TAMPA, Fla. – Downtown Tampa is preparing for a significant surge in visitors this weekend, as a dense schedule of festivals, professional sports, and conventions is expected to push the city’s infrastructure to its limits. Starting Friday, February 27, and running through Sunday, March 1, city officials are warning of heavy traffic congestion and a severe shortage of available street parking.
The influx begins Friday evening with back-to-back performances at the Straz Center, but the real test for commuters arrives Saturday.
The city will be managing several high-capacity events simultaneously, including the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts at Julian B. Lane Park and the Tampa Taco Fest at Al Lopez Park…