Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 43

CLW St. Petersburg Times Friday, March 28, 2008 5 muuiiu jt Aiitstias mb tampabay.com for more Pinellas County news MM "wo. 1,1 K-ti til Sti Li'JC Cat taa. Am ft '(" 'is TTTtftVlfiiiirfHrlr'itniTi The mosaics on the columns were an Eagle Scout Potted flowers add a touch of color to the clock tower plaza. Landscaping beds under the tower were being considered.

A closer image of one of the clock tower's four columns shows a mosaic egret project, Jim and Jeanette Koslowski said at a commission work session. Ctodk's new face he clock tower at Largo Central Park is the symbol of the city. If The 40-foot-tall structure, at Seminole Boulevard and East Bay Drive, serves II as the entrance to the park. It's also used in the city's logo. 1 But the iconic tower, built in 1995, has seen better days.

The surrounding pave-u ment is cracked, mosaic tiles are falling off the columns and the current fountain and lighting system no longer work. If Commissioners are planning a major renovation for the structure. Included in the plans are a fountain, more greenery, as well as repairing the tower's mosaic tiles. The cost is expected to be $300,000. Construction is scheduled to start within a month, said Joan Byrne, the city's director of recreation, parks and art.

"The importance of it is both symbolic and real," Byrne said. "It really is the heart of the city. We want that corner to be as perfect as it can be." 'V i. Darrell Hagen, 14, said he would like to see the clock tower preserved. Darrell said, "It is a monument It is a place.

I use it for direction. When I see it, I know where I am." 'The importance of it is both symbolic and real" Joan Byrne, director of recreation, parks and art PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD of the Times The clock's glass brick face sparkles in the sun. More sparkle is being considered for the front of the fountain where a path of recycled glass would break up the sea of pavement and glimmer from the fountain's reflection at night..