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Grant recoups Kumar expenses

A state agency reimburses the city half of what it paid for the bayfront property in 2003. The remaining half may come later.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published February 5, 2005

OLDSMAR - The City Council this week accepted a $1.1-million state grant for the purchase of 5.5 acres of bayfront property two years ago.

The city purchased the estate of Roger and Lila Kumar in 2003 for $2.2-million. The original plan was to convert the Kumar mansion, built in the 1920s as the first floor of a resort hotel, into a cultural arts center. Later, it was discovered that repairs and renovations would cost up to $3.1-million, so last year the mansion was razed and the property cleared with the idea of turning it into a park. In September, the city petitioned the Florida Communities Trust seeking reimbursement for the project.

The trust agreed to reimburse half, but informed the city that it would be placed on a waiting list along with other state projects seeking $72-million in grants in 2004.

Tuesday's decision means the city now can move forward with the park project, which includes adding benches, walking paths and a gazebo to the site. Although there is no set date when the city would purchase those items, council members have already begun suggesting names.

Vice Mayor Don Bohr suggested: "Veterans Park."

Any name considered for the park would be brought before the city's parks and recreation advisory board, said Lynn Rives, director of parks and recreation.

[Last modified February 5, 2005, 00:57:15]