North Port annexing historic site in Warm Mineral Springs as it weighs tearing down others

Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read
The Warm Mineral Springs Motel, designed by Victor Lundy, a leading figure of the Sarasota School of Architecture. The North Port City Commission gave initial approval of an ordinance to annex the historic structure.
The Warm Mineral Springs Motel, designed by Victor Lundy, a leading figure of the Sarasota School of Architecture. The North Port City Commission gave initial approval of an ordinance to annex the historic structure.
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NORTH PORT – North Port city commissioners gave initial approval Tuesday to annexing the Warm Mineral Springs Motel.

Once a second approval of the annexation is completed April 23, the motel built for the Florida Quadricentennial will become join the list of structures in the city included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The three other structures, including a sales building, spa and cyclorama at Warm Mineral Springs Park, were built for the Florida Quadricentennial as well.

But the future of those three city owned structures are questionable after the demise of a public-private partnership to develop 61.4 acres of parkland and restore the three buildings on the 21.6-acre historic Warm Mineral Spring site.

What makes the Warm Mineral Springs Motel historic?

The 1.77-acre hotel property, as well as the 83-acre Warm Mineral Springs Park parcel, were purchased in 1955 by a family group that included Samuel Herron Jr.

The Warm Mineral Springs Motel, which was designed by Victor Lundy in 1958, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2013.
The Warm Mineral Springs Motel, which was designed by Victor Lundy in 1958, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2013.

The group also sold 3,000 lots in the community now known as Warm Mineral Springs.

Herron commissioned Victor Lundy, a noted member of the Sarasota School of Architecture, to design a family home on Alhambra Road in Venice and the 28-room motel.

The motel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2013.

In a 1958 issue of “The Florida Association of Architects” magazine, Lundy wrote that for his design, “I was searching for a form that would somehow symbolize the thought of the Fountain of Youth by a flowing shape, that would also echo the organic growing shape of a tree.”

The hyperbolic paraboloid roof structures stand out, and speak to the artistic Lundy’s preference for curvature in his architecture at that time.

Why are the owners seeking annexation now?

North Port Planning & Zoning Manager Hank Flores told the City Commission that the motel owners started a voluntary annexation process because the motel’s septic system is failing and they want to connect to North Port water and sewer utilities.

The motel was purchased by Hudson, Florida-based North Port Investment One LLC in 2016 for $1.1 million. Neither property owner Vijay Patel nor Manish Patel, who applied for the voluntary annexation, spoke at the meeting.

The motel would hook into the city utilities through an existing force main along U.S. 41 that connects to Wellen Park.

The city has extended water and sewer services to customers outside the city – notably to Sarasota County for the restrooms at Sen. Bob Johnson’s Landing and the restaurant now operated as the Tarpon Point Grill.

In those cases, customers outside of the city limits pay higher rates to use city water and sewer and in the case of the restaurant – which was negotiated by the owners of the Myakka River Oyster Bar – the owners would have to apply for annexation once it becomes contiguous with the city.

City commissioners were generally pleased with the prospect of adding the motel to the city.

The North Port City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to annex the Warm Mineral Springs Motel, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2013.
The North Port City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to annex the Warm Mineral Springs Motel, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2013.

“This is how we increase our tax base in the city, by annexing these properties along (U.S.) 41,” Commissioner Debbie McDowell said. “I look forward to more being annexed into the city.”

What is the future of the three buildings at Warm Mineral Springs Park?

The only change since the City Commission voted last month to raze the three historic buildings at the park is a planned reduction of the $8.5 million earmarked for implementation of the Warm Mineral Springs Master Plan.

Though no official vote has been taken, $5 million in sale tax revenue earmarked for that endeavor is being eyed to help fund a proposed $122.7 million police station instead.

On March 22, the city also posted a legal advertisement for a construction manager at risk to build an admissions building with restrooms and other site improvements.

Architect Victor Lundy wrote in a 1958 issue of The Florida Association of Architects that he chose the hyperbolic paraboloid shape of the Warm Mineral Springs Motel roof to “symbolize the thought of the Fountain of Youth.”
Architect Victor Lundy wrote in a 1958 issue of The Florida Association of Architects that he chose the hyperbolic paraboloid shape of the Warm Mineral Springs Motel roof to “symbolize the thought of the Fountain of Youth.”

A city spokesman said via email that was based on the most recent directive from the City Commission that called for staff to determine the cost of demolishing each building – as a group or individually – while preserving portions of the mural in the cyclorama, constructing a basic sales building with inside restrooms and outdoor showers, as well as the cost for site development, parking and extension of water and sewer lines.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port leaders vote to annex Warm Mineral Springs Motel on U.S. 41