New Publix Opens in Tampa’s West River, Known As a Former Food-Desert

A Publix market started serving customers at 1700 North Blvd. in Tampa's West River District. The Oct. 23 opening fills a critical need in an area that went years without access to fresh groceries.

The store spans 31,485 square feet at the corner of North Boulevard and West Main Street, near Howard Blake High School. This marks a key milestone for West River's transformation.

"It is just a tremendous opportunity for this area," said Jerome Ryans, Tampa Housing Authority's President and CEO, according to Fox 13 News. "This has been a food desert for a while. To have the premium grocery store in the state of Florida to open up a store here in this location is just unbelievable."

The market stands as one piece of a wider plan. The Tampa Housing Authority partnered with Related Group on the changes. Just steps away sits Manor Riverside, a new 360-unit living space Related Group built this year.

Next week starts a fresh phase with the West River BUILD Project. Workers will add Riverwalk sections and boost safety for those on foot or bikes. The changes aim to weave the area into a tighter community.

Brandon Campbell, who leads Tampa's mobility efforts, put it simply: "We want to link people better. That means safer paths for walking and biking: really binding these blocks into one strong neighborhood."

The BUILD work comes with a $57 million price tag. Federal grants cover $24 million, while city funds and bonds will pay the rest. City planners aim to finish by 2027, turning blueprints into brick-and-mortar progress.