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Old-world charm, done at last

Palm Harbor's Florida Avenue renewal may have hurt some downtown businesses, but now they say they are enjoying a new feel and new customers.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published April 6, 2006

PALM HARBOR - Almost a year ago, business owners along the historic downtown corridor braced themselves for some tough times as bulldozers rolled in and began chewing up the streets facing their storefronts.

A week after the completion of the multimillion-dollar streetscaping of Florida Avenue, business owners are glad to see the finished smooth road, but they're also grimacing at the revenue they lost during the construction.

The county embarked on the $2.5-million renovation in June 2005. The road portion of the project was completed three months ahead of schedule, said Joe DeMoss, Pinellas County engineering supervisor. The county still must complete landscaping in the corridor.

"Naturally, it hurt our pocketbooks," said Mike Flowers, co-owner of the Thirsty Marlin, one of the area's most popular restaurants. "But we knew it was coming, so we saved some extra funds. Our concern now is how quickly it will come back."

The Marlin's revenue dropped by about 30 percent during the construction, said Flowers, who was an early opponent of the road work.

Lesley Klein, who owns Oak Trail Books, didn't fair quite as poorly.

Sales dropped by 7 percent at her metaphysical book store at the corner of Florida Avenue and Omaha Circle.

But it was a long-sought sacrifice.

In the late 1990s, Klein and other business owners, as part of the Old Palm Harbor Main Street Association, came together with county officials to figure out in which direction they wanted to take the downtown area.

Around that time, revitalization was the buzzword in downtown corridors everywhere. Palm Harbor was no exception.

"We wanted to make the area somewhere that people wanted to walk and socialize," Klein said.

The county changed zoning rules to give the area a more urban landscape. The association pushed for better roads and more parking. The members also wanted sidewalks and landscaping that was compatible with the area's historic character.

The Florida Avenue project includes newly paved roads and new sidewalks along Florida Avenue from Alt. 19 to Omaha Street. Omaha Circle and both 11th and 12th streets also have been paved from Nebraska Avenue to Georgia Avenue. The new roads mean better drainage and more parking.

The project was broken up into three phases so businesses wouldn't have to bear the brunt of construction all at once.

Hunter Pickens moved his health food store to the area in the middle of the construction with hope on his mind.

"It's definitely been a hurdle for customers physically as well as psychologically because of the bulldozers," said Pickens who co-owns Lori and Hunter's Health Store and Cafe. "But honestly, I'm thinking it was all for the better, because now we have the charm of last century with the ease of this century now."

For all its hardship, some business owners only see the bright side of the road construction.

"I have walk-ins now. People come by and see the place," said Marian Lee, who owns the Tiphareth Healing Center at 12th Street and Florida Avenue. "The sidewalk was nonexistent. Now people come down and see us."

With the road paving complete, the county must consider landscaping options as well as street lighting for the area, DeMoss said.

"It's an ongoing process," said Klein, president of the Old Palm Harbor Main Street Association."But we're starting to see it; ... we're planning on putting out cafe tables with umbrellas. We want to create that pedestrian-friendly area where people can hang out and can bring their pets."

On a recent day, signs of reawakening could be seen along the street.

A crew worked on a pedestal for a new street clock donated by the Rotary Club of Palm Harbor.

Marian Lee watered the plants outside her massage and wellness center.

And Pickens planned where he would place bistro tables outside the health food store.

"We're hoping people will be encouraged to stroll along, stop for a coffee, tea, or a smoothie," he said.

Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or 727 445-4162.

[Last modified April 6, 2006, 01:59:19]