Tarpon Springs' goal: Make tourists tarry

A hotel would help, a consultant says, as well as some promotion of the city's attributes to travelers on U.S. 19.

By KATHERINE GAZELLA

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 7, 2000

TARPON SPRINGS -- For Tarpon Springs to draw in more tourists and keep them in town longer, the city needs a hotel.

This is one of the findings of a city consultant who is coming up with ideas for improving downtown Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks.

Bob Gray, chairman and chief executive officer of Strategic Planning Group Inc. of Jacksonville, told city commissioners Wednesday night that the city is lucky to have the Sponge Docks, an inherently interesting tourist draw. But he said the city has failed to use the docks to their fullest potential.

One problem, he said, is the absence of a hotel near the docks. Without a hotel, some people won't come to the city at all. Others are likely to leave after eating a Greek salad and buying a T-shirt.

Tarpon Springs, he said, "is an under-utilized gem."

He suggested one possible property for a hotel: an 8-acre riverfront parcel west of the city-owned parking lot on Live Oak Street. The land, which is owned by two parties, is for sale.

Currently, there are a few hotels on U.S. 19 in or near Tarpon Springs, as well as a hotel and bed and breakfast near Spring Bayou.

City officials were receptive to Gray's suggestions.

"I think (a hotel) would go a long way toward helping our area," Mayor Frank DiDonato said.

Gray is working with consultants from the RMPK Group of Sarasota. Later this month, the consultants will hold several public workshops to talk with residents about plans for uniting downtown with the Sponge Docks and other proposals.

During a presentation at Wednesday night's commission meeting, Gray also said it is essential to create a link between the Sponge Docks and the downtown area. Only a half-mile stretch of road separates the two commercial zones -- less than the distance from one end of a mall to the other -- but they are entirely separate.

He didn't offer many specifics Wednesday, but suggested a parking garage on or near Pinellas Avenue that would have shops on the first level.

Gray said the city should improve the advertising not only of the Sponge Docks, but also the historical and artistic aspects of the city.

He also said city officials need to do a better job drawing people into Tarpon Springs, both nationally and locally. It is possible for someone to drive past the city on U.S. 19 and not realize what the city has to offer, he said.

"You've got a lot of people who are going by your front door," he said.

City Manager Ellen Posivach said the city recently began advertising in some publications. She wants the consultants to come up with a plan for further improving tourism.

"We're all kind of novices in the tourism area," she said.

In another action Wednesday night, commissioners approved Clearwater neurosurgeon William Hammesfahr's plan to turn the former Anclote Manor psychiatric hospital into a neurological rehabilitation center with a helicopter pad.

Some residents said they are worried about the noise from helicopters, which only will be allowed to land between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Commissioners said the helicopter pad can stay, but they will review it after a year. Hammesfahr still needs to get approval of the helicopter plans from the Federal Aviation Administration and approval of site plans from the city.

Katherine Gazella can be reached at (727) 445-4205 or at gazella@sptimes.com.

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