Winthrop has been named the long-awaited site for a civic building that brings to the greater Brandon area a public space reflective in size and scope of the community's substantial growth. Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-56, who announced the site selection Feb. 18, became involved in the project as one of his first duties after first being elected to office in 2004. "The people spoke and told me there was a need and I listened and understood" he said. "But we could not have secured a site without the dedicated support and commitment of many public and private community leaders." | In partnership with Winthrop and Hillsborough Community College, the projected 20,000 square-foot building will be built to include a likely 10,000 square-foot room designed specifically for the needs of the community, with a focus on civic, social, cultural and educational meetings and events. Moreover, federal funding will allow the building to serve as a disaster relief center for people with special needs. To date, $3.4-million has been secured from state and federal sources with additional local support anticipated. Secured funding will cover the design and construction of the exterior of Brandon's largest civic building, which when completed would be used for multiple community purposes. The Greek Revival building with a Jeffersonian influence will be reminiscent of the classical turn- of the- 20th- century public structures. | 
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.......See More | A fundraising drive, including various naming rights and sponsorships,
will begin in earnest to secure the building's interior build-out and operating costs.
Groundbreaking is expected in six to eight months; construction is
expected to take 18 months. See NEW BUILDING SKETCHES |
The project will continue to be overseen by the Brandon Community Advantage Center (BCAC), a nonprofit board established in March 2007 and chaired by Miller Dowdy, a principal with Metro Area Properties. The board has named former Hillsborough County School Superintendent Earl Lennard the project's first Community CEO. He will be assisted by community journalist and Winthrop Town Writer Linda Chion Kenney, who has been contracted to serve as programming director. ......Next Page
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