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03/17/2003 - Special SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING 03/17 /03 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT STRATEGY ~, AGENDA SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTt-.'lENT STRATEGY MARCH 17,2003 I. Call to Order II. Economic Development Presentations II I. Discussion IV, Adjoum . , Traditional Economic Development Approach LJ Business/Industry Retention LJ Business/Industry Recruitment :J Everyone Competes for the Same Leads 2 Clearwater's Economic Development Approach ~~ Business/Industry Retention & Recruitment U Redevelopment/lnfill o Community Developmentl Neighborhood Revitalization Business Retention I Recruitment w.J Tampa Bay Partnership [J Regional Chamber of Commerce ;:] Beach Chamber of Commerce [] Pinellas County Economic Development , LJ Main Street Program 3 Redevelopment/Infill d Community Redevelopment Agency [J Downtown Development Board LJ Beach by Design El US 19/Gulf to Bay [J Public Works/Infrastructure Community Development Support -.. Neighborhood Services Team i.j Community Response Team Ll Housing Division ~J Community Policing " Other City Departments 4 Commission Vision for Economic Development '.\ l- Revitalize Core Residential Areas I ~J Revitalize Downtown, Beach and Commercial Corridors u Built out Community Requires Stable and Strong Tax Base [J Carefully Redevelop land for the Greatest Return on Investment Department Mission LJ Improve/Expand Economic Base lJ Retain and Expand Businesses ~J' Attract New Investments C Enhance Quality of Life, Image D Provide Affordable & Market Rate Housing 5 6 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION BUDGET $1,048,140 Expenses Personnel Regional Chamber Tampa Bay Partnership . Beach Visitors Center / Internal Services ED Operating Budget $519,520 $190,000 $50,000 $48,838 $68,720 $171,062 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPERATING BUDGET $171,062 Professional $64,000 QTI $43,430 Advertising & Marketing $15,500 Travel/Mileage $ 9,300 Office Operating $38,832 8 Economic Development Strategic Objectives FY 2002-2005 B Implement Marketing Strategy to Attract Businesses and' Real Estate Development for Downtown & Beach [] Position Downtown as a Destination Economic Development Strategic Objectives FY 2002-2005 :J Implement Pedestrian Scale Environment Downtown [J Expand Housing Opportunities Downtown and Beach u Implement Strategies for Revitalizing Neighborhoods 9 Economic Development Strategic Objectives FY2002-200S o Identify and Implement Economic Development Incentive Programs [J Encourage Community-Wide Job Creation ED PROGRAMS & PROJECTS u Bluff and Super Block Redevelopment i.J Downtown Housing Demand LJ Downtown Marina/Waterfront Park o Station Square Parking Lot Intill o Downtown Public Space Maintenance U Streetscape and Wayfinding U Downtown Development Board 10 ED PROGRAMS & PROJECTS :.J Main Street Events/Newsletter "..1 Farmer's Market i:J Fa9ade Grant Applications o Harbor Oaks Shopping Center/Publix LJ Clearwater Automotive Parcel ~J CRA Findings of Necessity [J CRA Redevelopment Plan 11 ED PROGRAMS & PROJECTS ,j Homeless Task Force :_j Brownfields Phase I & II Assessments L..~' Enterprise Zone Applications Lei Historically Underutilized Business Zone ;:::1 Ambassador Business Retention U Post Office/Royalty Theater/Historic Buildings 12 ED PROGRAMS & PROJECTS u Resort Development Beach Parking BeachWalk Beach Retail/Restaurant Infill Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance Beach Housing Demand , I , . , _I I..j , " l.~.. 13 ED PROGRAMS & PROJECTS ...~ -'- ' Lead Contact for Major Developers and Investors Arts District I ~ '-- r; Department Website u Clearwater Business Report on C-View ~..: National Marketing Brochure! Solicitation 14 ED, PROGRAMS & PROJECTS ~ North Greenwood Economic Development Strategy -... Greenwood/Fulton Apartments L:J Clearwater Merchants Association ~ Mediterranean Village [J Housing Rehabilitation _.,.-.:-_.._--::~~~.~ ". ~ '....-.. ~ TOWN.:lAKE INFIU HOUSING. ...-, . ~ .......-r .. ,....".....,.. ;... ~" ~ _ ~ -'l." t'~ ~.:,-f~~...,..:.._~' ~.. ..~ "'", f ~ . ~ ,~.:.:-... ~.!