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Jane Castor won’t change anything on Bayshore or other Tampa streets

The mayor said Bayshore and other streets won’t be closed or traffic patterns altered during pandemic.
 
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Monday that she won't close city streets, fearing crowds. And she won't close down any part of Bayshore after this weekend's fatalities.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Monday that she won't close city streets, fearing crowds. And she won't close down any part of Bayshore after this weekend's fatalities. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Published April 6, 2020|Updated April 6, 2020

After the two fatalities on Bayshore Boulevard this weekend, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s office said Monday no changes to traffic patterns will take place on the iconic street.

The mayor also said that, while it had been discussed, other Tampa streets won’t be closed for fear of drawing large crowds.

“While closing certain streets for recreational purposes was considered, it has become clear that doing so would make these streets an attraction for large groups of people at a time when it is more important than ever for all of us to exercise social distancing,” read a statement from Castor texted to the Tampa Bay Times from her spokeswoman.

“We are lucky that so many people can enjoy exercising in their own backyard, on their own streets, and in their own neighborhood — that’s what we should all be doing during this time, not gathering in groups on Bayshore or the Riverwalk,” Castor wrote.

Last month, Castor ordered city parks to close but kept Bayshore and the Riverwalk open. Castor reiterated again in her statement Monday that she was proud of residents’ efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Asked if changes to Bayshore would go into effect, Castor spokeswoman Ashley Bauman said: “No.”

On Saturday, Tampa attorney Hal Holmes Flowers and an unidentified motorcyclist were killed after a collision when Flowers was crossing the boulevard.

Related: Bayshore fatalities

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