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Downtown group opposes razing historic church
By Times Staff Writer
Published February 27, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG The Downtown Neighborhood Association recently voted to oppose the possible demolition of the historic First Baptist Church building, fronting on Williams Park at 120 Fourth St. N in downtown St. Petersburg. First Baptist Church was designated a local landmark in 1994. As a landmark, the City Council must issue a special permit before demolition begins. The owners of the Princess Martha, WRH Realty Services Inc., have a contract to purchase First Baptist Church from the present owner, St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral. WRH has announced plans to demolish the church despite having no long-range plan for use of the church property. After a series of hearings, St. Peter's received a demolition permit from the city conditioned upon plans and financing for a new structure being in place before demolition could proceed. Those plans did not come to fruition and that demolition permit has expired. SEMINOLE Cell phones sought for call-home effort A Seminole couple are still trying to "Help Them Call Home." The call-home program asks people not to discard their old cell phones but rather drop them off at collection points so they can be turned into "phone minutes" for members of the military. Lee and Gloria Orstein have been coordinating the effort. Dropoff locations are: - Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue, Station 27, 304 First St., Indian Rocks Beach; and Station 28, 13501 94th Ave., Seminole - Seminole Fire and Rescue, Station 29, 11195 70th Ave.; Station 30, 9971 Starkey Road; Station 31, 13091 88th Ave.; and Station 32, 10780 110th Ave.
[Last modified February 26, 2008, 20:29:27]
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by jro
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03/01/08 08:26 AM
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Itò019s wonderful idea to make a green space for residents of the Princess Martha, the church is economically beyond repair and no one can come up with a viable use for the property as an asset for the city.
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by Pete
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03/01/08 07:53 AM
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Keep the facade and install a park behind it. Keep some of the stairs, so it looks as if your walking up to meet the old gal then walk down into a nice park
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by timm
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02/27/08 11:14 PM
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Keep the facde and put a parking lot behind it.
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by David
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02/27/08 08:53 AM
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Some downtown buildings should be saved, but this is far from a landmark. It is an ugly old place!
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