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RON MATUSAs an old neighborhood breaks in a new name, some resist the change. But new signs and city maps are on the way.
Street signs are coming. City maps are changing.
Even the letterhead is new.
Those things used to say "Gandy." Now they will say "Sun Bay South."
More than two years after a few dozen members of the Gandy Civic Association changed the name of their south-of-Gandy Boulevard neighborhood, the change is gaining traction.
"It's finally taking hold," said Dave Gutcher, the association's past president.
Well, sort of.
"If that's what they want to call themselves, I'll try calling them that too," said City Council member John Dingfelder, who represents the area. "But it is a little confusing."
Members voted for the new name in February 2001, worried that "Gandy" conjured up images of run-down houses and weedy yards. They wanted something more attractive to developers and new residents.
"Sun Bay South" encompasses the Gandy neighborhood and portions of the Interbay neighborhood. Currently, Interbay is not represented by a neighborhood association.
Sun Bay South's boundaries generally range from Gandy Boulevard south to Interbay Boulevard, and from Old Tampa Bay east to MacDill Avenue. (It does not include the businesses on MacDill Avenue.) Landwise, it is one of the biggest neighborhoods in Tampa.
The city will add Sun Bay South to its neighborhood maps within a month, said Shannon Edge, the city's neighborhood liaison, earlier this week.
The street signs should be in place by late summer, city transportation officials said. On S West Shore Boulevard, S Dale Mabry Highway and S Himes Avenue, the signs will say, "Welcome to Sun Bay South."
Once the signs go up, civic leaders hope the new name will begin to roll off tongues.
Not that they're expecting an overnight sensation.
"Gandy," as the neighborhood has been known for decades, sums up the modest, blue-collar feel of the place just fine, supporters say.
"Sun Bay South?" Isn't that a new development near Brandon, they rip.
To add to the confusion, the new name won't extend to the neighborhood association.
Some members prefer the old name, which is rooted in the Gandy Civic Association's corporate charter, said association president Al Steenson. Some worry that changing the charter would mean rolls of red tape.
For now, the association works around it.
Last month, Steenson unveiled new letterhead that says "GANDY CIVIC ASSOCIATION" across the top.
Below the header: "THE CENTER OF "SUN BAY SOUTH."'
- Ron Matus can be reached at 226-3405 or matus@sptimes.com