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Bahama Shores - from StPete.org
Amenities/character/etc
Bahama Shores is a beautiful waterfront neighborhood just south of Little Bayou and four miles south of downtown. The main entrance into Bahama Shores is on 60th Avenue South at 4th Street and is marked by a carved wooden sign depicting the neighborhood's dolphin logo. As one enters this wide, tree-lined boulevard paved in Augusta bricks, one will see properties that are typically well maintained with extensive landscaping with large oaks and palms.
The Neighborhood Association owns a waterfront lot that serves as a park so that Tampa Bay is accessible to all residents. The time, effort, and money that are required to maintain the park are borne entirely by the residents of Bahama Shores. Traditionally, the Neighborhood Association sponsors many events at this park where residents can gather and socialize.
Bahama Shores is special for many reasons, but two are prominent: first, it is a great physical and environmental beauty; and second, it is a close-knit community where residents are not only social and friendly, but also helpful and sensitive in times of need and adversity.
Architecture
One will find a wide diversity of housing in Bahama Shores, from both the architectural and pricing points of view. Most of the houses were built in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but a few date back to the early 1920s.
One will find many tile/ceramic roofs, Mediterranean architecture and detailing. The prices range from $70,000 for a two-bedroom house up to more than $400,000 for one of the larger, waterfront homes. The "typical" three-bedroom house in Bahama Shores with about 2,500 square feet will sell for about $120,000.
As most of the houses are at least 40 years old, there are renovation opportunities.
The entire neighborhood is zoned RS-100 (residential single family), prohibiting any commercial or tall buildings.
History
In the early 1900s, the area now known as Bahama Shores was a wilderness. In 1920, a property known as "Alto Marina" was developed by B.J. Stephenson, from 56th Avenue South to today's Bahama Shores Drive. Stephenson built three houses along 3rd and 4th Streets, then called "Bahama Beach." A bus line came in 1927, but after this, little development occurred until 1940 when a few more houses were built on 4th Street South.
In the early 1940s, the Stephenson interest was sold to Robert Lyons who altered the area dramatically. First, he built a seawall, and dredged and filled the area, from what is now the waterfront most of the way up 3rd Street South - thus doubling the size of the neighborhood. Second, Lyons renamed the area Bahama Shores.
On February 26, 1948, the Bahama Shores Homeowners Association held its initial meeting at Lakewood High School with about 50 homeowners present. In August 1948, Bay Shore Drive and Knox Avenue South became a continuous street renamed Bahama Shores Drive.
The Bahama Shores Yacht Club was built shortly after on 56th Avenue South at Tampa Bay. The Hotel overlooked Little Bayou with a formal dining room, club rooms, swimming pool, tennis court, cabanas for guests and a large marina. Membership dues were $60 per year. The Bahama Shores Homeowners Association held meetings, dinners, luncheons, and dances at the club. The Yacht Club later became Sunny Shores Nursing Home - now Westminster - and in the 1980s, was the site for much of the filming of the hit movie "Cocoon."
In the 1950s, the streets were paved and improved with bus service added to the entire Pinellas Point area. At this time, there was a building boom and the neighborhood grew rapidly. Several different builders developed areas of Bahama Shores, evidenced today by different home styles and identities.
More recently, as some original population of Bahama Shores has moved on, younger families have moved in renovating original structures. In fact, several residents who lived in the neighborhood as children are moving back to raise their own families in Bahama Shores.
Organizations/programs
The neighborhood participates in the City Crime Watch Program and actively supports the Skyway Community Resource Center. Through the 10-person Board, members are represented at C.O.N.A. meetings plus other civic/municipal events and organizations.
The Bahama Shores Homeowners Association schedules several annual activities at the neighborhood park. The association was awarded a grant through the Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program. This grant enabled us to provide enhanced landscaping along the median of 60th Avenue South.
Boundaries
56th Avenue South to Bahama Shores Drive from 4th Street South to Tampa Bay.
