Members and Public:
I attended the Longwood City Commission meeting last night and spoke to the commissioners early in the meeting. The meeting concluded with a thorough presentation by Community Development Director Chris Kintner, followed by a discussion among the commissioners. I appreciate Tom, Wade, and Robin for also joining me in attendance.
Thank you to the commissioners and staff for their engagement in prioritizing the rehabilitation of this historic property. This is the kind of foresight we need. Let’s keep the momentum going!
The society’s ranked priorities are:
- Rehabilitate the building and protect its future.
- Have it serve as a landmark that provides visual appeal and sparks interest in the broader historic district.
- Maximize its usefulness to the public.
The society’s recommendation was a location in Reiter Park, preferably on the eastern side, near the event venues, where foot traffic and sightlines are maximized, parking is close, and the existing restrooms make adding new ones to the Lewis House unnecessary. It would be used as a multi-purpose building that can accommodate small event rentals, serve as a pop-up retail space during events, and function as a welcome center. This aligns with the discussion at the membership meeting last month.
City staff asked commissioners to narrow the list of possible sites to two locations, one the primary and the other as a backup. The commission widely supported the location between the restrooms, lake/boardwalk, shade pavilion, and the Senator II tree as the optimal spot. Ground studies will be conducted to assess the work required to stabilize the foundation, which is likely to have some muck issues.
If this location proves to be unfeasible, the backup location selected by the commission is located on the backside of the park, between the misting fountain and the butterfly garden. This location would give the building its own space and create a destination at the rear of the park, which will soon have an additional pond and trail added behind the new municipal complex. While this location presents challenges due to its relative remoteness and possibly necessitating the addition of restroom facilities to the building, it certainly has its charm.
Speaking on behalf of the board of the historic society, we are very pleased with the outcome. The two ranked locations are prudent, and either one would serve the citizens well. We will continue to provide support in any way possible to ensure the project’s success. We have provided the city with a packet that includes historical context and detailed recommendations for rehabilitation that will help guide the subsequent steps, including the research and RFP process.
It is essential to consider this project as part of a broader initiative to shape Historic Longwood in the decades to come. There will be significant upgrades to the experience that the downtown district provides, including the redevelopment of the hospital property, changes to the municipal complex, the Sunrail station area, and, of course, the core historic district.
I said to the commission: Shoot for the stars, because even if you fall short, you will land on the moon! This is an era to dream big for the version of Historic Longwood that the next generation will inherit, just as our founders did back in the 1970s.
With some bold ambition, we can make Longwood a true regional gem to visit, live, work, and play! We can preserve our history and small-town charm while embracing progress, encouraging investment, and adding amenities.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jason Byrne
President, Longwood Historic Society