History of the Hotel
Memberships
Newspaper Articles
Message Board
Photos of the Biltmore
Welcome to the Belleview Biltmore Updates. I,
Diane Hein, send these out depending on events. This keeps Biltmore supporters, the news media, preservation
organizations and others updated on what is going in regards to preserving this glorious Victorian hotel. If you would like to be on our mailing
list click: Email Me Diane Hein,
President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists. Allow
24 to 48 hours to be put on the Belleview Biltmore Mailing List.
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Biltmore Update, January 5, 2012
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Biltmore Update, Saturday July 9, 2011
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Biltmore Update, Friday, June 25, 2010
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Biltmore Update, Monday December 21, 2009
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Biltmore Update Saturday,
November 21, 2009
Hello Biltmore
supporters, news media and others:
OUR SAVE THE
BILTMORE PRESERVATIONIST CHRISTMAS TREE
Our nonprofit organization Save the Biltmore Preservationists has created a
Belleview Biltmore Hotel Christmas tree for the upcoming 2009 Festival of Trees
in Clearwater starting THIS Sunday, November 22 at the newly renovated
Westfield/Countryside Shopping Mall, Countryside, U.S. 19 between Main Street
#580 and Countryside Blvd. This is our second entry for the tree show. We won
second place last year for our division. UPARC Foundation, Inc. sponsors the
tree show, and more than 100 beautifully decorated trees from local artists,
businesses and community leaders will be displayed for UPARC’s 25th silver
anniversary event.
Our
seven foot Save the Biltmore Preservationist Christmas tree combines the old
with the new. The Belleview Biltmore Hotel opened during the Victorian era in
1897 and a popular Christmas decoration at that time was the beautiful
cone-shaped ornament, the cornucopia. Vintage homemade cornucopias were
constructed from paper, paper scrap, cotton, scraps of cloth, yarn, tinsel,
ribbon and filled with any assortment of candy, nuts or other holiday
decorations. Some had crepe-paper closures, while others were left open at the
top like our ornaments are.
For our Save the Biltmore hand-crafted cornucopias, we added decorations of pine
cones, silver and gold leaves, miniature craft pearls, apples, pears, gold and
silver-coated nuts, foil, ribbon, flowers and other Christmas decorations. Half
of our ornaments are adorned in the center with a representation of our
nonprofit’s Belleview Biltmore 14 karat gold jewelry charm to represent the
"charm of the Belleview Biltmore." The top of our tree has larger gold printed
images of our charm in a circular fashion, decorated to match the cornucopias,
and you can see the distinctive chimney stacks on the hotel. It took us
approximately 65 hours to make and decorate the cornucopias and tree topper.

Our 14 karat gold Belleview Biltmore jewelry charm which we based half of our
cornucopias and tree topper on.
Enclosed are a few photos of our hand-crafted Victorian cornucopia ornaments. On
each side of the ornaments we placed craft pearls and purple gems. Each
cornucopia measures 5 inches in length, 3.5 inches in width at the top and 8
inches in length if you include the gold ornament hanger. If you are unable to
view the ornament and tree photos, click this link to view them:
http://savethebiltmore.com/FestivalofTrees2009.htm

Ornament with gold leaves,
craft apple, gold berries

Ornament with snow-capped pine cone, gold balls and red rose

Ornament with red berries, gold ball, gold leaves

Ornament with gold apple, red rose, gold berries, craft pearls

48 assorted hand-crafted cornucopias, all a bit different!

Our tree topper showing the charm of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel

Our beautiful 2009 Biltmore
Christmas tree located at Westfield/Countryside Mall
As mentioned
above, each of our cornucopias is decorated a little differently so no two are
alike! We carefully hand-crafted each ornament with a variety of festive
decorations for your holiday pleasure so we hope you enjoy each unique ornament
and our tree. Our Save the Biltmore Preservationist tree is located on the first
floor by Sears near the Santa Claus station.
The public may attend the Premier Gala Night event for $75 per person Sunday
night November 22 at the mall to purchase a decorated tree. Patrons will have
the opportunity to enjoy fine food, refreshments and entertainment as they
search for that perfect holiday tree to purchase for home or office. Hours of
this Sunday night’s gala event will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enter at the
entrance near TooJay's Restaurant. There will be both live and silent auctions.
16 caterers will provide delightful culinary food and tastings. A Swarovski
crystal tree will be at Macy’s sponsored by Bijoux, and entertainment will be
provided throughout the mall. Ann Kelly from The New Magic radio station 94.9 FM
will also be there. This is only a one night event to purchase trees on a first
come first serve basis, so be sure to be there!
Our Save the Biltmore Preservationist tree will be for sale this year at their
show. We are offering a FREE $50 Save the Biltmore Copper Membership to anyone
who buys our tree this Sunday night so be sure to attend Sunday’s event if you
want to be the first one to buy our tree! Just remember to contact us via email
if you buy the tree so we can send you your membership. To purchase tickets for
the Premier Gala Night please contact the UPARC Foundation office at
727-797-8712. All proceeds from tree sales go to UPARC.
Starting Monday November 23 at the Westfield/Countryside Mall, you may buy
raffle tickets to win a decorated tree that was not sold at Sunday’s gala event.
Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20, cash, check or credit card accepted
Volunteers are still welcome and needed for the Premier Gala Night as well as
during the tree show at the mall for the five "tree pods" of which there will be
a variety of beautifully decorated trees. For more information or to volunteer,
please contact the UPARC Foundation office at 727-797-8712.
We hope you make the time to attend this wonderful Festival of Trees and start
celebrating this wonderful holiday season. The hours of the entire festival are
Sunday, November 22, 2009 through Sunday November 29, 2009. Our Save the
Biltmore Preservationist tree "A Victorian Christmas at the Biltmore" will be
displayed at the mall during these dates even if someone does buy it on the gala
night. Be sure to see it!
OTHER BELLEVIEW BILTMORE NEWS
Latitude Management has now closed the hotel for future renovation plans. The
lawsuit that certain parties had filed against the town of Belleair regarding
the Biltmore renovation plans was resolved, and Belleair succeeded in winning
it. There is one other pending lawsuit involving future plans by the hotel owner
over on Sand Key. In other recent news, the hotel owner is being fined $250 a
day as the roof was not repaired or replaced by November of this year.
Belleair’s code board voted 5-2 on to institute the fine, and it will continue
until the roof is repaired.
For all
the recent news in full detail, please go to the newspaper link below as there
are many detailed articles by the Belleair Bee, the Clearwater Beacon,
Clearwater Gazette, Sand Key Sun, St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Bay
Online/Tampa Tribune.
http://savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreNewspapersAndPublications.htm
BACK TO THE FUTURE PARTY, MAY 31, 2009
UPARC sponsored a successful and fun "Back to the Future Party" at the Belleview
Biltmore Sunday, May 31 for the closing of the hotel this year. Click on the
newspaper link and scroll down to view some photos from the party. I’ll
certainly miss going to the Biltmore this coming holiday season at Thanksgiving
and Christmas where I have spent many enjoyable years at the hotel during this
festive time of the year. But we all look forward to its reopening in the
future.
RECENT RADIO AND TV INTERVIEWS
We want to thank radio personality Jack Harris with 970 WFLA A.M. for recently
interviewing our vice president Ed Jameson regarding the fining of the hotel
owner for the Biltmore roof not being repaired or replaced. A thank you to TV
Fox News reporter Alcides Segui for interviewing Ed regarding the temporary
closing of the Biltmore for renovations.
CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY GIFT
IDEAS
Make someone’s holiday special this year with some wonderful gifts from our
online gift shop. We have our beautiful gold and silver Biltmore charms which
can be used both as a necklace or key chain. How about a fun gift of a dozen
Biltmore cookies to a special supporter, they are baked fresh and delicious! We
offer five different memberships to fit your budget starting with our Copper
Membership at just $50. Our Biltmore T-shirt is a great stocking stuffer. Local
artist Tony Blue has eight limited edition (150 maximum) giclée prints on canvas
for his Belleview Biltmore art series such as "The White Queen of the Gulf" and
"Gardenias on the Veranda." Just go to
http://savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm and order your
gift today for your family or friends.

To order a membership click here:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreMemberships.htm
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Be the first person to purchase our beautiful Victorian Christmas tree this
coming Sunday at Westfield/Countryside Mall! Your home, office or retail store
will reflect the vintage era of the magnificent Belleview Biltmore Hotel as it
sparkles and lights up the room. We look forward to giving a FREE Copper
Membership to the recipient!
Happy Thanksgiving to all and thank YOU for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
http://www.savethebiltmore.com
P.S. Be sure to view our
Biltmore Christmas tree starting Sunday, November 22 for a full week at
Westfield/Countryside Mall!




Belleview Biltmore Update Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Hello Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others:
CLEARWATER FESTIVAL OF TREES AND OUR WINNING TREE!

http://www.savethebiltmore.com/FestivalofTrees2008.htm
Tickets are only $8 per person. We hope you make the time to attend this wonderful Festival of Trees to sparkle your holiday season and see our winning tree. We recommend going during the day if possible because there is more light available to view the trees and ornaments.
The hours of the festival are:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 TODAY!!
Noon - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday November 27, 2008 - Thanksgiving Day
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday November 28, 2008
10:00 am - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
10:00 am - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Noon - 5:00 p.m.
FREE SANTA AND SLEIGH WALLPAPER
Here is another FREE wallpaper for your computer for the holiday season. It was taken at the Belleview Biltmore last year of Santa Claus and his sleigh at the hotel. Download it in seconds, the link shows how. And be sure to tell others about this free wallpaper and when people ask where you got it, be sure to tell them about the beautiful Biltmore, its amenities and where to get the free download!


Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
http://www.savethebiltmore.com
P.S. Remember Christmas and Hanukkah are coming soon so check
out our online store or memberships for a wonderful gift for
family or friends.
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreMemberships.htm
Belleview
Biltmore Update Tuesday, October 28, 2008




Friday May 23, 2008


Biltmore Update Saturday May 17, 2008
IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ!!!

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Biltmore Update, Wednesday January 23, 2008
Dear Save the Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others:
THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE IS GOING GREEN!
Many exciting events have happened at the
Biltmore in the past few months including a news conference with Florida
Governor Charlie Crist in November 2007! It was held at the Biltmore and also
included new owner Legg Mason Real Estate's managing director Joseph Penner and
John Hildreth from National Trust. Speaking from the stairs of the hotel's
original porch entrance, Mr. Penner announced plans for seeking the U.S. Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
certification for the 110 year old Biltmore. Governor Crist applauded these new
green building plans: “What you’re doing, Joe, is exactly the right thing,”
Crist told Joe Penner, LMREI’s managing director, “preserving the Biltmore for
future generations to enjoy.” "My focus is on Florida,” Crist said. “The
Belleview Biltmore is a fixture in this community and its preservation is
crucial to our cultural legacy. It’s our duty to take care of national historic
sites.” Today is an important day for one of Florida's most historic sites…The
Belleview Biltmore is a fixture in this community and its preservation is
crucial to our culture and historical industries. I commend Legg Mason's concern
for the environment and commitment to restoring the resort in a way that will
help preserve Florida's beautiful natural environment."
The above quote is from the Belleair Bee from the
article "Crist gives thumbs up to Biltmore Plans" by
Chary Southmayd Wednesday, November 21, 2007:
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/112107_bee-01.txt For full
article.

In above photo, Governor Charlie Crist, left, chats with
Joe Penner, managing director of Legg Mason Real Estate Investors
BILTMORE TIE TACK/LAPEL PIN:
Our nonprofit organization Save the Biltmore Preservationists presented Governor
Crist with a sterling silver Biltmore tie tack/lapel pin as a thank you gift for
his coming to the Biltmore in November. You may also order this tie tack/lapel
pin in sterling silver or gold at
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm#Tie%20Tack/Pin It
may also be used as a lady's pin. This is the actual size of the lapel pin.

OTHER RECENT NEWS ARTICLES:
Wooden icon breathes new green life
By Rita Farlow St. Petersburg Times November 20, 2007
For full article click:
"LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design. The designation is supplied by the U.S. Green Building Council for
buildings that meet a lengthy set of environmentally responsible standards.
"We're here today to set the stage for the future, and I can tell you it's a
grand vision. This resort will be reborn as a modern energy-efficient, LEED-certified,
green building while retaining all of its historical significance and its
grandeur," said Joe Penner, managing director for Legg Mason." Penner outlined
some of the ways his team - including Heisenbottle Architects of Coral Gables -
will seek certification.
"The existing electrical, heating and cooling systems will
be replaced with updated, energy-efficient versions. Salvageable materials will
be reused. And current asphalt parking lots will be replaced with an underground
garage to create more green space. Building "green" makes sense, Penner said.
Although construction and materials can be more expensive up front, decreased
operating costs mean savings in the long run.
"John Hildreth, director of the southern office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, lauded preservation efforts that focus on environmental sustainability."We believe that the greenest building is the one that already exists," Hildreth said. "We believe, as well, that traditional preservation practices are compatible with environmentally sound building principals." In 2005, the Biltmore was placed on the organization's list of 11 most endangered historic places. Hildreth said he hopes to return someday to see the resort atop a different list: the National Trust's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, which honors unique communities committed to preservation."
Hoteliers Offer Another Reason to Support the Biltmore
By Renee Burrell
http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20071129/biltmore.html
Clearwater Gazette, November 29, 2007
"The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit
coalition of building industry leaders headquartered in Washington D.C. Upon
certification, the resort can be designated by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection as a "green lodging". The LEED Green Building Rating
System is the accepted national standard that promotes building design and
construction practices that reduce negative environmental impacts. LEED can be
granted for attaining different levels--Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
The level of certification depends upon the number of credits a building or
renovation project garners in five green design categories including,
sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and
resources and indoor environmental quality."

In above photo from left to right, John Hildreth of National Trust, Florida
Governor Charlie Crist, Legg Mason managing director Joseph Penner
FORMAL APPLICATION APPLIED FOR THE
REDEVELOPMENT PLANS:In December, Legg Mason
Real Estate filed a formal application for the new renovation plans for the
historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel site so we are very pleased to see this next
step. I was asked for a comment for this article so thank you to reporter
Carrie Henderson. To read an excellent synopsis of the last three years to save
the Biltmore and the exciting new redevelopment plans read:http://www.tampabaysun.com/TBS_Jan_10_08-LOW-RES.pdf
Tampa Bay Sun Newspaper January 10, 2008
Redevelopment Plan Filed for the Belleview Biltmore
By Carrie Henderson
Renovation and restoration plans to return the Biltmore to its former glory days
include:
A new landscaped grand entrance to the main hotel
A fully restored 256-room main hotel structure with 5 ballrooms, meeting rooms,
restaurants and retail shops
A new, but architecturally consistent, 174-room annex hotel adjacent to the main
hotel structure
Three restored Victorian cottages
A new one-story spa facility with underground parking
Elegantly landscaped grounds and the elimination of surface parking through the
construction of underground parking
Removal of the existing "pagoda" structure at the current front entrance to the
main hotel
A refurbished clubhouse, improved landscaping and parking at the Pelican Golf
Club
PINELLAS COUNTY PRESERVATION TASK FORCE
MEETING:
Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel, chair.
Preservation Task Force sees Biltmore plans
By HARLAN WEIKLE
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/011608_bee-01.txt
Belleair Bee January 16, 2008
"BELLEAIR – Architect Richard Heisenbottle presented plans
for the restoration of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel to the county’s Preservation
Task Force on Jan. 9. Using a slide presentation, Heisenbottle detailed the
major components of the restoration project, which is estimated to cost $100
million. Notably, some of the most dramatic changes to the historic resort will
be the ones that aren’t seen: service tunnels, loading docks and underground
parking for nearly 700 cars, which will open space surrounding the resort to new
use such as event lawns for receptions, outdoor weddings or simple romantic
strolls through Victorian gardens.
"Two levels of underground parking will be 20 feet below a sod- and
shrub-covered expanse of lawn dotted by containerized trees. The entire
structure will be covered with a foot of soil and a drainage system. Like “Alice
in Wonderland, cars will disappear down a rabbit hole; a bit of, “Disney magic”
as Heisenbottle called it.
"Another “Disneyesque” aspect of the project will include lots of tunnels, which
the architect says is a necessary component of any world class resort. Service
tunnels will lead from the new two-story central prep kitchen to smaller
kitchens serving the several dining venues envisioned for the project.
Out-of-sight, out-of-mind, these tunnels, some of which already exist, will rise
by elevator directly into the smaller kitchens.
"Likewise, the exterior service areas, which now wrap
unceremoniously around the perimeter of the hotel, are to be replaced by a
single, modern service area replete with loading docks and mechanical
facilities, all of which will be hidden behind 6-to-8 foot landscaped garden
walls.
"The ballrooms, too, will receive special treatment. The Tiffany and Candlelight
ballrooms will be restored to their original grace and the Starlight Ballroom
will have its original window walls revealed; walls, which are now covered by
interior secondary walls.
"A new architecturally sensitive hotel annex will add additional rooms needed to
accommodate conventions, and a new one story spa will rise over underground
parking space. Facing the west side of the hotel this structure almost
“residential” in character Heisenbottle said, “will not interfere with anyone’s
view,” referring to the neighboring condominium buildings bordering the site.
2007 BILTMORE GINGERBREAD HOUSE AWARD!
Chef Etienne and Chef Hueppi of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel created a holiday
gingerbread house for the Festival of Trees in Clearwater in November 2007 and
won a first place ribbon! It took 16 man-hours to complete, and it was a
popular stop at the show with children posing in front of it for their parents
to photograph them. And of course the fragrant ginger aroma brought many
people over to this edible house! The chefs have won a first place award twice
in the past four years.

For a larger photo of the gingerbread house click:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/Belleview%20Biltmore%20Hotel%20Gingerbread%20House%20Festival%20of%20Trees%202007.htm
INTERVIEW WITH JACK HARRIS:
We want to thank radio personality Jack Harris of Tampa Bay radio
station WFLA 970 A.M for inviting us to speak with him in November. Our vice
president Ed Jameson was interviewed.
VINTAGE PHOTOS:
We want to thank new Biltmore supporter Jim Pysz for his 1943 photos of his
father Chester Pysz, when he was stationed at the Biltmore. Mr. Pysz (from
Michigan) was at the Belleview Biltmore in World War II when the hotel housed
military service people where they trained. The hotel was closed to tourism at
that time. All the windows were painted black in order to prevent it from being
seen at night. Mr. Pysz served in the United States Air Force and was a radio
operator/gunner on a B-26 bomber 320th bomb group - 441 squadron (62 combat
missions)

To view two other photos from 1943 click:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmorePhotos_Broad_Band.htm and keep
scrolling down the page. They are in black and white. We are always looking
for vintage historic photos of the Biltmore especially of the
INTERIOR of the hotel before World War II. If you have any, please
forward them to me, and I can post them to our Biltmore web site. Unfortunately
all the antique furniture was sold when the troops were stationed there, so it
would be wonderful to have any old photos of the interior of the hotel before
this was done.
2008 BILTMORE CALENDAR:
A one page 8.5 x 11 inch 2008 Biltmore calendar is available at our online
store.

CHARM HER WITH A BILTMORE CHARM!
Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away so a
Biltmore charm in 14 K gold or sterling silver (nontarnishing) is the perfect
gift for your favorite Valentine. For a Valentine for him, we have a sterling
or gold tie tack/lapel pin as indicated in the photo at the top of this page.
Either gift is a beautiful way to keep the glow of the Biltmore out in public!

This is the actual size of the gold and silver charm.

The charm may also be used as a keychain!
Or give your special Valentine a membership to help us
continue promoting the Biltmore.
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreMemberships.htm The actual
size of the certificate which includes the member's name is 8.5 by 11 inches.

CLOSING THOUGHTS:
The Biltmore is moving forward into a wonderful new era of
renovations in 2009 that will eventually restore her to her glory reminiscent of
the 1940's and yet she is also going green. So this will be a wonderful time for
the hotel to combine the old with the new. Schedule your next meeting,
wedding, conference or vacation at the Belleview Biltmore to ensure her walk
continues at a steady pace into an exciting new future.
http://www.BelleviewBiltmore.com
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Dedicated to saving all four wings of the hotel since 2004




