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Deal to turn Sunken Gardens into naturist spa is signed
By CHUCK MURPHY © St. Petersburg Times, published October 20, 1998 The Citrus County Realtor now has a signed contract and 120 days to buy Sunken Gardens, turning the onetime home of the King of Kings wax museum into something completely different: a clothing-optional day spa and restaurant for wealthy patrons. "We are aiming at a very European clientele," Ballard said. "Over in Europe, beaches are topless; they are not ashamed of their bodies." As many as a dozen contracts have been signed to buy Sunken Gardens during the 10 years the attraction north of downtown has been for sale. What makes Ballard, or the Turner family that owns it, think this one will pan out? "Because he has the capabilities and the knowledge of the business to make it work," said Daryl Turner. "It's really up to the city whether this will work. They are the only thing that can stop it." The Turners once had a deal to sell Sunken Gardens to a developer who planned to put town homes around the grand sinkhole. But the City Council granted the property local historic status over the Turners' objections. Since then, a psychiatrist had a contract to buy the place, but that deal also fell through. Ballard said he had European investors ready to join him in putting up the $2-million to buy Sunken Gardens. The group would then seek bank financing -- as much as $3-million -- to renovate for a restaurant, sauna and mineral baths. "There's a lot of demand in St. Petersburg for a good, first-class spa and a good, first-class restaurant," Ballard said. But are there enough people willing to pay to be naked? Ballard has a solution: "Once you're in a hot mineral bath, you don't care whether you came in clothed or through the other door," said Ballard, 54. As for the restaurant, Ballard said: "Naturalists are sun worshipers; they go in when the sun goes down. That's when the restaurant opens. They will come into the restaurant at night, wearing clothes, and so will the people of St. Petersburg." A cursory review of Ballard's plans by city attorneys has found nothing that would violate the current zoning of Sunken Gardens. But Assistant City Attorney Mark Winn has asked Ballard to provide the city with detailed plans for the restaurant and spa to see if it would meet current zoning and codes. Should the city throw Ballard a curve, his contract with the Turners gives him an additional 90 days to work with the city or alleviate the problem. Ballard said he is talking with an architect and others to give the city what it needs. He already has sold his Homosassa home and plans to move to "Gardens of Eden" while renovations are under way. Turner said the Ballard contract is probably the last the family will entertain for Sunken Gardens while the attraction is still open. The family has already notified the city that they plan to sue over the historic designation if they can't find a buyer. Ballard was more blunt: "If this doesn't work, the Turners can just walk away. How do you think a 41/2-acre weed pit would look in that spot?"
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T. PETERSBURG -- The way Galen Ballard sees it, St. Petersburg is ready for a little touch of the French Riviera, right between Shep's Food Mart and Bob Lee's tire store.
