A company in Tampa sees promise in the former Police Department site for an 85- to 100-room facility across from Largo Central Park.
By SHANNON TAN
Published November 18, 2003
LARGO - If you're a tourist attending an event in downtown Largo, where do you stay?
There's the beach. Or hotels up and down U.S. 19.
Soon, downtown may be an option.
A hotel development and management company in Tampa is negotiating with the city to bring a hotel to East Bay Drive, across from Largo Central Park.
The 60,000-square-foot Hampton Inn & Suites would be built at the old Police Department site, said Mike Staffopoulos, community development director.
The Police Department building was demolished three years ago. The firing range will be torn down in about 10 days, costing the city $22,000.
The city had completed discussions with another hotel developer, but the developer pulled out earlier this year, said Alan Zimmet, city attorney.
Negotiations with Baystar Hotel Group began three or four months ago.
"We're close," Staffopoulos said. "We're literally trying to work out some details.
If all goes well, city staffers will schedule a special meeting between the developer and the City Commission to seal the deal.
George Glover, chairman and chief executive of Baystar Hotel Group, declined to comment on the project. He said the company is talking to several franchise groups about hotels for the site.
The former City Hall and Police Department buildings were razed three years ago to make way for commercial and residential development.
Last year, Hyde Park Builders of Tampa paid $1.08-million for the City Hall site and nearly has finished a townhomes complex named West Bay Village. A commercial center featuring a specialty coffee shop, a health club, an ice cream shop and a restaurant is on the way.
The Police Department site, which is about 3 acres, has been appraised for more than $1-million.
The developer would buy the land, then construct the hotel. It would have from 85 to 100 rooms.
"It'll really be a great addition," said Terry Moore, manager of Downtown Largo Main Street.
Largo police officers started practicing at the firing range in St. Petersburg this spring, Deputy Chief John Carroll said.
Plans for a new firing range are undecided, Carroll said.
