Of all the pre-RNC cosmetic improvements to the Bay area, one stands tall: The “Welcome to St. Pete” tower erected on the west end of the Howard Frankland Bridge. Formally known as the “Interstate City Welcoming Structure,” the sign was paid for by St. Pete businessman/Baywalk head honcho Bill Edwards, who apparently felt St. Pete needed to project a stronger image to those traversing the Bay. The structure allows the St. Pete name to penetrate almost all the way to Hillsborough, though the verdict is still out on whether it will make visitors come. How long until Tampa starts planning an even bigger tower for its side of the bridge? Let the stiff competition begin …
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2012.