by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
What started out as one of downtown’s first residential revitalization projects has hit a snag.
About 18 months ago, Gerry Guy, president of Cheyenne Properties, Inc., presented the City with plans to remodel the Annie B. Lytle School in Brooklyn into a 31-unit condominium. Several factors have convinced Guy that now is not the time to forge ahead, including the time frame surrounding the construction of the Fuller Warren Bridge expressway project, which had the most influence on his decision.
“Two years ago when I looked at the plans and drawings for the road contract, there were no plans for a ramp that would run right to the front door of the school,” said Guy.
That ramp caused several potential buyers to reconsider their investment. Because of the amount and time of road construction and the logistical headaches, the condos became a tough sell.
“We were doing reasonably well in sales,” said Guy, explaining that to continue to receive financing for the project he needed to have 17 or 18 units sold at this point. “We had 12 sold. When they saw plans for the ramp, they backed off. We are back negotiating again with the present owners.”
Mike Goldman, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation, said FDOT had similar concerns and met with Guy in October 2000 to discuss the entire I-95/I-10 interchange project and its future ramifications.
“We told him about the Fuller Warren Bridge and the concerns about the super interchange,” said Goldman. “That’s going to be a major, $180 million construction project. The project has potential for generating lots of construction noise. A lot may have to be done at night. This is a major project.”
Goldman said the initial plans for the school, which is owned by the Ida M. Stevens Foundation, called for it to be used for non-profit offices. That, he said, was more compatible for what the space and construction aspects would allow. Daytime workers figured to be much more tolerant of construction noise than residents wanting peace and quiet at night. Because Guy presented a housing proposal, Goldman and FDOT thought it was important to remind Guy what would be happening in the area until at least 2009.
Goldman said plans call for major construction on the super interchange to begin in 2005, shortly after the Super Bowl. The project is budgeted for four years. Combined with the current bridge project and the Riverside Avenue and Forest Street widening projects, the area figures to be a construction zone for quite some time.
“We met with him, one, to let him know about the Fuller Warren. And, two, to tell him there will be construction and increased traffic in that area starting in 2005,” said Goldman, adding that the I-10/Stockton Street area gets approximately 159,500 cars a day. “We also asked him if these two factors were disclosed to the buyers.
“We knew going in that night construction was going to be an issue and we wanted to be upfront with him. Our intent was to let him know, as a developer, what was happening and we requested it be disclosed to the buyers.”
Despite being forced to alter his original proposal, Guy plans to continue to pursue the property for residential development.
“Rather than luxury condos, we may go with loft apartments,” said Guy, adding that he still plans to have 30 or 31 units. “We will go with rental units rather than for sale units. But, we haven’t finalized anything yet. We will wait until they [FDOT] get further along with the ramps so there won’t be anymore surprises.”
Doug Milne, a spokesperson for the Stevens Foundation, said he was aware that plans to renovate the building had stalled and alternative uses have been proposed.
“It’s still very much our intention to see that the building be preserved and put to a positive use for the next chapter of its life,” said Milne. “We are evaluating various options at this point to make sure the best choices are made.”