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'Nothing's Being Ruled Out' For Use Of Former Church

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: October 4, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - It's bigger than a breadbox, but that was about the only thing residents agreed upon Wednesday night regarding converting the former home of First Baptist Church into some type of public center.

The New Port Richey Cultural Affairs Committee sought ideas from an enthusiastic crowd of about 16 people.

"I don't want to see it torn down," John L. Spangle said about the church complex on Circle Boulevard, across from Orange Lake.

The main building, first used in 1979, has nearly 37,000 square feet; there are also two small annex buildings. The city bought the property after the congregation moved to its new home on Trouble Creek Road.

Committee members got the ball rolling with ideas for a performing or cultural arts center a private company would operate. Studies show such attractions lure more people to downtown areas, said committee chairwoman Lia Gallegos.

"Nothing's being ruled out," City Manager Tom O'Neill said of possible uses for the now-vacant church complex. The city will, however, review its request for proposals from developers during an Oct. 14 meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Mayor Scott McPherson said he could envision perhaps "15 to 20 hypotheticals" for use of the church buildings.

It won't be feasible to turn the church buildings into a copy of Ruth Eckerd Hall, said Denise Isaacson, president of the Richey Community Orchestra. The 73,000-square-foot performing arts center in Clearwater was built in 1983, at a cost of $14.5 million, or nearly $30 million when adjusted for inflation.

Extensive remodeling of the church space might cost more than building from scratch, Isaacson said.

Isaacson thinks the space is better suited as a cultural arts center for art exhibits, art classes, a concert hall, lectures and symposiums. It is not suited for staging plays, she said.

Pasco Arts Council and Pasco-Hernando Community College officials have expressed interest in being partners of some sort in the venture, former New Port Richey councilman Bob Langford, a member of the arts committee, said.

The Florida Main Street downtown redevelopment organization might be able to provide resources, said Judy DeBella Thomas, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street.

Barbara Ragsdale said the only time she sees people downtown at night is for performances at the Richey Suncoast Theatre, on Grand Boulevard south of Main Street.

"I'm all for it," Ragsdale said about converting the church into a community center. About 400 to 500 people worshipped every week at the former church, she said.

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