THEA Celebrates 60 Years in Tampa Bay with “60 for 60” Campaign

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) was established by the Florida Legislature on July 1, 1963, as a transportation option to bring roadway infrastructure projects online sooner using non-conventional funding. Since then, the Tampa Bay region has evolved and changed from a sleepy West Coast Florida town to one of the most attractive places in the country. Throughout that time, THEA has been committed to providing safe, efficient transportation solutions while also investing in the communities served. 

To celebrate its sixtieth year of operation, THEA is launching its “60 for 60” campaign. The campaign targets 60 ways for THEA to engage with the community through a full schedule of community activations and investments. 

“When we thought about how to mark this important milestone, we wanted to draw back to what was really important to our core values as a local provider of transportation solutions. We care about being good neighbors, and with our “60 for 60” campaign, we can be involved through time and financial investments throughout the year in a way that contributes to the well-being of our neighborhoods,” said THEA CEO and Executive Director Greg Slater.

By being an active partner in connecting communities and reinvesting in the Tampa Bay region for the past sixty years, THEA has championed state-of-the-art transportation options and safe, efficient travel. As an independent agency of the state, the THEA owns, maintains, and operates four facilities within Hillsborough County: the Selmon Expressway, the Brandon Parkway, Meridian Avenue, and the Selmon Greenway. Along Selmon Greenway, 

THEA has built a series of pocket parks with landscaping, benches, and artwork that enhances downtown Tampa’s aesthetics, one of which is the award-winning Deputy Kotfila, Jr. Memorial Dog Park. The agency partners with community organizations on everything from beautification to economic development to education and is committed to enhancing the community and activating urban spaces. The 60 for 60 campaign focused on five pillars of giving: 

• Inspiring the Next Generation with STEM
• Connecting Communities/Healthy Communities
• Sustainability
• Improving Mobility/Activating Spaces
• Being a Good Community Partner

Throughout the year, THEA will be giving time and financial investment into organizations within these pillars. The agency will post its sixty ways of giving throughout the year on its social media pages and on its website.