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The South Tampa News & Tribune
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Beach Park's arches finally will be restored
Residents have discussed the project for five years.
Staff file photo (2008)
The distinctive arches and curving wing walls with benches are at the Beach Park entrance at the intersection of Swann and Lois avenues.
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Published: November 4, 2009
TAMPA - Restoration of Beach Park's main entry is scheduled to begin next week, culminating a five-year effort to beautify the arches that date from when the community was platted in 1926.
The distinctive arches and curving wing walls with benches are at the Beach Park entrance at the intersection of Swann and Lois avenues.
Leaders of the Beach Park Homeowners Association, actively working on the project since 2004, met at the site Monday with city officials.
"We are thankful the city has gotten to the point where we know the work will actually begin next week," said Emmy Purcell Reynolds, longtime president of the association.
The gateway is blemished by peeling paint and missing ornamentation.
"Since 2004, we have raised $6,020 in donations in cash from our residents," Reynolds said. Additionally, two Beach Park business owners have offered free or discounted paint, lighting, other materials and labor to help the neighborhood association with its portion of the work.
"The contractor will mobilize Monday, and as long there aren't any weather delays or anything unforeseen, he thinks he'll be finished in three to four weeks," said city architect James Jackson Jr.
The $14,000 bid solicited through the city's small local business program applies to the large main arch only, including scraping old paint, stucco repair and repainting. The selected color, described as a soft coral, was chosen to mimic the original hue, determined by scrapings obtained by the city's Historic Preservation division, Jackson said.
Initialed Beach Park medallions, cast in concrete and replicating ornamentation that once graced the structure, will be affixed.
Donations will pay to refurbish the smaller structures, lighting and landscaping not provided by the city.
Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 259-7124
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