Entry No. 30 — the Tampa file — filed under: giant-sculpture
Security Lizard by Paul Eppling
Perched atop the roof of St. Petersburg's Fleet Maintenance Building, this 30-foot-long, 4,000-pound metal lizard was constructed entirely out of recycled scrap auto parts by sculptor Paul Eppling.
The story
If you're driving down I-275 near downtown St. Petersburg, look toward the roofline of the city's Fleet Maintenance Building at 1800 7th Ave N. Perched right on the edge is a 30-foot-long, 4,000-pound reptile welded entirely out of salvaged car parts and discarded municipal steel. Known as the Security Lizard, this giant roadside watcher was created by the late St. Pete sculptor Paul Eppling.
Eppling made a name for himself across Tampa Bay by turning industrial junk and recycled auto components into lifelike, heavy-metal creatures. For this roof installation, he stitched together two tons of scrap into a creeping monster poised over the highway. If you look closely at its open jaws, Eppling added a clever detail: the lizard's extended tongue is forever reaching out to snatch a light fixture disguised as a firefly.
What it's like
You don't need tickets or admission to see this one—it's permanently mounted atop a working city maintenance garage. For the best view without blocking highway traffic, pull into the fleet parking lot off 7th Avenue North or spot it from the 5th Avenue North access ramp onto I-275. It's visible from the street 24/7, but swinging by after dark lets you catch the glowing firefly light on its tongue.
The move: Drive up I-275 or pull into the adjacent lot to spot the giant scrap-metal reptile catching a glowing firefly light on its tongue, then head nearby to the Edge District for drinks.
- 📍 Downtown St. Petersburg
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 1800 7th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bar Chica — After spotting the rooftop lizard, head into the nearby EDGE District for hidden rum cocktails tucked behind an unmarked back door.
- Culture Shock Oddities & Tattoo Studio — Swap Eppling's automotive scrap sculpture for real taxidermy, funeral photos, and oddities less than a mile down the road.
- FloridaRAMA — Pair St. Pete's quintessential outdoor scrap-metal art piece with an indoor 15,000-square-foot immersive installation space built by local artists.
Good to know
Where is the Security Lizard located?
It sits atop the roof of St. Petersburg's Fleet Maintenance Building at 1800 7th Ave N, near the 5th Avenue North entrance ramp to I-275.
Who made the sculpture and what materials were used?
Local metal sculptor Paul Eppling constructed the 30-foot, 4,000-pound sculpture using recycled scrap auto parts and equipment.
What are the hours and ticket prices?
Because it is an outdoor public art installation on a building roof, it is free to view from public streets and parking areas 24/7.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: publicartarchive.org · tampabay.com · wtsp.com · wikimapia.org · Facebook
last checked: 2026-07-21