Winter Visitor Center and Planteen are not worth the cost of repair.
At the July 14 City Commission meeting, during public comments, one man addressed city leaders, “Last time I talked to you, I spoke about me being homeless, and addiction, and how Jesus Christ has changed my life. Me and my wife have been attending the Dwelling Place at Lithia Pinecrest Road. They serve the homeless, feeding them at the Planteen here. We found out they are not renewing the contract for any of the churches here to be able to feed the homeless.” According to this citizen, there are over 38 churches that participate in the program.
“There are no contracts,” said City Manager Bill McDaniel. “There was a lease agreement. An umbrella organization leased the Winter Visitor Center from us, and then churches and ministries, and other groups under that umbrella provided feeding activities each day. They did not renew their lease by the deadline, and I cancelled the lease because they didn’t renew it. Then I advised them that they had 60 days from July 1 to relocate their activities and encouraged them to take it to their respective churches, and run it from there, which are more appropriate locations. So, that’s all there is to it.” The umbrella organization is Generations Renewed: A Community Development, Inc…