Port Tampa Bay Set to Expand with New Cruise Terminal

Port Tampa Bay, eager to expand its cruise business even further, plans to construct a fourth downtown cruise terminal. Port commissioners approved a $500,000 contract with HDR Engineering Inc. to perform engineering and design work on the new terminal, which would be located north of Terminal 6 and directly south of Darryl Shaw’s planned multiuse development, Ybor Harbor. A man-made slip would be filled in to facilitate the project.

The proposal is the latest development in what some see as a conflict between the cruise business and downtown’s economic development, while others view it as a complementary relationship. Issues such as parking, waterfront access, and more are under consideration.