Taste of New Tampa's signs placed illegally

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 17, 2001

NEW TAMPA -- Organizers of the Taste of New Tampa got a slap on the wrist Wednesday for placing illegal signs along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to advertise the event.

Members of the Tampa Palms Community Development District said the New Tampa Community Council never got permission to place the signs near the Palm Lake shopping center.

The city's overlay district bans temporary signs in New Tampa. Ironically, members of the council helped write the rules to keep commercial centers, road medians and shoulders clutter-free.

Gary Nager, co-chair of the May 12 event, said the city had okayed some signs, but not those that appeared. By the time he realized the mix-up, he said, it was too late. No one was available to take them down.

Macaroni Grill fire caused by overheated stove area

CARROLLWOOD -- The fire that destroyed the popular Romano's Macaroni Grill at the corner of N Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road on May 31 was caused by years of heat accumulating in the stove and grill area, according to county fire inspectors.

Investigators have ruled the blaze accidental but they cannot determine exactly where it started because the building was burned so completely, said Ray Yeakley, public information officer for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Yeakley said Macaroni Grill had never been cited for any fire code violations. Over the years, heat from the grill and stove turned combustible material around the appliances to gas and investigators believe that is what caused the fire.

The company is rebuilding the $2-million building and construction will take four to six months. Yeakley said when the restaurant submits its new plans, fire officials will suggest ways to locate the grill and stove away from combustible materials.

TPAC tickets available at Citrus Park Town Center

CITRUS PARK -- You can now buy tickets at Citrus Park Town Center for shows at the Tampa Performing Arts Center. Thanks to an agreement between the two, tickets can be purchased at the mall's customer service center but are limited to credit card transactions. The mall will also have a complete listing of all theater performances and venue information.

-- Compiled by Times staff writers Susan Thurston, Tim Grant and Jackie Ripley.

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