Business: Franklin Exchange goes to the dogs

Franklin Exchange goes to the dogs

By KYLE PARKS

Going into downtown Tampa, it's hard to miss the 40- by 70-foot Weimaraner dog on the Franklin Exchange office tower.

The banner touts photographer William Wegman's exhibit at the University of South Florida's Contemporary Art Museum, which features portraits of dogs wearing classy, if incongruous, outfits.

For Wilson Co., the Tampa commercial real estate company that owns the building, it's a way to help raise USF's profile downtown. And some extra attention for the Franklin building isn't bad, either.

"I've seen banners on office buildings from Rome to Chicago, and it's something we've wanted to bring to Tampa," said Gary Welch, senior vice president of Wilson Co.

Welch and other execs got the idea for the banner last summer and talked Tampa Mayor Dick Greco and other city officials into going along with it. The cost, $6,500, is being covered by four corporate sponsors, the Hillsborough County arts council and the county government.

The banner, produced on a giant digital printer, is made of perforated fabric. Welch and other Wilson Co. officials hope it's only the first art-related banner for the building.

"We have had talks about possibly commissioning artwork for banners from other artists that would also showcase USF and the museum," Welch said.

The Wegman banner will stay up for about another month; the exhibit is on display until March 17.