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Tampa's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Gets Gift Of Fountains

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2008

TAMPA - For many people, a public park without a fountain is like a beach without water.

But when city officials worked out cost estimates for the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park project this year, they reluctantly decided to shelve plans for fountains and other amenities. That is, until philanthropist Norma Gene Lykes came into the picture.

Her nonprofit group, the F.E. Lykes Foundation, last week donated $1 million to pay for a giant fountain at the gateway to the park and two smaller ones on the riverfront.

Mayor Pam Iorio called the donation a prime example of the private sector contributing to downtown redevelopment.

"It is very generous and will have a lasting effect on our community," Iorio said.

The park is considered a vital part of the city's riverfront redevelopment efforts, which also include the new Tampa Museum of Art, under construction nearby.

City planners envision the park as a destination spot for large, outdoor events.

The $12 million project, expected to be completed in 2009, is being funded mostly with Community Investment Tax dollars.

"We wouldn't have the fountains without this donation," said Public Works administrator Steve Daignault. "We just didn't have enough money to do them."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at cwade@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7679.

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