A building that once housed a sign company could become a mix of shops, restaurants and office buildings.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published December 28, 2003
OLDSMAR - An empty industrial eyesore on Tampa Road could become the newest place to shop, eat and work in Oldsmar's evolving downtown.
The city is considering rezoning the former Heath Sign Co. building across from the Oldsmar Town Center to allow for a mix of commercial, industrial and office buildings.
Plans call for part of the 36-year-old building at 3985 Tampa Road to be demolished.
Businesses could include a bank, an office supply store and casual restaurants, said Steve Stone with Dutter Realty, the group marketing the development.
"That old building there is the last thing anyone wants to see," Stone said. "We want to get this done, correctly."
This month, the City Council instructed City Attorney Tom Trask to draft an ordinance rezoning the property. The council will vote on the proposal in January.
Mayor Jerry Beverland said he supports the plan. With the rapid development of Tampa Road, a 131,000-square-foot industrial building just didn't make sense, Beverland said.
"I think it's a great idea," he said. "Another bank, another restaurant, it just enhances the city of Oldsmar."
Heath announced last February it was leaving the Oldsmar facility it opened in 1967 to consolidate into one plant in Texas. The company, which makes signs for many nationally known businesses, including Target, Hallmark and General Motors, had about 70 employees in the Tampa Road office.
The company has since merged with California-based Federal Signs Co.
Stone said Heath had several offers to sell the industrial property, valued at $2-million, as is. But the company would rather redevelop the land.
Plans for the 13-acre site call for a bank, a fast-food restaurant, a full-service restaurant and 20,000 square feet of additional retail space. There would be four buildings and 216 parking spaces on 5 acres. Part of Heath's existing building would be renovated for industrial use.
The revamped Heath building will be set on 8 acres behind the commercial development.
Stone said the entire project would aesthetically mirror the Oldsmar Town Center, which is across Tampa Road and includes a Courtyard by Marriott, a Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites and an Applebee's restaurant, among other commercial properties.
"It's a win-win for Heath and the city," said Jerry Custin, a business assistance specialist for the Oldsmar/Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Custin said his office has already fielded more than a handful of calls expressing interest in the industrial portion of the proposed development. Because industrial land is scarce throughout the county, Custin said, the opening in Oldsmar should be easy to fill.
The same goes for the commercial properties, Stone said.
"This is the last frontier for development in Pinellas County," Stone said. "This is where the action is."
