Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

A head start on development

A Head Start center, an ice cream parlor and offices take the place of a loud bar, thanks to Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services.

By YUXING ZHENG
Published September 22, 2005

CLEARWATER - They waved drawings of a yellow duck, blue horse, green frog and other animals as they belted out a ditty under a red-and-white-striped tent at midday Wednesday.

But not one sweaty body in the crowd of about 125 cringed as the 20 4-year-olds - some shy, some yawning - finished their out-of-tune yet well-received rendition of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"

Wednesday's crowd isn't the sort Greenwood residents are used to seeing at 1045 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The former home of Maccabee's Bar, the location was more often the site of excessive noise and fights that led worried neighbors to call police.

But neighbors said they expect that to change with the imminent opening of Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services' Business Development Center. The center will house a Head Start child care center, an ice cream parlor, and office space for CNHS and three small businesses.

"They cleaned up the area a lot and made the neighborhood more quiet and peaceful," said Lacorya Pete, 23, who described the area as "hell" when the bar was open. Pete visited the center to pick up an application to enroll her 3-year-old daughter Macieya in Head Start.

The ice cream parlor was not yet finished Wednesday, but participants at the grand opening ceremony eagerly visited the two office suites and peeked into the Head Start Center. A giant, blue stuffed gorilla and puzzles greeted the 4-year-olds, who were visiting from nearby Reconciler Center Head Start on Drew Street.

"It is unheard of when you take a bar and convert it into an educational center for kids," said Isay Gulley, president and chief executive officer of CNHS.

The nonprofit CNHS works to revitalize neighborhoods by offering counseling to first-time home buyers and loans to small-business owners. Gulley said she expects CNHS's office in the new center, which will be up and running next week, to focus on commercial development and business loans.

CNHS purchased the former bar in 2003 for $125,000 with help from Clearwater and NeighborWorks America, a nonprofit organization that CNHS is affiliated with. Renovations to the space cost another $475,000.

Juanita Heinzen, executive director of Pinellas County Head Start, surprised Gulley by announcing the center will be named the Isay M. Gulley Head Start Center.

"Normally, I'm not speechless," Gulley said, "but I'm shocked."

Five people have already inquired about the three available office spaces. Interested businesses include a realty company, a service organization, an artist looking for gallery space and an African dance group. CNHS has yet to start a formal application process for the space. Gulley said she's hoping to attract a mix of businesses that would provide the neighborhood with services, such as a realty or insurance agency.

Bertha Kelley, owner of Bayline Realty a block away from the center, said she's glad the center opened because it's a sign that the neighborhood is growing.

"Once they're there, they can bring others into the community," Kelley said. "It will give people a more positive mind frame about the community."

The Isay M. Gulley Head Start Center will offer spots for 40 4-year-olds in two classes, said Juanita Heinzen, executive director of Pinellas County Head Start. Heinzen said she had received 20 applications as of Wednesday. Applications may be picked up at any existing Head Start Center. For information, visit www.pinellascountyheadstart.org

[Last modified September 22, 2005, 01:03:19]