Here’s the scoop on our current initiatives and other news worth noting.
St. Petersburg Preservation project updates
Waterfront Parks Centennial
Saint Petersburg Preservation is the organizing sponsor for the Waterfront Parks Centennial. The Waterfront Parks are St. Petersburg’s most precious asset. Downtown waterfront property was set aside by city leaders for public parkland 100 years ago. Since then much additional waterfront property has been also designated for public parkland. Today St. Petersburg has 5.14 linear miles and 114 acres of downtown parkland facing the water. Additional waterfront parkland may be found in other areas of the city. The celebration began in December 2009 and continues throughout 2010. For more information visit StPeteParks100.org or contact SPP at (727) 824-7802. SPP VP Peter Belmont serves as Chair of the SPP Centennial Committee.
Designation of Al Lang Stadium as Parkland
Al Lang Stadium, originally called Waterfront Park Baseball Field, has long made up an important part of our downtown waterfront park system. Nevertheless it was not zoned as parkland until 2009 when the City Council instituted more appropriate height limitations, from 300 to 75 feet, making it consistent will all other downtown parks, and at the land just south of Al Lang from 300 to 200 feet.
Landmarking of Detroit Hotel
After a concerted effort by St. Petersburg Preservation the Historic Detroit Hotel was designated a city landmark in March 2010. Saint Petersburg Preservation met with both the city and the owners of the Detroit in August, 2008 to advocate that the building be designated a local landmark, and in September 2009 filed a Landmark Designation Application with the City to designate the Historic Detroit Hotel a local landmark. In November 2009 the City Community Preservation Commission voted unanimously (7 to 0) to recommend the Detroit be designated a landmark, and in March 2010 City Council concurred with their unanimous decision to designate the historic Detroit Hotel a local landmark. More information is available on our Saved Landmarks page.
Proposal to Establish an Even Playing Field for Historic Preservation
SPP has submitted a proposal to the City Council for making the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) as they relate to preservation of historic buildings more user friendly. (Now being reviewed by the City Council Public Service & Infrastructure Committee).
Rebuilding of the Pier
The Pier is a city icon and probably the most recognizable building in St. Pete. It originally dates from 1913 when a “Municipal Pier” was constructed by the city. This first pier was replaced in 1926 with the “Million Dollar Pier” with its Mediterranean Revival “Casino” building. The current Pier building, the inverted pyramid, dates from 1973. But while the Pier building dates from the 1970s, the pilings holding up the roadway to the Pier date from 1926 and are deteriorating and must be replaced by 2014. Some $50 million has been earmarked by the county and the city for the Pier’s repair and possible replacement. A City Task Force has been established to research alternatives for the Pier’s repair and/or replacement. Various alternatives are being considered including simply replacing the pilings on the current Pier complex, shortening the Pier, and possibly constructing a new Pier building at water’s edge with a new pier extending to the east. Several public visioning sessions have already been held. Additionally the public may express their opinion through an on-line survey at the City web site (stpete.org). The Task Force will also be holding hearing. A final report is scheduled for the City Council in February, 2010. SPP President Will Michaels is a member of the Pier Task Force and serves as Chair of the Design and Location Committee.
Landmarking of St. Peter’s Cathedral
St. Petersburg Preservation is pleased to have worked with St. Peter’s Cathedral to designate the 1899 Florida Late Gothic Revival church as a local landmark. Coupled with this action is the incorporation of the adjacent facade and towers of the 1924 Neoclassical First Baptist Church as a part of the renovated St. Peter’s Cathedral complex.
Williams Park Area Historic Marker Project
Saint Petersburg Preservation has submitted a grant application to the City’s neighborhood grant program seeking to mark historic buildings in the vicinity of Williams Park, and further contribute to the revitalization of Williams Park.
Part of SPP’s mission is to educate the public about our historic resources and heritage. Placement of markers at historic buildings and sites (or in the case of lost buildings, at the site where they previously stood) is a great way of accomplishing this.
A related project is the marking of significant contributing structures to the Downtown National Historic District generally. To date, 16n owners of historic buildings have purchased the bronze markers being offered at cost by SPP. If you are interested in donating to the historic marker project please contact us. Thank you!
