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Suncoast Pinellas News

Dunedin Given Downtown Park Site

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: October 13, 2007

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - It's not every day a city gets a prime piece of park property donated to it at the entrance to its downtown.

Last week, the City Commission thanked Tarpon Springs-based contractor and developer Joseph Kokolakis for purchasing and then donating to the city a large portion of the green space, referred to as SunTrust Bank Park.

The land is at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street, at the western entrance to the city's downtown retailing and entertainment district.

After last week's commission meeting Kokolakis said at this time he could not divulge exactly how much he paid for the donated property.

Robert Ironsmith, the Dunedin economic development director, was instrumental in getting SunTrust interested in talking to him and eventually selling the park property.

Commissioner Dave Eggers echoed sentiments of other city commissioners in stating the city is "extremely thankful" to the developer and his family for his gift. A plaque will be installed in the park to commemorate the gift.

The park has been cared for by SunTrust for more than a decade and could have been sold anytime for commercial development.

Kokolakis plans to keep a small portion of the park, abutting the strip of four shops on Main Street he recently purchased on the northwest entrance to downtown, as outdoor seating for a proposed Starbucks coffee shop.

Last week, Kokolakis said Starbucks, with whom he has a letter of intent, could open in one of the Main Street shops by as early as late summer 2008.

The row of shops, which he plans to extensively remodel, includes M.J.'s Fashions, Maurice Jewelers and Allen's Florist. Kokolakis plans to reduce the size of the floral shop as part of the makeover.

The developer bought the property from the owners of the 35-year-old Allen's Florists earlier this year.

"The addition of a coffee shop with a national presence, as well as obtaining the SunTrust parkland in perpetuity as an entryway into downtown, is viewed as major pluses for the continued revitalization of downtown," Ironsmith, the economic development director, said.

"Through a creative partnership, the city will have the bulk of the SunTrust park gifted and a proven activity center in Starbucks," Ironsmith said. This will ensure Main Street remains vibrant and active, he said.

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