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Biltmore Update, Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Save the Biltmore Update, Friday June 22, 2007
Dear Save the Biltmore Supporters, News Media
and Others:
VICTORY! THE
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE RESORT AND SPA IS SAVED FROM DEMOLITION!
The battles are over, the war is won...VICTORY!
What a victory for me, our nonprofit organization, preservationists everywhere,
the town of Belleair, Pinellas County, the State of Florida, the community, the
country, the world and everyone involved in helping to save the Biltmore! What
is so very special is that ALL FOUR WINGS
of the hotel will be saved which I have been fighting very hard to save since I
launched my Save the Biltmore web in 2004! My goal was very
unlike another "preservationist" who in 2005 originally wanted
to tear down two historical wings, the north and south to "save" it. So saving
ALL FOUR WINGS is a dream come true for me and a real
victory!
As reported in my last Save the Biltmore Update, Legg Mason Real
Estate Investors is the purchaser. The closing was Wednesday, June
20th.
This is a huge victory for our community and your support is so greatly
appreciated. For everyone who supported this cause, you helped save a big part
of the history of the Town of Belleair and Pinellas County. I and my nonprofit
organization are very grateful for your help, your best wishes and your hard
work and support. I know many of you have participated at various levels to help
save the Biltmore, sending emails of support and ideas for my Save the Biltmore
Message Board, writing Belleair officials, purchasing items from our online
store, wearing our Save the Biltmore T-shirt, carrying our tote bags, attending
commission meetings, giving speeches, suggesting investors to contact to
purchase the hotel and the list goes on! So a very very warm thank you for all
the support I have received from you to help win this war and become victorious.
A special thank you to my two current directors on our nonprofit board,
Ed Jameson, our organization's vice president and
Doug Mann, our secretary treasurer who supported saving all
four wings and the reason my nonprofit organization was born! They worked many
long hours to help save the Biltmore the past few years. Another special thank
you to Barbara Arnold Walters who was with my group for
a long time and also helped support and worked toward saving all four wings.
Also a special thank you to Linda Helm and
Ginny Vass.
I know there were so many of you who contributed time and or emails to the cause
so PLEASE know that I appreciate each and everyone. I certainly appreciate all
the emails you have sent to me over the past three years. This victory was NOT
one person's work to save the Biltmore, it was a great combination of many
peoples' efforts to save this wonderful hotel. Many many people were responsible
for saving the Biltmore thus far, it was a community effort, and of course I am
grateful to the St. Petersburg Times and
Lorri Helfand and Aaron Sharockman who on
April 12, 2005 mentioned my Save the Biltmore web site at which time dozens of
people wrote me the first few days of that posting to help try to save the
Biltmore. Where would we and the Biltmore be today had they not mentioned my web
site to gather so many people together for what seemed an impossible mission!???
The written news media besides the Times has been following this story closely
since 2004, especially the Belleair Bee, the Clearwater Gazette and
the Tampa Tribune. Many local television and radio stations and
magazines have also carried the long story of the saving of the Biltmore since
2004, They have interviewed us also, so we are thankful for all this media
coverage and helping our organization bring the message to the public about the
importance of saving this beautiful Victorian hotel. To view this HUGE list of
publications click:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreNewspapersAndPublications.htm
Of course a special thank you to Belleair officials who upon the recommendation
of Belleair resident and former commissioner Sam Casella
hired preservation attorney Nancy Stroud to write a
historic preservation ordinance. It has been extremely gratifying to me that
Belleair commissioners supported saving the Biltmore and
passed this historic preservation ordinance in the fall of 2005.
ABOUT THE SALE AND WHAT WILL BE DONE TO THE HOTEL IN THE FUTURE:
Here are some recent quotes from the local news media about the sale and future
of the hotel and Legg Mason's plans for it.
Belleview Biltmore Sale Finalized By CHARY
SOUTHMAYD Belleair Bee Friday, June 22, 2007
http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/belleair_bee/content_articles/062107_bee-07.txt
for complete article
“The fee simple transfer was completed ... Thank goodness,” said
Richard Wilhelm, president and CEO of TRUST Hotels and
Resorts, the firm managing the Biltmore, who was closely involved in
the process from beginning to end. “I’m delighted Legg Mason
has acquired it, and everyone in the community I’ve talked to is looking forward
to its future for another hundred years.”
The purchase price was not announced. “We have engaged numerous consultants and
historic preservation experts in order to develop a restoration and
rehabilitation plan for the property,” said Joseph Penner,
managing director of LMREI, in a June 4 press release.
“This is a very large project, so we want it to be well thought out,” Penner
later added during a phone interview from his California office
“We have fought long and hard to save all four wings (of the hotel) since I
launched my Web site in 2004, so having succeeded in that goal is very
gratifying,” said Diane Hein, founder of www.SaveTheBiltmore.com.
“The reality of its being saved is certainly a joyous occasion for all, and I
thank the community for their support during for the past few years.”
The Biltmore remains open for what management hopes will be a busy summer
season."
Biltmore Dodges Wrecking Ball The St. Petersburg Times
Wednesday, June 21, 2007
"Officials and others close to the deal say Legg Mason plans to restore the 110
year old Biltmore, removing the unpopular pagoda entrance, redoing the pool and
adding underground parking. The resort is on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Belleview Biltmore Property Sold By c.j.
pollick Clearwater Gazette Thursday, June 21, 2007http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20070621/biltmore.html
As of Wednesday the 20th of June, 2007, the Belleview Biltmore Hotel and related
properties (Belleview Biltmore Golf Club and Beach Cabana Club) were sold by
Honeywell Pension Fund to Legg-Mason Corp. Purchase price was not disclosed.
Martin Smith will remain as General Manager of the Belleview
Biltmore Hotel (and Cabana Club) while Chuck Eade
remains General Manager of the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club. GF Management Group
of Philadelphia will oversee management of the hotel assets.
"Commissioners get Biltmore look-see" by
Harlan Weikle Belleair Bee June 21, 2007
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/062107_bee-02.txt Click the link
to read it in completion
Commissioner Karla Rettstatt had a meeting Tuesday with
Joseph Penner, LMREI managing director, during which,
she said, “I saw preliminary plans for the renovation, however there was no
schedule discussed. The owners want to make a presentation of the plans to the
public soon.”
Asked after the meeting for details of the plans she had been shown, Rettstatt
said that the building would remain intact.
“They are not taking anything down, except the pagoda is gone,” she said,
referring to the often criticized discontinuous architectural style of the steel
and glass structure erected over the hotel’s entrance by previous owners.
Rettstatt said she saw renderings of the pool area, which were beautiful.
She added that it was apparent they intend to restore the hotel, in Belleview
Biltmore grand style, replete with signature green roof."
NOTE: Readers it has been reported that in addition to the above,
Legg Mason will save the three Victorian cottages, add a convention
center and move the spa.
Editorial by CHARY SOUTHMAYD
Editor of the Belleair Bee June 14, 2007
http://www.tbnweekly.com/editorial/viewpoints/content_articles/061207_vpt-01.txt
Click link above for full editorial
"Honor the Grand Dame
"Unique, historic, romantic, endangered.
"The Biltmore exudes romance, with its lush grounds complete with the treasured
heart tree on the south lawn near the one-time carriage entrance where countless
couples have vowed to love, honor and cherish. Weddings remain big business at
the Biltmore. A window view on the main floor allows visitors to watch fabulous
wedding cakes being created. You can feel the anticipation of love’s promise in
the air.
"Go by and visit, enjoy Sunday brunch, relax and sip a beverage out on the
veranda. To save the Biltmore is to honor what is worth keeping. We take pride
in her past and hope that when once again fabulous, the community will embrace
the Biltmore as an integral part of our future."
NEW WATERCOLOR DESIGN BILTMORE T-SHIRTS AND TOTE BAG AVAILABLE
TODAY!
We are offering NEW watercolor design T-shirts, tote bags AND prints
by renowned artist Janice James.
This beautifully designed rendition of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Belleair,
Florida was designed by former St. Petersburg artist, Janice James,
whose specialty is Florida architecture, from small quaint beach houses to
historic landmarks, landscapes, seascapes and private homes done in the
traditional manner. Limited edition prints have been made of several landmarks
in St. Petersburg and Tampa including not only the Biltmore but the Vinoy and
the Don Cesar Hotels in St. Petersburg.. She now is retired in Sun City, Florida
with her husband of 55 years. She has three daughters and one granddaughter.
Mrs. James has been painting since the age of nine and has
studied at the Ringling Art School in Sarasota, Florida and the University of
Miami on an art scholarship. She became a commercial artist designing layouts
and illustrating fashions for newspaper advertising. She is a Signature member
of the Florida Watercolor Society. Her paintings have won recognition, which
includes: Best of Show and first prizes in Miami, St. Petersburg and Sarasota.
We sincerely thank Mrs. James for letting us use her beautiful watercolor to
help us to continue to promote and preserve the Biltmore.
We also have NEW T-shirts and tote bags with the PHOTO of the Biltmore on them.
Some people have requested a photo vs artwork, so we are offering both now! The
photo used on these T-shirts and tote bags is from the front of my web page
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
So order your new T-shirt or tote bag or Mrs. James'
beautiful Biltmore watercolor print: 8 by 10 inch $55, or 11 by 14 inch $75, 13
by 19 inch $95 today! To see the new design and print by this renowned
watercolorist and order it click here:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm How lovely her
artwork will look hanging in your home, office, studio, library or retail
location since the Biltmore is now saved! The T-shirt and tote bags are only
$14.95 plus a small shipping charge.
We also have Tony Blue's Biltmore artwork series such as
"Gardenias on the Veranda" so be sure to look at his beautiful work also at our
online store.
THE FUTURE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AND THE BILTMORE:
Many people have written me in the past few weeks as to what direction our
nonprofit organization will take now that the Biltmore is saved. Our future
plans are to PROMOTE the Biltmore to the community,
around the country and around the world to bring more awareness, tourism,
meetings and conventions to the Biltmore. I will be keeping my
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com web site up permanently, and our online
store is open 24 hours a day! We will use those monies collected from our online
store to help promote and preserve the hotel in the future. So you can help us
continue this promotion just as you have helped us in the past. Tell everyone
the story of the Biltmore and shop at our online store. We have no financial
connection with the new ownership group, and we wish them much success of
course! Our sole purpose is to insure the perpetual care, promotion and
preservation of the structure itself.
In about two weeks I'll be announcing something entirely new
that our nonprofit organization will be offering so be sure to keep reading my
Biltmore Updates!
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
I have been looking forward to this day after three long, hard years of: sending
and receiving thousands of emails from supporters, time looking for
investors/hoteliers to buy the Biltmore, hours updating and adding to my Save
the Biltmore web site, starting a nonprofit organization and the list goes on
and on the tasks my nonprofit organization and I have done to help save the
Biltmore! So this week is one of the happiest occasions of my life. My nonprofit
organization and I are most excited to launch the next phase of continuing to
promote and preserve the Biltmore! History is now saved as well as a beautiful
hotel, "The White Queen of the Gulf."
In saving the golden treasures of the past, we bank on enriching the present and
the future.
So....
The battles are over
The war is won
The Biltmore is saved
Pop the cork
Pour the champagne and
CELEBRATE!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
Click to see the NEW HEADING of my web page! It's grand!
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Note: NEW links on the home page are up now to reflect the saving of the
Biltmore. If you ever want to go back to the original web page from the year
2004 to 2007 before the sale click:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreHotelOriginalPage.htm This
link is accessible from the new home page also.
Save the Biltmore Update Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Dear Save
the Biltmore Supporter, News Media and Others:
There is no new news to report regarding the sale of the Belleview Biltmore
Hotel, the contract is still pending with Legg Mason Real Estate Investors
and the current hotel owner.
The following information is from Rob Richute, Marketing manager for the Belleview Biltmore Hotel,
BELLEVIEW
BILTMORE TO OFFER TENNIS CAMP
CLEARWATER, FL –
The Belleview Biltmore will be bringing life to their newly renovated tennis
courts, by inviting kids to come out and play this summer.
The
Belleview Biltmore’s new Tennis Summer Camp is designed to stimulate and
challenge children of all levels, age groups, and abilities. The new Tennis
Pro Stephen Phillips will use drills, games, and instructional teaching aids
to incorporate fun and training into their summer plans.
The camp
will begin May 21st
and run through August 17th.
The day will start around 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. It’s just $200 a week
or $40 day. Your child will also have a chance to play volleyball, soccer,
or go swimming in the Biltmore’s huge outdoor pool, and if the weather is
unpleasant, they will enjoy a movie alongside their new friends. The summer
camp will also provide complimentary boxed lunches to campers. These box
lunches will include a sandwich, fruit, chips, cookies, and a drink.
For more information on the Belleview Biltmore Tennis facilities call 727-373-3000 or call Stephen Phillips at 727-520-6397.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
December 7, 2006
Dear Save the Biltmore Supporter, News Media and Other:
Some email programs do not accept jpg. attachments so I am sending this Save the Biltmore Shopping Update as a separate email instead of including it in last week's Update. We have a wonderful online shopping store where you can purchase beautiful gifts via a credit card, PayPal or you may mail in a check. Here are some of the wonderful items that will make your holiday shopping easy, quick and fun!
1. ARTWORK OF LOCAL ARTIST, TONY BLUE
Local artist,Tony Blue is giving 20% of the proceeds for the
sale of his beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel art series to our
Save the Biltmore Preservationists nonprofit fund. Limited
edition (150 maximum) giclée prints on canvas come stretched,
signed and numbered, mixed media and ready to frame. Each one is
numbered, marked and signed by the artist. To see larger photo,
click on each photo below. Shipping costs will be refunded if
you pick up the print locally or if you prefer, Tony will
deliver your print for just $10 if you live in Pinellas County.
You may pay online via credit card or PayPal after you click the "Add to Cart" button.
"The White Queen of the Gulf" (26 x 16
inches - $225) #6
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_6_TheWhiteQueenoftheGulf.htm
"Gardenias On The Veranda" (30 x 20
inches - $300) #7
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_7_GardeniasOnTheVeranda.htm
"Enchanted Lady" (18 x 28 inches -
$255) # 1
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_1_EnchantedLady.htm
"Victorian Charm " (18 x 28 inches -
$255) # 2
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_2_VictorianCharm.htm
"Gabled Treasure" (30 x 20 inches -
$300) #3
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_3_GabledTreasure.htm
"Window Peek a Boo" (20 x 30 inches -
$300) # 4
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_4_WindowPeekABoo.htm
"Biltmore Waltz" (26 x 18 inches -
$250) #5
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_5_BiltmoreWaltz.htm
"Southern Escape" (20 x 30 inches -
$300) #8
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmore_8_SouthernEscape.htm
2. FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Click the links below to see a few of the fine art photography
prints available. For $25 you will receive an 8 by 10 print and
for $55 you will receive a matted and framed print. The latter
perfect to wrap and give to someone or yourself! Please note
that the frame is natural wood color, NOT black and white as on
the enclosed jpg. ALL proceeds will go to our nonprofit
organization, Save the Biltmore Preservationists.
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/NaturesCanopy.htm (The jpg of this photo is enclosed) Nature Landscape
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/MorningAtTheDocks.htm St. Petersburg Marina and Boats
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/PathSerenity.htm Nature Landscape, Clearwater
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/SunsetSplendor.htm Clearwater Beach Sunset
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/MiddaySiesta.htm Nature/Beach Landscape, Crystal Beach, Florida
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/GoldenGlow.htm Beautiful Golden Daisy
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/ElegantLady.htm Still Life with Swan and Rose
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/RedBeauty.htm Still Life with American Red Beauty Rose
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/ReflectionsOfPeace.htm Nature Landscape (photographed in Largo, Florida)
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreHotel.htm Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Belleair, Florida
Please note there are a total of 19 fine art prints available!
Click here to see all:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
3. THE "CHARM OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL"
Look no more for a wonderful Christmas, holiday or birthday
gift! Click on the link
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm to
see our beautiful charm available to all now for months.
The charm of the Belleview Biltmore hotel is preserved for you forever in sterling silver, gold over sterling or 14 karat gold or 14 karat rose gold.
Add this wonderful gold or silver charm to your charm bracelet or wear it on a chain or cord as a pendant. This beautiful and stunning Belleview Biltmore Hotel charm is perfect to give as a gift any time of the year and especially now this holiday season. KK Smith, Clearwater’s jeweler for over 50 years is painstakingly custom-creating each piece and is donating a portion of each of our online sales to our preservation efforts for the hotel. Enjoy being part of saving the Biltmore forever by owning this delightful charm. See the attached jpg.
Sterling silver: $75.00
Gold over sterling: $100.00
14 Karat Gold: $400.00
14 Karat Rose Gold: $450.00
4. Save the Biltmore Calendar (Year at a glance, 8.5 by 11
inches, standard letter size) 4.95 each
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOLIDAY INFORMATION:
Click here to visit the Belleview Biltmore's website
http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com and make a reservation to
stay there this holiday season or make a reservation for your
holiday office party there or New Year's Eve. Below is
important holiday info from the Belleview Biltmore Hotel's
Martin Smith, V.P. and Managing Manager:
Brunch with Santa - ONLY TWO DATES LEFT: DECEMBER 10TH & 17TH
Enjoy an enchanting Sunday brunch at the Belleview Biltmore's in-house restaurant the Palm Grill. Bring your camera because there will be a special guest. Old St. Nick will be present for children to share their hearts desire with. Make sure you bring a camera to take pictures of these special moments.
Brunch is served from 10:30 am until 2:00 pm
Adults: $21.95 - Children (12 and under): $12.95
ONLY TWO DATES LEFT: DECEMBER 10TH & 17TH
Reservations are strongly recommended
Call now: 727-373-3714
Traditional Holiday Buffet on Christmas Day
Join us for our annual holiday buffet on December 25th. The meal will be a magnificent buffet with three carving stations including Honey Baked Ham, Carved Slow-Roasted Turkey & Slow Roasted Prime Rib. There will also be an ice glow station, salad station, imported and domestic cheeses plus a hot display featuring Executive Chef Etienne Jehl's Shrimp Bisque, stuffed pork loin, herb crusted stuffing with apples and much more.
Christmas Day, December 25
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
First seating at 11am, last seating at 3pm.
Seating on the hour
Adult: $39.95 - Children (under 12) $17.95
Prices include Tax & Gratuity
Children under 3 will receive a complimentary meal
We hope to see you at the Belleview Biltmore for our holiday celebration! While your here don't forget to pick up one of Pastry Chef Nomeda Baronas award winning Gingerbread houses for $25 available at the hotel.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Help us to continue to Save the Biltmore by shopping online and
make your holiday gifts a pleasure to buy! You may also make
your purchases via check, the address is on the online store.
Again my wishes to everyone for a happy holiday season and thank
you for your support.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, a nonprofit
organization
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Enclosures: Four jpgs from our online store If your email did
not received these jpgs click here to view them:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
Dear Save the Biltmore Supporter, News Media and Other:
SAVE THE BILTMORE HOTEL NEWS:
Since my last Save the Biltmore Update, there has been NO new news
to report on any important Biltmore developments in regards to its
sale or demolition. The hotel owner was granted by Belleair
officials an INDEFINITE CONTINUANCE on their demolition and
redevelopment permit application for the Biltmore. We are hoping
that the hotel owner will soon sell the hotel so the Biltmore may be
saved forever.
THE "CHARM OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL"
Look no more for a wonderful Christmas, holiday or birthday gift!
Click on the link
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm to see
our beautiful charm available to all now for months.
The charm of the Belleview Biltmore hotel is preserved for you forever in sterling silver, gold over sterling or 14 karat gold or 14 karat rose gold.
Add this wonderful gold or silver charm to your charm bracelet or wear it on a chain or cord as a pendant. This beautiful and stunning Belleview Biltmore Hotel charm is perfect to give as a gift any time of the year and especially now this holiday season. KK Smith, Clearwater’s jeweler for over 50 years is painstakingly custom-creating each piece and is donating a portion of each of our online sales to our preservation efforts for the hotel. Enjoy being part of saving the Biltmore forever by owning this delightful charm.
Sterling silver: $ 75.00
Gold over sterling: $ 100.00
14 Karat Gold: $ 400.00
14 Karat Rose Gold $ 450.00
NEWS MEDIA ARTICLES ON THE CHARM:
To read articles on the story of our Biltmore jewelry charm, click
any of these links below. We thank these news media for their great
coverage of the charm.
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/070606_bee-03.txt Belleair Bee newspaper
http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20060622/charm.html Clearwater Gazette newspaper
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=33528 Tampa Bay 10 News TV
CABANA CLUB OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL:
The Cabana Club Restaurant is over on Sand Key, overlooking the Gulf
of Mexico. It is part of the Biltmore Hotel (Clearwater, Florida)
For fabulous dining and spectacular sunset dining be sure to visit
there soon. They opened up the Cabana Bar, the first and only bar on
Sand Key, on November 1, 2006. The bar area is on the upper
terrace, and there is free parking and complimentary shuttle
transportation through Sand Key. Live entertainment will be
scheduled every day. The Sunset Grill is located at 1590 Gulf
Boulevard, (between mile markers 20 & 21). For more information call
the Cabana Grill & Bar at 727-595-1807. Thanks to Barbara Arnold
Walters, director on our nonprofit organization, for sending me this
info.
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL'S WEB SITE:
Click here to visit the Belleview Biltmore's website
http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com and make a reservation to stay
there this holiday season or make a reservation for your holiday
office party there or New Year's Eve.
OTHER HISTORIC PRESERVATION NEWS: DUNEDIN, FLORIDA
In last week's St. Petersburg Times newspaper, there was an article
about the historic Fenway Hotel in Dunedin and how the commissioners
voted 4-1 to continue to save it. This is wonderful news for our
local community and for historic hotel preservation. Here is the
link for the full story:
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/11/18/Northpinellas/Lawyer_allowed_to_res.shtml
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
It is holiday time of the year, such a special time for many of us.
I wish everyone a joyous holiday season for you, your family and
friends. Help celebrate the holiday by ordering the charm of the
Biltmore and spreading the word that the Belleview Biltmore Hotel is
a priceless historic icon.
In saving the Biltmore we are not just saving a hotel, we are saving history!
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, a nonprofit
organization
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Save the Biltmore Hotel Update, Thursday, June 8, 2006
Dear Belleview Biltmore Hotel Supporter, News Media and Others,
"CHARM OF THE BELLEVIEW"
Surprise and Great News!!! The charm of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel is
being “preserved for you forever” in sterling silver, gold over sterling
or 14 karat gold. And, you may order your charm online at the Save the
Biltmore web site at: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
KK SMITH, Clearwater’s jeweler for over 50 years, is painstakingly
custom-creating each piece and is donating a portion of each of our
online sales to our preservation efforts.
Add one of these custom-made charms to your charm bracelet or wear as a pendant. Also perfect to give as a gift any time of the year. Enjoy being part of saving the Biltmore forever by owning this delightful charm.
PLEASE NOTE: Since all charms are custom made to order, please allow 4 to 6 weeks delivery. The exact size of the charm is 1 and 1/8 inches.
Sterling silver: $ 75.00
Gold over sterling: $ 100.00
14 Karat Gold: $400.00
To view the PHOTO of Belleview Biltmore Hotel charm and orders yours
today click:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
Also at our online store is the Belleview art of Tony Blue so be sure to look at his work too.
THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL FEATURED IN MEN'S JOURNAL:
This information is from Biltmore supporter Linda Helm: "The Biltmore
was mentioned as being a place to stay "to embrace old Florida at the
19th century Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa". This was in an article
about America's best beaches-- it was in the part about Clearwater
Beach. The magazine is Men's Journal (July 2006). It is a quality
magazine." Thank you Linda for this info.
BELLEAIR TOWN MEETING JUNE 20, 2006
At the town meeting coming up in Belleair, June 20, at 7:30 p.m., there
may be more continuing discussions on the Evaluation and Appraisal
Report (EAR) for the Belleair Comprehensive Plan. Donna Carlen,
Belleair town clerk, told us this morning that no final decision will be
made that evening as reported previously in Belleair's memo dated June
2. PLEASE ATTEND ON JUNE 20TH, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING!
SPREAD THE WORD for everyone to come to this meeting and all meetings
involved discussing the Comprehensive Plan! Remember that the
Comprehensive Plan is instrumental in saving the Belleview Biltmore
Hotel so it is extremely important that the community be involved in
this important document in regards to saving the hotel and its historic
golf course. It is extremely important that NO changes be made to the
Comprehensive Plan to the detriment of the preservation of the Biltmore
and its historic golf course.
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL NEWS:
Since my last Save the Biltmore Update, there has been no new news to
report on any important Biltmore developments in regards to its sale or
demolition. In my last Save the Biltmore Update I reported the hotel
owner has been granted an INDEFINITE CONTINUANCE on their demolition and
redevelopment permit application for the Biltmore. We are hoping that
the hotel owner will soon sell the hotel so the Biltmore may be saved
forever.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
What is more charming than the Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Belleair,
Florida! It's Victorian style, heritage, history and charm are
captivating. One way to enjoy this charm is by taking a vacation at the
Belleview Biltmore Hotel this summer or spend a weekend at the hotel.
Book your reservation at
http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com. Visit the Cabana Club which is
part of the Biltmore over on Sand Key. This restaurant serves excellent
food with a beautiful view overlooking the water. Catch a glorious
Florida sunset while you dine there. Be sure to take the
Biltmore's morning historical tour. I recently met a man from Tampa who
took his wife for a romantic get away weekend, and they loved their time
there. Be part of the fun!
And of course another wonderful way to enjoy the hotel's charm and be part of helping to save it is by owning and wearing the new "Charm of the Belleview". Spread the word about the Biltmore and its charm! Click now and order yours today at http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
A nonprofit organization
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
Addendum to the Save the Biltmore Update, June 8, 2006
Dear Belleview Biltmore Hotel Supporter, News Media and Others,
Please note contrary to what was recently sent by me today, there will be NO discussions about the EAR at the June 20th meeting in Belleair. I received this email from Belleair town clerk Donna Carlen in response to my Save the Biltmore Update I just sent:
"Just wanted to let you know that there will not be discussions regarding the EAR at the June 20th meeting.'
I encourage citizens in our community to attend this meeting anyway and let your voice be heard that you want a strong Comprehensive Plan to continue in Belleair in regards to the Biltmore and its historic golf course. We need community support, the battle is still ongoing, and if you wish to see this hotel stand forever, make your voice heard at the June 20 th meeting and in future Belleair meetings. Citizens may make comments for three minutes at Belleair meetings. Stand up and be heard!
For those who live in Belleair and the greater Tampa Bay area, PLEASE PLEASE email this Update to everyone you know and tell your friends and neighbors to attend this meeting, express their views to ENSURE a STRONG Comprehensive Plan. There still may be further workshop dates on rewriting the Comprehensive Plan, no dates available as of yet. If you want this legal entity to continue to stand as is, then tell your neighbors to attend this meeting with you and start speaking up that you want a STRONGLY worded Comprehensive Plan for the Biltmore and the golf course!
It's up to you.
Now be sure to click and order your "Charm of the Belleview" today!
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreStore.htm
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
A nonprofit organization
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
February 15, 2006
Dear Save the Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others:
This coming Tuesday is a regular Belleair Town Commission Meeting so please
attend and speak on behalf of saving the Biltmore!
BELLEAIR TOWN COMMISSION MEETING - Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Belleair, FL 33756
Topic of Discussion: The topic of Saving the Biltmore may be brought up by
anyone.
RECENT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Below are the most recent news articles regarding the Belleview Biltmore
Hotel and Belleair issues.
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/011906_bee-02.txt Belleair
Bee January 19, 2006
Click on link for full article)
Time on their side
Biltmore gets indefinite extension
By BRITTANY FENSKE
BELLEAIR – After some debate at its Jan. 17 meeting, the Town Commission
agreed unanimously to grant Urdang and Associates, the owners of Belleview
Biltmore Resort and Spa, an indefinite extension to apply for major
development.
Commissioner Gary Katica said that he had contacted Town Attorney Nancy
Stroud and asked what her opinion was on the commission granting the
continuance.
She replied that the commission should grant the extension for two reasons.
“They have something cooking on the project and if we grant them the
extension it prevents them from filing a lawsuit,” she said.
The commission granted the indefinite extension, but with a follow-up from
the town staff on what appropriate decision to make.
Town Attorney David Ottinger suggested that the commission grant Urdang a
one-month extension and then place the application review back on the
agenda.
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/020906_bee-03.txt Belleair Bee
February 9, 2006
Click on link for full article
Belleair's comprehensive plan under evaluation
By BRITTANY FENSKE
BELLEAIR – Gail Easley, a planning and growth management specialist, made a
presentation at Tuesday’s Town Commission meeting on what the town must do
to complete the evaluation and appraisal report of its comprehensive plan.
Town Manager Steve Cottrell with the advice of the commission, constructed a
list of five issues that he would like to be updated and amended in the
comprehensive plan.
The first issue identified by the town is historic preservation, which
includes potential redevelopment of the Belleview Biltmore properties and
associated future land use.
The evaluation is expected to be completed by late spring.
http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20060209/belleair.html February 9,
2006 Clearwater Gazette
Click on link for full article
Cottrell Tells Belleair Commission Of County Demand For Shelters
By Renee Burrell
BELLEAIR – During the town’s work session Tuesday, Steve Cottrell, the town
manager, outlined what Pinellas emergency planners are asking the cities to
do in response to the county's serious shortage of emergency public
shelters.
Addressing the commission about any changes to the comprehensive plan that
may allow for increased density and the impacts thereof, Barbara Walters
Arnold of Clearwater and a member of Save the Biltmore Preservationists
asked if the number of area hospital beds will be factored in when studying
the impacts of redevelopment.
Arnold related two incidents which revealed what appears to be presently a
possible shortage of hospital beds in the area. Arnold said her mother
needed care on a weekday last October and paramedics advised that Morton
Plant and Largo Med were full to capacity.
Arnold recalled her elderly neighbor’s more recent experience when in need
of emergency treatment and hospitalization. The neighbor was also told by
