04/01/1997 - Economic Development
CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 1, 1997
Present: Rita Garvey Mayor
Ed Hooper Commissioner
Bob Clark Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Commissioner
Karen Seel Commissioner
Betty Deptula City Manager
Kathy Rice Deputy City Manager
Bob Keller Assistant City Manager/Economic Development
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce Building to
discuss economic development with downtown business leaders.
Discussion ensued regarding the highest and best use for the bluff, including property
between the Harborview Center and Drew Street. Suggestions included: 1) City Hall and
Calvary Baptist Church sites ideal for hotel/conference center; 2) raze Harborview Center; 3)
festive marketplace; 4) retail/entertainment/marina with good tenant mix for successful
development of surrounding area; 5) revamp Harborview Center as community center with gift,
coffee, retail shops; 6) make area "beachy" with variety of activities and services, including
new library; and 7) develop water-oriented area with businesses and activities that provide an
area ambiance.
Discussion ensued regarding incorporating a library into the Harborview Center with
comments that libraries increasingly are multi-purpose facilities that should include meeting
rooms and that a downtown library is essential to City and County governmental offices,
businesses, and pedestrians. Suggestions were made to expand Coachman Park and to
locate a high tech training institute on the site’s east end to serve as a connection to
downtown.
It was recommended that the Memorial Civic Center remain at the beach. It was
suggested that the Mandalay Avenue tennis courts be relocated and that traffic flow to the
beach be improved. It was stated that beach density would play a key role in future
development.
The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
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