Work Begins On Adamo Drive Mural Project, Ybor City

With expected completion quickly approaching, prep work and design input has begun on the Adamo Drive Mural Project in Ybor City.

A two-part project, the approximately $30,000 Adamo Drive Mural Project will make an attempt to enhance the appeal of the Ybor City Historic District, transforming industrial weather-beaten portions of Adamo Drive into a work of art representing the culture, heritage and vitality of both Ybor City and Tampa.

In March, volunteers began prepping the 12,000-square-foot surface for the first mural located on the exterior of the Fabricated Products building at 17th Street and Adamo Drive. Once the surface is clean and free of loose paint, a primer/sealer will be applied followed by an acrylic base coat.

“Basically, work is ongoing at the site to deal with corrosion issues and flaking paint,” says Dave Scott, the project's organizer. “Artist Mike Parker and coatings expert Kevin Schweikhart have done most of the work themselves: A series of sand-blasting, anti-corrosion treatments and a priming layer. It's a big project.”

Scott says Parker and a group of Hillsborough Community College students involved in the project have immersed themselves into the history, heritage and current feel of the Ybor City neighborhood, leading to potential design concepts.

“Parker is about ready to go into his 'cave' to get something on paper,” Scott says. “This typically takes about three days to get a satisfactory approach.”

The mural's design is expected to be complete by April 14th, when a public meeting will be held with the Barrio Latino Commission. The Ybor City Development Corporation is working to with City of Tampa to get Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to paint the first stroke once image production begins.

“It seems as if this may be the largest mural in the state of Florida when it's all said and done,” Scott says.

Completion is slated for the end of June 2012.

Significant contributions to the project have been made by the City of Tampa, Robin Nigh and Melissa Lebaron of the City of Tampa Art Programs Division, Sherwin Williams, Vykin Corporation, the Columbia Restaurant, Kimmons Contracting Corporation and the Rotary Club of Ybor City.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: David Scott, Adamo Drive Mural Project