New West Tampa Mural To Honor City's History

A new mural welcoming West Tampa residents is in the works.

Honoring the history and culture of the West Tampa community, the approximately $33,800 mural will be paid for by the City of Tampa and painted onto West Tampa's 59-year-old elevated water tower; at 126 feet tall, the tank is one of two water tanks currently located in Tampa.

Brothers Peter and Rolf Goetzinger -- the Artistbrothers -- have been chosen to paint the large-scale image of an oversized cigar wrapper.

The depiction is a nod to Tampa's cigar factories, which attracted new residents to the city at the turn of the century, the mural will be able to be viewed from I-275 and other nearby streets. The mural will include the words "Welcome to West Tampa.''

Tampa City Council Chair Charlie Miranda credits those new residents for much of West Tampa's success as the thriving city it has become: The City of West Tampa was incorporated in 1895, becoming the fifth largest city in Florida and the second largest city in Hillsborough County by 1905. West Tampa was annexed into the City of Tampa by 1925.

This project "is just one way to honor the heritage and culture of the West Tampa community that continues to shape our city,” says Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “This an opportunity to tell West Tampa's story, which is so ingrained in the fabric of Tampa.”

Before the Artistbrothers begin work on the mural, the City of Tampa will make necessary repairs to the elevated tank, including re-coating. Repairs are expected to cost approximately $350,000 and are slated to begin by January 2014.

The entire project, including repairs and painting, is expected to take four months to compete.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Bob Buckhorn & Charlie Miranda, City of Tampa