Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
The Board of County Commissioners
County of Hillsborough
— Resolution —
Photographed By AGS Media, September 1, 2010
1. Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Marker
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Deputy County Administrator for every area of his expertise, including: roads; water and waste-water; solid waste; but most importantly in the development of long-range transportation programs; and,
WHEREAS, the passing of Bruce B. Downs has left a great void in the lives of all who have known and respected him, and a debt unpaid by the people of this county; and,
WHEREAS, the naming of a major county arterial road for the late Bruce B. Downs is a fitting tribute to his dedicated and tireless work, and will serve to remind the people of this county of his leadership and service in the development and implementation of Public Works programs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County, Florida, does hereby designate 30th Street/County Road 581, north of Fowler Avenue to the Hillsborough/Pasco County line as "Bruce B. Downs Boulevard", and further, that an appropriate marker be erected to note this action by the Board of County Commissioners.
Executed this 15th day of February, 1984.
Matt Jetton E.L. Bing
John
this page online
Erected by The Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County, Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1984.
Location. 28° 3.319′ N, 82° 25.553′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (County Road 581) north of East Fowler Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tampa FL 33620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Temple Terrace Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away); Temple Terrace POW and MIA Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away); War Correspondents Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); Mrs. Bertha Honoré Palmer (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Babe Zaharais Golf Course (approx. 2.8 miles away); Forest Hills (approx. 2.9 miles away); Temple Terraces Country Club Sutton Hall (approx. 2.9 miles away); Reverend Billy Graham (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
More about this marker. The marker is located along the western edge of the main campus of the University of South Florida. It is capped with the old Seal of Hillsborough County, Florida (which has been
Photographed By AGS Media, September 1, 2010
2. Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Marker
Regarding Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Bruce Barkley Downs was an engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation for 29 years before he began his very effective and successful tenure as Director of Public Works for the county. Downs was responsible for improving local infrastructure and helped bring about a local gas tax to finance building and repair of roadways.
In 1983, just after a local newspaper story credited him for having one of the most stressful jobs in Hillsborough County, Downs collapsed and died from a massive heart attack at the age of 56.
At the time of his death, 30th Street was a quiet, little-used country road. As Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, it has grown into one of the most high-traffic arterial roadways in the county.
Bruce B. Downs was honored with a "Great Floridians 2000" designation by the Florida League of Cities and Florida Department of State.
Also see . . . Who was Howard Frankland? Bruce B. Downs? Gandy? Meet the people behind the landmarks. Tampa Bay Times article, February 27, 2019 (Submitted on October 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marker Text Corrections
Bruce B. Downs had just turned 53 when he died a month after his birthday—not 56 as the marker
Photographed By AGS Media, September 1, 2010
3. Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Marker (rear)
— Submitted March 11, 2024.
Photographed By AGS Media, September 1, 2010
4. Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Roadside Signage
Photographed By AGS Media, September 1, 2010
5. Fowler Ave. and Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Photographed By Tampa Bay Times, unknown
6. Bruce B. Downs
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,966 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 17, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 6. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
