Feb 26, 2005

Razzle-Dazzle Renovation

Cynthia Gries, director of Entertainment Revue, a Tampa-based song and dance troupe, is offering to rehabilitate the old library in return for use of the building.

Her proposal, to be submitted to the city next week, calls for a complete renovation, including replacing drywall, ceilings and insulation. She expects the Entertainment Revue Foundation to spend at least $40,000 to $50,000 on the work.

``It looks like a science project right now,'' Gries said. ``The neighbors want someone to maintain it. The historical people don't want it torn down. It'll be the perfect thing.''

Before being vacated in 1998, when the library moved to the former Commercial Bank of Port Tampa building at West Shore Boulevard and Commerce Street, the building was the administration center and city hall for Port Tampa City. Port Tampa City was annexed by the city of Tampa in 1961.

Jill Buford, a member of the Port Tampa City Woman's Club and the Civic Association of Port Tampa, said both organizations support Gries' plan to transform the old library.

``The whole inside is all molded over,'' Buford said. ``That's why I'm so excited about having something in there.''

She said the dance studio proposal is perfect for the community. Entertainment Revue would make the building available for two hours each week for civic meetings and a community outreach program for local girls to attend a free song and dance class led by troupe members.

The troupe also would adopt the Spanish-American War Memorial Park adjacent to the building at West Shore and Interbay boulevards, providing three work days each year to clean, paint and plant shrubs.

Gries said the help would be in addition to the woman's club's $250,000 renovation of the park already under way.

``A vital need of our organization is a safe, reliable and permanent location where our girls can gather, practice and perform,'' Gries wrote in her proposal. ``We believe strongly that our proposed use ... would greatly enhance and preserve the value of this deteriorating city asset.''

City officials declined to comment until they review the proposal.

The not-for-profit Entertainment Revue features 20 girls ages 6 to 16. It owns a building in the West Shore business district, but Gries said it's too expensive to stay there.

Revue graduates include recording artist Willa Ford; Danielle White, the first ``American Juniors'' winner; Heather Piccinini, an ``American Idol 3'' top 32 finalist; and current ``American Idol'' contender Jessica Sierra.

About 20 troupe members sang an a cappella medley at this week's Civic Association of Port Tampa meeting to show their desire to move into the old building.

``It was very good,'' Buford said. ``Very professional. They were wonderful.''