The Bayshore Boulevard

The Bayshore Boulevard. . , In 1907, Alfred Swann and Eugene Holtsinger constructed the original section of seawall and roadway extending from Swann Avenue to Rome Avenue. This initial section, which was called Bayshore Drive, served Suburb Beautiful, the first residential development along the bayshore. Subsequently, as a result of a 1912 bond issue, 2.3 miles of seawall and roadway were added by Hillsborough County. Thus, the bayshore was expanded to 3.2 miles, transforming the original drive to Bayshore Boulevard., The Great Hurricane of 1921 destroyed a substantial portion of the boulevard, resulting in a 1925 reconstruction project. The City of Tampa reconstructed the boulevard within the city limits. Concurrently, Hillsborough County built a new section of boulevard extending from Hawthorne Road to Howard Avenue., In 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided the resources necessary to once again reconstruct the Bayshore Boulevard as well as build the Bayshore Boat Docks, presently known as the Bayshore Marina. This 1935 project resulted in a wider Bayshore Boulevard extending from Hawthorne Road to the Platt Street Bridge., Since 1935, time and storms have taken a toll upon the Bayshore Boulevard. In 1992, under the direction of Mayor Sandra Warshaw Freedman, the Bayshore Boulevard restoration project was completed, resulting in the restoration of the seawall system as well as the realignment of the northbound roadway between Hawthorne Road and Rome Avenue. Thus, Bayshore Boulevard has evolved not only to serve vehicular traffic but also provide a recreational linear green space along four miles of uninterrupted waterfront sidewalk.