 28 that the property was booked to capacity from Friday through Wednesday. Vacation-rental operators also reported increased demand.

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater highlighted the value of attracting visitors on softer-demand weekdays. The St. Petersburg Area Chamber cited an MLB estimate of up to $7 million in regional economic impact per postseason game.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

Hotel stays can turn into restaurant visits, shopping and additional time around the Bay. The booking reports offer a concrete look at that activity, though one full hotel does not tell us how the entire market performed.

The $7 million figure is an attributed estimate, not a measured total from this World Series. The lasting business question is how much additional demand reaches local operators, and whether visitors find reasons to return after baseball. One more game tonight baby!!

STORY 4 // THE NEIGHBORHOOD MIX

Three new stops are coming to Water Street

Water Street Tampa is this issue’s sponsor.

A. WHAT HAPPENED

Strategic Property Partners announced three additions to Water Street Tampa on October 27: Sirena City Haus Boutique, Ayu Bottega and a new [solidcore] studio.

B. THE DETAILS

Sirena City Haus Boutique, from Tampa entrepreneur Sydney Boright, is targeting late December 2026 or early January 2027 near Pura Vida Miami. The women’s fashion shop will expand on her original Sirena Boutique, which will remain open on Cypress Street.

Ayu Bottega, a new concept from Alexandra Exterkamp’s locally owned Ayu Skin, is targeting November beside Pura Vida. Plans include beauty, wellness and lifestyle retail, plus facial treatments.

[solidcore] is scheduled for a November 12 soft opening and December 19 grand opening on East Cumberland Avenue. SPP says it will be the brand’s second Tampa studio.

These are announced opening plans, not completed openings.

C. WHY IT MATTERS

Shopping, a workout, an appointment and something to eat can become stops in the same neighborhood instead of separate drives. That is the everyday convenience I want to see more of around Tampa Bay. The storefront mix matters alongside the sidewalks, shade and places to spend time.

DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS

Oldsmar’s next downtown decision

Oldsmar’s proposed development agreement for homes, shops and a public plaza around City Hall passed its first reading October 20. Another public hearing is scheduled for November 3 at 7 p.m., at Council Chamber, 101 State Street West.

The proposal includes 240 homes and about 19,650 square feet of commercial space. First-reading passage is a step forward, not final approval or a construction start.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS // WEDNESDAY–SATURDAY

Halloween around Tampa Bay

Wednesday, October 28 | Whispers After Dark

Roaming characters, eerie music and immersive encounters across Water Street’s streets and pocket parks. 6–9:30 p.m. · Water Street Tampa, 971 Water St. · Outdoor experience free. The separate 21+ Tasting Quarters is sold out. Details are in this week’s Water Street placement above.

Thursday–Saturday, October 29–31 | An Eerie Evening

Victorian Halloween traditions, unusual artifacts and a mystery inside the former Tampa Bay Hotel. 6–9 p.m. nightly · Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. · $25; $20 museum members. Intended for ages 14+.

Friday–Saturday, October 30–31 | Creatures of the Night

Costumed characters, spooky entertainment and treats for the family. 4–10 p.m. · ZooTampa, 1101 W. Sligh Ave. Included with ZooTampa Membership or Zoo Fun ticket; other admission is ticketed.

Friday–Saturday, October 30–31 | Haunted Fest

Electronic music and a silent disco on the waterfront. 5–10 p.m. nightly · Spa Beach at St. Pete Pier, 600 Second Ave. NE · Ticketed; ages 18+.

Friday, October 30 | The Haunting of Huggins

A Halloween night for teens with haunted houses, scare zones, a movie, food trucks and a costume contest. 7–11 p.m. · Huggins-Stengel Field, 1320 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg · $10 advance; limited $15 tickets at the gate.

Saturday, October 31 | Trail-or-Treat

Collect treats at the campground cabins, then follow a spooky nature trail toward Osprey Roost. Noon–2 p.m. · Terry Tomalin Campground, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 3010 31st St. S., St. Petersburg · Free, all ages. Registration required.

Check current tickets and event conditions before heading out.

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THE CLOSE

The Close

Where in Tampa Bay would one better walking connection make the biggest difference in your day? Hit reply and tell me the two places you wish were easier to walk between.

Real Tampa Bay. Real people doing real cool things around the Bay.

REAL TAMPA BAY // TAMPA, FL