The West River is changing.

Tampa, Hillsborough, and national leaders + Related Group gathered Thursday for the groundbreaking of Canopy at West River Tower 3 and Tower 4, the second phase of the housing community. Once finished, this phase will offer 188 units — with both one- to three-room apartment-style homes and larger family-size residences — plus more amenities.

Both buildings will offer units for those in Rental Assistance Demonstration, Project Based Voucher, and Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs.

More broadly, the neighborhood is changing, said Albert Milo, president of Related Urban, pointing to the surrounding housing developments + an incoming Publix. Canopy is replacing the longtime North Boulevard Homes public Housing project, which was torn down in 2017 due to poor conditions, said Gwen Myers, Hillsborough County Commissioner.

"The families that used to live here will have the opportunity to come back," she said. "And they're coming back to something better and greater. This is how this county is so diverse, we find ways to make things better for the people that are living here. This is hope. It is opportunity."

Construction on Phase Two of Canopy is projected to be finished in November 2025.