Tampa's Ikea seeks approval for 12-story pole sign

In case you've had trouble finding the big yellow and blue Ikea store in Ybor City, it may get easier - the Swedish retail giant wants potential shoppers to see its sign for miles around.

The company is seeking approval from the city to install a 125-foot tall pole on its Adamo Drive and North 22nd Street property, topped by a three-sided sign with the store's distinctive logo. If approved, the pole would tower over nearby Crosstown Expressway and include 600-feet of signage at its peak, twice the size of the store's existing signs.

Representatives of Ybor's neighborhood groups vow to fight the proposal, which goes before the city council next month.

Ikea spokeswoman Debra Faulk said the company is just trying to improve its visibility, particularly along Interstate 4, to attract shoppers from across the Tampa Bay area.

"Ikea is a regional destination," she said. "It's not entirely unusual for people to drive two hours to shop here. Believe it or not, we've actually had customers who can't find us."

Neighborhood groups argue the company doesn't need the added signage. They say the gigantic sign will add to the area's blighted conditions and create public safety issues.

"We know the economy is bad and we appreciate that they decided to move to Ybor, but we are totally opposed to this," said Fran Costantino, president of the president of East Ybor's neighborhood association. "There's nothing that big in the city. If they are allowed to put that sign up, it will set a legal precedent, and then everyone else will want one."

The store already has a 35-foot, three-sided pole sign - which was approved in 2007 as part of its development agreement with the city - an exemption from the city's 20-foot limit on pole signs. The store also has
roughly 10-foot-tall Ikea signs on the 353,000-square foot building facing the Crosstown Expressway and Adamo.

Ikea executives floated the idea of a bigger sign earlier this year, but got a cool reception from several council members - particularly John Dingfelder and Linda Saul-Sena - and never pursued it. Both have since resigned to run for seats on the Hillsborough County Commission and have been replaced with interim members.

The company has also been trying to raise its profile in other ways.

Recently, company executives requested
the city rename a section of 21st Street that runs past the store "Ikea Way." City officials are reviewing the request.

They've also asked officials from the Florida Department of Transportation to add "Ikea Way" signage on I-4 directing motorists to the store, if they get approval from the city.

But the request was denied.

"That's not happening," said DOT spokeswoman Kris Carson. "If the entire roadway was renamed, that would be different. But it's just not something we are prepared to do."

Ikea opened at the Ybor City location last year with several high-profile public events, including a traditional Swedish log-sawing demonstration by Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who was among the first shoppers, buying Swedish chocolate for her office staff.

Ikea's request is scheduled to go before the council on Oct. 14 for a preliminary vote.