Discuss Vision For Tampa's Future At New Open Mic Events

Urbanism on Tap, a new three-part event series, launches March 12, 5:30 pm at Sono Café at the Tampa Museum of Art.

The events present an opportunity for raw, interactive, community-driven conversation about current issues shaping Tampa Bay area cities. They will begin with a brief presentation on a relevant topic and then an open-mic style talk that will give attendees a chance to come together and talk about what they’re most passionate about.

The "on tap" metaphor portrays the desire to have the urbanism discussion ever flowing and always available.

"We wanted to create a place where people can come and talk about what urbanism is to them in a readily accessible environment," says Erin Chantry, executive committee member of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Tampa Bay, who is jointly hosting the event with Urban Charrette

The first event in the series, "It’s About Us! Our Plan," will focus on understanding Tampa’s vision for the future and how it compares to other vibrant communities. The discussion will start with a summary of the InVision Tampa Plan, followed by a lively discussion.

"We need to have the ability to take ownership and an invested interest in how our city moves forward,'' says Chantry. "We need to make a plan for how we, as the general public, can do our part to make our city reflect our values and goals."

CNU Tampa Bay and Urban Charrette plan to launch an online portal after the event in order to keep the conversation going.

The second part in the series, titled "What About Them? Rival Cities," will look at how other comparable cities are becoming more vibrant and how we compare. The third and final part, titled "What Happens Next? Actions for the Future," will focus on action steps for the community to take the vision forward.

RSVP online here.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Erin Chantry, CNU Tampa Bay
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A Florida native and longtime Tampa Bay resident, Megan Hendricks graduated from the University of South Florida with a master's degree in business administration. She worked at the USF College of Business and has extensive community experience including the Tampa Bay Partnership's Talent Dividend Advisory Board, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Emerge Tampa Bay, Ekhos, and Bar Camp Tampa. She is a former board member and newsletter editor for Creative Tampa Bay. Megan enjoys telling the stories that make Tampa Bay a unique, diverse cultural experience.