Southpinellas: Renovator of old buildings lives by the code

Renovator of old buildings lives by the code

Knowledge is power, especially when you're Barry Flaherty, who has learned what it takes to get through the city's permitting process.

By SHARON L. BOND

Knowledge is power, especially when you're Barry Flaherty, who has learned what it takes to get through the city's permitting process.

ST. PETERSBURG -- When Jewly and Dennis Youschak were ready to remodel their bed-and-breakfast inn downtown, they wanted Barry Flaherty for their contractor.

They knew he was experienced working with old buildings, and the Youschaks were creating their B&B from a 90-year-old former hotel.

Flaherty has other experience that was just as important to them, experience that has earned him a reputation as a get-it-done guy.

"The main emphasis was someone who could work with the city," said Dennis Youschak, referring to the construction permitting process.

St. Petersburg has a reputation as a city where it is difficult to get through the permitting process for a building or renovation project. The city has acknowledged the difficulty and has been working to fix it since a 1999 survey of permit seekers detailed problems including the process taking too long, demands being inconsistent and having too few staff.

Flaherty was booked when the Youschaks tried to hire him; so they turned to David De Armit, who worked with Flaherty and started his own company last year.

Much of Flaherty's work comes from local lawyer George Rahdert, who has bought and renovated a number of downtown buildings. Rahdert also represents the Times in First Amendment issues.

"I've been a contractor since 1973," Flaherty said. Renovation of older structures "is all I do."

Flaherty acknowledges his reputation as one who can move quickly through the permitting process. But he is quick to add that he doesn't get any special treatment.

"It's not any easier for me to accomplish getting a permit than for that woman sitting there," Flaherty said in a recent interview at a restaurant, selecting a diner at random.

What makes the process quicker for him is his knowledge of renovation construction, the city's building department, codes and restrictions, he said.

"She doesn't know who to go to, know what the rules are," Flaherty said of the random diner. "There are a lot of changes in codes. They change constantly. There is also interpretation of codes."

"In the construction world, it's the building official where the buck stops. He is the guy who says yes or no." Flaherty said he had been in the business long enough to work with seven building officials in St. Petersburg.

"What you need to do to get through the process, you have to have knowledge," said Milton Massanet, the current building official. "Barry Flaherty has knowledge."

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Name: Barry J. Flaherty

Age: 49

Position: Contractor

Family: Engaged

How long in St. Petersburg: Since age 4

Education: Attended St. Petersburg Junior College and the University of South Florida but went to work instead of graduating.

Biggest Accomplishment: Being able to work on most of the historic buildings in St. Petersburg. Being lucky enough to fall into that niche.

Future Project: Restoration of the Wilhelm-Thurston Funeral Home at 145 Eighth St. N.

How do you relax: By reading the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal with an Absolut martini.

Favorite book: The Fountainhead by Any Rand

Favorite movie: Saving Private Ryan