Built in 1926, the building has been included in renderings of what a redeveloped 22nd Street will look like.
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - A landmark, two-story building that officials consider key 22nd Street S real estate has been bought and sold twice since June.
The 4,640-square-foot building, which housed dozens of small businesses when 22nd Street was the African-African community's main thoroughfare, had remained the property of Jewell Ford-Lovett since 1972.
But the longtime resident died a year ago at age 82. In June, Mary Ann Lynch, known for her rehab work on old buildings in the University Park neighborhood, bought the 22nd Street structure for $204,800, records show.
Lynch said she resold the building a few weeks ago for $337,500 to RMT Ventures, a St. Petersburg company.
"These people have plans to renovate," Lynch said. Officials for RMT could not be reached early this week.
"The architectural style is key for the corridor," said Goliath Davis, deputy mayor for Midtown. "It's my hope that it is rehabbed and not torn down."
The building has been included in renderings of what a redeveloped 22nd Street will look like. Its two stories, set off by a balcony with wooden rails, is considered a striking piece of period architecture.
McCall's Family Restaurant was the most recent tenant, but moved out several weeks ago. Several other storefronts already were vacant.
City officials "worked with (Reuben) McCall on his ability to acquire the building," Davis said. He said the family had an option to buy, but chose not to exercise it.
According to records, the building went up in 1926 when 22nd Street was beginning to emerge as a business and residential thoroughfare. It is of the same era as the Manhattan Casino and Mercy Hospital.
Through the years, it has been home to numerous cafes, smoke shops, pool rooms and taverns. A hotel occupied the second floor and the S&S Market thrived there from the 1940s to the late 1960s.
