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Neighborhood notebook
Old house, gas station seek landmark status
By LETITIA STEIN
Published June 24, 2005
DOVER - Two properties in east Hillsborough County are slated to become landmarks.
The Jess Walden house was constructed in 1901 for Walden, a Baptist minister and strawberry farmer. In 1959, the house was moved about 500 feet to 12501 Jess Walden Road.
The original house featured a roof shaped like a steep pyramid with exposed rafters. The style is typical of houses in the South at that time, but rarely is found in Hillsborough.
As the Walden family grew, so did their house. Over the years, expansions brought it from 900 to 1,414 square feet.
In 2002, it was renovated after a fire. Larry Bara, the current owner, supports landmark status to ensure the home's preservation.
Landmark designation also is proceeding for the Lewis Good Gulf Service Station at 8102 County Road 39.
The station, constructed in 1926, helped fuel the economic development of the Alafia and Hopewell community; it closed after a decade because of low gasoline allocations.
The building features a symmetric front facade with an open canopy. Inside, the front half served as an office and storage area. The rear portion was used as living quarters.
The current owner, Bette Harvey, supports the landmark designation. She is interested in opening an antique shop at the site.
Once a property receives landmark status, its owner must maintain the appearance and consult with the county on changes that could affect the structure's architectural integrity.
Improvements slow going for exit at Big Bend Road
GIBSONTON - Watch out for traffic around the Interstate 75 exit at Big Bend Road.
Because of backlogs, the Department of Transportation tweaked the traffic signal onto Big Bend Road. This spring, the green light time was increased from 20 seconds to 35 seconds.
Planners already anticipate needing additions to the ramp to handle traffic in growing south Hillsborough.
DOT officials are working with the county to find $100,000 for ramp improvements. They would like to add dual southbound turn lanes. Currently, only one lane turns south.
There are long-term plans to expand and reconfigure the exit ramp. But the DOT has not set a timeline for the unfunded project.
"We haven't even done a study," DOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said. "This is just a concept."
[Last modified June 23, 2005, 01:01:07]
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