Charlotte County voters to decide fate of cultural center in November

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County residents could soon vote on the future of their cultural center.

The Charlotte County Cultural Center in Port Charlotte has been closed since 2021 after COVID-19 and multiple hurricanes left it unsafe. A "no trespassing" sign now greets anyone who approaches the building.

The county is moving forward with plans to demolish the entire property and build something new. For decades, the cultural center was the heart of Port Charlotte—a place for yoga classes, live music and community events.

Betty Hansen used to spend much of her time there.

"I used to spend a lot of time at the cultural center for classes and exercise… the theater with concerts and plays," Hansen said.

"It was just so centrally located. Go to a concert, you go to a play. It's a nice evening out," Hansen said.

After COVID-19 shut down programs, hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton caused major damage to the building. The loss of the center changed Hansen's quality of life.

"Well, it took away the availability of those activities that I had been able to utilize," Hansen said.

County leaders now say the structure is beyond repair. The current plan calls for demolishing the entire site—including the library—and possibly replacing it with a new cultural center, library, history center and theater complex.

"We don't need to reinvent the wheel," Hansen said.

The project is estimated to cost about $59 million and is one of nearly 40 projects included in a proposed sales tax extension. That sales tax increase is about 1% and voters can decide on it in November.

Hansen wasn't initially in favor of the penny tax until the cultural center was added to the list. She says she wants to see the project prioritized.

Hansen attended a WINK Listens event in October where residents shared their concerns about the cultural center's future. At the time, she was simply disappointed that the county no longer had any facility with amenities for seniors.

Even if voters approve the sales tax extension, construction wouldn't be finished until at least 2030.