|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Public market plan gains momentum
City councilman foresees business spike when and if market project launches
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, July 3, 2008 |
PINELLAS PARK – A city councilman predicted a spike in business when a new public market opens in the area of Park Station, saying that the city’s old commercial district will be revitalized after laying dormant for decades.
Councilman Rick Butler also expects an increase in local business when a plan by the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce to bring more horse-related events into the city launches this summer or fall.
“Those two new programs will be an important step toward revitalizing the old business district,” Butler said. “There is a lot of potential in these dollar-sensitive times.”
Just last week Debra Rose, the city’s library and recreation administrator, said she is looking at plans to open a public market similar to one in St. Petersburg and at other Pinellas County locations.
Rose also announced the opening of a new public garden near the entrance of Freedom Lake Park. The garden will be broken down into plots and rented to persons interested in growing vegetables and flowers.
She said the market concept is very much in its preliminary stages. No final location has been targeted.
Butler, meanwhile, said land near Park Station at 4951 Park Blvd. would be the perfect location for the new market. That area once was the city’s business hub that housed stores, offices, a railroad station and a hotel. All of those buildings have been gone for decades.
“Park Boulevard leads right to the beaches,” Butler said. “The spot would be a perfect location for the market for people to stop off.”
Butler said the city currently is building a new “walking history park” near Park Station. It will be named after a pioneer family and contain historical items, many that have been in storage for a number of years.
“The public market will be used to sell fruits, vegetables and locally made specialty items such as jewelry,” Butler said.
Butler said the market plan should be looked at in the same light as the old Suncoast Speedway that once attracted thousands of spectators for drag and stock car racing when it was operational.
The property is now owned by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The speedway would attract people on race nights and they became customers for vendors, locals bars, restaurants and other small businesses. The speedway also created customers for graphic companies, parts stores and other establishments.
“The speedway was much larger in scope than most people realized because it drew business dollars,” Butler said. “The same thing will happen when the market opens.”
There are predictions that restaurants and other shops will spring up along Park Boulevard.
Virtually dead is a concept to refurbish into shops the old United Cottages buildings near Park Station. The buildings, constructed in the 1940s, once were used as vacation homes and now are residences. A deal to purchase the dwellings either by the city or private investors recently fell through.
“The idea of horse events in Pinellas Park also will have a big economic impact,” Butler said.
Butler foresees a need for businesses dealing in horse supplies such as tack and feed. There currently are two such establishments in the city.
The city is home to about 800 horses and numerous barns and stables. It also has Helen Howorth Park with its show facilities and a horse trail.
“The idea of the chamber to bring in new equine events is a good one and has the support of many people,” Butler said. “A lot of great things are happening in Pinellas Park.”
|
Article published on Thursday, July 3, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
