Historic Leonard Reid home renovation to open as Newtown cultural center in January

SARASOTA — After a year of construction and updates, renovations of the former home of Sarasota African American pioneer Leonard Reid are nearing completion and the former home will soon be opening to the public as a new cultural center for residents and visitors in the historic Newtown community.

Set to open in late January 2024, the new Sarasota African American Cultural Center is the culmination of years of work from Newtown historian and Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) president Vickie Oldham.

After successfully rescuing the 1,400-square-foot 1920s home from what could have been a demolition, Oldham was instrumental in not only relocating the home to its permanent museum site but also the decision-maker behind the unique team of builders who stepped up to the task of preserving the Black history of Sarasota for future generations and residents, Envision-CS.

"It was a sign of their professionalism. From the onset, they handled the historic Leonard Reid House with care," Oldham said.

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Previous coverage: Sarasota African American Cultural Arts Center and History Museum in works

Building equity, preserving history in Newtown

Family-operated and Black-led construction firm Envision-CS, has spent the past eight months carefully transforming the former home of Leonard Reid, the right-hand man Sarasota’s first mayor of John Gillespie. Reid worked as Gillespie’s coachman, butler, and the caretaker of his estate.

Now, Envision leadership and its construction team are returning the favor to Reid — taking care of the former home of one of the first Black settlers in the city of Sarasota and putting the finishing touches on a project that is not only significant to their client but to the company as well.

The Tampa Bay-based construction firm was founded in 2009 by the father-son duo Allen Greene, Sr., and his son, Allen Green II. The construction management company's portfolio includes various commercial buildings and renovations ranging from a managing partner project working alongside the company's 'big brother', The Beck Group, on a state-of-the-art high school in Hillsborough County to small historical spaces in nearby municipalities similar to the Reid home project.

"We have been excited about this project," said Greene, Sr., managing director of Envision.

“I’m familiar with Newtown; I live and attend church in this neighborhood. We thought this was a great opportunity to get more involved in this community, so we were excited when we won this bid.”

Steven Mercado served as the project manager for the $232,800 construction job.

As part of the Envision team, he’s tasked with ensuring that the repairs and updates are done safely and timely. He also leads the project planning and site logistics, and makes decisions about materials for the construction.

“We pulled a bunch of materials from Architectural Salvage to try to match the older feel of the home. Everything from the doors to tongue and groove ceilings, siding, to the trim, we got all those materials locally,” Mercado said.

More: Sarasota African American Arts and Cultural Center designer receives unique donation

The small renovation and improvements around the one-story museum include the addition of ADA-compliant entrances, new and updated siding, painting, door reframes and outdoor landscaping. The city of Sarasota paid in early 2023 for adding a paved patio outside of the museum for special events and gatherings once the space officially opens in January.

SAACC leaders and community advocates foresee the Reid home as a cultural gathering space in Newtown, an offshoot of the first Black neighborhood of Overtown, which was once the home of Reid and other early Black pioneers.

“Envision's project team over-delivered during the bidding process. They showed up. Their package was impressive, and they responded to all of our questions,” said Oldham.

"The daughter of Mr. Reid, Mrs. Ethel Reid Hayes was the teacher who taught me the alphabet, how to count and socialize with my classmates. I am connected to the family in this way. The Envision team respected the history of the house. That means something to thousands of Newtown residents who were taught by the Reids."

Under an agreement between the city and former property owners Vinland Holdings, Inc., the transportation cost of the home, along with the related equipment rental and moving needs, were at no cost to taxpayers when the home was moved from 7th Street to the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and Orange Avenue last May.

Envision is expected to wrap construction on the home in January with a museum opening date slated for later in the month. SAACC is currently building a calendar of community events, panel discussions, cultural experiences and more that will take place in the center beginning in early 2024.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Envision plays key role in preserving Newtown historic home