BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Starke commissioners have amended their plan for a new pavilion at the Downtown Square by moving it to the opposite corner.
In response to concerns about a new entertainment stage facing toward existing and future residential development, the plan now calls for building the stage in the southeast corner of the property.
“There’s been a number of people who have voiced a concern about the orientation of that building, and with the future development that is going to happen along the east side that pavilion, (it) would basically be directly influencing or affecting those residents, future residents,” architect Paul Stressing said.
The existing stage — which was to be preserved for other uses — will be torn down. Engineering documents for the structure could not be located, and there was fear that it would not support the weight of any additional load.
The new stage was based on one in the town of Tioga but is 25% larger. It has a storage area behind the stage, support for theatrical lighting and a screen that can be lowered for movie projections.
The northwest corner was originally chosen so Church Street could be closed during events for staging and parking food trucks. That could now take place on the remaining portion of South Water Street, which has been closed since the construction of the railroad overpass.
The city has an $800,000 grant to cover construction costs and found the remaining $142,347 in line items for grant matching funds and park improvements. The construction contract was awarded to Scherer Construction in April. The change in plans is not expected to impact construction costs.
Commissioner Bob Milner said the new stage would be located where it belonged all along. Additionally, the squared doesn’t need two stages, he said. The room is needed for spectators and other activities.
Mayor Andy Redding mentioned adding a small stage to the storage area behind the pavilion since it will face the new Veterans Memorial Park and could possibly be used to set up a podium during ceremonies.
