Sifting the online fish wrappers the other day we turned up this item about graffiti on the walls and bridges of the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. Seems the $40-million Riverwalk project has forced the question of whether this stuff constitutes visual blight or local character worthy of preservation.
We don’t get a vote. If we did, though, we’d vote the latter and plead to keep it.
We’re a little surprised that this is even an issue, although we probably shouldn’t be. Sadly, it’s probably another example of why Tampa ranked dead last among major American cities as a destination for young professionals in this survey by Forbes.
There is graffiti and then there’s graffiti. It’s not like some clown with a bad imagination and no artistic ability just got loose along the river with a can of spray paint. Anyone who is literate, semi-coherent and vaguely cognizant of collegiate athletics is bound to catch on pretty quickly to what’s up down by the river. They should, at least.
That the assistant sales manager of the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel felt compelled to post a plaque explaining it to her guests is just sad. Apparently some reviewers panned the place for its heinous view of Graffiti River. Sure, of course, reviewers can be about as stupid as a bridge piling. Still, this has to set some kind of record. That or the reviewers write for “Cranky Geriatric” or “Constipated Traveler.” “Look, Irma, those damn college kids defaced these beautiful walls. Why, they ought to be rounded up and made to clean off every last word. Bunch of no good punks. Close that curtain. I can’t look at this mess. Rotten kids. No respect.”
Tampa plans to spend $40-million to build space for people to walk along the river and it wants to know whether it should sterilize the area, first, so as to remove any foul trace of actual human activity. At least they’re consistent. Downtown Tampa at ground level is about as devoid of humanity as any major city in the country. They roll up most of the sidewalks promptly at five. Might as well scrub the river of its character, too, right?
We do hope not. Enlivening the banks of that river could mean the world to reviving the city’s core. College crews out there pulling water only add to its appeal. And the little impromptu memorials they leave behind are anything but blight. For those who see it otherwise, we suggest as an alternative a Days Inn off I-275 somewhere close to a buffet with a cheap early-bird special.