Historic preservation staff report new finial installed on El Centro Espanol de Ybor after lightning strike

Heather Bonds, historic preservation specialist for the City of Tampa, told the Historic Preservation Commission that the El Centro Espanol de Ybor—part of the Ybor City Historic District—suffered a lightning strike to a rooftop finial last summer and required emergency repair work.

"We had to fully remove the finial and use it to cast a mold to create a new finial," Bonds said, and staff provided updated photos of the replacement part on Friday. Bonds said the material could not be reused, crews reinforced the base and rebar, and scaffolding remains in place while roof restoration continues.

Dennis Fernandez, architecture review and historic preservation manager, placed the building in context for the commission, saying the cultural clubs of Ybor City contributed to the neighborhood's significance and helped support the National Historic Landmark designation for parts of Ybor City. Fernandez said the Centro Espanol repair is a "preservation in progress" and staff will monitor finishing work and scaffolding removal.

The presentation was informational; no formal action was required. Bonds said staff will make additional documentation available to the commission and that the repair work is intended to return the building to a preserved condition that maintains its historic character.

The commission received the report and had no further formal business on the item. Staff noted they will continue to provide updates as photographic documentation and final roof work are completed.