... Do it.

Downtown Tampa is the place to be tomorrow, but not the place to park..

It’s worth a reminder that 20,000 people are expected at the “Get Motivated” event at the St. Pete Times Forum Wednesday starting at 8 a.m. Additionally, the Marriott Waterside is hosting a lunch for 1,000 people.

The City of Tampa, Transportation Division recommends:

  * There will be serious traffic congestion in Downtown Tampa between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.  Streets to avoid are Bayshore, Platt/Channelside, Ashley and Tampa.

  * If you work downtown and do not have reserved/monthly parking, you will want to flex your hours and arrive by 7 a.m. to secure your normal parking spot. You can also consider parking on the northern end of downtown and utilize either of the InTown Trolleys or any bus going south on the Marion St. Transit Way (free).
 
  * Carpool or take mass transit.
 
  * Great day to take vacation!
 
  * You may want to avoid scheduling meetings on this day with clients from outside downtown, as there will be no hourly parking available in downtown south of Kennedy after 7 a.m.
 
  Traffic congestion throughout downtown is expected to be heaviest between 6:30 am and 8:30 a.m.  While parking will be available in downtown lots, attendees are encouraged to use shuttles in and out of downtown to reduce of traffic.

Shuttles will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday (March 8). Shuttles are available to and from the following remote lots:
 
  Ybor City: Parking will be available in all Ybor City parking garages.  Shuttles will have several separate pick up locations along Seventh Avenue.  Signs will be posted and “Get Motivated” staffers will be on hand to direct patrons to these pickup locations

Raymond James Stadium: Parking will be available at the stadium in lots 5 and 6. Shuttles will run periodically from the stadium to the St. Pete Times Forum and back to Raymond James Stadium throughout the day.
Signs will be provided by the City of Tampa Transportation Department directing guests to available parking and or shuttles. 

For more transportation information, log on to http://www.hartline.org.

                    —Karen Kress, transportation manager, Tampa Downtown Partnership