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At this time we have no further information about this project
BAY VILLAGE SHOPPING PLAZA
Bay Village Shopping Plaza was once a thriving area with a Winn Dixie Grocery and Eckerd Drug Stores, and other retail businesses which were convenient and enjoyed by many of our local residents. Abandoned for many years, it became an eye sore and a hazard to the Greater Pinellas Point Neighborhoods! Early in 2005, the City was considering condemning the Plaza as having determined it to be unsafe and unfit. Complete rehabilitation or demolition were the property owner’s only option at that point.
In September of 2005 the buildings were referred for demolition evaluation by, then Chief Building Inspector, Alan Proper after many neighborhood complaints. An initial evaluation of the Plaza by the Codes Dept / Building Demolition Coordinator found many concerns with the structures strongly appearing and suggesting unsafe and unfit conditions which are contrary to the City and State Building Codes.
On October 14th, 2005 a Demolition Violation Notice was sent to the owner of record, Bay Village LLC, informing them of the unsafe and unfit conditions of the building and requesting that they respond outlining a plan for either rehabilitation or demolition of the structure prior to November 17th, 2005. Specific requirements were provided in regards to any rehabilitation attempt which calls for Licensed Design Professional and Contractor involvement, Detailed Cost Estimates, Time Frame for Repairs, and demonstrated and verifiable financing to complete the project. Demolition would have to be performed by a Licensed Building Contractor working under properly issued City permits.
Attorney and Registered Agent of Bay Village LLC, George Rahdert, made a request for a 30 day extension citing that they had 3 contracts and 1 inquiry on the property and that they needed time to negotiate the submitted proposals; Demolition for town homes, restore the retail establishment, an unclear agenda on the 3rd, and lastly, an inquiry for the purpose of a Church / Educational facility.
By the end of January 2006, there had been no permits issued for demolition or any communication from the owner or Attorney Rahdert, so the City scheduled a consulting engineer inspection which was completed February 2nd. The inspection report recommended demolition and no rehabilitation. Subsequently, a title search was order to identify any additional or new owners or other interested parties of the property and none were found.
Demolition began August 1st 2006 and is on schedule for completion the end of September. Clean fill dirt will be needed, applied and graded over the demolition area which will then be seeded before final inspection.
The question is: What will happen to Bay Village after completion of the above?
The Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association is inviting a representative of Bay Village LLC to present their plan at one of our General Meeting.
Future developments of this project will be posted in the Hot Topics Section of this web site.
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