Around The Point
by Councilmember Jamie Bennett
The new year has arrived with a flurry of activity around city hall and beyond. With the cold weather and increasing homeless population the entire homelessness issue has come to the forefront with the 10 yr. plan. In our area , we are seeing the growth of our youth programs and another planting day coming up.
The homelessness issue has been with us for along time. The current St. Pete. population is estimated between 2 and 3 thousand. Not all of them are chronic or visible. The problem areas are where they become nuisances with outdoor living and panhandling. Two years ago , as chair of city council, I began a process that has educated your elected officials and resulted in our participation in a 10 yr. plan to end homelessness. This process was accomplished with county and effected cities in Pinellas County. The resulting road-map to end homelessness has been endorsed by St.Pete. and now awaits the rest of the member governments. The plan allows us to begin outreach programs and seek funding for shelters and programs. We have visited successful models in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale that have 50 to 70 percent success rates of participants not returning to the streets. I am very encouraged about this plan and have been speaking to groups to promote interest.
Here at the point, we saw the youth program at Pinellas Point Christian Church get started with a big kick-off event in December. We need to support this program and help lead events as we can. Also, on Feb. 25th there is another planting day at Pinellas Point Park. We need to all show up and support this endevour. The last one was very successful and fun.
Until next time -see you around the point!
The Don Brown: A Project of ASPEC
By Bob Stoffels
ASPEC is an acronym for the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College, founded on the principle that it is important for adults to remain involved and active. With 300+ members, ASPEC’s philosophy is that every stage of life can be a time of enrichment and accomplishment.
“I’ll tell you what. You guys provide the labor; I’ll provide the material. And we’ll build a boat.”
 That’s the way it started; the construction of a Bolger Fantail 23 ft. Steam Launch was originally designed to be a steam boat. The project first began in the spring of 1996 with a proposal from ASPEC member (now deceased) Don Brown. The arrangement was that we – the Applied Technology Interest Group from ASPEC – would provide the labor. That sounded good to us; the important thing was the project, and the opportunity to work together. Sure, it would be a challenging project, but it was not the first project tackled by the Applied Technology group. In earlier years the team had constructed an ultra-light airplane, and a 13 foot sailboat. So, let’s get started!
So the work began. We worked two and one-half hours every Saturday, with the first half hour devoted to planning the day’s activities (over, of course, coffee and coffee cake).
Eventually the hull was completed. Epoxy seemed to be everywhere. Pants that got exposed to the epoxy ended up glued to the wearer’s leg. By noon each Saturday we were up to our ankles in sawdust. Our clothes were not allowed indoors when we returned home. But it was fun, and seeing the boat develop was rewarding.
The boat was originally designed to be a steam boat. Calculations showed that the steam engine would be small, powerful, and certainly manageable. The boiler, however, would be large, and extremely heavy. Someone wondered why we didn’t use the water on which the boat was floating; he was gently reminded that this was saltwater. A steam engine was out of the question! The final decision was electric. We would configure the batteries, motor, and controls as close as possible to the golf carts used by the Eckerd College staff.
 The boat was moved to the Eckerd College waterfront. Now it was in an upright position, and work on the interior could begin. The most challenging job was bending the combing, fore and aft. Bending a piece of solid oak is no mean feat! A second major project was installing the motor and drive mechanism. The third major project was the electrical and electronic controls. But a tremendous amount of work was still required before the boat was ready for the water. Painting, varnishing, floor support, bulkheads, floor deck, seat installation, finished decks fore and aft, drain holes, bilge pump, running lights, battery box, etc., were some of the details that were carried out.
In September, 2005, the boat was launched for the first time. The motor did work, as did the speed control. And the boat did not leak.
Construction of the boat was obviously the key objective of the project, but certainly not the only one. The project provided an opportunity to revisit old hobbies. Condo residents had an opportunity to do something physical. Thinking out and planning a complex project was exciting and rewarding. And certainly the opportunity to be with like-minded people and share experiences should not be ignored.
Greater Pinellas Point’s Crew: John Ferguson, Richard Norenberg, Bob Shipman, Karl Sohlberg, Bob Shoffels.
Article re-written and condensed by Mildred De Pallo, PhD
Bay Village Faces Potential Demolition
By: Jodi Irwin & Bob Miles, Building Demolition Contractor
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's now anything but convenient or enjoyable, but in fact, it has become an eye sore and a hazard to the Greater Pinellas Point Neighborhoods! The City is considering condemning the Plaza as having determined it to be unsafe and unfit. Complete rehabilitation or demolition will be the property owner’s only option at this 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.
If they elect demolition, only a Licensed Building Contractor would be required 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, and an unclear agenda on the 3rd, and lastly, an inquiry for the purpose of a Church / Educational facility.
By the end of January of this year, 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.
The next phase of the process will be toward condemnation. The City Building Official will carefully review case file documents, including Fire & Historic Dept opinions, the Engineer’s report, Photos, and conduct an onsite inspection of the property before a final decision is made. If condemnation is recommended, a Condemnation Order will be issued requiring that the structures be demolished and removed. The property owner will have the right to appeal the order upon application where it will be scheduled before a City Hearing Officer for a final decision as to the fate of the structures. If no appeal is filed, the City will request bids from consulting demolition contractors and have the structures demolished resulting in all associated case costs and the actual demolition costs being liened to parcel until paid in full.
The process is long and extensive, but it appears that we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Cell Tower Update
Last summer and fall the association hosted a lively debate on the installation of a cell phone tower in Skyway Plaza. Riden Industries, LLC, represented by Kevin Barile, proposed construction of the tower. The intent was to provide a neutral forum for all to express their views. After much discussion over three general meetings, the association voted to support the installation of the tower in a new location still within the shopping center.
The request for approval came before the EDC (Environmental Development Commission) on February 1, and was approved. Riden Industries will construct the tower in the grove of trees just east of J C Auto Repair. They will be required to preserve and maintain the grove of oak trees currently on the site. Mr. Barile estimated the tower would be installed by the end of June.
Pinellas Community Church Gets Bigger
By Jodi Irwin
The once modest Church located at 5501 31st Street South has now become a little more prominent as we drive past these days. The new building is nearly completed is scheduled for dedication March 19, 2006.
As I sat down with Pastor Mark Canfield in the Parent/Baby room of the new building, he told me the history of this church graced with good fortune and good people.
 Originally the church was Maximo Heights Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Rev Bob Webel, their congregation was small and in need of a new plan. At the same time, Pinellas Community Church was having some financial difficulties with their own plan for a new Church. The two forces joined together and a new congregation was formed on the site of the old Maximo Heights Baptist Church grounds. As the congregation grew, they added temporary mobile units to hold class rooms and office space. The temporary stint turned in to 7 years and the congregation kept growing, thus the dire need for added space to accommodate their members.
The auditorium in the new facility will hold 750 members and have a large open Welcome area with a fountain for congregating before and after services and their hospitality area will offer coffee and snacks. They will have state-of-the-art audio and video equipment for the services as well as a parent/baby room so parents with fussy babies can retreat and watch the service on a big screen monitor.
The former auditorium will be the new children’s education center. Pastor Canfield refers to the facility as a “Campus” with future plans for a Child Day Care Center. The structure was built with simplicity in mind. The large auditorium, kitchen and open patio are all very functional. Perfect for hosting their many Holiday events or community out-reach programs.
For more information on Pinellas Community Church, please see their website at:
http://www.pinellaschurch.org |
