Metro “Moves” on Plans to Create LGBT Welcome Center
For Immediate Release:
(St. Petersburg, FL) December 31, 2012 – As the community is ringing in the New Year, Metro Wellness and Community Centers, an organization of Metropolitan Charities 501(c)3, today announced some exciting plans for 2013. The organization, which will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, is partnering with the Grand Central District Association (GCDA) of St. Petersburg to open a mixed-use space next to its current Metro Thrift & Gift retail center located at 2235 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.
The space is currently a vacant lot, but not for long. Part of this exciting venture will be to move a historic bungalow-style house currently located just a block away at 2335 Central Avenue. Through a donation by GSC of St. Pete, LLC, the house was granted to Metro . “By moving the house, not only are we able to build on our partnership within the Grand Central District and the local community, but we’re able to save this beautiful historic bungalow which exemplifies so much of this district and neighboring Historic Kenwood,” says Lorraine Langlois, CEO of Metro Wellness & Community Centers.
“It’s always exciting when something we’ve been talking about for several years in the community comes to fruition,” said Brian Longstreth, Broker of Your Neighborhood Realty (YNR) and a Board Member of the GCDA. “Everything seemed to fall into place. A historic home about to be torn down, the desire for Grand Central to have a 1st floor office on Central Avenue, the need for a LGBT welcome center in the area. The fact that it all happens in a saved 1920’s bungalow makes it even more special, and it only happened with the cooperation of many partners.” Longstreth, along with his brother Jim, an agent at YNR have helped facilitate this project with Metro and the GCDA.
This idea has been in the back of Langlois’ mind for years as well. Langlois who helped start Metropolitan Charities 20 years ago has always seen the need for a bigger presence on Central Avenue and the importance of a vibrant welcoming space for LGBT visitors to the Tampa Bay area as the community here continues to grow. “We are so excited to partner with our friends in the Grand Central District to make this happen,” said Langlois. “The space will serve as a welcoming hub for visitors and residents alike – providing resources for the LGBT and allied communities and expand on our mission to enhance the quality of life for those in our area.”
Metro hopes to have the house moved and in place by mid to late February, with plans to open the Welcome Center in the Grand Central District to the public as early as March. The building will serve as a visitor’s welcome center, community resource center and will provide office space for the Grand Central District as well as additional programming and event space. “There’s so much potential in this gorgeous bungalow,” says Langlois. “I can’t wait to see it grow into the vibrancy that already exists along Central Avenue.”
The Welcome Center will be one of only two in the state that focuses on LGBT visitors, offering a one-stop-shop to learn about LGBT and allied businesses, accommodations, where to shop, where to dine and more. In 2010, an LGBT Visitors Center opened in Miami Beach. Much like this South Florida location, which was sponsored by MetLife – Metro’s Welcome Center in the Grand Central District will also have sponsorship and naming opportunities available for rooms along with the house itself
Metro Wellness and Community Centers currently has offices and LGBT Community Centers in St. Petersburg (3251 3rd Avenue North), Ybor City and New Port Richey in addition to its Thrift & Gift retail location on Central Avenue, which supports those living with HIV/AIDS in the area and the many programs and services the organization offers. The organization has been providing premier HIV services, social networking and other health and wellness programs for years to the four county area of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando. With active community center locations throughout the Tampa Bay area, the organization fosters diversity within the community as a whole, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or economic status.
For more information contact Lorraine Langlois, CEO of Metro Wellness & Community Centers at 727-321-3854.
###
Media Contact:
Chris Rudisill
Director of LGBT Community Center Services
Phone: 727-321-3854 ext. 238
Email:
www.MetroTampaBay.org