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University looks at Largo for school site

Schiller International University is ready to leave Dunedin, but the Largo location isn't zoned for a school ... yet.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published February 17, 2006

LARGO - If Schiller International University relocated from Dunedin to the old Hospice property on East Bay Drive, the school might house a bookshop, a museum and a restaurant with European ambience.

But city staff says that even if Schiller officials offer a variety of enterprises open to the public, the university still would be inconsistent with city rules. Largo staffers informed the university that the property is in the West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District, an area designated for a mix of office, residential and retail establishments.

The university, which is close to a deal on buying the property, has not been deterred. Its executives plan to present their case to the City Commission at Tuesday's meeting.

"We're trying to do everything we can to bend over backward for the city," said developer Sam Hall, who is representing the university.

While city staff has problems with an institution on the site, some commissioners don't.

"I see an international university as a positive for the city," said Mayor Bob Jackson, who has been talking with university representatives since last year, when Schiller expressed an interest in moving into the old Largo library building.

Schiller, which has about 200 students from the United States and other countries, started looking at buildings after discovering the existing campus requires major renovations. The plumbing dates to 1926, and Schiller officials thought it might be more cost-effective to move to a newer building.

Christoph Leibrecht, Schiller's campus director, said the Largo site is ideal for the university.

"We're excited about the location. It's close to shops, restaurants, the park, the library and civic amenities," Leibrecht said.

He added that the restaurant, which would be open seven days a week, would be integrated with the culinary courses in the university's curriculum.

Commissioner Gay Gentry said she would like to hear more from city staff but thinks Schiller and its proposed offerings would be a good fit.

"Just because it's not a store doesn't mean it won't be a draw for the area," Gentry said.

Commissioner Andy Guyette said he's conflicted. The issues raised by staff concern him, but he likes the idea of a university there.

"I'm struggling with this one," Guyette said. "I see both sides."

Community Development Director Mike Staffopoulos said a land-use change to allow an institution in the district could take six to nine months.

"For us, that's definitely too long," Leibrecht said. "We need to leave this place (the Dunedin campus) and we need to move in someplace. That's why we're also keeping our options open with several other possibilities."

George Rahdert recently bought the university's property in Dunedin for $8-million and is letting the university rent the property for now, Leibrecht said.

Rahdert, who plans to restore the historic building into a luxury hotel-condominium, is an attorney who represents the St. Petersburg Times on First Amendment issues.

Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 17, 2006, 02:15:35]