Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

New Port Richey looks to railroad history for revival

New Port Richey's leaders hope embracing the area's history as a railroad hub will rekindle an identity and draw more people into downtown.

By PHIL DAVIS
Published October 10, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Nebraska Avenue was the end of the line for the steam locomotives that helped build this coastal city, hauling in building supplies, land speculators and the first Northern tourists.

The tracks are long gone, but the city is banking on the spirit of those pioneering Tampa and Gulf Coast Railroad locomotives, "Tug and Grunts" to the locals, to bring new crowds downtown.

City planners call the $1-million project Railroad Square, a name they hope will eventually soak into the consumer conscience like the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.

The initial redevelopment focus will be on creating a pedestrian-friendly streetscape (possibly covered walkways, brick pavers and murals) to encourage business on Nebraska Avenue between Bank and Adams streets. Planners hope to make Nebraska an extension of Main Street, which connects to the Pithlachascotee River and Sims Park.

"It has a history," City Manager Scott Miller said. "We're trying to make Nebraska Avenue and Grand Boulevard area more of a destination point. We want to give it an identity. Railroad Square will be another reason to come to downtown New Port Richey."

The city is hosting the first Railroad Square brainstorming session from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers at City Hall, 5919 Main St.

Grant Thrall, a University of Florida professor whose research focuses on business geography, said New Port Richey is smart to hook a redevelopment effort to its history.

"It's important that communities maintain their sense of place identity, so that they are not just one more blob of suburban sprawl, that they are something special" Thrall said. "People do like themes."

Railroad Square is part of an aggressive effort to transform New Port Richey's sleepy downtown into a lively commercial core. The centerpiece is the $30-million Main Street Landings project, Gainesville developer Ken McGurn's riverfront complex of retail shops, restaurants, luxury condos and docks. Construction began in April.

The city is under contract to buy the Baptist Church on Circle Boulevard for $3.1-million. It is also seeking uses for the historic Hacienda Hotel, which it bought in 2003 for $2.2-million. One idea is to turn it into a lyceum, a center for weddings, business conferences and other events.

Last week, the City Council gave final approval to a new overlay district that limits the type of businesses that can operate in the downtown core. The ordinance favors new-merchandise apparel stores, antique shops and cafes. Massage parlors, adult entertainment, repair shops, warehouses and government offices are not allowed.

While redevelopment on Main Street is in the works, Nebraska Avenue, a block south, is mostly wide open and empty. The backs of many Main Street businesses open up on to it. There are four restaurants in the area that plan to offer sidewalk dining on Nebraska.

Miller has some ideas to bring back the railroad feel that was wiped away decades ago. He scouted out an old railroad caboose owned by downtown property owner Mike Ryan, and a shed made from the wood of the old Elfers train depot. The caboose is now on Ryan's property at Seven Springs and Perrine Ranch roads.

"If we can set up a pedestrian walkway for people, why not?" Miller said of the caboose. "I think it would be a good asset."

One option for making the area more pedestrian-friendly is making Nebraska and Missouri avenues one-way streets, Miller said.

The city set aside $500,000 in the current budget and another $500,000 next year to improve streets and sidewalks on Nebraska and surrounding streets. Laliberte said the redevelopment money could be spent on things such as trellises for shading, murals and enhancements to sidewalks ranging from widening to brick pavers.

Miller hopes to have a master plan completed by January.

"We're looking for ideas," Miller said. "I don't want to force anything on anybody. I want them to buy into it. It's pretty much wide open ... if it's possible, lets do it."

Thrall said it will take years to inject energy into the sleepy downtown. He worked with McGurn on a mixed-use housing and retail center in downtown Gainesville. It took about 15 years of planning, building and convincing developers the area was worth their investment.

"We had to beg people 10 years ago to build something," Thrall said. "I was a sleepy place. Today, downtown Gainesville is one of the hottest real estate markets in Alachua County."

Thrall said New Port Richey's waterfront will speed its recovery.

"I would say at this point it is going to be hard to make a mistake," Thrall said. "You're talking waterfront and today in Florida, anywhere that is on the water, especially with Gulf access, is at a premium. People want to be there.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 01:18:12]