Northpinellas: Club asks for building's demolition

PALM HARBOR -- In a move that some fear could jeopardize a plan to renovate the activity building at the old Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, the Palm Harbor Civic Club sent a letter to Pinellas County requesting it be torn down.

The letter argues that the $313,000 renovation cost would be a waste of taxpayer money for a building with no historic value.

Along with the letter, Carl Barron, the county's director of general services, attached a memo to county commissioners suggesting the renovation plan may carry less community support than originally thought.

With its recommendation, the Civic Club, which has about 25 members, has angered many of those who have rallied in support of renovating the building as a downtown community center. Proponents think rental of the hall for wedding receptions and other events could be an important revenue source for the fledgling Downtown Main Street Association, which is seeking to transform the downtown area.

"That letter, in my opinion, was very damaging to what we are trying to accomplish," said Robert Kohler, chairman of Main Street's economic restructuring committee.

The County Commission has not made a final decision about whether to spend $313,000 to renovate the building or to demolish it for downtown parking. Some fear a divided community could sway the County Commission to opt for other projects instead.

In January 2000, the county paid $1.3-million for the block between 11th and 12th streets and Georgia and Michigan avenues. The county secured a $295,000 state grant to renovate the historic White Chapel on the property's northeast corner. In October, the county demolished the former church sanctuary. The activities building also was to be demolished, but the Main Street Association stepped forward with a proposal to save the building. At a County Commission meeting last November, the Main Street Association leaders said they think they could not only make enough through rentals to offset an estimated $25,000 a year in maintenance costs, but also turn a profit.

"I believe it's key to the success of the Main Street program," Kohler said.

The County Commission told the Main Street board to come back with a more formal financial plan, assuring that the group could make the hall work. Kohler said a Main Street committee has been working on just that. He said they have found a great demand for wedding reception halls.

Leaders of the Palm Harbor Civic Club disagree.

"Not only is it our feeling that it is not needed but may be a detriment to the area, and should be removed," stated the Civic Club's letter to the county. "This is not an historic building but merely an old one with all the problems of an old building.

"Having operated a similar rental hall in this area, we feel that this operation will never be self-sustaining and will be a financial burden to whomever is charged with the operation of the building," the letter said.

The club's president, Franklin H. Greenstreet, said that if it were renovated, the activities building would unnecessarily compete with the Palm Harbor Senior Activity Center and the Palm Harbor Library, both of which rent meeting space.

"The bottom line (is), I think it's a waste of taxpayers' money for something we don't need," he said.

Carol McNamee, president of the Main Street board, took offense at the letter.

"How would they know that (the building can't turn a profit)?" McNamee asked. "They haven't done the research."

Nor does she think it's the club's place to try to kill the project.

"I really think the decision is up to the Main Street board whether we want to take on that financial responsibility," McNamee said.

McNamee noted that proponents of saving the building got 750 people to sign a petition.

Charlie Jones, a member of both the Civic Club and the Main Street Association -- and an opponent of saving the building -- doesn't think the petition reflects the community's will.

"I could go around and do the same thing," Jones said of circulating a petition in opposition to the building. "People will sign most anything."

The building isn't historically significant, Jones said.

"It's just an old, run-down building now," he said.

It's not even brick, he said, just brick veneer.

In his memo, general services director Barron stated that he has had seven unsolicited, face-to-face conversations with Palm Harbor residents who signed the original petition to save the activities building but were unaware it would cost the county more than $300,000 to renovate.

"They are now among the community members wanting it demolished," Barron wrote.

On Thursday, Barron said he has heard more feedback from people who say they want the building torn down than from those who want it renovated.

"They see it more as an eyesore," he said.

Barron said he hasn't taken a stance either for or against the renovation.

"I'm in a "whatever' mode," Barron said.

But if the Main Street board wants the renovation project to have a fair shot at approval, he said, it had better come forward with its formal proposal soon, because he is starting to prepare his budget and other priorities are lining up.

County Commissioner Susan Latvala, a member of the Main Street board, said she initially opposed renovation but has since become convinced the building will be a huge asset once the downtown starts to take off.

Latvala said she worried the letter could sway other commissioners who may not want to commit more than $300,000 for a project that may not enjoy widespread community support.

To persuade the commission it does carry community support, the Main Street board has begun writing other civic and social groups in Palm Harbor, asking them to write the county in favor of the activities building.

"We have an opportunity to plan for the future," Latvala said.

- Staff writer Robert Farley can be reached at (727) 445-4185 or farley@sptimes.com.

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