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Roster of ideas for old library is lengthy

From school to sports hall of fame - what to do? Leaders decide the building must focus on arts and education.

By SHANNON TAN
Published August 24, 2005

LARGO - Almost everyone, it seems, is interested in leasing space in the old Largo library building.

Schiller International University in Dunedin wants to move its campus there. So does the School of the Suncoast in Clearwater.

Suncoast Model Railroad Club is interested in housing its model train display in the building. An anonymous person wants to display a multimillion-dollar gem collection there. And don't forget the Florida Sports Hall of Fame or the Miniature Art Society of Florida.

The 36,190-square-foot building at 351 East Bay Drive has been empty since the new library opened July 31. The city paid $30,000 for a study of alternative uses of the building. The consultant, Herbert Halback Inc. of Orlando, found that residents wanted the city to keep the building and that its new use should complement Largo Central Park.

Using the facility for public purposes would mean greater control for city officials, but less revenue for the city. Turning the building into a moneymaker, however, means that officials would have to relinquish some control.

City commissioners debated the issue Tuesday and decided they wanted the building to focus on arts and education. They plan to form a committee that would make recommendations to the commission.

"We need to know what our community wants before we create something," said Commissioner Pat Gerard.

Their decision supports the consultant's recommendation to create a Largo Arts & Community Center with multipurpose rooms for meetings, artist studios, a concession area facing Largo Central Park, a community/learning center and indoor recreation spaces. A continuous walkway with rotating galleries or exhibits would connect the different sections. Offices could house Downtown Largo Main Street and the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce.

Renovations could cost up to $2.772-million, with programming ranging from $600,000 to $850,000.

Vice Mayor Gay Gentry said that ideally, half the building would generate profits that would pay for the other half.

That could mean forming a partnership with Pinellas schools to offer arts classes and after-school programs, renting out studio space to artists and selling their art.

With the new Hampton Inn going up across the street from the park, the building should house something with entertainment value to attract tourists, said Gerard.

Gerard said that the cities of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs have detailed cultural arts plans.

Mayor Bob Jackson noted that Largo has historically been a residential community, not a tourist destination.

The only way to find out if residents want facilities targeting tourists, he said, is to "make a proposal and then duck."

Commissioner Mary Gray Black suggested putting in an elegant restaurant to cater to library and cultural center patrons. But that could mean losing valuable parking space to accommodate a service area, the consultant said.

Several commissioners liked the idea of moving the 18,000-square-foot community center into the building, but not right away.

"I think it is a viable economic development for us," said Commissioner Harriet Crozier. "We need to put that back on the tax rolls."

Schiller's campus director, Christoph Leibrecht, said after the meeting that the university is still interested in moving into the old library building. At this point, "it's all very open," he said.

Also on Tuesday, commissioners shot down a proposal to cut trash pickup from twice to once a week. While the idea would cut costs, residents adamantly opposed the measure, saying they love the service the way it is now.

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified August 24, 2005, 01:16:13]