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$2.5 Million OK'd For Brandon Hub

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By TOM BRENNAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

BRANDON - An anticipated infusion of county cash should be enough to enable developers to build the long-awaited Brandon Community Advantage Center.

County commissioners voted unanimously last week to give a group heading up development of the proposed civic and community hub $2.5 million in building funds.

"We are now at the point where the Brandon Community Advantage Center can become a reality," said Earl Lennard, chief executive officer of a nonprofit group of business and civic leaders overseeing creation of the center.

"We can now build the kind of building we want - a great building."

Even though $3.4 million in federal and state funds had been secured to construct the center, many wondered whether rising cost estimates would derail the project. The cost is now estimated at close to $8 million.

The addition of the county cash brings the total available funds to $5.9 million, which Lennard said should be enough to construct the center's shell.
Lennard said the money should be sufficient for the backers to start awarding construction contracts and doing other tasks needed to get construction started.
Lennard said the center's board of directors will seek private donations to build the interior. He said incentives may be offered in exchange for contributions, such as donors' names imprinted on parts of the structure and/or accessories.

"We are trying to come up with a way people can put their names on things," Lennard said.

Commissioners on Aug. 6 included the Advantage Center in a list of projects approved for county Community Investment Tax funds, which come from a half-cent sales tax voters approved in 1996. About $40 million of that money became available last year when commissioners decided not to proceed with a multi-sport athletic complex outside Plant City called Championship Park.

Commissioners approved funding the Advantage Center without comment.

Original plans had called for a 20,000-square-foot building on four acres off Watson Road, across from Symmes Elementary School. The land is at the southeast corner of the Winthrop residential and commercial development in Riverview.

Board members since have discussed shrinking the building or constructing it in phases to meet budget restrictions.
Lennard said he is uncertain what the final size will be.

"We can't put our finger on how big or how nice we can build at this point," he said. "But it looks like it will be a good-sized building."

Backers envisioned a two-story building big enough to host banquets, weddings, business expos and other community gatherings. The basement will be available as needed for use as an emergency shelter for people with special needs. No space will be set aside for visual or performing arts, but project backers said they will invite artists to display their works in public spaces.

Former state Sen. Tom Lee and state Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, obtained the federal and state funds. Of the $3.4 million, $1.4 million is federal funds offered in exchange for making part of the center an evacuation shelter.

Winthrop developer John Sullivan agreed to sell the proposed building site at a discount and to build the center for the money project backers have available.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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