TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

School's Survival Rate Upgraded

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 12, 2008

PLANT CITY - The old red brick schoolhouse in Turkey Creek won't become a library, but it won't face the wrecking ball either.

Residents, alumni and friends of those supporting the restoration and renovation of the old Turkey Creek High School building, 5005 Turkey Creek Road, were given good news by county officials last month that the county is exploring uses for it.

Many supporters wanted the building turned into a library, but that idea was scrapped by county officials because of budget problems.

County Commissioner Al Higginbotham brought together officials from the Hillsborough County School Board, the county library system and a representative of U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez's office to meet with a small group of residents supporting the preservation of the old school.

Higginbotham, who represents eastern Hillsborough County, said it's not clear how the county will use the building, but he assured supporters at the Oct. 23 meeting, "We will work together to find the highest and best use for that historic building."

Higginbotham predicted the commissioners would vote to find a use for the building that will ensure its survival.

Beryle Buchman Wolff was the first resident to speak regarding the future use of the building on the campus of Turkey Creek Middle School.

"I don't know how much funding we can get for this project," Wolff said. "But preserving the building as a functioning addition to the community, regardless of its use, would be significant. Considering the building's historical significance, it should be saved. In my view, there are so many things that we can do with this building."

Turkey Creek High graduated its final class in 1972, but the building continued to be used by middle school students for several years after that. The building was declared a historic landmark about 10 years ago.

Higginbotham promised his help to residents.

"In the past, this issue of saving the building that was Turkey Creek High School was passed back and forth among bureaucrats like a football," he said. "But now we have the right players on board. We are all trapped in a budget crisis. But we can work together to find a multiuse function for this building and preserve it for future generations.

"This building will not come down," he said.

Tom Beck, a 1949 Turkey Creek High graduate, said he has promoted use and operation of the building since 1996.

Joe Stines, the director of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library since 1992, attended the meeting and was addressed by Beck as he spoke.

"Mr. Stines, we ask you to go back to the county in 2009 budget talks to support the use of this property for use as a library," Beck said.

Stines later explained that the old school did not fit the criteria being used by the county to warrant the expense needed to convert it into a county library.

"The standard for locating libraries in the county is no closer than five miles away from an existing library in urban area and 10 miles in rural area," Stines said.

The school building is about four miles from Plant City's Bruton Memorial Library.

Aileen Rodriguez, the Gulf Coast regional director for Martinez, said she was at the meeting to see if the federal government could help finance the project.

"I believe a federal grant can be found through the Department of Housing and Urban Development under the economic initiative process," Rodriguez said. "The criteria for a project must include community enhancement, historical value and fall within $100,000 and $300,000."

Rodriguez said the federal grants take a long time to develop, but believes the effort to save the old high school could be a fit.

Cathy Valdes, the county school district's chief facilities officer, said efforts are already under way to make use of the building.

"We are working with the county architects and construction department to see what can be done to make the best use of the building," Valdes said. "Moving beyond the planning phase is contingent on board approval."

Deanna Hurley, an aide for Higginbotham, listed possible uses for the more than 80-year-old school building, including multipurpose room, computer education room, neighborhood service center and others.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT