Forward Pinellas Newsletter | September 2026

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Guiding integrated transportation and land use solutions that sustain economic value by connecting the communities of Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay region.

Forward Pinellas' Countywide Data Center Policy Working Group was created to evaluate potential countywide planning approaches for standalone data centers in Pinellas County. The group is seeking to better understand concerns such as energy and water requirements, limited employment generation, noise and radiation concerns, etc. Following a set of meetings, the working group will provide recommendations for the board’s consideration. 

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At a September Board Work Session, the Forward Pinellas Board discussed the prospective regional merger of the metropolitan planning organizations of Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco Counties. Discussion centered primarily on apportionment and board composition, voting procedures, and financials. Board feedback will be taken back to the Transportation Management Area (TMA) Leadership Group in conjunction with feedback from the other two MPOs to illuminate areas of consensus.

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Work Session Summary

At the September Forward Pinellas Board Meeting, the board approved recommendations for the East Bay Drive/Roosevelt Boulevard Study. This study identified targeted strategies that improve safety and accessibility from 20th Street to Lightwave Drive.

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Forward Pinellas exhibited at The Tampa Bay Times' community forum, "Tampa Bay's Economy in 2036: Preparing for a Thriving Future." The event brought exhibiters together whose work prepares for the future of Tampa Bay's economy and wellbeing. Forward Pinellas staff educated participants on how we engage with local governments to strategically plan for jobs, housing, and transportation investments to sustain our economy.

We are answering questions submitted from the public to help make our community’s projects and decisions more transparent.

Question: The long range transportation plan (LRTP) notes that Pinellas County does not have space to widen roads so it is important to build transit infrastructure. But the plan leaves transit infrastructure unfunded. Why is there this disconnect? 

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Join a community workshop on October 26 at 6 p.m. at Dunedin City Hall and share your ideas for Downtown as the City updates the Downtown Master Plan. Forward Pinellas is partnering with the City by providing technical assistance for the Downtown Master Plan.

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Kaitlyn Nieman received her 3-Year Service Award from Pinellas County. She oversees crash data management, transportation data analytics and mapping, and traffic counts. Kaitlyn’s started with Forward Pinellas as an intern through our partnership with the USF Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program.

Proposed e-bike rules in Pinellas County, Fox 13, 9/29/26

Pinellas County weighs new rules for e-bikes as safety concerns grow, 10 Tampa Bay, 9/16/26

Neighbors get results after safety concerns, Fox 13, 9/10/26

Forward Pinellas holds its first meeting to look at data center rules, 10 Tampa Bay, 8/31/26

Forward Pinellas is committed to making our resources accessible to all audiences. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact info@forwardpinellas.org or call 727-464-8250. View our accessibility statement for more information.

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