THE FENWAY IS CURRENTLY IN EXTREME NEED OF REPAIR. What is most distressing, however, is that a small number of the local community have questioned the desirability of restoring the hotel and recommend tearing it down to make room for more houses. We feel that it would be a crime to allow such a vital part of Dunedin's history to fall before the wrecking ball and be lost to us forever. How can we turn our backs on the Fenway when it has been so greatly responsible for helping to create the very community in which we live?

The Impact of Tourism on Dunedin: Tourism is still Pinellas County’s number one industry. Tourists come where the hotels are, especially resort hotels, and restoring the Fenway will bring a welcome financial boost for local merchants, restaurants and shops.

Declining Number of Hotel Rooms: Over the last few years, Pinellas County has lost over 5,000 hotel rooms which have been torn down to make way for condominiums. Visitors are funneled away to the beach areas and other districts where hotels are plentiful, yet the Fenway lies neglected as a potential resource for vital tourism dollars — a situation that we intend to remedy.

We Need Your Help to Save the Fenway: There are some in the community that feel that restoring the Fenway Hotel would create traffic problems, and propose that the building be torn down and 21 residential homes built in its place. On the surface this sounds reasonable and possibly even beneficial — until you see what would actually result!

ABOVE: The model above shows 21 proposed new homes crammed into the block where the Fenway currently sits. Existing trees, which are banned from being moved or cut down by city ordinance, mean houses would need to be built in a haphazard fashion, and the resulting new community would be a blight on the beauty of our fair city. Dunedin City Council would only gain the taxes from these 21 new residences — a fraction of the income for the city once the Fenway is restored.

BELOW: Instead, below is a model of the proposed, completely restored Fenway Hotel that will bring back the days of elegance and charm to Dunedin and provide welcome tourism to benefit local merchants. We should not lose this important piece of history so vital to Dunedin. The 2 models shown on this page were built by Dunedin architect Roberto Sanchez.




Next: The Future



ABOVE TOP: The front of the Fenway, shot in December 2006, still has regal charm about it, however, on closer inspection the hotel is in dire need of restoration and refurbishment.

ABOVE: The pilings are the only things remaining of the Fenway's once-beautiful pier across the street from the hotel. Water taxis and tour boats used to take people to local beaches and on sightseeing tours of the waterway from this pier.
ABOVE: The rear of the Fenway, where once there were tennis courts and strolling patrons, now lies neglected.

BELOW: The front sign on the top of the building entrance looks a bit bedraggled and forlorn. Can we allow the Fenway to feel the crunch of the demolition derrick, or will we stand up and save our history? It's time to take a stand and let your voice be heard. Help us save the Fenway!