After a well-attended March 8 workshop with presentations by the top three designer/architect submissions, the St. Pete Beach City Commission selected Tampa-based FleischmanGarcia Architects for the new Library to be built on the former Police Station site on the north side of 75th Avenue.
The Commission authorized City Manager Wayne Saunders to enter into contract negotiations with FleishmanGarcia for design services. He told Paradise News, “I anticipate having the proposed contract on an April meeting agenda for the Commission’s consideration.”
SPB Mayor Maria Lowe said, “”The Commission selected FleischmanGarci because of their demonstrated ability to respect community input as they design and honor the heritage of our community. We look forward to partnering with them to incorporate a variety of components into the new Learning Center that will make the facility a dynamic location for the Cultural Arts while offering multimedia and museum components to attract many future generations.”
The SPB City Staff Committee formed to review the designer/architects’ submissions for the new Library was in agreement with the City Library Advisory Committee. After their January 28 meeting to review the six submissions, the Committee’s unanimous recommendation was to invite the top three firms to make a formal presentation to the City Commission. Also making presentations were Long Associates, and RDHA + Rowe Architects.
Speaking for FleischmanGarci, CEO and Chairman Sol Fleischman told Paradise News, “To say we are thrilled to be selected as architect for the new Library would be an understatement. It is very gratifying that our creative, ‘out of the box’ design concepts are recognized and appreciated by Mayor Lowe and the Commission. We went out on a limb suggesting Horan Park as an alternative site, but the opportunity to present that concept has so many exciting pluses.
“These include an incredible view over Boca Ciega Bay, both from the second floor library and a possible roof terrace … a building that welcomes visitors as they cross Corey Causeway … and the ground floor parking structure that could double as a weekend shaded, festival venue at the water’s edge.
“In addition, the Horan Park site would save the City about $150,000 in costs to relocate utilities in the existing easement north of the Police Station site. No existing utilities are on the Horan Park site that would interfere with the library construction.
“Returning to St. Pete Beach to design the new library is a personal thrill for me. As a kid, my family vacationed at the old Colonial Inn and Desert Ranch, docked our boat at Wilson Hubbard’s pier, and ate smoked mullet at Ted Peters and Greek salads at Pappas on Pasadena. In the last several years, we have served as architect and interior designer for several interior renovations to the Don CeSar and designed the three-story Spa Oceana addition including the breathtaking roof terrace. We look forward to engaging the community in the design process for the new library with the result being an iconic, civic building that enriches the urban fabric and serves as a community gathering place for St. Pete Beach.”
The firm prepared the excellent plans for repurposing SPB City Hall as a possible current Library site, and has completed a number of new and renovation library projects in Tampa Bay. Included are the new Seminole Heights Library, Tampa; Bloomingdale Regional Library, Valrico; and North Tampa Library; plus the Jimmie Keel Library renovation/expansion and West Tampa Library renovation.
A portion of the $200,000 PPLC (Pinellas Public Library Cooperative) construction grant was used to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a design consultant/architect to survey the site and come up with a proposal. Another portion will be used to fund the selected firm’s accepted bid for the design and construction plans. The City has $2 million in the current FY budget, and expects to apply for an up to $500,000 state library construction grant.
Meanwhile, demolition work on the former Police Station started in early March. The City Manager expects the work by Forestall Enterprises to be completed by late April.
Story by Steve Traiman
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelancebusiness writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com.]