Council to discuss loan to buy 6 acres

The purchase of the waterfront estate has been on a fast track, but one Oldsmar council member would like more discussion.

By ED QUIOCO, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 15, 2002

OLDSMAR -- For some city officials, the proposed deal to buy the Kumar property is just too good to pass up.

After all, the 6.34-acre, waterfront estate has a sweeping view of the top of Old Tampa Bay and comes with a mansion that has historic ties to the city. Wowed by the possibilities, City Council members will discuss at a meeting tonight approving a $2.6-million, 20-year loan to buy the land.

"Oh, good gravy," said Oldsmar Mayor Jerry Beverland, the proposal's chief supporter. "Yes, it's a tremendous deal."

In August, about two weeks after the purchase was first discussed at a public meeting, council members placed the deal under contract and gave themselves until Dec. 30 to ratify the contract. So far, the council has talked about using the property for a cultural arts center, but those plans are preliminary.

Owned by Roger and Lila Kumar, the property on 202 Shore Drive E has 440 feet of waterfront with a 23,000-square-foot home. The Kumars are longtime Oldsmar residents who are considering moving and wanted to give the city the first shot at buying the land.

Their home is the first floor of a hotel built in the 1920s as part of city founder R.E. Olds' vision for the city. Those plans fell through and all that was built was the first floor.

"This is part of our heritage," Beverland said.

But not everyone on the council wants to have the project on the fast track. Council member Brian Michaels said the city is still waiting for a property appraisal and is weeks away from getting a feasibility study on what can go on the property.

He said he also would like more public discussion on the issue.

"$2.6-million is a lot of money; and if you are buying a piece of property, I would want to know what the city is using it for," Michaels said. "I think buying the Kumar property is probably a very good investment for the city; but even sitting on the dais, it would be nice to know what we are buying it for. And I think public input is critical."

Beverland said there seems to be informal consensus to use the building as a cultural arts center and the rest of the property would stay "totally passive."

"I don't want any huge events there," Beverland said.

The proposed loan would be through the Florida League of Cities bond program and would require the city to pledge using utility tax revenue to pay for the loan, said City Manager Bruce Haddock. The city also is applying for state grants to help pay for the purchase, but it will be at least six months before city officials are notified if those are approved.

Council members also will discuss rezoning the land and amending its land use to classifications that would allow the property to be used for public use, such as a cultural arts center. The meeting will be 7 tonight at council chambers, 100 State St. W.

-- Ed Quioco can be reached at (727) 445-4183 or quioco@sptimes.com.

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