North Downtown and University Park will vote Jan. 8 to unite, making one of the larger associations in the city.
By ANDREW MEACHAM
Published December 14, 2003
ST. PETERSBURG - For several months, two of downtown's neighborhood associations have met jointly as if they were one. No one complained. Now North Downtown and University Park are poised to make it official with a vote to merge associations. Leaders reason that the move would prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts and strengthen the broader neighborhood's hand in dealing with common issues.
If the vote goes through at a joint meeting Jan. 8, NoDo's 3,200 members would combine with University Park's 1,500, said NoDo president Tim Baker, making the newly christened Downtown Neighborhood Association one of the larger associations in the city with 3,700 members, comparable to Historic Old Northeast.
The boundaries would start at Fifth Avenue N, NoDo's northernmost existing boundary, run east to Tampa Bay, then all the way to Fifth Avenue S (instead of stopping at Central); and back west to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street; plus a previously unclaimed sliver from Fifth to 11th Avenue S, from Fourth Street to the bay.
There are many reasons to merge, leaders say. North Downtown has brought key issues to its meetings, including prospective redesigns of Williams Park and the Florida International Museum; and weighing in on proposed changes to the Albert Whitted airport and the ongoing rewrite of land development regulations.
University Park engineered a grant to upgrade many of its properties and encouraged developer Mel Sembler and the city to allow a recently opened Publix grocery.
"Publix happens to be in University Park, but it serves all of downtown," said University Park president John Owen. "When we cross Central Avenue, we don't consider ourselves to be crossing into another neighborhood."
The meetings since this summer have gone smoothly, Owen said, bringing up no red flags. Both neighborhoods will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N, to vote on the merger. If it passes, two non-profit corporations will disband and a third, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, will be formed. Membership would elect 12 board members, who then would elect officers.
Several issues confront downtown, said NoDo vice president Tim Clemmons, including two-way traffic on one-way streets, parking, and new development along Beach Drive.
The merger, Clemmons said, should help with coordinating volunteers, recruiting members, putting out newsletters, and "it might give us a little more clout in dealing with other organizations and issues facing the city over downtown."
Neighborhood associations are free to define their own boundaries and set their own agendas, said Neighborhood Partnership director Susan Ajoc. "As downtown redevelops and a more cohesive vision is developed, it makes sense for NoDo and University Park to evaluate the option of merging," Ajoc said. She also said that the city treats each association equally, regardless of size.
Optimism is running high for the vote's passage. "At this point, I don't know of anyone who thinks it's a bad idea," Clemmons said.
Around the neighborhoods
Historic Old Northeast's Candlelight Tour of Homes leads visitors through at least eight decorated vintage dwellings today from 3 to 9 p.m. Tickets today run $15; organizers have earmarked part of the proceeds for local charities. Call Suzanne Kelley or Wendy Wesley, 821-3711.
Live Oaks residents - that's anyone living between Central and Fifth Avenue N, from 49th to 58th streets - can spread the holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols to those who don't, or can't, come out. The makeshift chorus convenes 7 p.m. Saturday at 5121 Second Ave. N.
Magnolia Heights residents will adjourn from their Thursday meeting and head for the Santa Claus display at 14th Street N and 34th Avenue. The holiday hot spot features an available Santa on his sleigh.
Meetings
CENTRAL OAK PARK: 7 p.m. Tuesday (6:30 p.m. Crime Watch). St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 4444 Fifth Ave. N. Officer elections. Bring a dessert and a friend. Drinks provided.
COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS: 7 p.m. Wednesday (6 p.m. social). The Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N. President's reception, officer elections, holiday party.
CRESCENT HEIGHTS: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. American Baptist Church of the Beatitudes, 2812 Eighth St. N. Christmas party featuring children's activities, "special visitor from North Pole."
