HART CEO Adelee Marie Le Grand Named To Tampa Bay’s Power 100 List

The Tampa Bay Business Journal has named HART CEO Adelee Marie Le Grand, AICP, as one of Tampa Bay’s most influential business leaders.

On January 26, the publication released its annual Power 100 ranking, recognizing Le Grand amongst a host of other prominent local business leaders, including the owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as the CEOs of Publix, AdventHealth West Florida and Tampa International Airport.

The Power 100 list recognizes individuals for their leadership qualities, and how their work helps to shape the success of the regional business community. Le Grand’s inclusion on this list in her first year at the helm of HART demonstrates how she has been strategic in building relationships with business and civic leaders whose support of public transit is key to expanding customer-focused mobility options in Hillsborough County.

Le Grand’s key message: Transit not only connects people to key resources and employees to jobs but also spurs economic growth in the region.

Since her arrival at HART in January 2021, Le Grand has been laser-focused on creating a new vision for the organization by establishing trust and transparency, cultivating a culture of operational excellence and building meaningful strategic partnerships.

You can read the article here. 

HART CEO Adelee Marie Le Grand, AICP

HART Awarded Transit-Oriented Development Grant for Streetcar and Bus Rapid Transit Projects

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is pleased to announce the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the agency with a Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning grant totaling $300,000 to plan for TOD at four proposed stations along the planned TECO Line Streetcar extension and HART's bus rapid transit line that will link downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the award of approximately $11 million to 20 projects in 12 states to support comprehensive planning efforts to improve access to public transportation. Funding through FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning grants will help organizations plan for transportation projects that connect communities and improve access to transit and affordable housing. 

"Transit-oriented development offers easier, more affordable access to jobs, health care, school, shopping, and other daily needs," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "We're pleased to award this funding to help more communities develop around transit in a way that reduces pollution, increases economic opportunity, and contributes to affordable housing."

For those interested in the TOD planning process, HART is holding the second of two Public Design Charrettes on February 12, 2022, from 10 AM - 2:30 PM at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, 2005 N Lamar Ave. The purpose of the charrette is to share information about the HART TOD Pilot Project, explore strategies to guide land use and development, and share ideas for the community's future. 

HART TOD Pilot

For more information on the HART TOD Pilot Project, visit www.goHARTTOD.org.

For more information on HART and the TECO Line Streetcar, visit www.goHART.org. 

HART Board Elects New Leadership for 2022

HART Chair Pat Kemp

At its January 10 meeting, the HART Board elected Commissioner Patricia "Pat" Kemp as Chair, Commissioner Kimberly Overman as Vice-Chair and Director Melanie Williams as Secretary of the HART Board of Directors for 2022.

Commissioner Kemp takes over as HART Chair from Commissioner Mariella Smith, who served in the role for the last two years. Chair Kemp will serve a 1-year term.

"It is a great privilege to be elected as HART Board Chair and continue working alongside the dedicated Board members to serve our customers, employees and the community, said Chair Commissioner Kemp. "I look forward to working together to operate a safe, reliable, efficient and fiscally sound transit system that contributes to the economic success and quality of life of this region and Hillsborough County." 

Commissioner Kemp has been a Board member since November 2016 and served as Chair of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioner in 2021.

Commissioner Kemp has more than three decades of public service in Hillsborough County. As an attorney, she worked both in private practice and for Bay Area Legal Services, providing civil legal services for low-income clients.

Commissioner Kemp has long been an advocate for improving transportation in the county and the region.

Commissioner Kemp also serves on the following County and Regional Boards and Councils:

• Election Canvassing Board
• Environmental Protection Commission (Vice-Chair)
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Southwest Florida Water Management District Liaison
• Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA)
• Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)
• Vale Adjustment Board

In other business, the HART Board appointed HART CEO Adelee Le Grand to serve as the organization's representative on the Hillsborough TPO Board.

The HART Board is responsible for setting policy and making decisions for the Authority on matters ranging from system operations, service planning, fare structure, finance, customer service, and is made up of 14 volunteers who are appointed to represent Hillsborough County (seven seats), City of Tampa (four seats), State of Florida (two seats) and City of Temple Terrace (one seat). Officers of the HART Board (chair, vice-chair and secretary) are elected every year.