paramedics that Morton Plant was full and if brought there, would have to
expect to wait.
Mayor George Mariani pointed out that the number of hospitals per the
population is something for the state to evaluate.
Arnold asked, “If Belleair builds out and increases density, wouldn’t that
be a matter for Belleair to think about with regards to their residents?”
Mariani answered, “I think our goal is to prevent more build out.”
After the meeting Mariani furthered that position. He said, “I think the
town’s density is right just the way it is.”
OTHER PRESERVATION NEWS
There is great historical preservation news for Largo and Pinellas
County! See articles below.
http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/largo_leader/content_articles/020906_lle-02.txt
Click on link for full article
Largo Leader February 9, 2006
City takes next step in downtown renewal
By DAVE SHELTON
LARGO – The city took another step toward renewal of its downtown area at
its Feb. 7 commission meeting. The City Commission authorized the $775,000
purchase of the historic Hotel Largo.
The 104-year-old landmark has spent years deteriorating after once being a
luxury hotel constructed next to the city’s busiest highway and arterial
railway which raced local fruit to market.
Now it’s a low-cost hotel, whose condition has detracted from the millions
of dollars already spent in the planned downtown renewal, according to Mayor
Bob Jackson. He said the next step will be city acquisition of another
rundown building next to Hotel Largo, the Johnson Building, once known as
the Pinellas Hotel.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/986168111.html?MAC=b8b9565e7bda497fbb8544b8929051e1&did=986168111&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=Feb+12%2C+2006&author=LORRI+HELFAND&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Largo+to+buy+a+piece+of+its+history
Largo to buy a piece of its history; [STATE Edition] (click above link for
full article)
LORRI HELFAND. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Fla.: Feb 12, 2006. pg.
8
The city is moving forward with its plan to buy the historic Largo Hotel,
hoping to turn the city's old hub into its new one.
"The significance of that corner is substantial," said City Manager Steve
Stanton. "That corner was downtown Largo years ago."
Almost a century ago, the corner of West Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard
was bustling with activity with a train depot, shops and the Largo Hotel.
The hotel was built in 1908 and was once called Hotel Largo. It was built by
the owner of Largo's original feed store: F.M. Campbell.
City commissioners agreed last week to buy the hotel for $775,000, which is
$25,000 more than the city's appraisal. Owner Ronald Steiger, who could not
be reached for comment, had asked $850,000 for the property, which is
actually two parcels at 65 and 69 First Street SW. A July 31 closing is
expected.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Awhile back I was visiting and photographing the beautiful Belleview
Biltmore Hotel in charming Belleair. One of my photographs from that day is
on the top main page of my web site
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. I was standing in the vicinity of
the south wing, and there was a woman hotel guest on the third floor of the
hotel. She had the window open and was looking towards the infamous east
wing. I asked her why she chose to visit the Biltmore versus staying on
Clearwater Beach since so many people book their vacations on the beach.
Then she simply stated that she came to the Biltmore specifically "for the
historical experience."
So there you have it readers, this is one extremely important reason people
come to the Biltmore, to enjoy the richness of the Victorian age and feel
its glorious past both in their hotel room and in the public areas.
One question that often comes up is the rights of a property owner. Do
they have all rights to do with whatever they want with a building or land?
To me the answer is yes, but no. The current hotel owner, who has taken out
a redevelopment and demolition permit application to destroy the
Biltmore, KNEW they were buying a historical hotel years ago!
The Biltmore was on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places at
that time! And now the Belleview Biltmore is also on the prestigious
National Trust list of historical places. In my opinion, it is the hotel
owner's duty and obligation to save the hotel or sell to a
preservation-minded buyer. So it is time for the hotel owner to sell the
Biltmore to someone who will save this historical experience for thousands
of future guests who wish to enjoy and cherish our wonderful past.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
http://www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
URGENT--THERE IS NO FINAL REVIEW OF THE BILTMORE DEMOLITION THIS TUESDAY! MORE INFO BELOW.
Show your support and attend all these meetings. Numbers count!
BELLEAIR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING
January 9, 2006, Monday
Time: 5:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Belleair, Florida
BELLEAIR COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Time: 7:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Belleair, Florida
Belleview Biltmore Hotel Update, Monday October 24, 2005
Belleview
Biltmore Hotel Update Wednesday September 21, 2005
Dear Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others,
Matters are changing rapidly minute by minute with the status of the Biltmore Hotel so to keep abreast of all the current information click "Today's Alert" on my web site www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. I keep the current newspaper articles posted on there.
This was just in today's St. Petersburg Times this morning so I want to share with you the new information since my Biltmore Update just very late last night!!
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/21/Northpinellas/DeBartolo_backs_off__.shtml
DeBartolo backs off, won't buy Biltmore
A Belleair commissioner said the company was reacting
to public opposition. But the prospect of demolition still haunts the landmark.
By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELLEAIR - DeBartolo Development has withdrawn its bid to buy the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, the company that manages the hotel properties confirmed Tuesday.
"The DeBartolo deal has expired and we are in negotiations with Rory (Hiller) and various others," said Urdang & Associates' chief investment officer, Vincent Sanfilippo.
While DeBartolo's withdrawal may spell a temporary reprieve for the 108-year-old hotel, the landmark still faces the prospect of being torn down.
"At this point in time, we intend to pursue a demolition permit," Sanfilippo said.
Urdang filed an application to raze the entire hotel in April and submitted additional application materials this month.
Sanfilippo previously told the town's historic preservation board that the property was an "under-performing asset" and a demolition permit would maximize development possibilities for potential buyers.
Hiller and his team, the Hiller Group, have made a $40-million offer on the Biltmore and plan to preserve both the hotel and its 136-acre golf course.
Town Commissioner Gary Katica said DeBartolo reacted to the public opposition to its plan.
DeBartolo presented its vision to save just part of the Biltmore and build 367 homes on the hotel's golf course at a town meeting last Thursday, the day before its contract expired.
"The simple explanation is that the people of Belleair spoke in a public forum, and they're no dummies, the DeBartolo group," Katica said.
DeBartolo Development's president, Ed Kobel, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Town Manager Steve Cottrell would not comment on the status of Urdang's application for a demolition permit, but two commissioners, Katica and Bonnie Ruggles, said Tuesday that Cottrell told them that Urdang's application was still incomplete.
Sanfilippo would not specify which parties, besides Hiller, are negotiating with his Pennsylvania-based pension-fund management company. He added that he did not know what the various parties' intentions for the resort were.
"We are in various stages of negotiations with various parties," Sanfilippo said. "Some are further along than others."
A letter faxed to Town Hall in July reveals that at least one other company, Marcus Hotels, is interested in the purchasing and preserving the Biltmore. J. David Merritt, senior vice president of development for Marcus Hotels & Resorts, wrote Scott Urdang, president of Urdang & Associates, to tell him that Marcus would like to discuss the project further if the proposed buyer is "unable to perform."
Meanwhile, the town is looking into adopting a historic
preservation ordinance that could better protect structures like the Biltmore.
The first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 4.
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING---TONIGHT!!
September 21, 2005, Wednesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida 33756-1034
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
Please voice your opinion that the preservation ordinance
draft written by Nancy Stroud needs to be strengthened. More power
must be given to the historic preservation board in Belleair so the inside
of the Biltmore is protected against extensive remodeling!!
We need your support, please attend! Also please voice your
opinion that you wish the entire Belleview Biltmore Hotel is saved: the
east, west, north and south wings including the original hotel rooms!
We do NOT want hotel/condo rooms in there!
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
This will preserve the historical relevancy of this
Victorian hotel and its beauty.
NOTE: This web site is AGAINST any or all demolition
of the Biltmore and AGAINST any condo or condo/hotel development by other
developers as has been reported in the news media!!
Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&formtype=address&searchtype=address&cat=&address=901%20Ponce%20De%20Leon%20Blvd&city=Belleair&state=FL&zipcode=33756%2d1034&searchtab=home
YARD SIGNS:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreYardSign.htm
Help us spread the word across Florida and pick up
a save the Biltmore yard sign. And pick one up for your neighbor too!
We only ask for a $10 donation to pay for the cost of the sign.
FREE FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY WITH EVERY $25 DONATION!
To help save the Biltmore and spread the word and
continue the fight to preserve the outside and inside of the Biltmore historically,
donate just $25 and receive a FREE signed 8 by 10 inch fine art nature
or still life photograph. You can donate right online now! Donate
$50 and receive two free 8 by 10 inch fine art prints. $75 and receive
three 8 by 10 inch fine art prints. If you would like your FREE signed,
fine art print matted and framed, just donate $55. I am donating 100% of
the proceeds from my collection of fine art photography to our nonprofit
Save the Biltmore fund. See http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreFREEphoto.htm
for beautiful fine art photographs from which to choose from!
REMINDER! SAVE THE BILTMORE MEETING THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER
25 AT 6:30 P.M.!
We are holding a Save the Biltmore meeting this coming
Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Clearwater. We will be discussing fund raising
ideas and how to gather ideas to STOP CONDO/HOTEL development in the Biltmore!
Please note this meeting is only for people who are AGAINST putting condo/hotel
units in the Biltmore north and south wings! Our nonprofit group
Save the Biltmore Preservationists is working towards preserving not only
the outside of the Biltmore but also the inside guest rooms so they are
historically correct! Email Me for location
of meeting and directions.
If you want to join our group, come to our Sunday meeting and help us. We will work to find ways to ensure that the magnificent "White Queen of the Gulf" maintains its Victorian charm and appeal both inside and out, not only for today but for 100 years from now.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
A Nonprofit Organization
Dear Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others:
SAVE THE BILTMORE MEETING THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
AT 6:30 P.M.!
We are holding a Save the Biltmore meeting this coming
Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Clearwater. We will be discussing fund raising
ideas and how to gather ideas to STOP CONDO/HOTEL development in the Biltmore!
Please note this meeting is only for people who are AGAINST putting condo/hotel
units in the Biltmore north and south wings! Our nonprofit group
Save the Biltmore Preservationists is working towards preserving not only
the outside of the Biltmore but also the inside guest rooms so they are
historically correct! Email Me for
location of meeting and directions.
DEBARTOLO DEVELOPMENT HAS BACKED OFF FROM BUYING THE
BILTMORE!
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/20/Northpinellas/Biltmore_deal_near_co.shtml
Biltmore deal near collapse, rival group says
By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published September 20, 2005
"DeBartolo is abandoning a plan to buy and redevelop
the historic resort property, says a rival bidder's leader. Rory Hiller,
a local real estate consultant recruited by a group that wants to save
the hotel, said he was contacted Friday by Pennsylvania-based Urdang &
Associates, which manages the hotel property for owner Belleview Biltmore
Resort Ltd. Urdang's chief investment officer, Vincent Sanfilippo, told
him DeBartolo Development had decided to walk away from the deal, Hiller
said. The group wants to preserve the entire hotel, converting rooms in
the older, east-west portion into 83 high-end resort units, and rooms in
the north and south wings into 425 condo-hotel units. Those units would
be sold to individual owners and rented for part of the year as hotel rooms."
READERS: We here at Save the Biltmore Preservationists are pleased that DeBartolo has backed off because their most recent plan was to demolish the north and south wings as of their presentation to Belleair last week. They backed off due to public pressure and lack of support by the town officials for their plans. My www.SaveTheBiltmore.com web site has worked tirelessly to stop the total demolition of the Biltmore since April of this year, 2005. I actually put up this web site in December, 2004, when I first heard the Biltmore was to be demolished. I want to thank Biltmore supporters and Belleair citizens who attended town meetings and or wrote letters to help save the Biltmore over the past few months. However, my web site is AGAINST putting hotel/condo units as being proposed by Rory Hiller who now is next in line to buy the Biltmore! What has happened is that one developer has backed off, and another developer has signed on to make millions of dollars with his condo/hotel units built inside the Biltmore north and south wings to be bought by investors.
Our group is for historical PRESERVATION OF THE BILTMORE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT! The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables/Miami, Florida is run as a successful hotel which has been extensively preserved through the efforts of a strong preservation ordinance giving many decisions to their historic preservation board. The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida does NOT have high-end condo/hotel units in their historic hotel!!! We need a strong preservation ordinance in Belleair like they have in Coral Gables/Miami for their historic Biltmore Hotel. The historic Victorian Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island is run successfully with NO condo/hotel units! The Victorian Hotel del Coronado Hotel in San Diego is successfully run with NO condo/hotel units!
Speak out at Wednesday night meeting, September 21,
in Belleair at 7:30 p.m. that the preservation ordinance needs to give
more power to the historic preservation board. We must stop extensive
remodeling to the Biltmore and we must continue to push for historic PRESERVATION
of the INSIDE of the magnificent historic Biltmore! Our Save the
Biltmore Preservationists are going to be there on a long term basis to
educate, influence, and inspire the community regarding the responsibilities
and sensitivities involved with its preservation. This web site has contacted
and sent the St. Petersburg Times news article from today, Tuesday, September
20, to Marcus Hotels and Resorts and the philanthropic trust fund organization
for them to contact Urdang to try to purchase the hotel since DeBartolo
has backed off.
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
September 21, 2005, Wednesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida 33756-1034
The topic of saving the Belleview Biltmore may be
brought up by anyone. Voice your opinion that the Belleair historical preservation
board needs to have more power in making decisions on the preservation
of the Biltmore! http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adpsearchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=901+Ponce+de
PINELLAS COUNTY HISTORIC TASK FORCE MEETING:
The Pinellas County Historic Task force was recently
formed because of the Biltmore needing to be saved. The
article about their first meeting was printed September 2, 2005 in TBN
Weekly.
"County board gears up to protect Pinellas history
The Historic Preservation Task Force hopes to require
developers to consider the historical significance of any buildings they
want to raze.
By LESTER R. DAILEY
PINELLAS COUNTY – The county’s new Historic Preservation
Task Force met for the first time on Aug. 24 in Clearwater."
To read the full article by TBN Weekly click:
http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/090205_pco-03.txt
PHOTO AND ARTICLE OF THIS www.SavetheBiltmore.com
WEB SITE'S EFFORTS!
See photo of this web site's efforts to save the Biltmore
in TBN Weekly at: http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/090805_bee-03.txt
Article By CHARY SOUTHMAYD, editor of the Belleair
Bee
"David Swoap, who recently moved to the area, joins
Alice Walters, a Clearwater resident since 1959, as she takes her Save
the Biltmore message to visitors at Largo’s Taylor Park. For more information
on how to get involved with Save the Biltmore Preservationists, visit www.SaveTheBiltmore.com"
COUNTY COMMISSIONER RONNIE DUNCAN'S EMAIL TO ME:
I wrote Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan
an email in August. I had hoped the new Pinellas County Task Force
which Mr. Duncan helped create would write a letter to Belleair town officials
to endorse passing a preservation ordinance in Belleair being that the
Task Force was created in response to the possible demolition of the Biltmore.
See full St. Petersburg Times editorial on the creation of this Task Force.
This is Commissioner Duncan's reply to meAugust 10th:
"Thanks Diane for your response. As I mentioned in my earlier email, the first meeting of this Task Force is to occur later in the month. The agenda for this first Task Force meeting is focused on our mission, which is advisory to the Board of County Commissioners.
"I am not sure of how far we will get into our mission or agenda during this meeting.
"This Task Force serves as an advisory group to the Board of County Commissioners. They can make recommendations to the Board for their consideration. The Task Force's purpose is not to take positions on any projects at this point in time.
"Thank you for your continued interest in this Property."
Ronnie Duncan
rduncan@pinellascounty.org
A THANK YOU TO WUSF FOR THEIR INTERVIEW WITH US:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wusf/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=815766
Radio interview from our public broadcasting station: Steve Newborn from
WUSF with our Save the Biltmore Preservationist vice president, Ed Jameson.
September 7, 2005
BILTMORE MEMORIES AND PHOTOS WANTED!
Biltmore supporter Renee Burrell is asking for people
for their Biltmore wedding or reception photos, personal memories of the
Biltmore, snapshots, stories etc. to put together a story for us. Please
send your information and photos to Email Me,
and I will transfer them to Renee. And a special thank you to Renee who
has been helping us so much as of late!
SAVE THE BILTMORE SUPPORT ALL THE WAY FROM FRANCE!
Here is an email I posted to the Message Board, it
is direct from Vinca, France! And I thank them for writing us and for their
support.
"My wife and I have stayed at this amazing hotel several
times. Our European friends are always awed and delighted that such a magnificent
building in the USA is still in use and still delightful. We all love the
restaurants, decor and gentility of this unique part of Floridian history.
What does Jeb Bush (or Carl Hiaassen) think about the plans to destroy
this piece of American history? Would he allow the demolition of the Art
Deco parts of Miami? Will the French Quarter of New Orleans become a part
of history. The Biltmore is in the same league." Richard Hamill,
Vinca, France
FREE FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY WITH EVERY $25 DONATION!
To help save the Biltmore and spread the word and
continue the fight to preserve the inside of the Biltmore historically,
donate just $25 and receive a FREE signed 8 by 10 inch fine art nature
or still life photograph. You can donate right online now! Donate
$50 and receive two free 8 by 10 inch fine art prints. $75 and receive
three 8 by 10 inch fine art prints. If you would like your FREE signed,
fine art print matted and framed, just donate $55. I am donating 100% of
the proceeds from my fine art photography to our nonprofit Save the Biltmore
fund. See http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreFREEphoto.htm
for beautiful fine art photographs from which to choose from!
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
I opened my web site, www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
back in December, 2004 when I first heard that DeBartolo wanted to demolish
the Biltmore. It has been a long haul to say the least to fight to save
the Biltmore! And yes the demolition has been stopped, and all four
wings of the Biltmore have been saved!! I take great pleasure in
this and great pleasure that my Save the Biltmore web site was instrumental
right from the very start in saving the Biltmore by getting people together
to win the battle!And I thank the St. Petersburg Times for mentioning my
web site back in April that started this ball rolling. And I thank my nonprofit
directors, Ed Jameson, Doug Mann and Barbara Arnold for all their wonderful
work and support since we formed Save the Biltmore Preservationists. But
we need more help to preserve the Biltmore's historical authenticity in
the future since Rory Hiller has plans to put condo/hotel units in the
north and south wings which our Save the Biltmore nonprofit group is adamantly
against!
If you want to join our group, come to our Sunday meeting and help us. We will work to find ways to ensure that the magnificent "White Queen of the Gulf" maintains its Victorian charm and appeal both inside and out, not only for today but for 100 years from now.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists
A Nonprofit Organization
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL UPDATE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
Dear Belleview Biltmore Supporters, News Media and
Others,
URGENT NOTICE: BELLEAIR MEETING NEXT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7!!! PLEASE ATTEND!
BELLEAIR - SPECIAL MEETING - PRESERVATION ATTORNEY
NANCY STROUD ATTENDING
September 7, 2005 Wednesday
Time: 5:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - Preservation attorney, Nancy
Stroud, will be presenting her draft of the Preservation Ordinance that
will help save the Biltmore forever.
We URGENTLY need your support that the town of Belleair
will continue to push forward with a STRONG preservation ordinance.
PLEASE ATTEND!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings
INCLUDING the hotel guest rooms AND that you want a STRONG Preservation
Ordinance to be written and passed! This will preserve the historical relevancy
of the hotel and its beauty. This is very important for everyone
to do this at this meeting!
Map:
GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? !
"After months of speculation, DeBartolo Development
representatives will make a presentation to the Town Commission on Wednesday,
Sept. 7, on what they have in mind for the Belleview Biltmore Resort and
Spa. Cottrell said Peek told him the DeBartolo group will “present
an overview of their vision for the Belleview Biltmore hotel and other
properties.” Cottrell added that Peek “implied that all of the hotel is
not salvageable, but some of it may be. “I got a call a week or so ago
from Skipper Peek with DeBartolo,” said Town Manager Steve Cottrell. “He
wanted to set up a time to meeting behind closed doors with the commissioners.
I told him you can’t do that in the state of Florida.”
Chary Southmayd, Editor of the Belleair Bee
To read the full article click: http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/090105_bee-03.txt
"After 10 months of public silence, DeBartolo Development
is poised to reveal its vision for the Belleview Biltmore for the first
time next week. While DeBartolo has said little, many have feared
the company plans to raze the resort, especially since the company's previous
partners had announced plans last year to do just that. So far, the few
clues that have emerged about DeBartolo's intentions hint at the possibility
of hundreds of townhomes and a town center on the bluff or the golf course.
Neither Peek nor Kobel returned calls regarding their plans for the hotel.
There's mixed evidence about whether DeBartolo wants to spare elements
of the Biltmore."
Lorri Helfand, reporter for the St. Petersburg Times
To read the full article click: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/31/Northpinellas/Developer_to_reveal_p.shtml
REPEAT: URGENT!
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for everyone in the community
to attend next week's meeting in Belleair, Wednesday, September 7 at 5:30
p.m. and voice your opinion to the Town Council and Mayor Mariani that
you want a STRONG Preservation Ordinance passed to save the Biltmore FOREVER.
FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR TOWN MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend town meetings
or if you live out of town, just send your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to the town
council and Mayor of Belleair. A sample is below. Ask them to continue
to push forward that a STRONG preservation ordinance be passed NEXT WEDNESDAY,
September 7 to forever preserve the Biltmore. This way they will
know where you stand! Anyone may send an email to Belleair:
Biltmore friends, public officials, preservation organizations, out of
towners and the news media. So please send a ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to
have a STRONG preservation ordinance passed and to save all four historical
wings of this hotel! Of course even if you attend the meetings, feel
free to email the town of Belleair your opinion. If you have written an
email to Town Officials, NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND ANOTHER ONE! Through
my www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
web site, we have found two preservation-minded buyers who are interested
in preserving the Biltmore, a philanthropic investment trust fund and Marcus
Hotels and Resorts. Help us help save the Biltmore!
SAMPLE ONE-MINUTE EMAIL
Here is a sample ONE-MINUTE email you can simply copy
and send to the town of Belleair or write your own.
Dear Mayor Mariani and Belleair Commissioners:
The Belleview Biltmore Hotel must be preserved in its entirety including all hotel guest rooms. It MUST remain as a true and real hotel to ensure its historical relevancy and beauty in Belleair. We urge you to have a STRONG preservation ordinance passed Wednesday, September 7 in order that this magnificent hotel in your town is saved forever. This Victorian hotel is an American and architectural treasure so important to your history, to the history of our lovely State of Florida and to our country. The National Trust has placed the Biltmore on its list of historic places to be saved so they recognize the importance of this wonderful hotel. A STRONG preservation ordinance will ensure that the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel will stay as a true hotel in the future. By saving ALL 400-guest rooms and ALL the wings, the hotel will increase in value as time passes. As a result, the Biltmore will stand as one of the greatest TRUE Victorian hotels in the WORLD that Belleair took the time to save in its entirety! Then and only then will Belleair and America continue to enjoy the hotel's Victorian history and heritage for my generation and generations to come.
We are counting on you. Thank you.
The Town of Belleair email addresses for your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL campaign are:
gemarianijr@cs.com,
fowlerarch@aol.com, gmkatica@highstream.net,
tshelly@tampabay.rr.com,
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com,
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com,
bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Tom Shelly, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town
Manager) Finance
Feel free to send me a copy of your email to the town
of Belleair at email me.
Diane Hein. I always enjoy knowing our supporters
better.
SIGN WAVERS NEEDED!
We need sign wavers this coming Saturday morning,
September 3, on Clearwater Beach area to help save the Biltmore!
If you are interested in participating, email me.
Our Save the Biltmore Preservationist Director, Barbara Arnold, will be
heading up the sign waving. Tom Merrifield has offered to fly a WWW.SAVETHEBILTMORE.COM
banner over Clearwater Beach this coming Saturday morning so we all thank
him for his generous offer!
FLORIDA COLLECTIBLES AND VINTAGE MEMORABILIA SHOW
Sunday, October 30, 2005 from 10:00 am to 6:00 PM
in the Tiffany Ballroom, Belleview Biltmore Hotel. Sponsored by Hula Hula
Productions Inc., and Biltmore supporter, Annette Vedsegaard-Ross.
Mark your calendar to attend this fun event at the Biltmore!
BILTMORE MEMORIES AND PHOTOS WANTED!
Biltmore supporter Renee Burrell is asking for people
for their Biltmore wedding or reception photos, personal memories
of the Biltmore, snapshots, stories etc. to put together a story for us.
Please send your information and photos to Email
and I will transfer them to Renee.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Next Wednesday September 7: an absolutely CRITICAL
day for the future of the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel. What
path lies ahead for the "White Queen of the Gulf?" She still
rises high in Belleair. She was critical to the history and development
of Pinellas County. She helped us in World War II. She is beloved
by people all over the country who have written me. 400 citizens
in Belleair signed petitions to stop condo development there. And
yet she is still not secure!
SECURE the Biltmore's future. Attend next week's meeting, speak up and out...SAVE HER FOREVER!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
President, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, Inc.
A nonprofit organization
Belleview Biltmore Hotel Update, Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Dear Belleview Biltmore Hotel Supporters, News Media
and Others,
GREAT NEWS!! WE HAVE TWO PRESERVATION MINDED BUYERS FOR THE BILTMORE!
I recently posted this information on my save the
Biltmore web site: Through the efforts of this web site www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
and our new nonprofit organization of five people, Save the Biltmore Preservationists,
Inc., we have found TWO preservation-minded buyers for the Belleview Biltmore
Hotel. One buyer is a hotel, Marcus Hotels and Resorts, and the other
is an investment trust fund with philanthropic money available to purchase
the Biltmore. Marcus Hotels and Resorts have purchased other
historic hotels and have successfully marketed and restored them.
This is GREAT news for the Biltmore and the public that we have found these
two buyers! We hope that discussions with the current Biltmore hotel
owner, Urdang and Associates will prove fruitful in a successful purchase
with them and one of these preservation-minded buyers.
BELLEAIR BEE ARTICLE AUGUST 3, 2005Town
Commission talks preservation:
"BELLEAIR – Attorney Nancy Stroud has presented the
Town Commission with criteria that are necessary when writing a historic
preservation ordinance that could potentially save the Belleview Biltmore
Resort and Spa from demolition. Stroud will be back for the Tuesday, Sept.
6 meeting with a draft of the historic preservation ordinance." (To
read full article click: http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/080305_bee-03.txt FOR
THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR TOWN
MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend town meetings
or if you live out of town, just send your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to the town
council and Mayor of Belleair. A sample is below. Ask them to continue
to push forward that a STRONG preservation ordinance be written as soon
as possible to forever preserve the Biltmore. This way they will
know where you stand! Anyone may send an email to Belleair:
Biltmore friends, public officials, preservation organizations, out of
towners and the news media. So please send a ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to
have the preservation ordinance written immediately and to save all four
historical wings of this hotel! Of course even if you attend the
meetings, feel free to email the town of Belleair your opinion.
SAMPLE
ONE-MINUTE EMAIL
Here is a sample ONE-MINUTE email you can simply copy
and send to the town of Belleair or write your own. Dear
Mayor Mariani and Belleair Commissioners: The
Belleview Biltmore Hotel must be preserved in its entirety including all
hotel guest rooms. It MUST remain as a true hotel to ensure its historical
relevancy and beauty in Belleair. We urge you to have a STRONG preservation
ordinance written and passed as soon as possible in order that this magnificent
hotel in your town is saved forever. This Victorian hotel is an American
and architectural treasure so important to your history, to the history
of our lovely State of Florida and to our country. The National Trust
has placed the Biltmore on its list of historic places to be saved so they
recognize the importance of this wonderful hotel. A STRONG preservation
ordinance will ensure that the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel will
stay as a true hotel in the future. By saving ALL 400 guest rooms
and ALL the wings, the hotel will increase in value as time passes.
As a result, the Biltmore will stand as one of the greatest TRUE Victorian
hotels in the WORLD that Belleair took the time to save in its entirety!
Then and only then will Belleair and America continue to enjoy the hotel's
Victorian history and heritage for my generation and generations to come.
Your future town leaders will look back on you with pride. We
are counting on you. Thank you.
The Town of Belleair email addresses for your ONE-MINUTE
EMAIL campaign are: gemarianijr@cs.com,
fowlerarch@aol.com, gmkatica@highstream.net,
tshelly@tampabay.rr.com,
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com,
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com,
bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Tom Shelly, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town
Manager) Finance Feel free to send me
a copy of your email to the town of Belleair at Email
me.Diane Hein, President, Save the Biltmore
Preservationists, Inc. I always enjoy knowing our supporters better.
YARD SIGNS:http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreYardSign.htm
Help us spread the word across Florida and pick up
a save the Biltmore yard sign. And pick one up for your neighbor too!
We only ask for a $10 donation to pay for the cost of the sign.
MESSAGE FROM "ACROSS THE POND!"
Here is an email from Biltmore supporter David Radford
from as they say "across the pond" in England where PRESERVATION IS KING! "I
didn't realize that the Belleview Biltmore was the oldest used wooden structure!
If that was in England, it would be a listed building and no one would
be able to touch it. Any building of any historical value over here
gets a graded listing as to how important is. For example if something
is a grade 2 listed building - you may as well forget it! We even
put preservation orders on trees! The National Trust owns half of
England!!! All the major historical houses are owned by the National
Trust, and they own hundreds and hundreds of square mile of gardens and
