TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Soapbox Derby Gets Friendly Push

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Matt Piechowiak, a member of the Tampa Heights Civic Association, is hoping to stage a soapbox derby at this small hill on Franklin Street near Palm Avenue.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

TAMPA HEIGHTS - The Tampa Heights Civic Association's annual tour of homes has been on hiatus since spring 2006 and doesn't appear to be coming back to life soon.

As an alternative, the association is proposing a soapbox derby for fall 2009 as a community fundraiser and an opportunity to showcase its neighborhood.

"We felt it was original and brought out the essence of Tampa Heights - very welcoming, very encouraging and very open," said resident Matt Piechowiak, a soapbox derby novice who proposed the idea.

"We don't want to be another tour of homes," Piechowiak said. "We don't want to be another walk or run. We want to be something special."

The derby would be run at Palm Avenue and Franklin Street and participants would navigate their homemade vehicles down a slope.

The home tour was held for 11 years, drawing up to 1,000 people and earning $7,000 to $8,000 annually, said Fran Roy, the association's president.

Heather Frankel, an association member who has lived in the neighborhood for 11 years, said it takes five months to organize the home tour. She supports the soapbox derby, although she doesn't believe the tour has to be eliminated.

"It is very different," Frankel said of the derby. "No one else does it and I think that is cool."

Roy said the event could energize the neighborhood and attract visitors. He sees it becoming the community's "signature event."

"It can involve families; kids can be involved," Roy said.

Piechowiak, who moved to Tampa Heights three years ago with his wife, Stephanie, is motivated by the reception to his idea.

"I love that the people are open to new and exciting things," he said.

For information on the derby, call Piechowiak at (813) 215-7515.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT