The white 800-POOP building at 49th Street and 62nd Avenue remains vacant nearly six years after its owners bought it. They say Pinellas County permitting bureaucracy is keeping them from opening, according to Bay News 9’s Sept. 29 report.
Daniel Ritchie told the station they have invested roughly $740,000 in the property and still pay taxes on it.
His father, Wayne Ritchie, said they contacted the county before buying and were told there were no issues with moving their plumbing business there.
Ritchie said the county later identified a road right of way that blocked installation of a septic system it had already permitted. The owners say the easement also complicates parking and that required upgrades are financially out of reach.
County officials told Bay News 9 nobody was available for an on-camera interview. In a written response, they said staff is working with the owners’ engineer to resolve site engineering issues so a building permit can be issued.
St. Pete Plumbing continues operating from its Clearwater location.