forest and national conservation land. If National Trust owns a piece
of land, the chances of you getting building permission on it are remote!
Even local councils have areas they call "Green Belt" and if you own some
green belt land then you can't do anything with it apart from farm or keep
it as pasture land." David Radford As
a side note, the former King of England, (the Duke of Windsor) and England's
Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher have stayed at the Biltmore! So
let's take a lesson from our mother country:
LET'S SAVE THE BILTMORE WITH A STRONG PRESERVATION ORDINANCE IN BELLEAIR! SPEECHES TO THE TOWN COUNCIL TO SAVE THE BILTMORE!
A
special thank you to Ed Jameson, Doug Mann, Barbara A. Walters who are
on my new team and nonprofit organization, Save the Biltmore Preservationists,
Inc., who gave speeches at the town council meetings this month.
I and they support saving all four wings and ALL 400 guest rooms of the
Belleview Biltmore Hotel. Another thank you to Jeff Hannie who also
gave a speech last night and previously to support saving the four wings
and guest rooms.
RADIO INTERVIEWS TO SAVE THE BILTMORE!
I want to sincerely thank Jack Harris http://www.970wfla.com/jackharris.html
and Tedd Webb http://www.teddwebb.com/
both from 970 A.M. WFLA radio, Tampa Bay area for their interview with
our Secretary/Treasurer of Save the Biltmore Preservationists, Inc., Doug
Mann last week August 11.
I also want to thank Doug Guetzloe, from The Guetzloe Report www.guetzloe.com WAMT AM 1190, and Ax the Tax www.axthetax.org Orlando, Florida, for interviewing Doug Mann this morning August 17. To hear this interview with Doug Gutzeloe click: http://mbox.savethebiltmore.com/download_attachment.php/DOUG+INTERVIEW-GUETZLOE+REPORT.mp3?msguid=4495&partbody=2&partprop=2&fname=DOUG+INTERVIEW-GUETZLOE+REPORT.mp3&folder=Inbox It's wonderful to get support across the airways to save the Biltmore! If your radio station, TV, newspaper or magazine wants to interview us, please contact me at email me.
BILTMORE BUSINESS SUPPORT WEB PAGE:
I have started a separate web page to thank business supporters for their help in saving the Biltmore. If you help us save the Biltmore, either via the news media, flyers, posters, letters to the town council or interviews, I will be more than happy to let the public know of your Biltmore support on this page:http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreBusinessSupporters.htm
CLOSING
THOUGHTS
What lies ahead for the Biltmore? This magnificent
Victorian hotel is now 108 years young. An "aging" lady who has a
youthful spirit. She STILL continues to attract tourists from all over
America BECAUSE of her age! This great "White Queen of the Gulf"
still rises high on the bluffs of the lovely town of Belleair, Florida
with her commanding presence. Her future lies in having a STRONG
PRESERVATION ORDINANCE. Belleair leaders literally hold the life
of this precious lady in their hands. We hope they follow Great Britain's
outstanding example of preserving historical buildings.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein President,
Save the Biltmore Preservationists, Inc.
(A nonprofit organization) www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Dear Belleview Biltmore Hotel Supporters, News Media and Others,
Enclosed is the calendar of Belleair town meetings for the month of August 2005. Please note that there is a special workshop meeting THIS COMING TUESDAY, August 2 at 5:30 p.m. Belleair preservation attorney Nancy Stroud will be making a presentation and report to the town council. Be sure to attend this meeting to continue encouraging the town of Belleair officials to have Ms. Stroud write a STRONG PRESERVATION ORDINANCE as soon as possible to ensure that the Biltmore is saved forever. We need a strong preservation ordinance that will save the hotel guest rooms so that the Biltmore will continue as a true hotel!
BELLEAIR CALENDAR
TOWN MEETINGS, AUGUST, 2005: BELLEAIR
TOWN COMMISSION - SPECIAL MEETING AND WORK SESSION
August 2, 2005 Tuesday
Time: 5:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - Belleair preservation attorney
Nancy Stroud will be making a presentation and report to the town council.
We URGENTLY need your support that the town of Belleair
will continue to push forward with writing a STRONG preservation ordinance.
PLEASE ATTEND! BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!
Please speak at the meeting and voice your opinion
that you wish the entire Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west,
north and south wings INCLUDING the hotel guest rooms. This will preserve
the historical relevancy of the hotel and its beauty. This is very
important for everyone to do this at this meeting!
Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adpsearchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=901+Ponce+de BELLEAIR
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING
August 8, 2005, Monday
Time: 5:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Biltmore
Hotel in its entirety may be brought up by anyone. Speak up!
BELLEAIR FINANCE BOARD MEETING
August 10 2005, Wednesday
Time: 4:00 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Biltmore
Hotel in its entirety may be brought up by anyone. Speak up!
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
August 16, 2005, Tuesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida 33756-1034
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Biltmore
Hotel in its entirety may be brought up by anyone. Speak up!
TOWN OF BELLEAIR WEB SITE FOR CALENDAR AND AGENDAS:
The Town of Belleair has a web site with a calendar
of their meetings: http://belleair.govoffice.com/
Then click at bottom of their web page under: "Calendars" and then
after this "Town Meetings." If you want to find out the agenda
and what topics are to be discussed at the town meetings click "Agenda
and Minutes." If any of the links are broken in this email,
just go to www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
and click on "Calendar." FOR THOSE WHO
CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend this Tuesday's
special workship meeting or this month's town meetings or if you live out
of town, just send your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to the town council and Mayor
of Belleair. A sample is below. Ask them to continue to push forward
that the preservation ordinance be written as soon as possible to
forever preserve the Biltmore. This way they will know where you
stand! Anyone may send an email to Belleair: Biltmore friends,
public officials, preservation organizations, out of towners and the news
media. So please send a ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to have the preservation
ordinance written immediately and to save all four historical wings of
this hotel including ALL hotel rooms! Of course even if you attend
the meetings, feel free to email the town of Belleair your opinion. SAMPLE
EMAIL
Here is a sample ONE-MINUTE email you can simply copy
and send to the town of Belleair or write your own. Or feel free
to read it at the town council meeting this Tuesday or write your own.
Dear Mayor Mariani and Belleair Commissioners: The
Belleview Biltmore Hotel must be preserved in its entirety including all
hotel guest rooms. It MUST remain as a true hotel to ensure its historical
relevancy and beauty. We urge you to have a strong preservation ordinance
written and passed as soon as possible in order that this magnificent hotel
in your town is saved forever. This Victorian hotel is an American
treasure so important to your history, to the history of our lovely State
of Florida and to our country. The National Trust has placed the
Biltmore on its list of historic places to be saved so they recognize the
importance of this wonderful hotel. We ask that you take action TODAY
to ensure that a preservation ordinance be written IMMEDIATELY and approved
by you so that the Biltmore's future is secure for my generation and generations
to come. We are counting on you. Thank
you.
The Town of Belleair email addresses for your ONE-MINUTE
EMAIL campaign are: gemarianijr@cs.com,
fowlerarch@aol.com, gmkatica@highstream.net,
eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com,
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com,
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com,
bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Ernst Upmeyer, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair,
Florida where the Biltmore Hotel is located
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town
Manager of Belleair, Florida) Finance
Feel free to send me a copy of your email to the town
of Belleair at email@savethebiltmore.com.
I always enjoy knowing our supporters better. I want to thank anyone
who emailed the Belleair public officials a letter a few weeks ago.
And thank you to those sending me a carbon copy of your emails. I
appreciate your time, efforts and enthusiasm. NOTE:
PLEASE keep sending in your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to get this preservation ordinance
written and approved as soon as possible! This is SO important!
YARD SIGNS
Yard signs to save the Biltmore are still available!
Spread the word through our community! Locations are given at the web site:
http://savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreYardSign.htm
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In 1984 Eric Eisemann was instrumental in saving the
Crater Lake Lodge in Oregon from demolition. He said he had received
over 4,00 postcards and letters in support of saving this beautiful lodge!
"In a 1991 HPLO (Historic Preservation League of Oregon) newsletter, Eric
Eisemann wrote: "We must never lose sight of the fact that it is the private
citizen who is at the heart of good historic preservation." http://www.aracnet.com/~histgaz/hgv5n2.htm To
all my dedicated Belleview Biltmore supporters, 1.
YOU are the private citizens who will save and preserve the Biltmore by
your outpouring of ONE-MINUTE EMAIL letters or attendance at the Belleair
meetings to get a preservation ordinance written immediately. 2.
YOU are the private citizens who turned out on May 3 when some 400 people
voiced their opinion in that long five-hour meeting that you wanted the
Biltmore saved! 3. YOU are the private
citizens who signed some 400 petitions to STOP condo development and to
save the Biltmore in its entirety. 4.
YOU are the private citizens who wrote hundreds of letters to public officials
and to the National Trust. 5. YOU
are the private citizens who can do public good.
Sincerely, Diane
Hein, Lead Preservationist www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Hotel Update Sunday July 17, 2005
Dear Belleview Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others,
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSION TOWN MEETING
July 19, 2005, Tuesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida 33756-1034
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to attend and speak to the commissioners
and Mayor that the preservation ordinance needs to be written immediately
by preservation attorney, Nancy Stroud, and passed by the town of Belleair
as soon as possible! We need your support there even if you
do not wish to speak. It is of the utmost URGENCY that this ordinance
be passed to ensure that the Biltmore is preserved. Also please
voice your opinion that you wish the entire Belleview Biltmore Hotel is
saved: the east, west, north and south wings including the original hotel
rooms! We do NOT want hotel/condo rooms in there!
This will preserve the historical relevancy of this
Victorian hotel and its beauty.
PLEASE COME AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
Map: http://wwwmapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=901+Ponce+de+Leon+Blvd&city=Belleair&state=Fl&zipcode=
FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend this month's
town meeting or if you live out of town, just send your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL
to the town council and Mayor of Belleair. A sample is below. Ask
them to continue to push forward that the preservation ordinance be written
as soon as possible to forever preserve the Biltmore. This way they
will know where you stand! Anyone may send an email to Belleair:
Biltmore friends, public officials, preservation organizations, out of
towners and the news media. So please send a ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to
have the preservation ordinance written immediately and to save all four
historical wings of this hotel! Of course even if you attend the
meetings, feel free to email the town of Belleair your opinion.
SAMPLE EMAIL
Here is a sample ONE-MINUTE email you can simply copy
and send to the town of Belleair or write your own. Or feel free
to read it at the town council meeting this Tuesday or write your own.
Dear Mayor Mariani and Belleair Commissioners:
The Belleview Biltmore Hotel must be preserved in its
entirety, and we urge you to have the preservation ordinance written and
passed as soon as possible in order that this magnificent hotel in your
town be saved forever. This Victorian hotel is an American treasure
so important to your history, to the history of our lovely State of Florida
and to our country. The National Trust has placed the Biltmore on
its list of historic places to be saved so they recognize the importance
of this wonderful hotel. We ask that you take action TODAY to ensure
that this preservation ordinance be written IMMEDIATELY and approved by
you so that the Biltmore's future is secure for my generation and generations
to come. Thank you.
The Town of Belleair email addresses for your ONE-MINUTE
EMAIL campaign are:
gemarianijr@cs.com,
fowlerarch@aol.com,
gmkatica@highstream.net,
eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com,
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com,
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com,
bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Ernst Upmeyer, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair,
Florida where the Biltmore Hotel is located
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town
Manager of Belleair, Florida) Finance
Feel free to send me a copy of your email to the town
of Belleair at email me.
I always enjoy knowing our supporters better.
A SPEECH GIVEN TO BELLEAIR COMMISSIONERS AND THE BELLEAIR
MAYOR:
This speech was given to the Town of Belleair Commissioners'
Meeting June 21, 2005 by Belleview Biltmore supporter, Jeff Hannie, so
I want to thank him for his time and his excellent thoughts.
"I am a Certified Public Accountant and a lover of history.
I know business, balance sheets, and bottom lines. But as a person,
I know there are things that you cannot put a dollar value upon:
The love between a man and a woman
The joy of seeing a baby smile
The magnificence of the Grand Canyon
The beauty of a sun coast sunset As a lover
of history, I know you cannot exist without a past. From knowing
your name, from getting home from this meeting, from knowing how to act
in life's situations; all are based on past experiences. Past experiences
make up history, and history plays a role in everyone's present.
In the Belleview Biltmore, you have a gem, a true treasure.
It should not be lost. It needs to be saved in its entirety, as a
hotel and golf resort. It does not need to have its limbs cut off,
or to be turned into some type of a condo/unit hotel hybrid. It needs
to be restored to its historical grandeur. It needs to be managed
well and marketed wisely. I had been to the hotel in the past, but
I never stayed overnight until this month. I am glad I did.
To drink in the history was wonderful. That present experience for
me, the past experience for thousands, should also be available as a future
experience for generations to come. Although
I have ideas, I don't know the exact mix of support from public, private,
foundation, grants or other sources to make this a reality. But I
do implore this commission to do all it can to make it happen with enough
people with enough will, wonderful things can be accomplished.
I would like to add a little postscript. I walked
on the porch of the Palm Cottage. That glorious house is in such
disrepair also calls for restoration. It could be put to any
number of productive uses. I want to thank
you very much for the opportunity to speak. If I were retired, my
new nonpaying full time job would be to work to save the Belleview Biltmore
in its entirety. Again, thank you very much."
SPREAD THE WORD!
Be sure to pick up a Save the Belleview Biltmore yard
sign to spread the word! A $10 donation is requested. For a
photo of the yard sign and locations to pick them up click:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreYardSign.htm
EDITORIAL FROM THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/06/20/Northpinellas/Closing_clubhouse_wil.shtml
Biltmore's loss would drain history, elegance from
area My husband and I had the pleasure of staying
for a weekend in the Belleview Biltmore and we were both enthralled with
the history and beauty of this historic site. The people in the Tampa Bay
area should be up in arms over its proposed demolition. A
visit to Europe would certainly bring home the importance of leaving such
structures in place. Many people live in homes that were built in the 1700s
and wouldn't think of destroying them. I don't have to mention the number
of palaces, cathedrals and other significant historical sites that are
visited by millions each year throughout Europe. Having physical ties to
our past is important in defining our future. The Biltmore is priceless
in its importance to your area, and in fact to this country.
I ask that each business and every civic organization
band together to aid those who are attempting to halt the destruction of
this incredible structure. If you have never
seen the Belleview Biltmore, you will not understand what you will lose.
Please take a drive to this site and sign on for a tour. Visit the museum.
Have lunch in the gorgeous dining room or on the spacious porch by the
pool. You will be changed forever. If the destruction
of this historic site is not stopped, you will lose a wonderful part of
your local color and elegance. -- Barbara and
Richard Heastings, Washington, PA [Last modified June 20, 2005, 01:35:17]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The Biltmore needs more hope to live. YOU can
give this hope. Attend the town meeting this Tuesday and/or write
your ONE-MINUTE EMAIL to Belleair. Tell them that the preservation
ordinance MUST be written and passed immediately for a hopeful future for
the Biltmore. Hope in America is one backbone
to our greatness. The preservation ordinance will bring the needed
hope to the Belleview Biltmore Hotel to ensure its greatness in history!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein, Preservationist www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update June 30, Thursday, 2005
Dear Belleview Biltmore Supporters, News Media and
Others,
LETTER FROM USAAF 1943 RECRUIT BILL SWIFT
Biltmore supporter and photographer, Darren Osgood,
has taken some beautiful black and white photos of the Biltmore, ( http://www.pbase.com/oz/belleview_biltmore
) As a result of his photos, Darren recently received an email from USAAF
recruit Bill Swift. Mr. Swift was one of the men who stayed at the
Belleview Biltmore Hotel during World War II in 1943 for basic training
when the hotel was opened up to our troops, some 3,000 of them! All
the guest room furniture and doors were removed at that time, and the military
moved into the Biltmore. Mr. Swift's photo at the time of his stay
at the Biltmore is available on the link below. What an exciting
and wonderful letter from Mr. Swift. You can just feel American history
as you read it. It is a fairly long letter but here is part of it and you
can click on the link below to read the rest of it. Please
read it in full, I was very touched and moved by his letter and hope you
are too.
"I had vivid and fond memories of the Belleview Biltmore. Clean quarters, good food, and a well-organized facility...I thought I was in heaven. It retained some of the vestiges of a great hotel. I was assigned to KP duty one time at the Biltmore and was really impressed with the size of the kitchen and the dining room. I was assigned to a job unloading cars from the rail line, which ran under the kitchen/dining area. Eating in the mess hall was done by shifts since there were so many men to be served. Training movies were about as dull as you can imagine with titles like "Care and Service of the M-29 Mattress Cover."
What a priceless letter Mr. Swift, and we thank you
so much for writing it! I hope everyone reads it in full at:
http://www.pbase.com/oz/image/45116839/original
LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE, "REMODELING"
vs RENOVATION
I have received many wonderful letters from so many
people around the country who have stayed at the Biltmore. Many have
written me with questions about what is happening with the Biltmore legally.
Fortunately the town of Belleair has written a Comprehensive Plan in which
it says that one goal is for the Biltmore Hotel to be "preserved."
This is a very important word and while this word and others must be interpreted
legally, note that solid ground for preservation is in mind for the Biltmore.
To read Sam Casella's work who was instrumental in getting the demolition
stopped http://www.savethebiltmore.com/Sam_Casella's_Letters.htm
I just want to repeat part of one of my Updates:
According to www.Dictionary.com
this is the definition of PRESERVATION
To maintain in safety from injury, peril, or harm;
protect
To keep in perfect or unaltered condition; maintain
unchanged.
To keep or maintain intact
To prepare for future use
To prevent from decaying or spoiling
To keep or protect
In regards to preserving the Biltmore, this means preserving all four wings, protecting, taking care of them, renovating them, keeping them for future use and for future generations. Preserving history!
There is a group of people who I used to work with that I split away from on June 6. This group wants to destroy, to demolish the beautiful Victorian guest rooms of the north and south wings of the Biltmore. They call themselves preservationists, and yet they want to destroy these lovely rooms. Here is Mr. Hiller's complete email back to my supporters:
"This notice is be sent to those of you that have sent emails conserving the Biltmore. It is with great pleasure that I report to you with a update concerning the recent reports on the domo of the south wing and possible the north wing. As of this date we have meet with our contractors and they have said that the south wing and the north wing can be REMODELED without demo. Thank you for your patient. We have always looked for a way that would please all. Regards, Rory Hiller"
If you note, Mr. Rory Hiller, the developer who wants to buy the Biltmore, used the word "REMODEL" which simply means he will DESTROY the beautiful Victorian hotel rooms in the south and north wings and replace with over 200 non historical condo/hotel rooms!
WUSFT 89.7 Radio News June 15, 2005 quoted Hiller was quoted as saying: "Yesterday, we came to what we thought was a pretty good agreement on saving the entire north wing. I'm NOT going to tell you that's what's going to happen, but we're going to try to go. It's going to take a total gutting of the interior, and leaving the exterior standing."
This is NOT preservation!! His goal of putting in condo/hotel rooms is DEMOLITION!
Here are some articles that discuss the hiring of a new town of Belleair preservation attorney in regards to preserving the Biltmore legally.
Razing of Biltmore still in question; [STATE Edition]
LORRI HELFAND. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg,
Fla.: May 24, 2005. pg. 1
"Officials said destroying the Belleview Biltmore could be at odds with the comprehensive plan, which specifically mentions the hotel's historic, scenic and commercial value at least a dozen times.
About a week ago, town officials re-examined town rules and came to a new conclusion that the demolition application was part of a major development plan, which required a site plan and extensive official and public scrutiny.
That process could take months, Cottrell said. And town rules may prohibit demolition of the landmark altogether, he added.
http://tbnweekly.com/pubs/belleair_bee/view_051805_bee-01.php May 18, 2005
No dice on demolition – for now By CHARY SOUTHMAYD
"Then later that day, the Town Commission hired a South Florida attorney who specializes in historic preservation issues, and has a winning track record, to handle the town’s Biltmore-related matters.
Meantime, Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Nancy Stroud has come on board.
Stroud, a member of the 42-attorney firm of Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Pastoriza and Guedes, addressed the commission during a special meeting Friday. Members of the law firm provide legal counsel to a dozen local governments in the southeast part of the state.
“I specialize in land use, including historic preservation, environmental law and related issues,” said Stroud.
She told the commissioners that she could not recall a single case similar to that of the Belleview Biltmore that her firm has lost.
“We have a good track record and I am happy to brag
about it,” said Stroud."
A THANK YOU
Thank you to Adrian Wyllie of http://www.tampabaystart.com/
for linking to and for allowing me to use his Biltmore photo on www.SaveTheBiltmore.com.
To see the revolving photo click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/EmailMe.htm
SPEECH TO TOWN OF BELLEAIR COMMISSIONERS JUNE 21, 2005
The speech below was given to the Town of Belleair
Commissioners' Meeting June 21, 2005 by one of our Biltmore supporters
who wants to save all four wings and all the lovely inside guest rooms.
Please note I am quoting only part of it due to space constrictions, but
the full speech is on:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreMessageBoard.htm Third one down from the top of that page.
Dear Council Members,
I want to thank the town council and everyone else for all their efforts in trying to save the Biltmore.
(PETITIONS)
Over 400 people in the town of Belleair signed two petitions sponsored by the Friends of the Belleview Biltmore in May of 2005. These were never submitted to my knowledge to the town of Belleair for a vote but are still in the possession of the Friends of the Belleview Biltmore. (readers, please note, this group is led by the woman, Rae Claire Johnson, who I, Diane Hein, BROKE AWAY from on June 5, 2005) These petitions if passed either by a vote or the town council would guarantee the preservation of the north and south wings of the Belleair Biltmore Hotel by changing the zoning laws. It will also stop condo/hotel development.
It is very important to remember that 400 people in Belleair wanted to SAVE these two historically significant wings of this beautiful Victorian hotel. They signed petitions to ensure that this would be pursued. Yet the Friends of the Belleview Biltmore continued to push towards destroying these two wings with developers while they were continuing to have people sign what appears now to be worthless petitions. This makes absolutely no sense.
(DEMOLITION PERMIT)
Some claim that the Biltmore will be beyond repair if a seller is not found quickly.
Historic property owners often attempt to use what is referred to as 'Demolition by Neglect' to circumvent historic preservation.
The National Trust has an extremely important preservation document, which will ensure preservation of the Biltmore while a buyer is found. Here is the document that will help prevent the current owner from pursing "Demolition by Neglect."
Town preservation ordinances can be reviewed and drafted to insure that the historic structures such as the Biltmore are properly maintained. Ordinances and strong enforcement are used by other preservation groups to stop property owners from attempting 'Demolition by Neglect'. To view this document click:
(HOTEL ROOMS VS CONDO/HOTEL ROOMS)
I walked up and down two miles of east, west, north and south wing Biltmore corridors. Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, Henry Ford, the Studebakers, the DuPonts, the former King of England, (the Duke of Windsor) the Vanderbilts, and Joe DeMaggio and others from history also strolled these same corridors in all of these wings.
Both inside and outside you see consistent moldings, wainscot and sculpted exterior components which tell you the Biltmore was meant to be preserved in its entirety. Saving all wings and saving the original hotel rooms are vital to preserve both Belleair's and Pinellas county's history.
If we take out the insides of the north and south wings, and replace with hotel/condo units, we will only have an empty facade of the original hotel!
The Biltmore hotel will only be a shell of what it used to be!
If developers gut the north and south wings, and put in condo/hotel rooms, they are destroying the Victorian beauty of the hotel. The master comprehensive plan is to PRESERVE a historic hotel, which includes the hotel rooms they way they are today, and NOT condo/hotel units!
If the insides are gutted and redeveloped into condo/hotel units, then the hotel would be still have its old wrapper around it but the insides will be a phony facade,
If there are hotel/condo units built, the Biltmore will then be a fake!
Its new title will be the world's largest continually occupied fake Victorian hotel!
We must save all the original hotel rooms for the Biltmore to be a true Victorian hotel!
Remember this: the man who wishes to buy the Biltmore is the SAME man who is tearing down Clearwater's landmark hotel, the Clearwater Beach Hotel and putting in condominiums in its place with only a small hotel.
We are losing Florida tourist dollars and our reputation as a great place for fun in the sun because of this man's destructive plans for Clearwater Beach and destructive plans for the Biltmore. The current plan of this developer is a destructive plan and just another way to sell condominiums!
Condo hotels are just hotel/condos with room service!
DISADVANTAGES OF HOTEL CONDO UNITS
Here are the disadvantages of hotel/condo units as reported in an article in the newspaper, U.S.A. Today. September 21, 2004 by Joel Greene.
1. Numbers are increasing, but not many condo hotels
are convenient to business travel destinations.
2. The unit may lose value over time.
3. Hotels typically limit the time the owner may use
them.
4. Financing is usually slightly costlier than for
a primary residence. Lenders view them
as a greater risk.
5. You may need to give notice that you'll be staying
in the hotel.
6. You may not be able to use the room if it has been
reserved by another guest.
7. You are likely to pay fees for housekeeping and
other services.
8. There may be a monthly condo fee.
9. Income from guests staying in your unit may be
cut when travel declines.
10. You may wish to buy insurance to protect against
liability claims and some type of damage or loss.
It was reported in the St. Petersburg Times on Monday, June 20, that by August 1, THREE boat marinas will be torn down because of developers putting in condominiums in Pinellas County. Hundreds of boats are being displaced as condominium developers are buying out marinas in Clearwater. We are losing our access to water now because of condo development. We must put a stop to all this over development with condominiums in our county and in Belleair.
Would they gut the insides of both White House wings and put in a shopping mall and then call that restoration! ? No that is destruction, that is NOT preservation!
Thank you,
Ed (last name withheld upon request)
SPREAD THE WORD!
Be sure to pick up a Save the Belleview Biltmore yard
sign to spread the word! A $10 donation is requested. For photo
of yard sign and locations to pick them up.
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreYardSign.htm
SARASOTA'S HERALD TRIBUNE ARTICLE
Here are some paragraphs of their recent article
"Goodbye to the historic Biltmore?" in which two architects were quoted
in wanting to preserve the Biltmore.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050620/NEWS/506200373
A development group proposes to raze the hotel and build condos
By TOM ARTHUR June 20, 2005
The building's possible demise is being watched by
architects and historians across the state.
"It certainly is a building well worth preserving," said Sarasota architect Carl Abbott, who first heard of the Belleview Biltmore while studying architecture at Yale. "It's clearly a building of its period and type; it has a wonderfully planned layout." Also:
"It's an extremely important building," said Linda
Stevenson, a Bradenton architect who serves on a regional historical preservation
board. "At what point do we say, 'There are some things that belong to
the community?'"
CLOSING THOUGHTS
1. Two Florida architects realize the relevance
and importance of preserving the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
2. 400 people in Belleair signed petitions that
they want to save the Biltmore. And NOT build condos!
3. One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan
of the town of Belleair is "the preservation of the Belleview Biltmore
Resort Hotel." (Page Comp. Plan - 1, dated 2/16/4.
4. The Florida Trust preservation organization
www.floridatrust.org
recommends that the Belleview Biltmore Hotel be preserved.
5. The National Trust organization, www.nationaltrust.org
recommends that the Belleview Biltmore Hotel be preserved.
6. The town of Belleair voted against the demolition
permit of the Biltmore.
7. The town of Belleair historical preservation
board recommends that the Biltmore be preserved.
8. The St. Petersburg Museum of History wrote
this web site to preserve the Biltmore.
9. The St. Petersburg Preservation Inc. wrote
this web site to preserve the Biltmore.
10. And hundreds of people all over the country
have written me in support of preserving the Biltmore.
The message is crystal clear: Preserve the magnificent Victorian Belleview Biltmore Hotel...forever.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein, Preservationist
June 20, 2005
Dear Belleview Biltmore Supporters, News Media and Others,
Tomorrow is the town of Belleair commissioner's meeting at 7:30 p.m. PLEASE ATTEND and voice your opinion to save ALL four wings of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel and to be sure ALL hotel rooms remain as REAL hotel rooms...we must stop condo/hotel development at the Biltmore!
Be sure to read this Update all the way to the end
as I discuss further my breaking away from the other preservation group
who I used to work with. Many of you understandably have had questions
regarding my split with this group, and there is more information below
in this regard.
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
June 21, 2005, Tuesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida 33756-1034
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=901+Ponce+de+Leon+Blvd&city=Belleair&state=Fl&zipcode=
For specific directions from your home or office to
the meeting, simply click www.mapquest.com.
Then click "Directions" and type in your home or office address under "Starting
Address" and then under "Ending Address" type in 901 Ponce de Leon, Belleair,
Florida 33756. Then just click "Get Directions" and detailed
instructions to the town meeting will show which you can print out.
SPEAK UP!
I am repeating some information from my Biltmore Update
from last week: You may speak at the meeting simply by voicing your opinion
ad lib or feel free to write or type down your thoughts, even just an eighth
to a quarter page is fine like below and then simply read them. Be
sure to speak slowly or read your message S L O W L Y: Include one
or more of these points:
1. You want all four wings saved to preserve the authenticity of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
2. You want the entire hotel saved to make sure 1. It remains the largest continually occupied wooden structure in the world and 2. It remains the largest wooden structure in Florida. (By the way I just learned that because the Biltmore is so large, it has two miles of corridors according to the book "Irresistible Overnights" by Bob Rafferty and Loys Reynolds who recommended the Belleview Biltmore as a great place to visit and stay. Wonderful information!)
3. You hope that everyone has patience in order to find one or more investors who are truly preservation minded who want to save this hotel in its entirety.
4. You want the entire The Belleair Belleview Biltmore hotel to remain standing if the hotel is to stand in history forever.
5. After the four wings are saved, the
Biltmore needs to be restored by caring people to bring it back to its
glory days. Then the Biltmore must be extensively promoted and advertised
throughout the country and the world to draw in tourists. (From what
I have seen in tourist books, or maybe I should say what I have not seen
in tourist books, the Biltmore rarely has been promoted by its current
owners! No wonder why it has been neglected)
FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend this month's
town meetings, just send your ONE MINUTE EMAIL to the town council and
Mayor of Belleair and include any or all of those five points listed above.
This way they will know where you stand! Anyone may send an email
to Belleair: Biltmore friends, public officials, preservation organizations
and the news media to save all four historical wings of this hotel!
Of course even if you attend the meetings, feel free to email Belleair
your opinion!
Belleair email addresses are:
gemarianijr@cs.com, fowlerarch@aol.com, gmkatica@highstream.net, bruggles@tampabay.rr.com eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com, tmanager@tampabay.rr.com, mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com,
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Ernst Upmeyer, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair, Florida where
the Biltmore Hotel is located
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town Manager of Belleair,
Florida) Finance
EDITORIAL ABOUT THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF CONDO HOTELS:
Below is an editorial from a reader who discusses
the NEGATIVE aspects about having hotel condos. This is just ONE
of the reasons why we MUST stop condo/hotel development at the Biltmore!!
Remember that approximately 400 citizens in Belleair have signed petitions
to stop condo development at the Biltmore. This is powerful proof
that the community of Belleair wants to STOP condo development on the Biltmore
property!
If you are one of those people who have signed the petitions to stop condo development at the Biltmore, I would love to hear from you! Send me a copy at Email me.
Assessments are a big minus for hotel condos. St. Petersburg Times, June 16, 2005
Re: Hotel-to-condo change will be tougher, story, June 3.
One distinct disadvantage of buying a unit in a hotel where the plan is to convert a portion of the rooms into condos would be the huge assessments involved. Frankly speaking, I would not want to live in a building that is partly occupied by vacationers. My reason is damage control, or maybe I should say damage un-control.
Most people view their home as their sanctuary and try to keep damage down to a minimum. Assessments are plentiful enough in condominium living, with keeping a building up to code, replacing old equipment, and necessary repairs so that the condo retains a good market value.
With this in mind, no one wants to live in an environment where people do not share a common interest of preserving the building. Vacationers are usually here for a good time and are not always willing to treat a hotel as though it were their home, especially those with young children. Accidents are bound to happen that sometimes may not be discovered until the hotel guests have gone home. Guess who gets stuck with the bill?
My advice to anyone looking to buy a condo within a hotel is "Buyer beware."
JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater
THANK YOU'S
I want to thank the many people who sent me carbon
copies of their emails to Rory Hiller to ask him to stop buying the Biltmore
to put in his condo/hotels thereby destroying parts of the Biltmore.
Also I want to thank anyone who sent him an email but who did not carbon
copy me. Your efforts are GREATLY appreciated! I urge
others to write a ONE MINUTE EMAIL to Mr. Rory Hiller AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
at joannehiller@NUMBER1EXPERT.com,
where he works and ask him to NOT buy the Biltmore since he will be destroying
Biltmore history if he does so; and going against the wishes of approximately
400 people in Belleair who signed two petitions in which this referendum
would rezone Belleair and STOP CONDO development! This is extremely
strong evidence that Belleair citizens do NOT want condo/hotels in their
lovely town! Send me a carbon copy if you wish at Email me. If Mr.
Rory Hiller has sent you any emails in response to your ONE MINUTE EMAIL,
feel free to forward them to me. Thank you.
FAILURE TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION BY RAE CLAIRE JOHNSON
TO THE ORLANDO SENTINEL
In May, Wes Smith, reporter for the Orlando Sentinel
interviewed Mrs. Rae Claire Johnson about her efforts to save the Belleview
Biltmore Hotel. The interview eventually became a MAJOR newspaper
article, on May 16, 2005 including photos of her and also the Belleview
Biltmore Hotel. I read the Orlando Sentinel's article, at that time,
and I realized that Mrs. Johnson NEVER once discussed with Mr. Smith about
her group's plan to tear off ANY of the Biltmore wings and put in condo/hotel
rooms!! Important facts left out! I wrote Mr. Smith to verify
that she never discussed this ultimate plan with him. Mr. Smith confirmed
to me that Mrs. Johnson NEVER once brought up this MOST IMPORTANT fact
about her plans with developer, Rory Hiller, to tear down any Biltmore
hotel wings. This was appalling to me that Mrs. Johnson NEVER brought
up this important fact to Mr. Smith, that is, about tearing off one or
more of the historical Biltmore wings!
One of the quotes in that Orlando Sentinel article from Rae Claire Johnson is this:
"People come here for the scenic beauty and architectural history," said Johnson, who is leading preservation efforts. "Tearing it [the hotel] down would be like building condos around Yosemite Park." Rae Claire Johnson
When I read this article in May, I was highly concerned that Mrs. Johnson had completely FAILED to reveal to Wes Smith in a major newspaper story that her plans with developers were to build condo/hotels AROUND the beautiful Biltmore hotel !!! According to Mrs. Johnson it was NOT okay to build condos around Yosemite Park, but it was "okay" to build condos around our beautiful Biltmore!? It is because of this Orlando Sentinel article, that I started realizing there were serious trust issues between Mrs. Johnson, myself and the public. It helped contribute to my breaking away from her and her group on June 6, 2005 when the developer names were ultimately revealed in the St. Petersburg Times article on June 4th. It was then that I knew for sure that Mrs. Johnson still had plans with developers to tear down Biltmore wings and build condo/hotels as replacements for them.
BELLEAIR BEE ARTICLE
In the Belleair Bee article by Lester R. Dailey, back
in May 2005, www.TBNweekly.com,
here are some quotes:
"Johnson has previously spoken of an anonymous corporate benefactor willing to lend her group $40 million to buy and refurbish the Biltmore. But on Sunday, she revealed more details. The benefactor, she said, is a developer willing to take repayment half in cash, hopefully from historic preservation grants, and half in development rights to the Biltmore property. "There may have to be some building,” she conceded. “But it would be as little as possible.” When an audience member asked if the east and west wings of the hotel would be saved under her plan, she admitted that she didn’t know how much of the structure could be rescued. "The building is in very good condition,” Johnson said. “There is nothing wrong with the foundation or structure. The only problems are cosmetic.”
My question to you readers is this: If the Biltmore is in such good condition and "there is nothing wrong with the foundation or structure" according to Mrs. Johnson, why does Rory Hiller want to tear down the historical south wing!? And Mrs. Johnson's quote that there will be there will as " little as possible" building by a developer is ridiculous because her plan is to chop off one full Biltmore south wing and gut the north wing! The current plans as of last week of Mrs. Johnson's and Rory Hiller are to tear down a historical south wing of this magnificent hotel, to gut the north wing and then to put in hotel/condo rooms in both. Their plan is a MAJOR development plan in my opinion! Let's all understand what THEY want to do. Their plan is to destroy, slice and dice up the Biltmore, thus ruining its historical relevancy and its future as a REAL hotel.
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
supports saving ALL four wings and saving all hotel rooms as real hotel
rooms.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
I hope this clarifies some issues to my Belleview
Biltmore supporters, preservation organizations, public officials and the
news media of my decision to break away from Mrs. Johnson and to pursue
saving all four wings of this Victorian beauty. And saving all hotel
rooms as REAL hotel rooms. When all four wings are saved, and
all guest rooms are saved, this magnificent historical hotel may continue
to be a REAL hotel. Some 500 hotel rooms have been lost on Clearwater
Beach to condo/hotel development and or pure condominium development.
This is most unfortunate for Clearwater Beach, in my opinion, and unfortunate
to our great Florida tourist industry. However, on the PLUS side
is the fact that now tourists will need to find other hotel rooms!
This is VERY good news for the Belleview Biltmore Hotel and VERY good news
for Pinellas County. Currently there are 243 rooms available
at the Belleview. However, there is the potential of approximately
400 guest rooms at the Biltmore once they are completely refurbished after
we save all four wings. Then at that time, tourists from around the
world may continue to stay at the Biltmore once all the 400 real hotel
rooms are preserved and restored.
We must continue to work to save all four wings of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel which is an American treasure, a real hotel and an important part of the history of Pinellas County.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
Dear Belleview Biltmore Supporters, News Media and
Others,
I just posted this to Today's Alert on my Biltmore web site, www.SaveTheBiltmore.com, so feel free to write to Rory Hiller, email address below, as soon as possible and send this email to as many people you know!
Thank you so much for your support :)
URGENT!! EMAIL POTENTIAL BUYERS OF THE BILTMORE
For new readers, I, Diane Hein, owner of this web
site, www.SaveTheBiltmore.com, support saving all four wings of the Belleview
Biltmore Hotel. It was reported in the St. Petersburg Times in the
past and other newspapers and also this week, that Rory Hiller, Clearwater
resident and real estate developer wants to tear down the south wing and
replace it and the north wing with condo/hotel units thus DESTROYING the
historical relevancy and beauty of Belleiar and Pinellas County's Victorian
hotel! The Belleview Biltmore must be saved in its entirety!
It was reported in the St. Petersburg Times by Lorri Helfand this week that Mr. Hiller will be meeting with Urdang and Associates (current owner of the Biltmore) early this week. It is my knowledge they will be meeting this coming Monday, June 20th. I urge you to write Mr. Rory Hiller AS SOON AS POSSIBLE at joannehiller@NUMBER1EXPERT.com, where he works and ask him to NOT buy the Biltmore since he will be destroying Biltmore history if he does so and going against the wishes of approximately 400 people in Belleair who signed two petitions in which this referendum would rezone Belleair and STOP CONDO development! This is extremely strong evidence that Belleair citizens do NOT want condo/hotels in their lovely town!
Also the comprehensive plan of Belleair STILL has to be interpreted by Belleair's preservation attorney as to the legality of condominium development and also whether it is legal or illegal to tear down any of the Biltmore wings!
Why is Rory Hiller going to invest in the Biltmore, some $40 million, when all the legal concerns are not even finalized? And why is he pushing his plan to buy the Biltmore when approximately 400 Belleair citizens want to change Belleair zoning to STOP CONDO DEVELOPMENT!
On June 5th, the day before I parted ways with Rae Claire Johnson and her Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, I asked her about the legality of Rory Hiller tearing down two Biltmore wings and building condos if we were also trying to stop another developer, DeBartolo from building condos! This is her reply:
"Diane First we don't know for sure what we are going to do. If the town will allow the wings to be taken down they may be. Rae Claire"
To repeat myself....Why is Rory Hiller going to invest
in the Biltmore, some $40 million, when all the legal concerns are not
even finalized as to whether he can proceed with his plan!! ??
In the Belleair Bee, June 8, there is a big question mark if Hiller can even buy the Biltmore according to an article by Wayne Ayers. It said:
"Johnson
also said that she is unsure whether the current DeBartolo offer to purchase
the hotel and reportedly replace it with condos is an ironclad contract.
“We are getting conflicting information on this,” she said."
In an earlier article in the Tampa Tribune on June 4th by Carlos Moncada, Rory Hiller was quoted as saying:
"Our intent is to present our plans to
the community and the town before we approach the owners,'' he said. "We
want to make sure what we're doing is acceptable to the people of Belleair
and the town.'' Rory Hiller
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Now isn't this most interesting that Hiller and his
group feel they are going to buy the Belleview Biltmore this week and yet
they have NOT let all the legal work go through! ?
And isn't it interesting that Rory Hiller has NOT fully taken into consideration of what is really acceptable to the town of Belleair or acceptable to the approximately 400 citizens who signed petitions to STOP CONDO DEVELOPMENT!! ?
Again write Rory Hiller at joannehiller@NUMBER1EXPERT.com, and tell him to STOP destroying Belleview Biltmore Hotel history and to STOP his purchase of it and to STOP any condo/hotel development at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel. Remember that Rory Hiller is the developer who is tearing down our landmark beautiful Clearwater Beach Hotel and putting in condo towers and a small hotel in place of it! We need someone who truly loves the Biltmore to preserve it all!
If you want, feel free to carbon copy me your letter to Mr. Hiller at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. Just be sure to write him!
Let's save all four wings of the beautiful Victorian Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa so it may continue to be a real hotel!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
Belleview Biltmore Update June 14,
2005 Tuesday
Dear Belleview Biltmore Friends, News Media and Others,
There are three meetings left in Belleair this month, two are tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15. ANYONE may speak at the meetings to voice your support to save ALL four wings of the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel! The preservation board meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. This meeting would be especially important for you to voice your opinion. Another VERY important meeting is next week, June 21, the Belleair town commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. Everyone who loves the Biltmore should attend that meeting!
BELLEAIR FINANCE BOARD MEETING
June 15, 2005, Wednesday
Time: 4:00 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
BELLEAIR HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
MEETING
June 15, 2005, Wednesday
Time: 5:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
June 21, 2005, Tuesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
SPEAK UP!
I am repeating some information from my Biltmore Update
from Sunday: You may speak at the meeting simply by voicing your opinion
ad lib or write or type down your thoughts, even just an eighth to a quarter
page is fine like below and then simply read them. Be sure to read
your message S L O W L Y: Include one or more of these points:
1. You want all four wings saved to preserve the authenticity of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
2. You want the entire hotel saved to make sure 1. It remains the largest continually occupied wooden structure in the world and 2. It remains the largest wooden structure in Florida. (By the way I just learned that because the Biltmore is so large, it has two miles of corridors according to the book "Irresistible Overnights" by Bob Rafferty and Loys Reynolds who recommended the Belleview Biltmore as a great place to visit and stay. Wonderful information!)
3. You hope that everyone has patience in order to find one or more investors who are truly preservation minded who want to save this hotel in its entirety.
4. You want the entire The Belleair Belleview Biltmore hotel to remain standing if the hotel is to stand in history forever.
5. After the four wings
are saved, the Biltmore needs to be restored by caring people to bring
it back to its glory days. Then the Biltmore must be extensively promoted
and advertised throughout the country and the world to draw in tourists.
(From what I have seen in tourist books, or maybe I should say what I have
not seen in tourist books, the Biltmore rarely has been promoted by its
current owners! No wonder why it has been neglected)
FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend this month's
town meetings, just send your ONE MINUTE EMAIL to the town council and
Mayor of Belleair and include any or all of those five points listed above.
This way they will know where you stand! Anyone may send an email
to Belleair: Biltmore friends, public officials, preservation organizations
and the news media to save all four historical wings of this hotel!
Of course even if you attend the meetings, feel free to email Belleair
your opinion!
Belleair email addresses are:
gemarianijr@cs.com,
fowlerarch@aol.com,
gmkatica@highstream.net,
eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com,
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com,
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com, bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Ernst Upmeyer, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair, Florida where
the Biltmore Hotel is located
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town Manager of Belleair,
Florida) Finance
TWO CORRECTIONS TO MY LAST UPDATE
1. A few people who have stayed at the Biltmore
Hotel in Arizona have written me that this old hotel has some new wings
added to it. This information was not revealed in the TV program I saw.
2. John Hildreth is Director of the Southern
Office of the National Trust.
LETTER FROM BILTMORE SUPPORTER:
This is a letter I have posted to the Message Board
on the Biltmore web site from supporter Doug Mann, who has written many
many letters to Belleair commissioners and the other names suggested on
the Biltmore web site. I thank him very much for all his support and in
wanting to save the entire building. Feel free to write me also of
your support to save all four Biltmore wings, and give me permission to
post them to the Message Board with your name.
"Now that there seems to be a delay
in issuing a demolition permit, it is time for those involved to assemble
a group of buyers that will renovate the Belleview in it's entirety, not
just a couple of wings. The renovation and proper marketing, could
make this a very profitable venture, as is the Vinoy and the Don.
Under NO circumstance should even ONE square inch be destroyed. Do
no allow this to happen. We need our history and heritage to survive
forever. Enough of developers sacrificing our heritage and history
for the sake of the almighty dollar alone." Doug Mann
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL
I received an email from a new Biltmore supporter:
Darren Osgood. He recently took some incredibly beautiful black and
white photos of the Biltmore. Here is the link so be sure to view
them. http://www.pbase.com/oz/belleview_biltmore
And be sure to view the charming vintage photo of the Belleview Biltmore
Hotel at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
which I just posted this week.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Since tomorrow is the preservation board meeting in
Belleair at 5:30 p.m., we need to discuss the word: PRESERVATION!
According to www.Dictionary.com
this is the definition of preservation:
To maintain in safety from injury, peril, or harm;
protect
To keep in perfect or unaltered condition; maintain
unchanged.
To keep or maintain intact
To prepare for future use
To prevent from decaying or spoiling
To keep or protect
In regards to preserving the Biltmore, this means preserving all four wings, protecting, taking care of them, renovating them, keeping them for future use and for future generations. Preserving history!
There is a group of people who I used to work with that I split away from on June 6. This group wants to destroy, to demolish and to tear off the historically significant two wings of the Biltmore. They call themselves preservationists, and yet they want to chop off the north and south wings!
This is NOT preservation!! Their goal is destruction!
The woman heading up this organization wrote me once she only contacted two dozen developers to try to preserve the Belleview Biltmore! Out of the entire United States, she only contacted two dozen developers to save this magnificant hotel! We MUST work harder!
We must preserve the Biltmore to enable its history to stand in tact of being the largest continually occupied structure in the world, the largest wooden structure in Florida, a historical landmark in Belleair. People must come to the rescue of this beautiful hotel.
Sam Casella worked very hard to show
that the comprehensive plan indicated that the Belleview Biltmore must
be preserved: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/Analysis_May_12_2005.htm
Comprehensive Plan Goals, Objectives, and Policies
"Future Land Use Goal 1: Ensure that the park-like,
residential/family character of the Town of Belleair is maintained and
protected while supporting the continued economic viability of local resorts
and the preservation of the Belleview Biltmore Resort Hotel." (Page Comp.
Plan - 1, dated 2/16/99)
There have been concerns about the termites and the Biltmore's wood concerning its preservation. Mike Harris, is on the preservation committee in Belleair. He was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel on May 16 that he does NOT believe the termite talk. He said and I quote "that wood is so old it's petrified. A termite couldn't eat it." He recognizes the fact that the Biltmore STILL can be preserved even though it is made of wood! By the way, this wood is heart of pine which hardens with age.
So speak up tomorrow and talk about preservation with the preservation board of Belleair!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein, A True Preservationist
Belleview Biltmore Update, June 12, 2005 Sunday
Dear Biltmore Friends, News Media and others,
BELLEAIR MEETINGS:
There are two meetings this week in the town of Belleair
which I urge you to attend. The first is tomorrow, Monday, June 13.
It is at 5:30 p.m., so if you are employed, arrange to get off early from
work and speak up to save the entire Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
The second meeting is Wednesday, June 15 also at 5:30, and you may speak
up there too. Address and map link below.
PETITION SIGNATURES IN BELLEAIR
Over 400 people in the town of Belleair have already
signed petitions back in May, that if voted upon or approved by the town
council of Belleair would help secure that the entire building would be
saved. This is a strong indicator that the citizens of Belleair want
to save the entire hotel!!! Where are these petitions
by the way? Are they secure and in a safe place? I have
no idea any more. So feel free to ask at tomorrow's meeting.
NATIONAL TRUST www.NationalTrust.org
The National Trust recently put the Biltmore on its
list of 11 most endangered places in America. It recognizes
the importance of this lovely Victorian hotel. It is such a great
honor for them to place the Biltmore on this list since the 2005 deadline
was in January 2005, and they were able to still include the Belleview
Biltmore on their endangered list. We sincerely thank them! Richard
Moe is President of National Trust and John Hildreth is CEO of Historic
Hotels of America, which is associated with the National Trust. A
recent Belleair Bee newspaper article, June 8, quoted Mary Ruffin Hanbury,
program officer of the National Trust's trust’s Atlanta office. “We had
more hits on the feedback section of our Web site related to the Belleview
Biltmore than just about any other threatened site I can recall,” she said.
She said that public interest in a property is “a real big part” of why
it is on the list. This is powerful information for preservationists
who want to save ALL FOUR wings of the Belleview Biltmore because when
the public wrote, they thought the entire hotel was to be saved by my Save
the Biltmore web site. I want to thank all Biltmore Friends and supporters
who wrote National Trust through my web site
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com.
I can not thank you enough!
VOICE YOUR OPINION TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY!
We need your voice heard at these town meetings.
Anyone may speak at these meetings, and I urge you to speak your opinion
no matter where you live that all four wings of this magnificant hotel
must be saved and preserved forever. Or as the saying goes if you
don't...forever hold your peace! Voice your opinion at the town council
meeting tomorrow that you too want to see history saved. That you want
the Belleview Biltmore saved in its entirely.
Keep the momentum going by reading a short or long letter at the town council meeting tomorrow night. Your voice DOES count. Just remember this! If you want to know what to say to the town council tomorrow or Wednesday, you can refer to the next few paragraphs. Use some or all of those 5 points or add your own.
Write or type down your thoughts, even just an eighth to a quarter page is fine like below. Then simply read them: If you do not have public speaking experience, just take a few deep breaths before approaching the microphone, as deep breathing will relax you, and then read your letter...S L O W L Y.
Include one or more of these points:
1. You want all four wings saved to preserve the authenticity of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
2. You want the entire hotel saved to make sure 1. It remains the largest continually occupied wooden structure in the world and 2. It remains the largest wooden structure in Florida. (By the way I just learned that because the Biltmore is so large, it has two miles of corridors according to the book "Irresistible Overnights" by Bob Rafferty and Loys Reynolds who recommended the Belleview Biltmore as a great place to visit and stay. Wonderful information!)
3. You hope that everyone has patience in order to find one or more investors who are truly preservation minded who want to save this hotel in its entirety.
4. You want the entire The Belleair Belleview Biltmore hotel to remain standing if the hotel is to stand in history forever.
5. After the four wings are saved, the
Biltmore needs to be restored by caring people to bring it back to its
glory days. Then the Biltmore must be extensively promoted and advertised
throughout the country and the world to draw in tourists. (From what
I have seen in tourist books, or maybe I should say what I have not seen
in tourist books, the Biltmore rarely has been promoted by its current
owners! No wonder why it has been neglected)
FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT ATTEND BELLEAIR MEETINGS:
If for any reason you can not attend this month's
town meetings, just send your ONE MINUTE EMAIL to the town council and
Mayor of Belleair and include any or all of those five points listed above.
This way they will know where you stand! Anyone may send an email
to Belleair: Biltmore friends, public officials, preservation organizations
and the news media to save all four historical wings of this hotel!
Of course even if you attend the meetings, feel free to email Belleair
your opinion!
Belleair email addresses are:
gemarianijr@cs.com, fowlerarch@aol.com, gmkatica@highstream.net, eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com, tmanager@tampabay.rr.com, mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com, bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Ernst Upmeyer, Belleair Commissioner
Steve Cottrell Town Manager of Belleair, Florida where
the Biltmore Hotel is located
Micah Maxwell (Assistant to the Town Manager of Belleair,
Florida) Finance
JUNE CALENDAR OF BELLEAIR TOWN MEETINGS :
ANYONE may speak at any meetings to save the entire
structure!
BELLEAIR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING
June 13, 2005, Monday
Time: 5:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
BELLEAIR FINANCE BOARD MEETING
June 15, 2005, Wednesday
Time: 4:00 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
BELLEAIR HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING
June 15, 2005, Wednesday
Time: 5:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
BELLEAIR REGULAR COMMISSON MEETING
June 21, 2005, Tuesday
Time: 7:30 PM
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support, please attend!.
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings.
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone to do this at
this meeting!
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
TOWN OF BELLEAIR WEB SITE FOR CALENDAR AND AGENDAS:
The Town of Belleair has a web site with a calendar
of their meetings: http://belleair.govoffice.com/
Then click at bottom of their web page under: "Calendars" and then
after this "Town Meetings." If you want to find out the agenda
and what topics are to be discussed at the town meetings click "Agenda
and Minutes." If any of the links are broken in this email,
just go to
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
and click on "Calendar."
YARD SIGNS
Yard signs to save the Biltmore are still available!
Locations are given at web site:
http://savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreYardSign.htm
BILTMORE HOTEL, PHOENIX, ARIZONA
I recently saw a TV program about an older magnificent
hotel, the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Their web site states:
"The only existing hotel in the world with a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced
design, The Arizona Biltmore has been an Arizona landmark since its opening
on Feb. 23, 1929 when it was crowned "The Jewel of the Desert." The resort's
design was inspired by consulting architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who collaborated
with former student Albert Chase McArthur." Interesting that theirs
is the jewel of the desert and the Belleview Biltmore is the Queen of the
Gulf. Let's keep that title!
OTHER OLDER HOTELS SAVED AND PRESERVE:
In the past few weeks in my Belleview Biltmore Updates,
I have already mentioned over six large hotels, some from the Victorian
era like our Belleview Biltmore, that have been saved and preserved. We
must do the same. They succeeded, we must succeed. The ones which
have escaped the wrecking ball are the Del Coronado in California,
the Wes Baden in Indiana, the Royal Hawaiian in Hawaii, Wentworth by the
Sea in New Hampshire, the Biltmore Hotel in Miami and the Don Cesar, the
Casa Monica, the Vinoy and the Lakeside Inn, the last five hotels all saved
in Florida. If you know more that were saved, please write me at
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com.
They were saved through a combination of preservation organizations or
someone bought them with preservation in mind. They are true inspirational
stories for potential preservation buyers!
NEW PHOTO OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL
I have posted a vintage photo of the Belleview Biltmore
Hotel, of the south entrance, when it still had beautiful shutters, and
there was lovely greenery and flowers gracing this magnificent entrance.
Be sure to look at it to see the hotel in its historical setting.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The new trend in TV is reality shows. So let's
discuss reality. The reality is that another
group wants to destroy two historically significant
wings of this magnificent hotel. The reality is they only want to
save the core of the hotel. The reality is that once its history
is lost, it will be gone forever. The reality is that the developer said
it would cost $12 million to build new condo/hotel units and $36 million
to restore the north and south wings. The reality is that these developers
will stand to make millions of dollars because they are more interested
in the money than they are saving instead of saving history. That's
realism people.
Which would you rather have... Fake silk flowers or fresh cut flowers? A fake reproduction of antique furniture or real furniture that is truly valuable? A fake copycat painting or a real painting by a well-known artist? Fake cubic zirconium or a real diamond? Fake plastic knives and forks or real silver? Fake wings on the Belleview Biltmore Hotel or all four real wings?
I vote for real.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Be sure now to view the new photo on this web page, and then write your
ONE MINUTE EMAIL to the town of Belleair and attend this week's meetings!
Dear Belleview Biltmore Friends, News Media and Others,
I have a MAJOR announcement in this Belleview Biltmore
Update so be sure to read it!
BELLEAIR TOWN MEETING PLEASE ATTEND!
June 7, Tuesday
Time: 5:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - The topic of saving the Belleview
Biltmore may be brought up by anyone.
We need your support.
Please voice your opinion that you wish the entire
Belleview Biltmore Hotel be saved: the east, west, north and south wings!
This will preserve the historical relevancy of the
hotel and its beauty.
This is very important for everyone who attends to
do this at this meeting!
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
NATIONAL TRUST PLACES THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE ON ITS
11 MOST ENDANGERED LIST
Great news! The National Trust included the
Belleview Biltmore in a list it released Thursday, June 2, 2005 of America's
11 most endangered historic places. The National Trust has
helped save many historical buildings through its efforts in bringing national
awareness to historic places. The Belleview Biltmore already has
been placed on the Florida Trust's 11 most endangered historic places as
a result of the save the Biltmore web site with so many people writing
to this preservation organization and raising Florida State awareness per
my ONE MINUTE EMAIL campaign. To read the full story "Historic hotel
added to endangered list Belleview Biltmore supporters hope a national
list will give them traction against demolition plans. By Lorri Helfand,
Times Staff Writer Published June 3, 2005 http://sptimes.com/2005/06/03/Tampabay/Historic_hotel_added_.shtml
EMAIL FROM PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER RONNIE DUNCAN:
"I have created a preservation task force - county
wide - so that hopefully this type of event does not continue to occur
in our community. Thank you" Ronnie Duncan, Pinellas County Commissioner.
LETTERS FROM SAM CASELLA AND PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER
KAREN SEEL:
Email from Sam Casella to the Biltmore web site:
"County Commissioner Karen Seel sent the following message providing information
on a county program in support of historic preservation. It is encouraging
to know that our county officials are sensitive to the issue and in the
future may be able to coordinate with the town and contribute to a plan
of action."
"Dear Sam,
Thank you for your intelligent research and sound
plan approach. It looks like you have provided an excellent framework.
Last night at the County Commission meeting, we approved 13 historic St.
Pete properties for tax abatement on improvements for 10 years. Residential
plus small commercial properties were included. There is a
countywide ordinance which allows this IF the city has an ordinance in
place, too. BCC members did question the criteria for what improvements
are allowed. My point is that this may be something you could discuss
with Brian Smith to see if a similar ordinance could help the
Biltmore.
I so appreciate all you are doing.
Please let me know if I can help.
Again, thanks!!!
Karen"
CONVERSATION WITH PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOHN
MORRONI AND SAM CASELLA
Email from Biltmore Supporter Sam Casella to this
web site: "I just had a very encouraging conversation with Pinellas
County Commissioner, John Morroni. Commissioner Morroni supports
saving the Belleview Biltmore and encourages Friends of the Belleview Biltmore
to contact all the county commissioners to let them know that the public
strongly supports efforts to preserve the historic hotel."
Individual Pinellas County Commissioner email addresses are on the main
web page: www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Here are all of them if you wish to send your ONE MINUTE EMAIL to them
and ask them to continue to support saving the Belleview Biltmore.
rduncan@pinellascounty.org,
