A sign taller than the Crosstown?

TAMPA - Tampa's new IKEA store has done everything "big." They opened big. The store is big. Now, they want a sign that's big.

The business is proposing a 125-foot tall IKEA sign that would hover over the Crosstown Expressway and nearby businesses and homes.

The store's current sign is 35 feet tall.

"We do have neighbors driving through here asking where IKEA is. We just say it's one street over and one street to the left," said Ybor City resident Tommy Stephens.

Stephens, born and raised in Ybor, got the details on the proposed sign at a recent IKEA presentation to his neighborhood association.

From his home, Stephens would be able to see only part the three-sided sign. With mixed feelings, he sympathizes with neighbors in plain view.

"Some of them were not pro-sign because they live right behind that sign or in front of that sign, so they could be very visible," Stephens said.

Ybor's neighborhood groups reportedly promise to fight the super-sized sign. Others in the area say there's nothing to fight about.

"Ybor City is a very special part of our neighbor. It's one of the things we really enjoy, but keep in mind you're on the other side of Adamo over here and it's really not part of the historic district," said Attorney David Adams of Sponsler, Bennett, Jacobs and Adams, a stone's throw from IKEA.

"I think a big business deserves a big sign and that Crosstown is mighty high, so for people to see it and notice it, I think it will help them," said Attorney Rob Bennett of the same firm.

IKEA also wants its own street. The mega store has asked the city to re-name a stretch of 21st Street bordering the store "IKEA Way". IKEA has requested that if the city goes along with that, signs along I-4 direct drivers to "IKEA Way".

The Florida Department of Transportation, however, has already said no to that.

A public hearing is scheduled for September 16th at 6 p.m. However, IKEA's attorney has requested delaying the hearing until October 14th to allow IKEA additional time to work with the community.

Messages to IKEA and its Tampa attorney were not returned Friday.