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Hernando Today

New substation nears completion

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: July 4, 2009

Updated:

BROOKSVILLE - It's hard to miss the irony.

Directly across the street from the drug deals that funded it, a structure is going up in one of Hernando County's toughest neighborhoods.

Technically, it's a substation for deputies to fill out reports. But its design, both in appearance and mission, sets it apart from its 10 counterparts in the county.

The property bounded by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and West Jefferson Street has sat vacant for at least seven years. During that period, Sheriff Richard Nugent and the community have dreamed and planned for a community center to take its place.

On April 20, work finally began.

Now nearing completion, the "cracker" style building with wraparound porch is a standout addition to the long empty parcel. Completion is expected to be around late July or early August, the sheriff's office said Wednesday.

Once complete, the community center is envisioned as a place for neighborhood children to drop by for after-school programs. Up to 12 computer stations are possible, along with meeting halls for civic groups.

Additionally, "with the building housing our substation ... on a main thoroughfare it will offer an enhanced police presence," Sgt. Donna Black, spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail to Hernando Today.

Forfeiture money, seized from drug dealers and their property, paid for the construction. The budgeted amount was $400,000, but it's believed the sum will be closer to $300,000, Black said.

What it won't cover, however, is the proposed playground and basketball court. The sheriff's office is asking the county to cover that cost, but it's not clear whether that request will fly in this tight budget year.

Pat Fagan, director of parks and recreation, said Wednesday that the sheriff had already made that request four years ago. But it was deleted when construction failed to begin. At the time, the sheriff was asking for roughly $25,000 to cover the playground costs.

But playground equipment "has gone up tremendously since then," said Fagan, who is currently waiting for a new proposal from Nugent.

There's currently a substation at the end of nearby School Street. That would be shut down when the new building opens. The staff, repairs and utility costs associated with the upkeep of that building would be transferred to the new community center, according to Black.

For civic activist Paul Douglas, a community center is the manifestation of a new positive attitude in South Brooksville.

"It has the makings of something that will (bring) the community and the sheriff's office together," he said.

Pastor Clarence Clark, who runs his own community program called Shiloh Problem Solvers, is a little more cautious in his enthusiasm.

While he sees the potential, Clark stresses that community leaders need to be involved in order to make this a success. He doesn't see a need for bringing in outside resources when there are already opportunities available.

"We have resources right now that can really make it a powerful statement," he said.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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