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Work Begins on Leesburg's New Recreational Trail Print E-mail
 
The next segment of Leesburg's popular recreational trails could be completed by April, providing a scenic route near downtown's beautiful Fountain Lake.
 
Construction started this month on the first of two phases to convert nearly two miles of former railroad into a paved access for pedestrians and cyclists. Initial work will create a trail stretching almost 3,900 feet between Canal and 13th streets and also provide benches and parking.
 
The project is funded with a $200,000 matching grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. Leesburg is contributing another $200,000 to be paid from recreation impact fees.
 
"We are fortunate to have grant funds and recreation impact fees that are allowing us to expand our recreational facilities.  This is another great milestone in Leesburg's long-range plan to have an extensive network of trails," said Leesburg City Manager Jay Evans.
 
Once completed, the Fountain Lake Trail will connect to Leesburg's Venetian and Magnolia trails to the east.
 
West of Fountain Lake is the proposed Leesburg-Wildwood Trail, which will run more than two miles toward the Sumter County line. That segment of trail is set to receive $1.9 million in funding from the Florida Department of Transportation.
 
The overall Leesburg Greenway Trail system is proposed for 553 acres and will include - among other things - several trail segments spanning 24 miles, connecting neighborhoods throughout much of Leesburg.
 
Leesburg is a progressive city of more than 20,000 residents in northwest Lake County. The city government serves twice as many people with its electric, gas, water, wastewater and fiber-optic public utilities. Leesburg also is a central hub for commerce, attracting 50,000 people to work each weekday. For more information, visit www.leesburgflorida.gov<http://www.leesburgflorida.gov>.
 
 
Historic board gives nod to Beacon demolition Print E-mail
DAVID DONALD, Staff Writer, The Daily Commercial

LEESBURG -- Beacon College received the go-ahead Wednesday from the city's historic preservation board to tear down the school's Main Street administration building.

"I wish the college success," said Robert Bone, chairman of the preservation board. "I hate to see it go."

But before the college can tear down the building, it must get approval from city commissioners.

The 89-year-old Craftsman-style house has been the home of the college's administrators for the past 20 years.

College officials tried to save the historic structure by selling it for $10 to anyone who would pay to move it. Even the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce looked into moving the house.

But the price tag to move the house -- more than $200,000 -- deterred many interested buyers.

That figure doesn't include the cost to rehabilitate the house after the move. The front and back porch would have to be removed in order to transport the house to another location.

While the house looks like it's in great condition, College President Deborah Brodbeck said parts of the building are leaning, columns are deteriorating and areas of the foundation are sinking.

Brodbeck said the college would not demolish the house until they're ready to build the new administration building.

So there's still time to find an interested buyer to save the house. The college plans to break ground on their new digs no later than August. Plans for the new administration offices show a three-story brick and stucco building that incorporates architectural features from some of downtown Leesburg's notable historic buildings.

Plans call for stone pillars, beams and stained glass windows to be salvaged before the demolition and be incorporated into the new administration building's interior decor, Brodbeck said.

A new education building proposed for the vacant lot to the west of the administration building would complete the downtown campus. A garden between the new buildings would link the two.

"I welcome this opportunity to improve downtown," said Jane Sewell, historic preservation board member. "Let's go for it."

DAVID DONALD

Staff Writer

LEESBURG -- Beacon College received the go-ahead Wednesday from the city's historic preservation board to tear down the school's Main Street administration building.

"I wish the college success," said Robert Bone, chairman of the preservation board. "I hate to see it go."

But before the college can tear down the building, it must get approval from city commissioners.

The 89-year-old Craftsman-style house has been the home of the college's administrators for the past 20 years.

College officials tried to save the historic structure by selling it for $10 to anyone who would pay to move it. Even the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce looked into moving the house.

But the price tag to move the house -- more than $200,000 -- deterred many interested buyers.

That figure doesn't include the cost to rehabilitate the house after the move. The front and back porch would have to be removed in order to transport the house to another location.

While the house looks like it's in great condition, College President Deborah Brodbeck said parts of the building are leaning, columns are deteriorating and areas of the foundation are sinking.

Brodbeck said the college would not demolish the house until they're ready to build the new administration building.

So there's still time to find an interested buyer to save the house. The college plans to break ground on their new digs no later than August. Plans for the new administration offices show a three-story brick and stucco building that incorporates architectural features from some of downtown Leesburg's notable historic buildings.

Plans call for stone pillars, beams and stained glass windows to be salvaged before the demolition and be incorporated into the new administration building's interior decor, Brodbeck said.

A new education building proposed for the vacant lot to the west of the administration building would complete the downtown campus. A garden between the new buildings would link the two.

"I welcome this opportunity to improve downtown," said Jane Sewell, historic preservation board member. "Let's go for it."
 
Lake & Sumter Counties, Florida's Heartland Print E-mail

Lake & Sumter Counties, Florida's HeartlandLake & Sumter Counties, Florida's Heartland, a 332-page coffee table book, showcasing the beauty that is Lake and Sumter counties, is now available for purchase at the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce office.
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