Garden center returns to its original roots

Betty Poe tossed her wedding bouquet to eager bridesmaids. Rice showered down as she and her new husband, future Tampa Mayor William Poe, walked from the reception hall to a waiting car and a honeymoon - 56 years ago.

Memories of that day were fresh as the Poes celebrated the restoration of the Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5810 Central Ave. It was the location for their wedding reception, and where for years neighbors gathered for parties and garden club meetings.

"My heart started beating faster," said Betty Poe as she walked into the garden center, moments after a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the 71-year-old facility's new beginning.

About 40 people, including current Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, gathered for the event last week. The $1.4 million project restored the building to its 1939 historical design, in part relying on Burgert Brothers' photographs of the Poes' reception.

It was built with federal dollars from the Depression-era Works in Progress Administration. Through the years the structure was altered by a 1970s fire and remodeling projects that involved boarding up the front entrance and adding linoleum floors, aluminum windows and wood paneling.

The plumbing was faulty; the kitchen outdated.

The transformation elicited a few "wows."

"It's night and day difference," said Seminole Heights resident Greg Barnhill, who worked on a joint city and neighborhood committee overseeing the project. "I certainly think we got our money's worth."

Because of modern fire and safety standards not every detail could be reproduced. But Barnhill said, "They have the spirit of it there."

The front entrance opens to a foyer. Instead of linoleum, hardwood floors shine. Natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling windows.

"It feels like you're outside now," said Betty Poe.

Barnhill likens it to "walking into a goldfish bowl with 360-degree views wherever you look."

There is a restored fireplace. The bathroom and kitchen are modernized. Audio-visual equipment, including a recessed projection screen is ready for use. Automatic blinds can cover one window or all windows.

Outside, there is a paved parking lot, a new air-conditioner and new landscaping.

Near the front entrance, a five-foot stone statue called the Nest Builder drew mixed reactions. St. Petersburg sculptor Leslie Fry was chosen by an arts committee to create public art for the center's grounds.

Her art has been displayed at Boca Ciega Millenium Park in Seminole and Wave Hill in New York City.

In the Nest Builder, the figure of a bird-woman appears to nest on a spiraling pillar of hammers, nails, columns and windows, reflecting the historical architectural style of the garden center.

Some said it was smaller than expected and a bit weird; hard to understand.

Others liked it.

"I think it is appropriate for the neighborhood and this space," said Seminole Heights resident Diane Elmeer, who serves on the city's public art committee. "We always feel like we're building our nest and that is how I felt when I first moved here."

The city's parks and recreation department hopes the facility will generate money from banquets, wedding receptions and other events. Barnhill said at least three people called him several months ago inquiring about holding weddings there.

Parks director Karen Palus said her department has had more than 25 inquiries for rentals.

The cost is $100 an hour for a minimum of four hours rental. There also is a $25 per hour fee for a city attendant, and a refundable damage deposit. With prior permission from city parks officials, alcoholic beverages may be served.

For information or to schedule an event, call (813) 274-5751.