Dade City wonders about building

Visitors and officials want to know what's up with a now-vacant downtown building.

By HELEN ANNE TRAVIS, Times Staff Writer
Published November 17, 2007

DADE CITY - The Godfreys can't remember how many times they've visited Dade City.

The Michigan couple returns each year, drawn by city's cluster of independent restaurants, antique shops and unique stores.

"And they were all right here," said Chris Godfrey, 58.

She stood outside an almost vacant building that stretches nearly a half block through the prime of Dade City's downtown shopping district.

Godfrey remembers a Cuban restaurant with delicious flan and an antique shop were located in this building on their last visit.

"It's not nice when your downtown empties out. It doesn't look good," said her husband, Wyman Godfrey, 58.

But downtown hasn't emptied out. The shops that used to occupy this location have moved to other spots - After Thoughts Old & New and D Cee's Antiques and Gift Shop are around the corner, the Tropical Breeze Cafe moved a few blocks south.

If anything, this nearly empty brown building was supposed to liven up downtown with a rooftop bar and more retail shops.

At least that was the plan.

Local businessman David Hernandez bought the building, 14129 Seventh St., in December for $680,000, according to county records. Hernandez, who is the husband of City Commissioner Camille Hernandez, did not return calls from the Times.

In February, rumors circulated that the building would be completed by September. This summer, most of the merchants left because they were told renovations were about to begin and they didn't want to deal with the construction.

Edna Gonzalez used to run the Tropical Breeze Cafe out of the building but moved last week. After the building's makeover, her restaurant was supposed to be its main draw - complete with cigars, ice cream and cocktails served on the roof.

But Gonzalez and Hernandez became involved in a legal dispute over their lease. Last month a judge ordered her to pay the monthly expenses Hernandez wanted, which were twice her former bills. Gonzalez moved her cafe down the road.

Salon on 7th is the only shop that stayed in the building. A representative did not return calls from the Times Friday.

Eleven months after the purchase and initial hoopla, the building appears pretty much the same.

In June, the city issued a permit for interior destruction - removing indoor walls, plumbing, electricity, et cetera - for the building.

The next step in a renovation project would be a construction permit, which has not been applied for, said Bob Youmans, Dade City building official.

Mary Ann Fernandez owns D Cee Antiques and used to occupy the building's highly desired corner spot. Many of her customers have asked what's going on at her former locale.

"No one seems to know," she said.

Several Dade City organizations are also curious.

Dade City Main Street and the Garden Club have plans to revamp a connecting alley with benches and landscaping. But the project is on hold until the groups know more about Hernandez's plans.

An architect's rendering of a lavish Mediterranean-style building with stucco walls, columns and lanterns is posted on one of the building's windows.

"When there's an empty building, people are curious," said member Lori Cunningham, who owns several Dade City shops. "We're a little town and everybody wants to know what's going on."

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at 352 521-6518 or htravis@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 16, 2007, 21:43:09]