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At Age 82, School Gets A Face-Lift

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

William Calderon of Preservations Services works on replacing mortar on West Shore Elementary School's brick facade. The building is undergoing $1.7 million in improvements.

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By MARK HOLAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

PORT TAMPA - Harriet Foundas became principal of West Shore Elementary shortly after renovations of the 1926 building were completed in time for its 50th anniversary.

Foundas is leaving her position next month, before the latest $1.7 million round of building upgrades is completed this year.

"It's a whole face-lift," she said. "This building is going to look gorgeous."

Some of the renovations at the school, 7110 S. West Shore Blvd., are undoing the improvements of 30 years ago.

As Gerald Ford settled into the White House, gray carpeting was installed over the hardwood floors on the school's second floor.

Crews have removed the dirty, threadbare covering. They are sanding and staining the hardwood to a shine that hasn't been seen since the school opened during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge.

The original school, on the same site, was a former printing shop.

Eight classrooms, an assistant principal's office and lavatories on the second floor are being repaired and repainted.

Perhaps the most important parts of the renovation work, however, can be seen outside the 82-year-old building. Workers on scaffolding are replacing cracked and chipped mortar on the red brick façade to prevent water intrusion.

"If we don't take care of this water problem, we are going to have a couple rains and be back to square one," Foundas said.

The second-floor work is expected to be completed by mid-August; first-floor improvements are expected to be completed by late December.

In 1975, West Shore Elementary was closed for renovations and students had to attend double sessions at Lanier Elementary.

This year, 10 modular buildings have been placed on the campus to accommodate the 400 students during the renovations.

Foundas and West Shore students have slogged through other projects, including construction of a media center in 2002 and replacement of the air-conditioning system three years ago.

"It looked like a war zone when they did the air conditioning," she said.

Not all of the 1970s renovation work is being undone.

The original high ceilings will remain covered by drop ceilings and recessed lighting. The upper portion of 6-foot-tall windows bricked over to less than half as high also will remain covered.

"If I was hanging around, I wanted to apply for a grant to open up some of those windows," Foundas said wistfully.

Foundas is being replaced by Elizabeth Calleri, who is assistant principal of the 10-year-old Clark Elementary School in New Tampa.

"I'm really excited about it," Calleri said. "I think West Shore has a great history, and all the renovations are going to make it that much better."

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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