Ybor preservationists want red bricks restored with street repaving project

TAMPA — A repaving project has prompted outcry from Ybor community leaders, who say that the city is destroying the historic red brick street that lies beneath Fourth Avenue.

They want the city to restore the thoroughfare to the original brick surface that was covered with asphalt years ago.

Public works officials counter that brick repair would be too expensive — around $900,000, compared to an estimated $250,000 to $275,000 for new asphalt.

Talk of cost doesn't ease preservationists like Tony LaColla, 33. He says the weeklong repaving, scheduled to begin Monday, thwarts long-standing efforts to maintain the neighborhood's character. Calls to leave the bricks alone began last week, when the bricks were uncovered during the milling and grating process.

"Our mission as a neighborhood association in Ybor City is to preserve and promote the historic district," said LaColla, president of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association. "Part of being a historic district is having the brick streets. If we can restore a street to brick, then we can restore a historic pattern to the neighborhood."

Also, LaColla said, bricks have secondary benefits. They look good, calm traffic and boost property values, he said.

Troy Loker, who lives on Fourth Avenue and 19th Street, said cost is important. Still, he likes the possible benefits of brick, too.

"This is historic Ybor, so it adds to the atmosphere," said Loker, 24.

Irvin Lee, Tampa's public works director, said the department would like to save the bricks. The rub? There's just no room in the budget, he said.

Also, Lee said, the decision to repave with asphalt is in line with city policy. Roads are repaved with their present, top surface.

"We're trying to spread our dollars as far as we can," he said. "Unfortunately, a decision was made — right, wrong or different — years ago to cover those bricks with asphalt. What we're trying to do today is to repair and maintain that covering."

Tampa City Council member Mary Mulhern doesn't agree with this reasoning. She said Friday that she's urging Mayor Pam Iorio's administration to postpone the project and meet with stakeholders.

"I don't understand why they're repaving," she said. "If you're going to spend any money, spend it on starting to uncover the brick."

Fran Costantino, East Ybor Historic and Civic Association's president, doesn't buy it, either.

She said the decision reflects a troubling trend in the city: outright disregard for history. Costantino recognizes that brick repair is expensive, but worthwhile. Evidence of Tampa's heyday cannot be brought back, she said.

"I feel like laying myself on the streets on Monday in front of the asphalt roller and daring them to run over me," said Costantino, 65. "What does it take to bring somebody's attention to how important over a mile of red brick streets are?"