tampa engineering marvels
tommyCrystal wants to know about engineering marvels in Tampa Bay:
Hi Tommy & SoF,
In an engineering community I follow we were discussing engineers as tourists. I began to wonder if any of our local engineering marvels had tours or places to see. Places of interest such as Power Plants (both coal, and Crystal River’s nuclear), water treatment facilities (I haven’t heard much lately on the desal plant), bridges (we sure have a lot of them), factories, unusual buildings (Tampa Theatre, the ‘beer can’ building, UT…) , other utilities, etc…
I know security at some of these places is high, but I am sure someone out there works for or knows of people in similar industries that might have some pointers. Thanks in advance for any ideas your beautiful readership might suggest.
Be Well,
Crystal
Hey Crystal, I know that there are tours of the Tampa Theatre, as well as a tour of the Tampa Port Authority downtown. Anyone aware of other such tours?
Loading ...
April 22nd, 2007 at 6:09 pm
When I was working on my degree at USF a couple of classes had us touring the wastewater treatment facility and the waste-to-energy plant, both on Falkenburg Rd. It was pre-9/11 so not sure if they’re still giving tours, but they were both quite interesting. Also did a tour years and years(I was still a cub scout) ago at a cement plant up near Brooksville.
April 22nd, 2007 at 6:37 pm
The area’s greatest feat of engineering is, of course, the Sunshine Skyway, which can be toured for the small price of one dollar…
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:56 am
you ever wonder if the folks that jump from the bridge pay the toll? and if so why?
you can tour the Tampa Water works I believe (at least I did as a kid in school.) Not sure if that qualifies as a engineering marvel but it sure was disgusting. If you drink, bathe in, come in contact with, or otherwise “use” the city water you might NOT want to pursue this tour.
April 23rd, 2007 at 8:31 am
Jason,
I did a college internship at the Hillsborough River treatment plant(near Rogers Park) for the City of Tampa Water Department. It wasn’t all that bad. At least at the time, they were one of the premier surface water treatment facilities. The nasty-looking part is the flocculation process which is primarily for clarifying the water(so it doesn’t look like iced tea at the tap.) The facility building is gorgeous.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:58 am
I remember it smelling like butt and the floating stuff on top, was that the flocculation process?
Never stopped me from drinking it though.
I just call it Tampa City Soup.
April 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 am
I hear that the Yuengling brewery near Busch Gardens has a free factory tour. I’ve been thinking about going–has anyone else been?
April 23rd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Thanks again Tommy! Thanks for the suggestions alles.
Lucy,
http://www.yuengling.com/tour.htm
Monday thru Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Two tours: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
I’ve heard good things about it - and the free samples.
I have done the old Ybor City Brewing Co. tour, but I don’t think it exists anymore.
April 23rd, 2007 at 10:15 pm
The amount of liquor they can pour into a glass at the Hub. Truly one of Tampa’s finest engineering feats.
April 25th, 2007 at 2:11 am
Lucy,
I have been on the Yuengling tour as an “educational” plant tour for budding chemical engineers. You get to sample the product and learn a little bit too. I recommend it!