After waiting more than six months, Tampa finally has state and federal approval to begin work on the makeover of Perry Harvey Sr. Park, an effort that will cost approximately $7m.
The design includes public art, statues, a lawn, and several other items that will celebrate the heritage of the surrounding neighborhood. However, the renovations will include demolishing a national landmark: the Bro Bowl skate park. Finding a way to mitigate the loss of the Bro Bowl was one of the most important parts of the effort.
The Bro Bowl is now covered with graffiti, and even though it is on the National Register of Historic Places, it does not match the redesign of the park the city has planned. However, no one wanted to lose the bowl and the history it represents, so plans include building a replica of the Bro Bowl in the larger skateboarding area that will be placed at the north end of the renovated park. The original bowl was built in 1978, from a city employee's design.
Fencing and a trailer for construction offices will be delivered to the site, perhaps by this weekend, with the work slated to begin early in March.
City officials could work with a banner printing company to create a banner as colorful as the graffiti of the bowl, to celebrate the opening.