charris@pinellascounty.org,
slatvala@pinellascounty.org,
jmorroni@pinellascounty.org,
kseel@pinellascounty.org,
rstewart@pinellascounty.org,
ktwelch@pinellascounty.org
WENTWORTH BY THE SEA
This beautiful historic hotel in New Hampshire was
saved from the wrecking ball. To view it click: http://www.wentworth.com.
It is a member of the National Trust organization, the same organization
that just listed the Belleview Biltmore on its America's 11 most endangered
historic places.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE NEWS MEDIA AND SUPPORTERS OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE: Please read this announcement carefully which I sent to the news media as a separate press release: There is my Closing Thoughts after this major announcement.
June 6, 2005
For Immediate Release
This is to announce that I, Diane Hein, am no longer associated with or cooperating with Rae Claire Johnson and her group "Friends of the Belleview Biltmore" to save the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. However, I will continue to try to stop the demolition and to save the Biltmore, its four wings, through my web site www.SaveTheBiltmore.com which I first put up in December 2004 when there were reports that the Belleview Biltmore would be demolished.
Rae Claire Johnson officially started this nonprofit organization Friends of the Belleview Biltmore herself sometime in late April 2005. I have NEVER been an official member of Rae Claire Johnson's nonprofit organization the "Friends of the Belleview Biltmore," and I was NEVER asked to be on her board of directors. Plus I do not want to be on that board, as her mission does not agree with mine. Her group is to tear down the north and south wings and replace them with condo hotel units, and my mission has been to save the entire Belleview Biltmore Hotel since December 2004.
My independent web site, www.SaveTheBiltmore.com has only been cooperating with Rae Claire Johnson and a small group of others to stop the immediate demolition of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. Rae Claire Johnson and many others had written to me April 12, 2005 after an article in the St. Petersburg Times by Aaron Sharockman and Lorri Helfand in which the name of my web site was printed. I started working with Rae Claire Johnson and also with Laurie Adams, Julie Kleckner and Jeff Francis to stop the immediate demolition of the Belleview Biltmore, which we have succeeded in doing so far especially with the help of Sam Casella. That was our immediate concern and main mission at that time.
In my independent web site, www.SaveTheBiltmore.com (under General Information on the main page, second paragraph) and in one or more of my Belleview Biltmore Updates, and in emails exchanged with Rae Claire Johnson, I have written and expressed my disapproval of tearing down the north and south Biltmore wings. Mrs. Johnson never mentioned to me the name of the developer she has been associated with, that is, Rory Hiller who wishes to tear down the north and south wings and replace them with hotel condo units in their place. I had hoped that Mrs. Johnson would pursue efforts in saving the entire structure, but she has not even though she mentioned that saving the entire structure was an option. I only learned the developer's name, Rory Hiller, this past Saturday when an article in the St. Petersburg Times revealed it at a press conference that Rae Claire Johnson had with him at the Belleview Biltmore, Friday, June 3, 2005.
I am against putting condo hotel units in place of the north and south wings. In order to preserve the historical relevancy and the title "world's largest continually occupied wooden structure," we need to save the entire Belleview Biltmore building to preserve its Victorian size, look and elegance. There are already large high-rise condominiums to one side of the Belleview Biltmore, constructed some 30 years ago. These unfortunately now block the once beautiful view to the Gulf from the Belleview Biltmore. Our county is being overdeveloped with condominiums, we are losing our wonderful tourist industry as a result, and I do not want our county being called "Condo County" instead of Pinellas County as this will adversely affect the Biltmore tourist trade. Adding more condo hotel units around the core of the hotel will only further ruin the tourist trade to the Belleview Biltmore and Pinellas County.
I also only learned through Saturday's St. Petersburg Times article on June 4 that Rory Hiller had plans to sell the Belleview Biltmore back to Rae Claire Johnson's group, the Friends of the Belleview Biltmore in about five years. Rae Claire Johnson NEVER told me about this plan.
Here is the link to the Saturday's newspaper article in the St. Petersburg Times about Rory Hiller for those news media who have not seen it: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/849294581.html?MAC=2105bc036d31f3fff7ba22093e3b4160&did=849294581&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=Jun+4%2C+2005&author=LORRI+HELFAND&printformat=&desc=Consultant+shapes+deal+to+save+Biltmore+hotel
Because I still want to save the Biltmore, I will be keeping my www.SavetheBiltmore.com web site up and running. I will continue to work with anyone who wishes to save the Biltmore with all of its four wings, thus preserving its historical relevancy and beauty.
It has been through my web site, www.SaveTheBiltmore.com that people have been writing HUNDREDS of letters to various organizations and public officials. In fact, Kathleen Kauffman, Executive Director of the Florida Trust, wrote me that she herself has received hundreds of emails from concerned citizens, and this is a result of her email address being on my web site www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. As a result she placed the Belleview Biltmore as one of the 11 most endangered historical places in Florida. The hundreds of letters she and other organizations and officials received were a result of the Biltmore web site with my ONE MINUTE EMAIL campaign that I personally started back in April 2005.
Will Michaels, Executive Director, of the St. Petersburg Museum of History wrote me to ask that his name be removed from the ONE MINUTE EMAIL campaign on my Biltmore web site because he had been receiving so many emails from people wanting to save the Biltmore! The interest in saving the Belleview Biltmore is very broad ranged, and I have received over 9,000 hits on my Biltmore web site as of today!
Also the National Trust received so many emails from people directed from my Biltmore web site in my ONE MINUTE EMAIL campaign, that they put the Belleview Biltmore just recently on their list of 11 most endangered historical places in America, June 2, 2005. The deadline for this list was in January 2005 which had already past. However, because so many people wrote the National Trust, directed from my Biltmore web site, they included the Belleview Biltmore on their 2005 endangered list!
I have posted this press release on my web site at so you can verify its authenticity, and that it is from me. http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmorePressRelease_June_2005.html
A final note: my request to the news media is to ask you to differentiate my Save the Biltmore web site from the Friends of the Belleview Biltmore group in your publications, articles, radio or TV coverage from now on should this topic come up.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
CLOSING THOUGHTS
According to the National Trust, www.nationaltrust.org,
in order for the Belleview Biltmore to be saved, it needs a buyer with
an interest in preservation. Talk to your friends, family, co-workers,
employers, employees, write emails, letters, make phone calls to hotel
owners, organizations, celebrities, the leaders in your community to start
the ball rolling to find a person or group who would like to save the Belleview
Biltmore. This magnificent hotel has many possibilities, a grand
tourist destination with a historical Victorian theme. Tourists more
than ever are interested in going to historical destinations so this is
a great reason to buy the hotel! The problem with the Belleview Biltmore
is that it has not been advertised properly, and new owners can do great
things! When you call or write letters, be sure to mention
this web site
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com,
so people have a contact address.
Many other hotels have escaped the wrecking ball like the Del Coronado in California, the Wes Baden in Indiana, the Royal Hawaiian in Hawaii, Wentworth by the Sea in New Hampshire, and the Don Cesar, the Casa Monica, the Vinoy and the Lakeside Inn, the last four hotels all saved in Florida. They all were saved through a combination of preservation organizations or someone bought them with preservation in mind. They are true inspirational stories for potential buyers!
You CAN make the difference in saving the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media
and Others,This is a quick Update to announce: FRIENDS
OF THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE YARD SIGN DISTRIBUTION CENTERS ARE IN!!! Please
note that there is an enclosed photo of the yard
sign in this email. Here are locations
and times available: Indian Shores (closest
to Belleair) Office of Robert M. Burrell, Attorney
19455 Gulf Blvd. Suite 9
Indian Shores, FL 33785
9 a.m. to 12 noon or 1-5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Seminole Area Keller
Williams Gulf Coast (Realty Office)
13800 Park Blvd.
Seminole
Contact: Lokey
Hours: M-F 8-5
St. Petersburg, Central Keller
Williams Gulf Coast (Realty Office)
5999 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg
Contact: Melanie
Hours - M-F 8:30 - 5:30
North St. Petersburg Keller
Williams Gulf Coast (Realty Office)
6400 4th Street North
Contact: Amy
Hours - M-F 8:30 - 5:30
West St. Petersburg FELIXONE
Headquarters (Large Blue Warehouses on North side of Tyrone
Overpass, across from Tyrone Mall)
3150 71st Street North (go west on Tyrone Frontage
Road
that runs by Hooters and Sound Advice through two
stop signs and into gate,
office on right.
See Paula M-F 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through June 10.
LETTER FROM JEFF FRANCIS: Dear Friends
of the Belleview Biltmore: Thanks to all of you who have contacted
Friends of the Belleview Biltmore for a
'Save the Biltmore' red yard sign. We apologize for
the delay of the availability
of the signs, as our first run was snapped up, and
we had to wait 2 weeks for the
2nd run to be complete. Please
make every effort you can to display as many yard signs in as many locations
as you can.
While there has been some favorable news regarding
the demolition permit and future of the Biltmore, the Belleview Biltmore
is still in major jeopardy. We must press on. The
signs are FREE, but Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, kindly requests
a
$10 donation when you pick them up so that we have
the funds to crank more of these signs out.
Also, please take moment to thank the volunteers who
have offered to use
their offices as distribution points when you pick
up the signs. Signs are available NOW!
Sincerely,Jeff Francis YARD SIGN
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We still need volunteers to help us distribute the
"Save The Belleview Biltmore" red and white yard signs in NORTH PINELLAS.
We will provide all yard signs for distribution, but we need people to
be available to distribute them at their place of business during regular
office hours. Email me and put "Yard side
distribution" in the subject line. Thank you.
CLOSING THOUGHT:
A Belleview Biltmore yard sign not only announces our
intent but also gives a direction for people to help.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
BELLEVIEW
BILTMORE UPDATE MAY 26, THURSDAY 2005
Dear Belleview Biltmore
Friends, News Media and Others,
URGENT!
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE YARD SIGNS
For new readers, since
I have many people on my mailing list from outside the Tampa Bay area,
I have included some recent newspaper articles regarding the Belleview
Biltmore.
TAMPA TRIBUNE ARTICLE,
THURSDAY MAY 26:
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ARTICLES..TWO:
"Razing of Biltmore still
in question; [STATE Edition]
LETTERS FROM SAM CASELLA
AND PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER KAREN SEEL:
"Dear Sam,
BELLVIEW BILTMORE T-SHIRTS
WEST BADEN SPRINGS HOTEL,
INDIANA
BOOKED SOLID!
SAVE THE BELLEVIE BILTMORE
POEM
There's a hotel down in
Belleair, built 'round 1895
And it's not just in Belleair
where the history is lost
In a local town
And it's not just in Belleair
where the people are from
CLOSING THOUGHTS
St. Petersburg Times:
http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Tampa Bay Newspapers including
the Belleair Bee: editorial@tbnweekly.com
Tampa Tribune: http://feedback.tbo.com/
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
We need someone to pick
up the Belleview Biltmore yard signs in the Clearwater/Largo Road/West
Bay area TODAY and drop them off to three different locations TODAY in
Pinellas County. If can do this, contact me immediately at Email
me. Once the signs are at the different locations, I will let
everyone know where to pick them up.
Please be sure to read
this article in the Tampa Tribune: "Biltmore Granted Hurricane Reprieve
By CARLOS MONCADA, Published: May 26, 2005 "Belleair - Demolition of the
Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa won't happen before December
- if it happens at all. In a letter to the town, a Tampa attorney
for the resort's owner said there is no intent to conduct demolition activities
during the hurricane season, which runs until Nov. 30." To read full
article: http://tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGB7ETKC69E.html
"WEDDING JITTERS // Wedding
plans could implode with Biltmore; [LATE TAMPA Edition]
LORRI HELFAND. St. Petersburg
Times. St. Petersburg, Fla.: May 16, 2005
She bought a beaded-lace
gown to match the Biltmore's Victorian elegance. She chose ivory calla
lilies to coordinate with the hotel's classic ambience. And she selected
a five-tier cake to capture the resort's opulent style."
For the complete article
click: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/840333271.html?MAC=af8ec612110d4811a8d260293659bc0d&did=840333271&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=May+16%2C+2005&author=LORRI+HELFAND&printformat=&desc=WEDDING+JITTERS+%2F%2F+Wedding+plans+could+implode+with+Biltmore
LORRI HELFAND. St. Petersburg
Times. St. Petersburg, Fla.: May 24, 2005. pg. 1
The owner of the Belleview
Biltmore Resort & Spa questions the town's new theory that the historic
hotel cannot be razed today, or possibly ever."
For the complete article:
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/844111481.html?MAC=22fcdf51384bcd078d286b9cd3c99213&did=844111481&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=May+24%2C+2005&author=LORRI+HELFAND&printformat=&desc=Razing+of+Biltmore+still+in+question
Email from Sam Casella
to this web site: "County Commissioner Karen Seel sent the following
message providing information on a county program in support of historic
preservation. It is encouraging to know that our county officials
are sensitive to the issue and in the future may be able to coordinate
with the town and contribute to a plan of action."
Thank you for your intelligent
research and sound plan approach. It looks like you have provided an excellent
framework. Last night at the County Commission meeting, we approved 13
historic St. Pete properties for tax abatement on improvements for
10 years. Residential plus small commercial properties were included.
There is a countywide ordinance which allows this IF the city has an ordinance
in place, too. BCC members did question the criteria for what improvements
are allowed. My point is that this may be something you could discuss with
Brian Smith to see if a similar ordinance could help the Biltmore. I so
appreciate all you are doing.
Please let me know if
I can help.
Again, thanks!!!
Karen" (Karen Seel,
Pinellas County Commissioner)
You may purchase a beautiful
Belleview Biltmore T-shirt by credit card or by PayPal. The cost
is $15 plus $3.90 for shipping ($18.90 total) Click http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
to see the T-shirt and to order your T-shirt ON LINE now!
Belleview Biltmore Friend
Renee Burrell emailed me information about a Victorian hotel that was preserved
in Indiana, the beautiful West Baden Springs Hotel. Thanks Renee.
Be sure to note the enclosed photo of this outstanding hotel in this Belleview
Biltmore Update. In 1996, the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana
(HLFI) of Indianapolis, http://www.historiclandmarks.org/aboutus/aboutus.html,
the largest nonprofit organization in the state, whose purpose is to preserve
and protect historic buildings along with educating the public on the value
of historic places, purchased the property in the hopes of preserving part
of it and protecting it from more ruin. Cook Group decided to help HLFI
by contributing to the cost of partial renovation of the historic hotel
in the hopes that, together, they will attract a buyer who could put the
landmark to use in some capacity, such as a hotel, corporate headquarters
or even commercial/residential use. To read about the preservation efforts
of this Victorian Hotel in Indiana: http://www.cookgroup.com/historic_landmarks/index5.html
Biltmore Friend, Laurie
Adams wrote me that the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel is so popular
that it is totally booked solid for Memorial Weekend!
Friend of the Belleview
Biltmore, Gayle Parker wrote and sent me this lovely yet pointed poem "Save
the Biltmore....." so I thought I would share it with you. By the
way she read it at one of the recent Belleair town meetings, so many thanks
Gayle!
Been a host to those
in the early days 'fore the beaches came alive
The railroad fed the
Biltmore and the ghosts live on to tell
Of elegant folk and Presidents
and those it served so well.
And commercial folks
will knock it down whatever the cost
The dozers roar and the
cell phones ring
We've seen it all before
As the history dies
As the history dies
It's coming down
And there's nothing you
can do
The money man
With a greedy hand
Looks down his nose at
you
And the folks have come
together to show you all we aren't dumb
The people roar and the
town hall fills
To preserve the White
Gulf Queen
Before the history dies
Before the history dies
While we won a battle
last week when the Belleair historical board recommended denying the demolition
permit on the Biltmore, we need to win more battles while waiting for all
the legal paperwork to continue its course. One of those battles
is for the public to continue its demand to save the Belleview Biltmore.
So I urge Belleview Biltmore Friends to write letters to the editor to
keep our cause going in the media. Remember your ONE MINUTE EMAIL
to an editor will help keep the general public aware that we are continuing
to fight! So I urge you to continue to write the news media
with letters of support for this Victorian lady who needs your help.
Belleview Biltmore Update May 20, Friday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media
and Others,
GREAT NEWS THIS WEEK!
Hopefully by now everyone has heard of the successful
meeting in Belleair this week, Tuesday, May 17 as the news media has given
us great coverage. For the full details read the St. Petersburg Times
article by Lorri Helfand: "Preservation board: Don't raze Biltmore"
"Historic Preservation Committee voted to accept the town attorney's recommended
resolution to deny Urdang's demolition request at Tuesday's meeting, May
17, in Belleair."
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/18/Northpinellas/Preservation_board__D.shtml
Demolition Reprieve: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/Sam_Casella's_Letters.htmWe
again owe Belleair resident, Sam Casella many thanks for the work he did
to bring us to this point.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We urgently need volunteers to help us distribute
the "Save The Belleview Biltmore" red and white yard signs in Belleair
and North Pinellas. We will provide all yard signs for distribution,
but we need people to distribute them at their place of business during
regular office hours. Email
me and put "Yard side distribution" in the subject line. Thank
you.
TOWN OF BELLEAIR MEETINGS AND WEB SITE
Because Belleair meetings may come up faster than
a speeding bullet these days and because times of the meetings may suddenly
change, please mark this down as a contact link if there are any questions
about dates, times or agendas: http://belleair.govoffice.com/
Then after you get to this main page, just click on
"Agenda and Minutes." Also there is information under "Special Notice"
in this same heading. These will list the dates, times and topics that
will be discussed at the town meetings. Please note that since saving
the Biltmore is a major topic in Belleair as Laurie Adams (who is part
of our core Biltmore team) wrote me, anyone may bring up the Biltmore efforts
at a town meeting, and most likely the Belleview Biltmore Hotel will be
discussed at every town meeting. And of course for general information,
there is a link to their "Calendar" at their web site also.
CASA MONICA HOTEL, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
Belleview Biltmore Friend, Allison Dolan, emailed
me information about the preservation of a beautiful Victorian hotel, the
Casa Monica, that was preserved, in St. Augustine Florida . It was
built in 1888 just one year later than the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
The Casa Monica was restored in 1999, originally built by Henry Flagler.
Casa Monica, like the Biltmore, is on the National Register of Historic
Places. For new readers, being on this national register unfortunately
does NOT guarantee its preservation! Enclosed is a photo of Casa
Monica with this email so be sure to look at it. For the full article
"Casa Monica like home to a history buff " by Jan Tuckwood click:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/getaways/content/entertainment/getaways/bandb/north_monica.html
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE T-SHIRTS
You may purchase a beautiful Belleview Biltmore T-shirt
by credit card or by PayPal. The cost is only $15 plus $3.90 for
shipping ($18.90 total) Click http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
to see and to order your T-shirt ON LINE now!
COMMENTARY BY HOWARD TROXLER, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
There was excellent commentary by columnist, Howard
Troxler, in today's St. Petersburg Times, Thursday, May 19, about saving
the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. Bravo Mr. Troxler, bravo! The full
story, "Bandwagon better late than never for Biltmore" is at: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/19/Columns/Bandwagon_better_late.shtml
I have also posted it to the save the Biltmore web
site at: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreNewspapersAndPublications.htm
BE SURE to read his article in its entirety at either
link! Here are some exerts from his article:
"Save the Belleview Biltmore!
Or, to be more exact:
Stop the owner, an anonymous pension fund manager who couldn't care less, from selling a unique site listed on the National Register of Historic Places to an equally uncaring and rapacious developer.
Stop it, how?
By any means available. By hook or crook.
By some kind of determination from the town of Belleair that the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa is the heart of the community, and that razing it for condos and housing developments would violate the town's comprehensive plan.
The situation is that the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, opened in 1897, host to royalty, to presidents and prime ministers in its rich history, is nothing more to its owners than an "underperforming asset."
To them it is not part of a community. Not a symbol, or a piece of Florida's history. Not even, as is often boasted by the locals, the world's largest occupied wooden structure, at 820,000 square feet.
The would-be buyer is DeBartolo Development, that king of the shopping mall, that propagator of Wal-Marts and CVS drugstores across the land.
The company bears the name of the DeBartolo family. The scion of that family, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., admitted in federal court to handing over a $400,000 bribe to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards, and had to give up control of his NFL team in San Francisco to his sister.
Now the wind is shifting a little. Last week the town manager in Belleair issued a new memo saying, heck, maybe the project does violate our comprehensive plan. Like the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus, better late than never.
So maybe the immediate crisis can be delayed. After
that, Belleair needs to lead the local legislative delegation, the county
government and who knows who else in figuring out a way to save the thing
for good. If that doesn't happen, then the town deserves to be converted
to condos and Wal-Marts after all. We'll all deserve it."
COMMENTARY BY CHARY SOUTHMAYD, EDITOR OF THE
BELLEAIR BEE
I really enjoyed reading Chary Southmayd's "Heart
of the Matter Past meets future" article, published in www.TBNWeekly.com
(Tampa Bay Newspapers) - May 10, 2005. BE SURE to click on
the link to read her entire article. Under the search engine at TBN
Weekly, type in "Biltmore" and this will take you to her full article.
I also posted the full article on the Biltmore web site: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreNewspapersAndPublications.htm
By CHARY SOUTHMAYD
"Did you feel that? The earth moved.
Maybe it was Henry and Maisie Plant rolling over in their graves as their beloved Belleview Biltmore faces its possible demise.
It is said that the ghost of Maisie Plant sometimes wanders the halls of the Biltmore - perhaps searching for her string of perfect Cartier pearls. They vanished upon her death - or so the story goes. Perhaps Maisie fears her treasured pearls will be unearthed if the bulldozers plow through, and some greedy developer will get his filthy hands on them.
Some outsider ... like Henry Plant.
I think what moved the earth was the past colliding with the future.
The arch enemy in this epic battle has become the developers.
We cling to the past because so few things last anymore. So little in our material world is considered truly priceless. Seems like everything has a price. Most everyone does, too.
I'm not willing to predict the outcome of the Belleview Biltmore saga. It's too full of unexpected twists and turns to know anything for certain.
Well, maybe a few things.
The loss of the historic landmark would be deeply felt for a long time and, for better or worse, the fabric of Belleair would be changed forever.
Those who control the purse strings couldn't care less.
They have no emotional attachments to the past. Their bets are hedged firmly
on their own prosperous future."
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed Ms. Southmayd's line "the fabric
of Belleair would change forever" so I'd like to expand on this a bit in
closing. Belleair has a rich tapestry of history with the Belleview
Biltmore. As I have mentioned once before, when we save the Belleview
Biltmore, we not only save a hotel, but we save history. The White
Queen of the Gulf wears a majestic gown of white and green, creating a
historical texture in Belleair and also in our country as a historical
landmark.
We need to save this beauty. We need to restore her gown. Then once again she will become the magnificent Victorian lady Henry B. Plant first tailored for her home in Belleair, Florida.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update May 16, Monday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media
and Others,
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING RESCHEDULED NOW!!
May 17, Tuesday 3 P.M.
Another fast change from Belleair! This meet
is NOW rescheduled after it had been cancelled!!
Belleair Historical Preservation Meeting URGENT!!!
RESCHEDULED NOW!!
Tuesday, May 17, 3:00 p.m.
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Belleair, Florida
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=901+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Flyer with both meetings are attached to this email. Feel free to print out and pass around.
BELLEAR TOWN MEETING, TUESDAY NIGHT, MAY 17, 7:30 p.m.
URGENT!!
May 17, Tuesday night
Belleair Town Meeting
Time: 7:30 P.M.
901 Ponce de Leon
Belleair, Florida
Topic of Discussion - Demolition Permit
We need your support
T-Shirts and Yard Signs Available
Map:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=910+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
We had a HUGE turnout at the Belleair Town Meeting
May 3, so we ask you to attend again. This is an extremely important
meeting with the discussion and the anticipation of the rejection of the
demolition permit on the Belleview Biltmore so PLEASE COME!
BELLEAIR TOWN CALENDAR:
Thanks to emails from Biltmore Friends, upon my urging,
the Town of Belleair web site has posted these meetings to their web site:
http://belleair.govoffice.com/
Click at bottom of their web page under: "Calendars"
and then after this "Town Meetings."
A SPECIAL THANKS TO SAM CASELLA
On behalf of everyone involved in saving the Biltmore,
I want to offer a special thanks to Sam Casella in coming to our rescue
concerning the legality of the demolition permit that was taken out.
His personal letter to us is below and also documents related to his very
detailed and thorough work he has done to save the White Queen of the Gulf
to help stop the demolition. (Again please come to the Belleair Town
meeting tomorrow night, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. where the demolition permit
is to be discussed and resolved.)
LETTER FROM SAM CASELLA
Dear Friends of the Biltmore:
Friday, May 13, 2005, was a very good day for all who
want to save the Biltmore! For those few who have been working to
demolish the landmark it was just
another baleful Friday the 13th.
Two significant things happened that day. First, the town manager, to his credit, sent out a memo signaling that he has accepted several major arguments put forth by preservationists regarding the pending demolition permit. Second, the Town Commission, to their credit, hired as their legal counsel for this matter Nancy Stroud who is arguably the finest legal talent in the state for this type of case. The implication of these two events taken together is we can reasonably anticipate that the town is going to reject the demolition permit and fight hard to defend that position. I say bravo!
As a citizen and professional planner who has strived for those two events to occur, I'm deeply encouraged that Friday was a turning point in the battle to save the Biltmore. Not the end of the fight by any means. But certainly a turning point. Just 10 days earlier the town's former legal counsel was telling the world that there is little that could be done to stop the demolition (St. Petersburg Times, May 14, 2005). Now it is clear that the demolition can be stopped and there is an opportunity for all of us to take action that will give the Biltmore the permanent protection it deserves.
For those of you interested in some details of the
10 days that led up to Friday's turning point, I'm making available four
documents:
·
My letter to the Town (May 6) recommending five attorneys for consideration
as special counsel. This letter was sent after 3 days in which I
contacted land
use lawyers around the state to identify the best
legal talent to represent the town in this type of litigation. Number
one on my list was Nancy Stroud who the town
has now hired.
· My letter to the Town (May 12) transmitting a professional planner's analysis of the major issues confronting the demolition permit.
·
My 11 page analysis (May 12) demonstrating that the demolition permit could
not be issued because it would be inconsistent with the town's comprehensiveplan
and because the applicant had failed to comply with the development review
provisions in the town's code of ordinances. My analysis was vetted
with severalland use attorneys including Michael W. Morell, Terrell Arline,
Nancy Stroud, Steve Helfman, and Ted Taub. A few hours after taking
my analysis to town hall, I
got a call from the town manager about it and the
next day his memo (mentioned above) was sent out.
· A letter to me from Terrill K. Arline (May 11) providing his opinion as an attorney that it would be a clear violation of state statutes and local ordinances forthe town to issue a demolition permit without first considering whether that development order would be consistent with the comprehensive plan. This letter was sentto the town on May 12.
My message to all of you dear people who are fighting this fight is that we have won a battle, but much remains to be done. Everyone needs to stay involved until we have ensured that the hotel is protected by the full weight of intelligent public policies, strong local ordinances, and other legal tools such as conservation easements. We also need to develop wise strategies to ensure that its physical condition is protected and that it remains economically viable. Those accomplishments lay ahead of us, and only when they are in place can we rest easy and be secure that the events of a few weeks ago will not happen again. The hotel may be given a reprieve and the next months and years will determine whether we can make the most of it.
Thank you and best regards,
Sam Casella
LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS FROM SAM CASELLA
I have enclosed Sam Casella's letters and documents
in this Belleview Biltmore Update. I have also posted them on the
web site at:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/Sam_Casella's_Letters.htm
for future reference.
T-SHIRT SALES AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!
You may purchase a beautiful Belleview Biltmore T-shirt
by credit card or by PayPal. The cost is $15 plus $3.90 for shipping
($18.90 total) Click
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
to order your T-shirt ON LINE now! I want to offer a special
thanks to Laurie Adams, one of our core Save
The Biltmore team members who is handling mailing
out the T-shirts. She also assisted with getting our petitions signed
for a charter amendment to help save the Biltmore. Thanks Laurie!
YARD SIGNS
Yard signs are available! They are
FREE of charge, but if anyone wants to donate $10 per sign to defray the
expense of them, that would be most appreciated. You may donate with
a credit card or by PayPal on the main web page of
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
with the "Donation" button or when you pick up a yard sign. Any donation,
however, is secure with PayPal on the web site. All donations are
tax deductible. Thank you. Jeff Francis said that about
100 yard signs were picked up yesterday in St. Petersburg.
A more northern location to pick up yard signs will be announced later
this week. As Jeff Francis said, we want a "sea of red" across Pinellas
county with RED save the Belleview Biltmore signs! If you want a
yard sign,
email
me and put "yard sign" in the subject line of your email.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are always looking for volunteers to work with
various activities and fund -raising events.
Email
me to volunteer and just put "Volunteer" in the subject line.
I want to offer a special thanks to one of our core Save The Biltmore supporters,
Julie Kleckner who coordinated our picketing efforts, does a variety of
other activities and also helps with new volunteers. Thanks Julie!
MEET AND GREET PARTY FROM LAST FRIDAY THE 13TH
We had a great turn out at the Meet and Greet party
at the East Gate Cottage this past Friday, and spirits were high because
of the new events about preventing the demolition of the Biltmore thanks
to Sam Casella's hard work. T-shirts were sold, yard signs were handed
out, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were plentiful, and people had a wonderful
time socializing and meeting one another. We offer a special thanks
to all those participating and working hard to make this a successful event!
And a special thanks you to Belleair resident, Mr. Timothy Dennis, who
graciously allowed us to use his property for this social.
TAMPA TRIBUNE EDITORIAL AND CREATIVE TAMPA BAY
The Tampa Tribune wrote an editorial published today,
May 16 with the title: "Politicians Owe It To Citizens To Save Biltmore
Hotel." To read the full article:
http://www.tampatrib.com/News/MGBVX799P8E.html
We thank them for their support to save the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
Biltmore Friend Geneva Forrester brought this to my attention so thank
you Geneva. Also Creative Tampa Bay mentioned our efforts after
I wrote them per Geneva's mentioning them to me. "A local group of
preservation activists are struggling to save the historic Belleview Biltmore
