Former GTE (Peninsular) Building downtown
Summary
The 1920s former telephone building the county gave the city will get $1.49 million in Phase I work — elevators, windows, roof, structure — to become fine arts rehearsal space downtown.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 28, 2026.
Impact analysis
$1,485,436.82 for Phase I, subject to CRA board funding approval.
Downtown arts community and visitors; the surrounding area gains an activated historic building.
None identified.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting - Oct 28, 2026
USF's Professor Trent Green reported the Old Main Street occupation plan is underway, with a second public workshop expected before Thanksgiving. The board also set a Main Street tree lighting for November 16 and a Love Park groundbreaking for November 17.
Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting - Sep 23, 2026
The old Peninsular Communication building project starts with demolition and asbestos cleanup, and the CRA wants a formal agreement with the city spelling out who pays what.
City Council Meeting - Sep 23, 2026
The 1920s former telephone building the county gave the city will get $1.49 million in Phase I work — elevators, windows, roof, structure — to become fine arts rehearsal space downtown.
City Council Meeting - Sep 9, 2026
Manatee County is handing the city the old GTE building at 1009 4th Avenue West, with hopes of landing a university satellite campus downtown. There's a five-year reverter clause — if it's not actively used for a public purpose, it goes back to the county. Council debated how much info can be shared publicly while a potential university partner stays confidential.
Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting - Aug 26, 2026
If the property transfers from the county to the city, the CRA plans environmental and architectural review board steps, plus a possible priority-use study of alternative downtown development options.
Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting - Jul 22, 2026
The county-owned GTE Building may be transferred to the city and then the CRA, which would invest in renovating the deteriorating historic structure — possibly housing the CRA office — before issuing an RFP for other uses.
Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting - Jun 10, 2026
The CRA is partnering with Public Works to remove old lights, trim trees, and hire a private contractor to install new lighting on Old Main Street — hopefully before Christmas.
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