4th Avenue Northeast Historic Properties
Two local landmarks are endangered by a proposed development for the 100 block of 4th Ave. NE. Both were designated as local landmarks in 1994. The Henry-Bryan Home is located at 146 Fourth Avenue, Northeast, and is built in the Queen Anne Cottage style. Bay Gables, now operating as the Chateau France restaurant, is located almost next door to the Henry-Bryan House, at 136 4th Avenue Northeast. It is a Vernacular style home, with Queen Anne and Colonial Revival elements. The Henry-Bryan home is named after two early city contractors, Walter Henry and Hardy Bryan. Henry built the First Congregational Church and the Carnegie Library. Bryan worked on the Open Air Post Office and the Snell Arcade. The site also includes a contributing structure to the Downtown National Historic District, the Morrison Hotel (Inn by the Bay).
The Liberty Group proposes to build a four star hotel on the site of these two landmarks. They propose to relocate the Henry-Bryan Home. Information regarding the feasibility of relocating the Bay Gables is being developed. If it is not feasible to relocate the Bay Gables, the developer proposes to demolish it. Two of these buildings are particularly sensitive as they are already designated local landmarks. Further they are on the 4th Avenue-4th Street corridor, one of the most historic corridors in the downtown. The 1905 Queen Anne Mayor Bert Blocker Home (Mansion by the Bay) is also directly across the street and was previously approved by the City for relocation.
While SPP’s preference would be to maintain these historic buildings on their present sites, we are in discussions with the developer regarding acceptable alternative sites for possible relocation and mitigation measures to be made by the developer proportionate to the harm being done to the Downtown National Historic District. The development as proposed to the city Development Review Commission in August did not include any mitigation for the displacement and loss of historic resources, and SPP registered its objection. The development nevertheless was approved and the approval is now under appeal by SPP. The developer subsequently proposed to the city Community Preservation Commission (CPC) to relocate the Henry-Bryan to 22nd street south near the old Seaboard Train Station. SPP opposed this location as having no historic association with the home and being inaccessible to public view. The CPC agreed with SPP and denied this proposed relocation site.
Related St. Petersburg Times articles:
Hotel Project’s Future? Dicey
Hotel Idea
Northshore Log Cabin (1925)
Saint Petersburg Preservation has met with the owners of the log cabin that was formerly located at 746 14th Avenue NE. The cabin has been carefully dismantled and secured. The owners are seeking SPP’s assistance in finding an appropriate home for the cabin. We are currently researching the history of the cabin. Anyone having information should contact Will Michaels at 420-9195.
Historic Markers
Saint Petersburg Preservation is seeking to expand community and tourist awareness of our historic buildings. In order to do this we are creating historic markers to be placed on or near building sites. One program seeks to mark significant contributing structures to the Downtown National Historic District with generic bronze plaques noting that the structure is a part of the District. Plaques are for sale at cost to building owners for $490. To date sixteen buildings have received plaques. We are also seeking to mark buildings in the vicinity of Williams Park with plaques that describe the history of those buildings. This project will not only increase awareness regarding St. Petersburg’s history and unique heritage, but also contribute to the revitalization of Williams Park. We are in need of volunteers to assist with researching the history of buildings and donors to help with plaque cost.
Buildings for which plaques have been purchased include: Vinoy Park Hotel (Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Gold Club), Mirror Lake Lyceum (First Christian Church), Harlan Hotel, Hotel Cordova, Pier Hotel, Phil Graham Studio, Tomlinson Adult Learning Center, Historic Pennsylvania Hotel (Couryard by Marriott), Residence at 250 Mirror Lake Dr., Old St. Petersburg High School (Mirror Lake Condominiums), Dennis Hotel (Kelly Hotel), La Veranda Bed and Breakfast, Unitarian Universalist Church, Flori-de-Leon Apartments, Princess Martha Hotel, Women’s Town Improvement Association Building, Residence at 525 2nd St. N., and the Green-Richman Arcade.
Related St. Petersburg Times article: Historic Buildings Trumpet Their Age
Saturday Morning Market
SPP volunteers spread the word at the Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Pete. SPP thanks all the volunteers who have helped with this project in the last few weeks with a special thanks to Peter Belmont and Kai Warren for organizing. This is a great way to get the word out about SPP!
