If you live in north Pinecrest, you may remember him as the thin, elderly gray-haired man, with round wire-rimmed glasses and a Sherlock Holmes hat, who routinely rode his bicycle in the late afternoon around the neighborhood between 92 and 96 street and along 67 avenue, where his house was located.

His home, set back from the street and concealed by shrubbery, is under consideration for preservation because it may be of historic value.

Bob Ross, a neighbor, thinks the structure may be an old railroad house. He says the house has been on the tax rolls since 1936 and likely was around many years before that. This could be oldest house in Pinecrest and it would easily meet the minimum 50-year age requirement needed to obtain a historic preservation designation.

Ross briefly informed the council of the effort to preserve the house. The council members gave their support to his efforts and asked that he keep them informed.

Perhaps, the house could be used for Village offices. Jokes aside, Village Hall cannot be constructed soon enough. While discussions are moving forward on the land swap deal that would allow Village Hall to be built on the site now known as Wayside Park, the Village government's need for additional space is immediate. Village Manager Peter Lombardi has been investigating the possibility of leasing additional space. Although, space in Suniland now rents for $35 a square foot, there is none available.
The Council agreed with a wonderful temporary solution proposed by Lombardi. He suggested, due to the lack of rental space and the high cost, that the existing Council meeting room be converted and put to better use as additional office space. The monthly council meeting could then be held in the building at Coral Pine Park, which now belongs to the Village. I think this is an excellent temporary solution.

PARK NEWS 
In other park news, construction is underway on the additional parking lot for Suniland Park. It is scheduled for completion by July 31. Florida Power and Light has agreed to install the lighting at no cost. The Village of Pinecrest will pay only for the electricity consumed.

Additional Soccer fields are budgeted for Pinecrest Elementary School. If the school board approves, the field will be installed this summer along 104 Street and 57 Avenue.

Meantime, construction is underway on the new 10-acre Pinecrest Park and requests already are rolling in for special event permits. The Antique Car Club has submitted a request to use the park for a show.

While I sympathize with many clubs of this nature that are forced to use shopping center parking lots, I think that the Village should consider this issue carefully. It would be wrong not to allow clubs and adult organizations to use the park for their activities. There are numerous parallels between a sports team and a club.

Additionally, it gives adults an opportunity to enjoy the park as participants. The problem is, adult activities invite adults to enter a place where children are at ease and unfavorable situations could arise.

The council must carefully consider the challenge of finding a balance between youth and adult activities.

I can be reached at 305-666-7969 or via fax, 305-666-8487.