Hotel in Belleair. You can check out their efforts at
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com"
Here is their link:
http://www.creativetampabay.com/index.php?current_newsletter
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Friday the 13th certainly was a lucky day for the
Belleview Biltmore with Sam Casella's work. It was a lucky day for any
Biltmore Friend whose love for the Biltmore brought us to this point with
the new hope that the demolition permit will be rejected tomorrow night.
It took a team of people to get us here. It will take a team of people
to continue the work. Buy a beautiful Biltmore T-shirt, take
the Biltmore historical tour, then tell friends what a magnificent lady
she is, spread the word, write letters to anyone you know, send emails
to everyone you know, buy a yard sign, put flyers up everywhere, donate
money on our web page, volunteer to help behind the scenes, send a ONE-MINUTE
email to the list on the web page, and especially come this Tuesday to
the May 17 Belleair Town Meeting at 7:30 and AGAIN show your support.
Just do at least one thing and join our winning team!!!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update May 14, Saturday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media and Others
GOOD NEWS!
Here is an absolutely wonderful headline in the St.
Petersburg Times, today, Saturday May 14, 2005. "Hopes rise that Biltmore
can be saved." "Belleair's town manager (Steve Cottrell) says the plan
to demolish the historic hotel runs counter to basic town rules. Town officials
now believe they can derail a plan to level the Belleview Biltmore Resort
& Spa because the request is incomplete and inconsistent with the town's
fundamental rules."
"BELLEAIR - Town officials now believe they can derail
a plan to level the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa because the request
is incomplete and inconsistent with the town's fundamental rules.
A new town attorney also said Friday that Belleair leaders could save the 19th century hotel.
The revelations, which seem to contradict earlier thinking that the town could not stop the demolition, buttress the hopes of those determined to preserve the landmark. It also bruises a developer's plan to build possibly hundreds of high-rise condominiums on the property.
The tide turned quickly Friday.
Town Manager Steve Cottrell said in a memo to town commissioners that any request to demolish the Biltmore needs lengthy public scrutiny, including hearings before the commission and the town's planning board.
The town manager also believed the town could stop any demolition, saying it was at odds with Belleair's comprehensive plan.
"Belleair will lose much of its history if the hotel, which is a national registered place, were to be altered in function or appearance in any significant manner," the plan states.
Cottrell, who wrote the opinion without the advice of an attorney, said he intended to provide his report to the Biltmore's owners, pension-fund manager Urdang & Associates.
"Sometimes so many things are being thrown out at you, you overlook the obvious," said Cottrell. "Sometimes, you need to step back and look at the bigger picture."
A Tampa lawyer for the hotel's owner declined to comment on the memo, which was faxed to him by a reporter Friday afternoon. A phone call to Urdang's Pennsylvania headquarters was not returned.
The Pennsylvania company has a contract to sell the resort to DeBartolo Development, which has discussed building as many as 600 condominiums and possibly a Ritz-Carlton hotel on the 20-plus-acre resort site.
Preservationists hailed Cottrell's memo as a victory.
"Now that the permit can be rejected, the town can move to the next issue: How do we develop a stronger set of protections for our historic and scenic resources?" said Sam Casella, a professional planner who has fought the redevelopment, raising many of the arguments made in the memo by the town manager.
Town commissioners on Friday hired a South Florida law firm that believes the hotel can be spared. Earlier this month, commissioners voted to remove former town attorney Joel Tew from work on hotel issues after he said he had previously worked for DeBartolo; Tew later resigned.
"People have property rights, absolutely. But the government and the public has rights when it comes to historical properties," said Stephen J. Helfman, of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske. "The town is in an extremely strong position."
Helfman's firm specializes in municipal law, and he heads the land use and zoning decision. Helfman and Nancy Stroud, a lawyer and a professional planner, will represent the town on issues related to the hotel.
"I don't know what the commission will ultimately choose to do, but there are ways, I believe, so that this uneasiness, this type of discussion, won't happen in the future," said Helfman, who is also Key Biscayne's village attorney.
Friday's events were an about-face from just two weeks ago, when Tew suggested there was little the town could do to stop demolition.
"I have a tremendous sense of relief," Commissioner Bonnie Ruggles said. "I think we have the representation I wish we had obviously back in the fall. I sense that many feel the same way."
By Aaron Sharockman and Lorri Helfand. Article at:
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/14/Northpinellas/Hopes_rise_that_Biltm.shtml
BELLEAIR'S WEB SITE AND CALENDAR INFORMATION
The fact that two meetings had been scheduled in Belleair
this past week within such short notice and then the time was changed late
Friday night after my first Belleview Biltmore Update, and NOTHING to this
regard was posted on Belleair's web site is insulting to all citizens and
to the news media who need this pertinent information. People showed up
for a town meeting at 4 p.m. when it was originally scheduled for 3 p.m.
on Friday the 13th. There is absolutely no excuse for not having the Belleair
town calendar web site updated as meetings are scheduled.
Please write Belleair's Town Manager, Steve Cottrell and Mayor George Mariani, and the town commissioners, a ONE- MINUTE mass mailing that when Belleair has town meetings, this information should be IMMEDIATELY posted to their web site under their "Calendar" section! Why have a community web site when people can not be immediately updated on current events and meetings! (Email addresses below)
Here is a sample ONE-MINUTE email you may use to email them or write your own.
Please update
the Belleair web site calendar as the events are scheduled so
the media
and community will always know when meetings are scheduled
at any
given moment.
Thank you.
gemarianijr@cs.com, tmanager@tampabay.rr.com, bruggles@tampabay.rr.com, eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com, fowlerarch@aol.com, gmkatica@highstream.net, mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com
Here is the complete list of above:
George Mariani, Mayor of Belleair
Email:
gemarianijr@cs.com
Steve Cottrell
Email:
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com
Micah Maxwell
Email:
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com
Stephen Fowler, Belleair Commissioner
Email:
fowlerarch@aol.com
Gary Katica, Belleair Commissioner
Email:
gmkatica@highstream.net
Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Commissioner
Email:
bruggles@tampabay.rr.com
Ernst Upmeyer, Belleair Commissioner
Email:
eupmeyer@ix.netcom.com
T-SHIRT SALES AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!
You may purchase a beautiful Belleview Biltmore T-shirt
by credit card or by PayPal. The cost is $15 plus $3.90 for shipping ($18.90
total) Click
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
to order your T-shirt ON LINE now!
MONDAY NIGHT MEETING CANCELLED IN BELLEAIR
A historical preservation board meeting that had been
scheduled for this Monday night, May 16 in Belleair is now CANCELLED!
"SAVE THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE" YARD SIGNS ARE IN!
Come one, come all to pick up "Save the Belleview
Biltmore" yard signs and start a "red sea" of these red yard signs across
Pinellas County!
When: This Sunday afternoon May 15
Time: 4-7 p.m.
3150 71st Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida
The location to pick up the yard signs is off Tyrone Blvd across from Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg. Some volunteers will be working here on Biltmore related things also. The signs are FREE, but we do ask for $10 donation to cover costs which will allow us to keep producing them. The location to pick up the yard signs is Jeff Francis's office.
Detailed directions: The north side of the Tyrone Overpass (use small frontage road near Hooters Restaurant, go through two stop signs, and straight into gate). There are four vacant acres with two large blue buildings onsite. The signs are located at the small blockhouse near the gate. It is a large site.
Next week, a more expanded distribution system will
be in place, where Belleair and north county residents can get their signs
without having to travel to St. Petersburg.
MY THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
In saving the golden treasures of the past, we bank
on enriching the present and the future.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update May 12, Thursday, 2005
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media Others,
Please note, this is a quick Biltmore Update to announce a very URGENT meeting tomorrow, Friday at the Belleair Town Hall.
DETAILS:
Belleair Special Town Meeting URGENT!!!
Friday, May 13, 3:00 p.m.
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Belleair, Florida
Agenda: Hiring of new attorney
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=901+ponce+de+leon&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Per Rae Claire Johnson: "It is imperative that we get people there to assure they do not hire a TEW recommended attorney. Sam Casella has compiled a list of well-respected individuals in the area of land use and planning. These are people who are neutral with no ties to our community. It is obvious that this meeting is being schedule to dissuade attendance. We can not let that happen. Please make every effort to attend."
Please note that the Town of Belleair has NOT put any
of this information on their web site calendar as of 10:30 p.m. Thursday
night. I am hoping it is on their web site tomorrow during
regular working hours.
COCKTAIL PARTY, MEET AND GREET
Reminder: There will be a meet and greet cocktail
party this Friday night, May 13 at the from 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. at
the East Gate Cottage. (This is the Victorian House just inside
the Belleview Biltmore Hotel Guard house, and you will see it set up to
the right of the house in the side yard.) Use the hotel's parking
to the left of the driveway. Anyone may attend the cocktail party for free!
There will be wine and hors d'oeuvres, a donation station, a $20 donation
recommended, T-shirt sales, yard signs available and a petition drive.
So come and socialize and share your ideas to help save YOUR Biltmore Hotel!
'"PJ PARTY AT THE BELLEVIEW, May 13-15"
Reminder: We have an exciting and fun fund raising
event this coming weekend at the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, called the "PJ
Party at the Belleview." It starts Friday, May 13, and it includes
a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Victorian Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
There is a meet and greet Friday night, hors d’oeuvres, Saturday night
dinner buffet, historic tour, entertainment, sepia photos, caricatures,
antique car show, a champagne brunch and on Sunday an optional ice cream
social and optional golf package. To make reservations contact:
info@travelingtogether.net.
Their web site is: www.TravelingTogether.net.
Or call to make a reservation at: Ph (727) 239-0483 ~ Toll Free (866) 224-0550.
Fax (727) 239-0485
The price is only $250.00 per person, double occupancy
and $360.00 single occupancy. Call your friends and come out together for
this wonderful weekend to help save the Belleview Biltmore! (Please
note that Biltmore web site will NOT take reservations so just contact
info@travelingtogether.net)
Come one, come all! Again remember there will be a cocktail party
Friday night 7 till 9 at the East Gate Cottage. Anyone may attend the cocktail
party for FREE. To see the formal invitation on the Save the Biltmore
web site click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmorePJ_Party.htm
BELLEAR TOWN MEETING MAY 17
There is a Belleair Town Meeting coming up May 17,
Tuesday at 7:30, 901 Ponce de Leon, Belleair, Florida. The topic
of discussion is the demolition permit. We need community support
so please turn out again in mass and bring everyone you know! We
had a tremendous turnout a few weeks ago at the Town Meeting, so we want
to see you again. Belleview Biltmore T-shirts and yard signs will
be available.
BANNER
Biltmore Friend Jeff Francis is getting a 24 foot
x 3 foot banner made with 'Save the Belleview Biltmore' and our website
www.savethebiltmore.com
on it. He will hang it on his commercial building that fronts the
Tyrone Overpass (across from a Debartolo Mall, Tyrone Square) and seen
by 50,000+ cars a day. If anyone else out there has access to a highly
visible property and can hang a sign, please email@savethebiltmore.com.
WILDFLOWER CAFE
The Wildflower Cafe in Clearwater, Florida, 1465 So.
Fort Harrison Avenue #105
Clearwater, FL, http://www.wildflowercafe.net/
has offered to sell our beautiful Belleview T-shirt, so we hope to have
them stocked there within a day or so. Thank you Wildflower
Cafe! How about it Belleair people, and all of Pinellas County, what
stores or restaurants do you live by that you can drop in and ask if they
would sell our T-shirts? I'm sure you all know at least one store
or restaurant that you could talk to who would be happy to help us. Email@savethebiltmore.com
when you find one.
T-SHIRT SALES AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!
You may purchase a Belleview Biltmore T-shirt by credit
card or by PayPal. The cost is $15 plus $3.90 for shipping ($18.90
total) Click http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
to order your T-shirt ON LINE now!
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Save the Biltmore Message Board is filled with
comments by concerned citizens who want to save the Biltmore. This
shows a high level of interest. However, we need a STRONG level of
interest from you now! And we need a STRONG level of interest from
the entire community! Attend tomorrow's meeting at the Town Hall
at 4 p.m., come to the Meet and Greet social tomorrow night, purchase a
Biltmore T-shirt, attend the PJ party, and then come again to the Town
Hall meetings this coming Monday and Tuesday.
We need your help now more than ever.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update May 11, Wednesday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media
and Others:
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE FLYER ENCLOSED
Please note that a flyer in Word document is enclosed
about upcoming events to help save the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
Feel free to print this out and distribute to friends, family, office workers,
windows, store fronts etc. Or take it to a printer and have dozens
printed out and spread the word! Please note that this flyer is also
available for printing out on the save the Biltmore web site at: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreFlyer1.htm
COCKTAIL PARTY
There will be a meet and greet cocktail party this
Friday night, May 13 at the from 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. at the East Gate
Cottage. (This is the Victorian House just inside the Belleview
Biltmore Hotel Guard house, and you will see it set up to the right of
the house in the side yard.) Use the hotel's parking to the left
of the driveway. Anyone may attend the cocktail party for free!
There will be wine and hors d'oeuvres, a donation station, T-shirt sales,
yard signs available and a petition drive. So come and socialize
and share your ideas to help save YOUR Biltmore Hotel!
'"PJ PARTY AT THE BELLEVIEW, May 13-15"
Reminder: We have an exciting and fun fund raising
event this coming weekend at the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, called the "PJ
Party at the Belleview." It starts Friday, May 13, and it includes
a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Victorian Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
There is a meet and greet Friday night, hors d’oeuvres, Saturday night
dinner buffet, historic tour, entertainment, sepia photos, caricatures,
antique car show, a champagne brunch and on Sunday an optional ice cream
social and optional golf package. To make reservations contact:
info@travelingtogether.net.
Their web site is: www.TravelingTogether.net.
Or call to make a reservation at: Ph (727) 239-0483 ~ Toll Free (866) 224-0550.
Fax (727) 239-0485
The price is only $250.00 per person, double occupancy
and $360.00 single occupancy. Call your friends and come out together for
this wonderful weekend to help save the Belleview Biltmore! (Please
note that Biltmore web site will NOT take reservations so just contact
info@travelingtogether.net)
Come one, come all! Again remember there will be a cocktail party
Friday night 7 till 9 at the East Gate Cottage. Anyone may attend the cocktail
party for FREE. To see the formal invitation on the Save the Biltmore
web site click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmorePJ_Party.htm
BELLEAR TOWN MEETING
There is a Belleair Town Meeting coming up May 17,
Tuesday at 7:30, 901 Ponce de Leon, Belleair, Florida. The topic
of discussion is the demolition permit. We need community support
so please turn out again in mass and bring everyone you know! We
had a tremendous turnout a few weeks ago at the Town Meeting, so we want
to see you again. Belleview Biltmore T-shirts and yard signs will
be available.
DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT
AND OTHER BILLS:
We urgently need donations for newspaper display advertisements
so just click the email link below to donate money for this cause.
Plus we have legal fees to pay also to continue the legal fight to save
the Biltmore. You may donate with a credit card or by PayPal. Any
donation, however, is secure with PayPal. All donations are tax deductible.
Newspaper advertisements keep our cause going! Thank you.
YARD SIGNS:
Yard signs are available this week. They are
FREE of charge, but if anyone wants to donate $5 per sign to defray the
expense of them, that would be most appreciated. You may donate with
a credit card or by PayPal. Any donation, however, is secure with
PayPal. Again all donations are tax deductible. Thank you.
As Jeff Francis said, we want a "sea of red" across Pinellas county with
RED save the Belleview Biltmore signs! If you want a yard sign, email
me. Please put "Yard Sign" in subject line. To donate $5 or more
for yard signs click:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We urgently need VOLUNTEERS for support tasks and
also volunteers for picketing on street corners. Email
if interested. We will provide all signs and give you further details
on the dates and locations and other activities that we need help on.
Please put "Volunteer" in subject line.
T-SHIRT SALES AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!
You may purchase a Belleview Biltmore T-shirt by credit
card or by PayPal. The cost is $15 plus $3.90 for shipping ($18.90
total) Click http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
to order your T-shirt ON LINE now!
LETTER FROM KATHLEEN KAUFFMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
FLORIDA TRUST
May 9, 2005
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore:
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation has seen a tremendous outpouring of support by concerned citizens who do not want to see the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, in Belleair, Florida, be demolished.
We believe that the Belleview Biltmore could easily be a major heritage destination of Pinellas County, and a fine testament to the dedication and perseverance of a major grassroots effort by its citizens. We would also like to keep you informed of what the Florida Trust is doing to support the rescue and restoration of this incredibly significant historic property.
In the Winter 2005 issue of The Florida Preservationist, the Florida Trust dedicated a full page spread on the plight of the hotel (page 6.) Immediately following the release of this newsletter is when DeBartolo Development initially backed off from pursuing their project, citing that there wasn’t enough community support.
After learning that DeBartolo once again had a contract on the property, the Florida Trust placed the Belleview Biltmore Hotel on its 11 Most Endangered List. The entire list of endangered properties will formally be announced at the Florida Trust’s Annual Preservation Conference, which will be held in Coral Gables, May 19-21, 2005. A conference brochure can be downloaded from the Trust’s homepage, www.floridatrust.org.
We must emphasize that the power to protect this hotel lies with your local government, the City Commission of Belleair and the Pinellas County Commission. If there is enough dedication and resolve from your elected officials, certainly an effort would be made to try and come to some sort of an agreement with DeBartolo Development.
With a little creative thinking, encouragement and a coming together of the minds, a solution can be found. There are many economic incentives out there that are available to developers to try and encourage the preservation of historic structures, such as the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit and the New Market Tax Credit.
I know that the Florida Trust and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are willing to help explain these credits, and other alternatives to demolition, at a roundtable discussion with all the official parties involved in this matter. Until further notice, however, we suggest you keep insisting to your local and county commission that it is YOUR desire to see your history saved.
If you are not already a member of the Florida Trust, I encourage you to join us in our mission to save what’s left of old Florida. Membership enables you to take advantage of our publications and information resources and helps support our preservation efforts, including the fight for the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman
Executive Director
Florida Trust For Historic Preservation
director@floridatrust.org
P.O. Box 11206
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 224-8128
BUSINESS WEEK ARTICLE
I received an email from J. Bruce Cumming, Jr. in
which he gave me a link to a wonderful article
"Hotels That Have A Story To Tell "
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_19/b3932141_mz070.htm
Here is an exerpt from the article in which they are talking about a restored hotel: La Fonda in Santa Fe: "Sure, you could find fancier digs. Except for suites on a new concierge level, many of the 167 rooms at La Fonda are simple and small. But visitors flock to it for reasons other than luxury. "It has so much character and history," says Joyce Slaughter of Fort Davis, Tex., who, with her husband Richard, has stayed in Room 200 for 26 Christmas Eves." Historic hotels such as La Fonda are reaping the benefits of a growing interest in heritage travel. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, travelers who ventured at least 50 miles from home included historical or cultural activities on nearly 217 million trips in 2002, an increase of 13% from 1996."
This is GREAT news for our Belleview Biltmore Hotel
because people will want to travel to Belleair for reliving history and
experiencing a historical landmark. The article also details other historical
hotels that are still living, breathing and offering history to their guests.
There is a wonderful slide show of 14 historic hotels, so be sure to look
at it at the above link. Even our famed Don Cesar on St. Petersburg Beach
is featured in the slide show! The Don Cesar was saved, and we must
save Pinellas County's gem, the Belleview Biltmore!
ORGANIZATIONS TO OUR RESCUE!
Jeff Francis, one of our core supporters, reported
that CONA (The Council of Neighborhood Associations) wants to back our
efforts 100%. He will speak to them about our efforts next
week, and they will take hundreds (if not thousands) of signs and post
them. Also, he told them about the need for donations to support
our campaign.
Also, several young men from the Boy Scout Troop (Troop 301), have volunteered to post signs, write letters, and help us raise money.
Yesterday I was researching the saving of the Albert
Whitted Airport, Pinellas County, after Jeff mentioned it to me a few days
ago in an email. The Albert Whitted Airport was on the chopping block
just a few years ago in 2003 to be replaced by condos. The online article
said that ORGANIZATIONS were the key to getting lots of participation in
saving the airport. So if you belong to ANY organization such as
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTA, sports groups, civic organization, political
parties, churches, fraternities, sororities etc, email
me to set up getting flyers for your organization to distribute and
to help with volunteering etc. Please type in "Organization" in the
subject line.
PHOTOS OF
THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL 1985
Enclosed with this email are photographs courtesy
of professional photographer, Brenda H. Nixon. She took these in
1985 so we thank her very much for sharing these precious photos with all
of us. The swimming pool is no longer there, but I wanted to
include this photo for the sake of the Biltmore history. Perhaps
you might recognize yourself as a youngster at the swimming pool!
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ARTICLE
Today's article in the St. Petersburg Times by Lorri
Helfand was very uplifting as time is more on our side to save the Biltmore.
The headline was "Asbestos may slow hotel razing." Subheading:
"Nobody knows how much of the hazardous material is in the resort. But
its removal is complicated." To read her complete article: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/11/Northpinellas/Asbestos_may_slow_raz.shtml
But urgency is always there to save the Biltmore, so help us by passing
out flyers which are enclosed in this email.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Given the choice: Do we want "condo country" in America
or do we want "historical hotels?" My vote is for historical hotels,
for within those walls is the history of the American people and their
story. We must forever honor and remember them by keeping our buildings
intact.
Remember: We are not just saving the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, we are saving history.
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update May 10, 2005 Tuesday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media and Others:
'"PJ PARTY AT THE BELLEVIEW, May 13-15"
Reminder: We have an exciting and fun fund raising
event this coming weekend at the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, called the "PJ
Party at the Belleview." It starts Friday, May 13 and it includes
a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Victorian Belleview Biltmore.
There is a meet and greet Friday night, hors d’oeuvres, Saturday night
dinner buffet, historic tour, entertainment, sepia photos, caricatures,
antique car show, a champagne brunch and on Sunday an optional ice cream
social and optional golf package. To make reservations contact:
info@travelingtogether.net.
Their web site is: www.TravelingTogether.net.
Or call to make a reservation at: Ph (727) 239-0483 ~ Toll Free (866) 224-0550.
Fax (727) 239-0485
The price is only $250.00 per person, double occupancy
and $360.00 single occupancy. Call your friends and come out together for
this wonderful weekend to help save the Belleview Biltmore! (Please
note that Biltmore web site will NOT take reservations so just contact
info@travelingtogether.net)
Come one, come all! Also there will be a cocktail party Friday
night 7 till 9 at the East Gate Cottage. It is included in package or anyone
can attend the cocktail party for $20. To see the formal invitation
on the Save the Biltmore web site click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmorePJ_Party.htm
DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT
AND OTHER BILLS:
We urgently need donations for newspaper display advertisements
for this week so just click the email link below to donate money for this
cause. Plus we have legal fees to pay also to continue the legal
fight to save the Biltmore. You may donate with a credit card or by PayPal.
Any donation, however, is secure with PayPal. Please note that large
display ads cost thousands of dollars so please help us save the Biltmore
with your donation. Per Jeff Francis: How about 25 homeowners pitching
in $500 on this? That would be $12,500. We could
run one half page newspaper advertisement and one full page advertisement
with this amount.
We had a tremendous response from our last display newspaper advertisements with a huge turn out at the Belleair Town Meeting on May 3 so help us gain more supporters with another newspaper ad! All donations are tax deductible. Newspaper advertisements keep our cause going! Thank you.
YARD SIGNS:
Yard signs should be available this coming Thursday,
May 12. They are in the process of being produced. They
are FREE of charge, but if anyone wants to donate $5 per sign to defray
the expense of them, that would be most appreciated. You may donate
with a credit card or by PayPal. Any donation, however, is secure
with PayPal. Again all donations are tax deductible. Thank
you.
As Jeff Francis said we want a "sea of red" across Pinellas county with RED save the Belleview Biltmore signs! If you want a yard sign, email and put "yard sign" in the subject line of your email. To donate $5 or more for yard signs click:
PARADE MAGAZINE:
May is National Historical Preservation Month, and
communities just like ours all over America will be celebrating our country's
history and heritage. Parade Magazine devoted not only the front
page of their magazine to this cause but also a full article inside their
magazine which is inserted into newspapers around the country. www.parade.com
Many Biltmore supporters emailed me about this so thank you for taking
the time. Here are the links if you wish to read their story on it:
http://www.parade.com/history/stories/history_happened.html
http://www.parade.com/history/stories/announcement.html
http://www.parade.com/history/stories/cradle.html
Parade Magazine is also sponsoring a preservation contest so ALL Belleview Biltmore Friends, NOW is the time to enter this contest to help save the Biltmore! Here is the information from their web site:
"Is there a place in your neighborhood or community that deserves to be recognized for its historical or cultural significance to our nation? We want to hear about it. As part of National Preservation Month, we invite you to enter PARADE’s “Tell America’s Story” Preservation Award Contest."
Just click the following link for all information and how to enter this exciting contest. It is PERFECT timing to save YOUR Biltmore! http://www.parade.com/history/how_to_enter.html
Official rules of the contest: http://www.parade.com/history/rules.html
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We urgently need VOLUNTEERS for picketing on street
corners. Email
if
interested. We will provide all signs and give you further details
on the dates and locations. Just put "Volunteer" in the subject
line of your email.
T-SHIRT SALES AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!
GREAT NEWS! Online sales of the beautiful Belleview
Biltmore Hotel T-shirt are available! This beautifully designed rendition
(see photo enclosed in this email) of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Belleair,
Florida for our T-shirt was designed by born and raised St. Petersburg
artist, Betsy Schott, so we sincerely thank her for helping us save the
Biltmore. She also designed the T-shirt for the "Save the Vinoy Hotel",
in St. Petersburg in the early 80's. Please note that the actual
size of the artwork on the T-shirt you purchase is: 8-1/2" x 11".
In order to protect the artist's work from copycats, I have purposely decreased
the size of the photo. It is now available for ONLINE purchase
NOW.
You may purchase a Belleview Biltmore T-shirt by credit card or by PayPal. The cost is $15 plus $3.90 for shipping ($18.90 total) Click http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm to order your T-shirt ON LINE now!
To order your Biltmore T-shirt by check: Send
your check and request for a Belleview Biltmore T-shirt to:
Friends of the Belleview Biltmore $18.90 total,
T-shirt price and shipping
c/o Rae Claire Johnson
1717 Indian Rocks Road
Belleair, FL 33756
We need help in marketing and sales of this T-shirt so email f you would like to stock these T-shirts in your place of business or to sell to friends or family. I will put you in contact with the man heading up marketing and sales. This is a great fund raising opportunity to save the Belleview Biltmore for teenagers, children and adults so help us now to buy one or to sell them!
Many of you want to know what YOU can do to help save the Belleview Biltmore, so now is your chance to attend the fun PJ Party this weekend at the Biltmore, donate money, buy the Biltmore T-shirt, volunteer for picketing and to write to Parade Magazine for their historical preservation contest.
So pick one or pick all!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Belleview Biltmore Update May 7, 2005 Saturday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media and Others,
'"PJ PARTY AT THE BELLEVIEW, May 13-15"We have an exciting and fun fund raising event next weekend at the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, called the "PJ Party at the Belleview." It starts Friday, May 13 and it includes a two-night hotel stay at the beautiful Victorian Belleview Biltmore. Enclosed is the complete invitation for you to look at and all the details including a meet and greet Friday night, hors d’oeuvres, Saturday night dinner buffet, historic tour, entertainment, sepia photos, caricatures, antique car show, a champagne brunch and on Sunday an optional ice cream social and optional golf package. To make reservations contact: info@travelingtogether.net. Their web site is: www.TravelingTogether.net. Or call to make a reservation at: Ph (727) 239-0483 ~ Toll Free (866) 224-0550. Fax (727) 239-0485 For more details open the enclosed document with this email which gives more details. The price is only $250.00 per person, double occupancy and $360.00 single occupancy. Call your friends and come out together for this wonderful weekend to help save the Belleview Biltmore! (Please note that Biltmore web site will NOT take reservations so just contact info@travelingtogether.net) Come one, come all!
DONATIONS: (for
newspaper ads, legal fees)
If you are unable to
come to the PJ Party, and still would like to donate:Friends of the Belleview
Biltmore (make check payable to this)
Save the Belleview Campaign
c/o Rae Claire Johnson
1717 Indian Rocks Road
Belleair, FL 33756LETTER
FROM JEFF FRANCIS: Enclosed is a letter from Jeff Francis, one of
our core Biltmore supporters. He is the gentleman who so graciously
donated money for the large newspaper advertisements you have seen in the
St. Petersburg Times this week. He told me he wrote this letter to
editors around Florida.
Greetings:
I am appalled at the travesty that is unfolding in this community with regards to the proposed demolition of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Belleair.
This 1897 Henry Plant built hotel is the largest and perhaps the most significant landmark in Florida's industrial history era.
The desire to save this important structure will not be won with letters and yelling alone. It will take money, lots of it, which is the only language that big corporations understand.
May I suggest to Urdang Corp to offer the Biltmore to a new owner who will preserve and operate the hotel as it is, or give this community a reasonable time to assemble a private or private-public partnership to buy the hotel at fair market value. To the Debartolo Development Corp, you would be wise to stand down on this deal. You have made millions in the Tampa Bay Area, and will continue to make millions on your projects here. Do you really want to alienate this community by destroying one of the last pieces of history that remain here?
Maybe this community should consider at a mass boycott of Debartolo and Urdang related businesses until they guarantee that this historic landmark will not be demolished.
If I was a Belleair homeowner, I would be talking to my neighbors and town commission about an assessment to help the town get involved in a public private partnership to keep these proposed condos and traffic out of my backyard.
