Tampa Bay Famous Names: Who was Bruce B. Downs?

Each day thousands of New Tampa Area residents travel Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Radio listeners hear his name dozens of times a week either in traffic reports or in commercials advertising businesses located on his street.

But the question remains, who is this man? Who is Bruce B. Downs?

According to a Tampa Bay Times Article, Downs was a public servant who loved “roads”. Downs was with the Florida Transportation Department for almost 30 years before working as Hillsborough County’s deputy public works administrator.

One newspaper, in 1983, said that Downs had the most stressful job in the county. The next day, at age 53, Downs dropped dead of a massive heart attack.

Professionally, Downs was well respected. Three years after his death, Hillsborough County renamed 30th Street after Bruce B. Downs.

He and his wife Patsy were each other's high school sweethearts. She said that Downs would have been shocked and “very humble” to know that the road was named for him.

So what does the B stand for?

Bruce B. Downs’ famous middle initial stands for Barkley! Now you know!
[Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Do you have the same taste in restaurants as MJ? Let's take a look at MJ's favorite steakhouses in Tampa Bay.

You can probably guess a few of the steakhouses that appear on this list. Perhaps you also enjoy some (or most) of these locations.

LongHorn and Outback have multiple locations. Simple but good, reliable steakhouses.

Part of Blooming Brands with it's older cousin, Outback Steakhouse, Fleming's is a step up to fine dining. Located on Boy Scout Blvd. near Tampa International Airport.

The Tampa location of Charley's is West Cypress Street in the Westshore District.

Flamestone has locations in Trinity and Oldsmar.

Meat Market Tampa is located in Hyde Park at 1606 W Snow Ave.

Council Oak is located in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa.

The Capital Grille can be found in International Plaza next to Tampa International Airport.

Ponte Modern American is located in Midtown, 1010 Gramercy Pk Ln.

From famed local chef Chris Ponte, Ponte Modern American is not a steakhouse, per se, with its variety of amazing dishes, but does boast some of the best cuts of prime beef you'll find in Tampa Bay.

Malio's is located in The Rivergate Tower in downtown Tampa.

There's little that compares to Bern's in Tampa. With its history, Bern's Steak House has defined 'fine dining' in Tampa since the 1950's.