City Council to hear recommendations on future of Schwettman site

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. —  The New Port Richey City Council is expected to discuss the future of the former Schwettman Education Center on Tuesday.

The goal of these future projects would be to bring an economic development project to the area. The city originally had bought this property in the fall for $1.7 million.

“The majority of (the) council thought that there was benefit in redevelopment of the piece, in large part because it is situated at a prominent corner in the city,” City Manager Debbie Manns said of the eight-acre property’s location at Grand Boulevard. and Gulf Drive.

Manns said proposed development at the site of the former Community Hospital on Grand and Marine Parkway is seen as another benefit of redeveloping Schwettman.

She is recommending the council look into selling it to a private developer. She said it would help in garnering a good amount of reinvestment in the Marine District and guide their plans to upgrade the neighborhood overall. Manns plans to suggest that the land not be re-purposed as residential space.

Former Mayor Rob Marlowe says the area is underutilized and this would be a prime time to redo it all.

“This is one of the last undeveloped sections of the Cotee River inside of New Port Richey. It’s totally undeveloped. That gets cleaned up, it would be easy enough to put in docks,” Marlowe said.

Marlowe also said that if done right, the redevelopment of Schewettman could have a promising impact. He also would like to see the building used as a public space.

Councilmembers are expected to talk about the future of Schwettman and other properties in store at today’s community redevelopment agency meeting at 5 p.m.

The council may decide to take action Tuesday or choose to discuss the issue further at another time. There are currently plans to recommend the city issue a request for proposals on the site in the first quarter of 2024, according to Manns.