Community support for preservation has been demonstrated, over 70% of the residents of St. Petersburg have voted to tax themselves to save Sunken Gardens and Albert Whitted Airport. An informal poll shows 70% support to save the Belleview. Not the best option, but an option.
Community and corporate leaders, philanthropists, local and statewide politicians, and to the millions that make up this community, please get involved and do not let this jewel be lost for the sake of a few more condos.
As a 42 year old lifetime
resident of this county, I will be forever ashamed if this community sits
back and allows the Belleview Biltmore Hotel to be demolished.
The time is now to act.
Sincerely,
Jeff Francis
T-SHIRTS:
Click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm to order a beautiful Belleview Biltmore T-shirt!
YARD SIGNS:
Yard signs should be available next Thursday, May 12. They are in the process of being produced. They are FREE of charge, but if anyone wants to donate $5 per sign to defray the expense of them, that would be most appreciated.Sincerely,Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Biltmore Update May 4, 2005 Wednesday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, News Media and Others:
Here are the results of Tuesday night's Town Meeting, May 3, 2005 Between 300-400 Belleview Biltmore Friends and supporters attended! A wonderful turn out. Thank you !
1. Attorney Joel Tew has resigned his position as Belleair town attorney.
2. The extension of
the demolition for permit did not pass. Commissioner Gary Katica
motioned
to pass a 30-day extension,
Commission Bonnie Ruggles (who by the way sits
as the Commission Adviser
to the Belleair Historic Preservation Board)
seconded the motion, however,
when the vote was taken (3 yes, 2 no)
Yeas--Katica, Fowler, Upmeyer.
Nays--Mayor Mariani and Commissioner Ruggles.
They needed a super majority
of 4/1 but only had 3/2.
3. The Town Manager, Steve
Cottrell was not fired, however, MANY believe he should submit his
resignation today. The citizens
of Belleair do NOT believe he has their best interest at heart.
His address is below if you
wish to contact him in this or any regard.
Steve Cottrell, Belleair Town Manager
Phone: (727) 588-3769 ext. 310
Fax: (727) 588-3778
Email:
tmanager@tampabay.rr.com
4. The Urdang group (owners
of the Biltmore) will press on and attend Thursday's meeting with the
Belleair Historic Preservation
Board scheduled at Town Hall for 4PM. Be there!!
5. Our Biltmore attorney,
Ken Weiss, is pursing more legal actions and looking into comprehensive
planning
attorneys to help us.
TODAY'S ALERT:
1. URGENT! Per information in the St.
Petersburg Times newspaper, Saturday, April 30, 2005, regarding behind
the scenes proceedings unknown to all of us until today, PLEASE contact
Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General and request that his office look
into the relationship between DeBartolo Development, Belleair Mayor George
Mariani, Belleair Attorney, Joel Tew, and Town Manager, Steve Cottrell
and their actions and relationship including other business holdings and
relationships.
Read full St. Petersburg Times article. http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/30/Northpinellas/Belleair_wasn_t_so_in.shtml
Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
Phone (850) 414-3300
FAX (850) 410-1630
Toll Free 1 (866) 966-7226
To file a complaint go to the web site: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/ConsumerComplaint.pdf
2. See above, first paragraph of this Biltmore
Update. Results of Belleair Town Meeting.
3. Thursday, May 5, 4:00 P.M. Belleair Town
Hall - Please attend! Details below. It is an early meeting
so for those employed, see if you can leave work early to attend.
4. If you work at Honeywell and support saving
the Belleview, you can be a tremendous help by contacting your Human Resources
Department with a request to move your pension funds from Urdang management.
You have this right, and it will help us tremendously.
5. The Belleview Biltmore T-shirt can now be
ordered. They will be available at all upcoming events. http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm.
6. Check out upcoming events right below this
paragraph- put them on your calendar.
7. Send a donation to help with legal feeds,
newspaper ads. "Funds for the Belleview Biltmore" See below for address.
8. Please send a message of support for the
Belleview Biltmore Hotel, your "ONE MINUTE LETTER" immediately to
the news media. One click does it all! We have NEW media email
addresses now. Urgent!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (bring a car load of
your friends and family to all events!)
Thursday, May 5, 2005
Time: 4 p.m.
Belleair Historical Preservation Committee
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Belleair, Florida
Map: see above
Our second peaceful picketing campaign will be held
at this meeting.
PLEASE plan to attend. It is an early meeting
so for those employed, see if you can leave work early to attend. Your
support to save the Biltmore is greatly needed.
Weekend, May 13 and 14, 2005
PJ Party at the Belleview
25 Belleview Boulevard
Belleair, Florida
Details to be announced
We would like to establish a rough idea on how many
might attend. Please send us a message if you think you may come.
Bring the family. What better way to help your children learn about volunteering
and community support? If you have other plans - why not change them?
Instead have your family and/or friends come along! It's going to be fun
- something for everyone. Tours, dinner and music, opera performance, nationally
syndicated cartoonist, pool, tennis…
LETTER FROM A BILTMORE FRIEND:
"It is imperative that the Belleview Biltmore be saved
from demolition. I have emailed everyone I can think of, including
elected officials, newspapers, friends, Attorney General, mass list, etc.
We MUST save this tremendously historic structure from the wrecking ball.
The Fox Theater in Atlanta was saved by a loan, one day before Bell South
was to begin demolition!!!Perhaps someone can contact the "Save the Fox"
organization to see how they did that. Doug M.
(side note, can someone research for me how "Save
the Fox" was accomplished?
Email me at:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/EmailMe.htm
LETTERS FROM PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
#1.
"Thank you for your email regarding the impending
demolition of the Belleview Biltmore hotel. The County does not have jurisdiction
in this issue, however, we have instructed our legal staff to explore any
available options for the County. We are also working directly with elected
officials from the Town of Belleair to explore their policy position relative
to the hotel's preservation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and concerns."
Kenneth T. Welch
Pinellas County Commission Vice-Chairman
ktwelch@pinellascounty.org
www.pinellascounty.org
#2
"Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Belleview
Biltmore. I appreciate the time you have taken to send this message
to me.
Unfortunately the Board of County Commissioners has no authority in this matter unless a Land Use Plan Amendment is required. Re-zoning alone would fall solely within the jurisdiction of the Town of Belleair. The Belleview Biltmore’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places does not protect it from development and future plans for the site are at the discretion of the owner. Unfortunately, personal feelings cannot outweigh current law.
Thank you again for the time you have taken to write. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at any time in the future on this or any other matter of importance to you."
Commissioner Susan Latvala
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Florida 33756
slatvala@pinellascounty.org
www.pinellascounty.org
DONATIONS: (for newspaper ads, legal fees)
Friends of the Belleview Biltmore (make check payable
to this)
Save the Belleview Campaign
c/o Rae Claire Johnson
1717 Indian Rocks Road
Belleair, FL 33756
"TEN BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR SENSITIVE REHABILITATION"
This information is from the National Historic Preservation. I am including it because I feel it is important for us to save the entire Biltmore Hotel, and here are guidelines.
"Ten Basic Principles for Sensitive Rehabilitation "What Every Restorer Should Know," an article by Susan Morse, appeared in the January/February 1989 issue of Historic Preservation. Morse lists the Department of the Interior’s "Ten Basic Principles for Sensitive Rehabilitation," also known as the "Do’s and Don’ts for First-Timers and Veterans."
1. Make every effort to use the building for its original purpose.
2. Do not destroy distinctive original features.
3. Recognize all buildings as products of their own time.
4. Recognize and respect changes that have taken place over time.
5. Treat sensitively distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craft work.
6. Repair rather than replace worn architectural features when possible. When replacement is necessary, new material should match the old in design, composition, and color.
7. Clean facades using the gentlest methods possible. Avoid sandblasting and other damaging methods.
8. Protect and preserve affected archeological resources.
9. Compatible contemporary alterations are acceptable if they do not destroy significant historical or architectural fabric.
10. Build new additions so they can be removed without
impairing the underlying structure.
LETTER FROM A BELLEVIEW BILTMORE FRIEND:
"I am sending info about the Biltmore situation to
different newspapers around the USA. I send several a day. Never know but
there maybe someone in those areas who may have stayed at the Biltmore
who could help! Do you have the contacts of who exactly got behind and
saved the Don CeSar and Vinoy?? If you had those names, there might
be a fabulous source available again to help." Linda Helm
Side note: Can someone get me this information?
Thanks, Diane. http://www.savethebiltmore.com/EmailMe.htm
LETTER FROM LARGO CIVIC ASSOCIATION:
"To The Good People of Save The Belleview Biltmore,
While yours is not a backyard issue for Largo citizens,
I offer the following. Understanding the basic tenets of what our
(LCA) membership believes is conducive to good government and proper representation
of it's citizens, I think I can safely assume that the overwhelming majority
of our members would strongly support your actions wholeheartedly.
We wish you the best in your struggle to preserve the best interests of Belleair's citizens in what has become a never ending struggle against the influence of money and greed. As our members, who are residents of the "City Of Progress" will attest, we are in a constant siege by development and so called growth. We continue to lose our battles and so we offer you're Save The Belleview Biltmore group our best wishes for a complete victory of your efforts.
Stay the course and good luck."
Sincerely,
Ernest Wm Bach
President - Largo Civic Association
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ARTICLE MAY 3, 2005:
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/831663811.html?MAC=51268d2cee6fdabd15a9ff90b6d472ce&did=831663811&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=May+3%2C+2005&author=LORRI+HELFAND&printformat=&desc=Petition+seeks+to+gum+up+hotel+plan
Petition seeks to gum up hotel plan; [STATE Edition]
Lorri Helfand St. Petersburg Times St. Petersburg, FL May 3, 2005
Here are some important highlights from Ms. Helfand's article:
"The resort's current owners, Belleview Biltmore Resort Ltd., filed an application to demolish the hotel April 21. The application came 10 days after a representative of DeBartolo Development, a company that planned to demolish the hotel last year, said it had the property under contract again.
The charter amendment wouldn't prevent the hotel from being razed. But Ken Weiss, a Treasure Island lawyer, said it might discourage developers from proceeding with demolition if they know it will be difficult to replace it with condos.
"They probably can be certain the citizens won't rezone it for multifamily housing. I think the incentives are significantly reduced," Weiss said.
Belleview Biltmore supporters need to collect at least 324 signatures, 10 percent of the town's 3,241 eligible voters, according to Florida statutes. Petitions also have to be notarized.
The majority of voters would then have to approve the amendment.
Last year, the town of Surfside approved a charter
amendment that requires citizen approval to increase density, intensity
and building height above current maximums."
CARTOONS:
http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreCartoons.htm
Sincere thanks to Rob and Dan Smith for supplying
these marvelous cartoons! The wrecking ball cartoon is on the main page
of
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com.
There are a total of five cartoons on the web site. Feel free to
email the cartoons to anyone, and the news media may freely publish them.
SEND OUTS:
Send this email to all your friends, family, business
contacts and news media in your local town... whoever you know! We
need more State and National coverage.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MAY 5, 4 P.M.:
If someone would like to volunteer to witness signatures
and notarized signatures at tomorrow's Belleair Meeting at 4 pm., PLEASE
step up to the table and announce yourself. I am sure you realize we are
doing the best we can, however we have to respect volunteers wishes who
want to attend the scheduled meetings. So ask around for more volunteers!!!
WE could use the support of the entire community. Ask for Laurie
Adams.
MORE USES FOR THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE FROM A NEW BILTMORE
FRIEND:
"Would it be possible to model the Belleview preservation
after that of the Callenwolde estate in Atlanta, GA? That lovely mansion
and at least a portion of its original grounds were rescued from destruction
and now serve the community as an arboretum and school of the arts. Dance
classes, stage performances, pottery classes, horticulture classes, painting,
sculpting, woodworking and other arts events are held there to draw attention
and bring revenue to help support the upkeep of Callenwolde (also partly
a museum). I know the Belleview is vastly larger, but perhaps a similar
program would breathe life and functionality back into the Grand Old Lady."
Rene Llewellyn
DEL CORONADO HOTEL:
Enclosed with this Biltmore Update is a photo of the
magnficent Victorian hotel in San Diego, California, the del Coronado.
San Diego saved this beautiful hotel from the wrecking ball. Friends
of the Biltmore, write letters, send faxes, email your ONE MINUTE LETTER,
attend the Belleair meeting tomorrow at 4 p.m. do your part to save your
beautiful Belleview Biltmore! If California can do it, WE can do
it!
ONE MINUTE LETTER NEEDED!
Write a ONE MINUTE LETTER to the owner, Urdang and
Associates and prospective buyer of the Biltmore, the DeBartolo Development.
Urge them to save the Belleview Biltmore. Bombard them with letters,
faxes or phone calls as this is THE week to do this! Show them
your feelings, your passions and your concerns. The Biltmore needs
to stay in Belleair, it needs to stay in Pinellas County, it needs to stay
in Florida and it needs to stay in the United States. Convince them
to do the right thing to save this magnificent historical landmark.
One minute, one click, YOU can help save the Biltmore.
E. SCOTT URDANG
surdang@urdang.com
Chief Executive Officer of Urdang and Associates
630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 818-4614 Direct
(610) 818-4615 Fax
Ed Kobel
President/COO
DeBartolo Development
14934 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33613
(813) 676-7682 or Office: (813) 676-7677
Toll Free: (866) 209-8958
Fax: (813) 676-7696
ekobel@debartolodevelopment.com
FINAL THOUGHT:
An Urdang representative (Urdang and Associates are
owners of the Biltmore) said at the town meeting last night that "the destruction
of the Biltmore would be a path to the future and not an anchor to the
past." Dear Biltmore Friends, I personally feel we need anchors
to the past!! Just this week our own President George Bush spoke
at a dinner to honor historical preservationists. Mrs. Laura Bush
said (quoting from the St. Petersburg Times article "They're (meaning historical
destinations) wonderful destinations for school field trips, for family
adventures or even for a romantic getaway." May you, all our Biltmore
Friends and supporters, who rallied behind our Victorian lady, and wrote
hundreds of support letters, did peaceful picketing, got signatures for
petitions, went to town meetings, passed out flyers or held signs up, be
honored at some time in the future for saving the Belleview Biltmore.
We're counting on you to help us.
Let us preserve our past anchors for without them we
might lose sight of the present and the future.
Remember tomorrow, meeting at Belleair Town Hall at
4 p.m.!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Biltmore Update #2 May
3, Tuesday, 2005
Dear Friends of the Belleview
Biltmore,
1. We urgently need you to attend the Town Meeting tonight at in a mass turn out to show your support to save the Belleview Biltmore. This is an EXTREMELY important meeting so please come!
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Belleair Town Council
meeting -
NOTE: Urdang representative
to speak.
Mayor and Commissioners
will be there
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Belleair, Florida
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=901+Ponce+de+Leon+Blvd.&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Our first peaceful picketing
campaign will be held at this meeting.
PLEASE plan to attend.
Your support to save the Biltmore is greatly needed.
2. If you are a resident of the Town of Belleair, petitions will be there for you to sign that will help save the Biltmore. This petition is in urgent need of BELLEAIR CITIZEN SIGNATURES. We need 10% of the town of Belleair to sign this petition!! This is of utmost urgency to have this petition signed with the charter amendment on it, drafted by attorney Ken Weiss, who is helping us with the legal aspects to save the Biltmore. Thank you Ken Weiss!
3. If you are a
notary and planning on attending, please email me
as we would like for you to help us.
From Jeff Francis, Biltmore Friend:
Thanks all for your continued support of our efforts to preserve the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. We need to ask everyone to take an hour of so of your time to attend the Belleair Town Meeting TONIGHT (Tuesday May 3,2005) at 5:30pm at Belleair Town Hall.
It might be an inconvenience to take a little time tonight, but think of the repercussions this will cause if this hotel is torn down. Please MAKE the time.
The town hall is located
at 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd Belleair, FL 33756
Directions to Belleair Town Hall :
From the south take Roosevelt/East Bay/West Bay to Indian Rock Road turn north (right) Follow to Belleair - then look for Ponce de Leon turn right - Town Hall will be one block down on the right
From Missouri/Seminole Blvd, travel north past East/West Bay and look for Ponce de Leon sign. The Ponce de Leon sign will lead you to believe to turn right but TURN LEFT (west) and the road will reconnect to Ponce de Leon in Belleair. Town Hall on left.
BRING your signs, wave them high, speak out, and be heard.
For a yard sign, please
contact us Email Me
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Biltmore Update #2 May
3, 2005 Tuesday
Dear Friends of the Belleview Biltmore:
URGENT:
Per Jeff Francis request, does anyone on our Friends of the Belleview Biltmore Mailing List own a sign or banner store or know someone who does in order to make more large red signs for people to carry in residential areas, business areas etc. We want someone local to give them the business opportunity to make the signs.
(since this update, we have found someone to make signs)
Thank you,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Biltmore Update Monday May 2, 2005
Dear Friends of the Biltmore, News Media and Others,
I have posted new Today's Alerts and Current Events on the web page www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. Here are both of them.
TODAY'S ALERT:
1. URGENT! Per information in the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, Saturday, April 30, 2005, regarding behind the scenes proceedings unknown to all of us until today, PLEASE contact Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General and request that his office look into the relationship between DeBartolo Development, Belleair Mayor George Mariani, Belleair Attorney, Joel Tew, and Town Manager, Steve Cottrell and their actions and relationship including other business holdings and relationships.
Read full St. Petersburg Times article on the main Biltmore web page.
Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
Phone (850) 414-3300
FAX (850) 410-1630
Toll Free 1 (866) 966-7226
To file a complaint go
to the web site: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/ConsumerComplaint.pdf
2. Watch for our
display ad in the Tuesday St. Petersburg Times newspaper.
3. Tuesday, May
3, 5:30 P.M. Belleair Town Hall - Thousand strong. Details
below.
4. Thursday, May
5, 4:00 P.M. Belleair Town Hall - Thousand strong. Details below.
5. If you work
at Honeywell and support saving the Belleview, you can be a tremendous
help by contacting your Human Resources Department with a request to
move your pension funds
from Urdang management. You have this right, and it will help us tremendously.
6. The Belleview
Biltmore T- shirt can now be ordered. To purchase one click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm.
They will be available at all
upcoming events.
7. Check out upcoming
events right below this paragraph- put them on your calendar.
8. Send a donation
to help with legal fees, newspaper ads etc. "Bill$ for the
Belleview"
Friends of the Belleview
Biltmore
Save the Belleview Campaign
c/o Rae Claire Johnson
1717 Indian Rocks Road
Belleair, FL 33756
In a few days online credit
card service will be available for online donations.
9. Please send
a message of support for the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, your "ONE MINUTE
LETTER" immediately to the news media. One click does it all!
We
have NEW media email
addresses now. Urgent!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (bring a car load of your friends and family to all events!)
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Belleair Town Council
meeting -
NOTE: Urdang representative
to speak.
Mayor and Commissioners
will be there
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Belleair, Florida
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=901+Ponce+de+Leon+Blvd.&csz=belleair+florida&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Our first peaceful picketing
campaign will be held at this meeting.
PLEASE plan to attend.
Your support to save the Biltmore is greatly needed.
Thursday, May 5, 2005
Time: 4 p.m.
Belleair Historical Preservation
Committee
901 Ponce de Leon Blvd
Belleair, Florida
Map: see above
Our second peaceful picketing
campaign will be held at this meeting.
PLEASE plan to attend.
Your support to save the Biltmore is greatly needed.
Weekend, May 13 and 14,
2005
PJ Party at the Belleview
25 Belleview Boulevard
Belleair, Florida
Details to be announced
We would like to establish
a rough idea on how many might attend. Please send us a message if
you think you may come. Bring the family. What better way to help
your children learn about
volunteering and community support? If you have other plans - why
not change them? Instead have your family and/or friends come along!
It's going to be fun
- something for everyone. Tours, dinner and music, opera performance, nationally
syndicated cartoonist, pool, tennis…
DONOR LIST:
This is a new addition
to the Biltmore web page.
Bernie Powell (former
owner of the Belleview Biltmore)
Jeff Francis
Lois Tomsic
Laura Mann
Irma Wehle
Barbara A. Myrick
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE UPDATES:
This is a new addition
to the Biltmore web page. To read all of my prior Biltmore updates,
click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreUpdates.htm
Please note that I may not send out a Biltmore update every day.
So feel free to check the web site www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
each day to keep current with changes until I send out another Biltmore
Update.
BELLEVIEW BILTMORE T-SHIRTS
To purchase a beautiful
Belleview Biltmore T shirt click: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/BiltmoreTshirt.htm
In 24 to 48 hours, online payment will be set up. In the meantime
you may purchase one at all events. Next event is Belleair Town Hall
meeting May 3 at 5:30 p.m.. See above for details. We need
many more people to help with marketing and sales. If you would like
to sell to friends, family or you have a retail outlet, contact me at http://www.savethebiltmore.com/_vti_bin/shtml.exe/EmailMe.htm,
and we can get this going for you.
ONE MINUTE LETTER
For new readers, go the
main web page click on "How YOU Can Help" and send out a one minute letter
to the addresses listed there. If you have already sent your ONE
MINUTE LETTER, we sincerely thank you. Everyone please, take one
minute today and send out your ONE MINUTE LETTER. YOUR efforts have
been a tremendous help on this. One minute, one click, you help save
the Biltmore!
BILTMORE FRIEND'S LETTER:
Here is a letter from
a new Belleview Biltmore Friend: "I am just sick to think that this
wonderful piece of history could be gone forever. I have been a member
of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for several years now to
help in some small way to save buildings such as this across the country.
Florida needs to adopt legislation for a law to protect buildings on the
Historic Register like other states have done. I support your efforts
100%!"
Thank You Marcelle Kirkland
GHOST BOOK FOR SALE!
This information just
came in today from Kim Cool. You all know about the ghost in the Belleview
Biltmore hotel don't you!! ? ;-)
"Your web site was forwarded
to me and as I have recently published "Ghost Stories of Clearwater &
St. Petersburg," a book which contains a story about the Biltmore ghosts,
I too am interested in saving the hotel, although I live in Venice.
If you can get the word out about my book, I will contribute $4 for every
copy sold at www.historicvenicepress.com
or from
Kim Cool
PO Box 800
Venice FL 34284.
The retail cost is $12.95 plus tax (total $13.85) and I will waive shipping
charges for Biltmore supporters.
Good luck with your project."
Kim Cool
PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S
LETTER:
I received a copy of
a letter from Ronnie Duncan, Pinellas County Commissioner, dated April
29, 2005, and here are parts of it:
"While many will agree
that saving this landmark (Belleview Biltmore..I added this) in our community
is important, the Board of County Commissioners cannot act without legal
foundation or in a way that would create legal liability for the citizens.
I did talk with Town of Belleair officials and discussed this position with them as promised.
You may want to contact the representatives of the Town of Belleair to make your comments known.
We appreciate your comments and your interest in this matter. And we will continue to monitor and evaluate the events of this process as they unfold.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns.
Sincerely,
Ronnie E. Duncan
Pinellas County Commissioner
SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES:
I added this information
to www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
web site today under Historical Preservation Organizations. Thanks
Jeff Francis for the info.
Save America's Treasures (partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation
www.nationaltrust.org )
http://www.saveamericastreasures.org/
http://www.saveamericastreasures.org/contact.htm
(online form)
DUNEDIN ANDREWS MEMORIAL
CHAPEL
Attached to this email
is a photo of the lovely, historical, Andrews Memorial Chapel, in Dunedin,
Florida. (right by their Hammock Park) This is a most charming
wood chapel, early Florida Victorian architecture, that was erected in
1888 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
(The Belleview Biltmore is also on this Register) The chapel is constructed
from the very sturdy Florida heart of pine, the same wood that the Belleview
Biltmore is made of. The chapel is open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The inside was just beautiful with wooden pews and a beautiful round stained
glass in the front. On the inside, the chapel has received an award
from the Florida Trust for their preservation efforts. ( www.floridatrust.org
) The executive director of this Florida Trust organization
is Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman who HAS already written to us and placed
the Belleview Biltmore just recently on the 10 Most Endangered List in
Florida Trust. For new readers, it is because of the huge amount
of emails she has received (through the ONE MINUTE LETTER campaign) on
the main Biltmore web page, that this helped to show support that we need
to save the Belleview Biltmore.
The Dunedin Historical Society obviously went to great lengths to preserve this lovely wood chapel, and we need to preserve the Biltmore with that same effort! The chapel is used for weddings and other occasions. Visit it, feel the warmth, feel the charm, then visit the Belleview Biltmore and feel that same charm. . See the chapel's web site for more photos, address etc: http://www.andrewsmemorialchapel.com/
LETTER FROM WILL MICHAELS,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTION OF THE ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM:
This important letter
below was printed in the editorial section of the Clearwater Times in the
St. Petersburg Times newspaper today, May 1, 2005, and Mr. Michaels has
given me permission to print it in this Biltmore Update and on the Biltmore
Message Board. Please note their exhibit of "Boom-Time Grand
Hotels of the 1920s."
What a wonderful exhibit
to go to! Let's make sure the Belleview Biltmore is saved to remain
a grand hotel too! When someone purchases property that contains
a hotel like the Belleview Biltmore, that is on the National Register of
Historic Places, it is their RESPONSIBILITY to safeguard an American historical
landmark PERMANENTLY! NO CONDOS! NO REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS!
We need to save the Belleview Biltmore in its entirety, with all its FOUR
wings, to keep it truly a grand hotel like the Vinoy and the Don Cesar!
Mr. Michael's letter: "Regarding the Belleview Biltmore
Destruction of the Belleview Biltmore will be a severe loss to the heritage of Pinellas County. This grand hotel was built by Henry B. Plant to crown his Florida "System" of railroads and hotels and opened in 1897. In order to assure reliable transportation to the Belleview, Plant also acquired the famous Orange Belt Railway that in many ways is credited for beginning St. Petersburg. The hotel is still today one of the world’s largest wooden structures. It compares with the Hotel Del Coronado near San Diego, California. Very few of these late nineteenth century hotels remain. The Belleview was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The St. Petersburg Museum of History is currently showing a special exhibit on the Boom-Time Grand Hotels of the 1920s. The exhibit features 10 hotels, 9 of which are still standing. Three of these are yet being used as hotels—the Vinoy, the Don CeSar, and the Dennis (now known as the Kelly). Without the hotels, St. Petersburg’s and Pinellas County’s tourist and development economy would not have happened. The hotels themselves provided employment to thousands of local residents, and made possible employment for a great many more working in related businesses. Aside from their architectural significance and charm and the notables who stayed in them, the hotels play a central part in the history of our economy and community character.
Hopefully, there is hope and a lesson to be learned from this exhibit. Two of our finest hotels, the Vinoy and the Don (how many times did the President stay there this past year?) were themselves on the skids not so many years ago. But enterprising entrepreneurs came forth and now these hotels are flourishing. Our other fine hotels have adapted to become law schools, government offices, academies, banks, and condos. Cannot the same be done for the Belleview Biltmore?
Will Michaels,
Executive Director
St. Petersburg Museum
of History http://www.stpetemuseumofhistory.org/web/
335 Second Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701
phone: 727-894-1052 fax:
727-823-7276
will@stpetemuseumofhistory.org
IDEAS FOR THE BELLEVIEW
BILTMORE HOTEL AFTER WE SAVE IT:
A Friend of the Belleview
Biltmore wrote me this. He prefers not to use his name, but I felt
his ideas were very creative and intriguing, so here they are: Since
the Belleview Biltmore is the largest wooden structure in Florida and the
largest continually occupied wooden structure in the world, it would be
terrific to use this to develop the Biltmore's reputation. For example
have a school for woodcrafts including: woodworking, such as restoring
and making anything with wood, wooden boats, antique reproductions, wood
carving, veneering, wood joining, cabinet making and marquetry. Small stores
could be set up to sell this merchandise, and retailers would be paying
rent to sell their merchandise. He said the Belleview Biltmore could
also have a wood craft museum, a wood product museum through the ages and
pay as you go classes. Since the hotel is Victorian, he said we should
have a Victorian lobby, furnish some guest rooms with Victorian themes
(charge more for those of course) and have a Victorian school of cooking
with original recipes. Since the magnificent Tiffany ballroom has original
Tiffany glass in the ceiling, stained glass classes would fit right in
and it would be a wonderful idea too. See Biltmore photos on the
web page for the photo of the absolutely magnificent Tiffany ceiling.
In regards to the above,
sometime last week I remember reading an article in the St. Petersburg
Times that many more people are wanting to come to Florida to visit historic
places! And with Baby Boomers heading into retirement, they
will want to go to historic places even more. So how about it Friends
of Belleview Biltmore: this is the perfect opportunity for YOU to
help us Save the Belleview Biltmore so that tourists have a historical
place to visit right here in Florida.
Remember tomorrow: MOST important meeting at the Belleair Town Hall. Details above.
In the meantime think: Save the Belleview Biltmore!
Sincerely,
Diane Hein at www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Dear Friends of the Biltmore, News Media and Others,
I have posted new Today's Alerts and Current Events on the web page www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. Here are both of them.
Please note Today's Alert #1. URGENT!
TODAY'S ALERT:
1. URGENT! Per information in today's
St. Petersburg Times newspaper, April 30, 2005, regarding behind the scenes
proceedings unknown to all of us until today, contact Charlie Crist, the
Florida Attorney General, and request that his office look into the DeBartolo,
Mariani, Tewes, Cottrell actions and relationship including other business
holdings and relationships. Read full article on the main web page of
www.SaveTheBiltmore.com
Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
Phone (850) 414-3300
FAX (850) 410-1630
Toll Free 1 (866) 966-7226
http://www.myfloridalegal.com/ConsumerComplaint.pdf
2. Watch for our display ad in the Sunday and
Tuesday St. Petersburg Times newspaper.
3. Sunday, May 1, 6:30 P.M. Panera Bread - if
your serious about helping, we need you to attend this meeting. Tell
all your friends, family, business associates, call 50 people, email this
announcement to as many people as you know. Or fax it to them. We must
have a huge turn out at this meeting to organize and complete more details
to save the Biltmore. Bring a CAR LOAD of people! Details below.
4. Tuesday, May 3, 5:30 P.M. Belleair Town Hall
- Thousand strong. Details below.
5. Thursday, May 5, 4:00 P.M. Belleair Town
Hall - Thousand strong. Details below.
6. If you work at Honeywell and support saving
the Belleview, you can be a tremendous help by contacting your Human Resources
Department with a request to move your pension funds from Urdang management.
You have this right, and it will help us tremendously.
7. The Belleview Biltmore T- shirt can now be
ordered. They will be available at all upcoming events. We
need more people to contact us for sales.
8. Check out upcoming events right below this
paragraph- put them on your calendar.
9. Send a donation to help with legal fees,
newspaper ads etc. "Bill$ for the Belleview"
10. Kudos to "Save the Belleair Biltmore Race
Team" comprised of Belleview Biltmore employees. They are participa