By Katherine Snow Smith
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — The 500 and 600 blocks of Central Avenue are going to get some new neighbors that will give the street quite a different look.
Regions Bank has bought a building at 526 Central Ave. across from the Florida Craftsmen gallery. One block up, at 627 Central Ave., a sculpture of a horse, about 10 feet tall, made from scrap metal and chains, is being installed as public art.
Let's just hope there's no army inside.
Sculptor James Oleson donated the horse that will saddle up in front of Dazzio Art Experience. Oleson teaches there and has his own gallery a few doors down.
Regions Bank paid $1.8 million for the 8,000-square-foot building that has formerly housed a jazz club, a restaurant, a cigar lounge and real estate offices.
"This purchase is part of our ongoing commitment ...