_.'.~-:" '~'-">'-.~~:~~ ,,'>-":::"~~~~""':"'... ..., (...... . v . :; . ..~'... t-..",..J ---... -~ _'.~I!" \A-......~-r-;.~_tC.~ _'-' .' <, \y:-l'l -, c '.., ,""1:1I: . ,-' '- " "~,'.."- .),,~---~~-,,-.-,~~./'g #-,~,' ~~.~~~~~ "~~","" '. . ::-- -"', - --:. -'*,~.;""-:-\.\...~ -, . : "It" ", t\ . "''-''.''!- "" , ,.,._ . &;.l - .\t \f\ -~ . ~~ .....'~ ~!:~ \ .11-.., _. "t:~, '.,~ .(':~_ - /7<',' ~ -'~~.>""~")~'~~: . " ,. l..\,. -. - ,-.c'J _... '~, ,', \ - "-...-' .. ~. ______..~...-..--rr-. ~-'''_'_____''_-C.__'' t, _ -r ." - , " . .-.,.0. #-' ~ ."'--' /.. .1 . ; ~ ..; ___ _ _....... -.-'1- f. . /. / /" t-. ; I ~1 (' ,"'1 I I . ~ I' ". ',,~ f,' ,\ ,~-~t , ! \,. ,~, ._..~~- ..~ >0\ ' ". ,,'::\ -- ~.~. :::~r b'" "'.., UJi' ....~:..-. . , .....~ --""I- -. -'(r. ""'''. . JI fi: ::'.;..;. ;! '-'.Jr" ?J', 1/ \~'::1 "'~1 -'\ ~ " .' 15 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES c Pro-Business Attitude Ll Creative Redevelopment Strategies U Prime Redevelopment Sites , o Strong Downtown/Beach Housing Demand o Stable Real Estate Investment Market D Multiple Demand Generators DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES G,J Market for Infill Personal Service & Professional Offices LJ Market for Urban Business Park o Residential Demand Generates Retail Demand [} Tourist Traffic Generates Retail Demand [J Beach Resorts 16 ':-'~'~'.",(:':'~~'" ~_...._.-." -~ 'URBAN"S"lis'iN'ESSPARK'" . . '.n' . .,..,~~-:..;~- ..~.~j-....'''...,~' ~.- . . ~ po ~. -:-"-- . /?..<~~~ ...Ut- . 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'. t.:t,~':\ '.. ", (..~.~ ';"':.:r;;: ~/ - .::--..., A~ '- "" -..' I ~~~' -' ,~ . ," ~. ..... ~~~""" _. ;"-. ,.-:; '-'.,,,,.., I." . .. oc: ,;. -, ~.."", ~ " ',.;,)". / ~('. ,-. . " . ,,,'\.'- , ~-" _..~.. ~\.; ..'>-. ,- ,," " ".,,,, 1- ... "'~l.c .... ~... '.-" . -" ..." ~".. '. '", :"'-0' .... "'" ~.. ... / . J ' . .~>--... .:,'t.;" : -;~ ~.' ""-. :> I ?f.':'-:':~'" '" . j . L("""-'''',"".~;:: '- -r ......,.~ '>. < " . \, ~""" ~ ..~" ". " . " ~- . . ~/ ..,tt,..,( ,l ,,,,/ I' ' _ ,r.. ."~ DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES r" W Mixed Land Uses = Urban Neighborhoods Town Lake = Area for Townhomes Unmet Demand for Sailing & Boating Venues Unmet Potential for Waterfront Destination Venue 17 DEVELOPMENT CONTRAINTS [j Built-Out Community = Infill rJ No Available Vacant Industrial Acreage [] No Available Acreage for "Campus" I Business Parks o Need for land Assemblage o Rising Cost of t:iousing DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS d Memorial Causeway Bridge Realignment (Constraint and Opportunity) u Homeless Environment o limited Urban Development Incentives/Tools c: lack of Linkages to Water 18 DEVELOPMENT C.ONSTRAINTS o Rising Land Costs/Speculation :..~ Redevelopment Referendum Requirements o Environmental Contamination o Capital Improvements Funding Limitations PUBLIC URBAN DEVELOPMENT TOOLS ~~ Revenue Bonds for Parking Garages, ,Marina, Streetscapes, Wayfinding, Park s l:J eRA Tax Increment Financing CJ Development Incentives for Public Spaces/Art [; Land Exchange 19 PUBLIC URBAN DEVELOPMENT TOOLS o Brownfields Phase I & II Assessments 13 Site Specific Ad Valorem Tax Increment Financing [J Donation of Public Property D Community Development Block Grant Funding for ED o Public/Private Revolving Loan Fund PUBLIC URBAN DEVELOPMENT TOOLS L. Expanded Fa~ade Grant Program ($5,000 - $50,000) o New Affordable & Market Rate Housing Programs [J Impact/Permit Fee(s) Abatement l.l Reasonable Variances 20 PUBLIC URBAN } DEVELOPMENT TOOLS o Downtown/Beach Parking Requirement Abatement tJ Public Parking Garages o Flexible Development Code Compliance for Small Businesses o Eminent Domain/Condemnation MARKETING SUPPORT Tourism Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce n Regional Economic Development Tampa Bay Partnership Pinellas County Economic Devel<;>pment 21 MARKETING SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES o Enterprise Florida fill Progress Energy 13 St. Petersburg College [J University of South Florida Dl WorkNet Pinellas Q Tampa Bay Builders Association [3 Regional Financial Institutions 22 23 LCle~~rw~er u........-::~~/........: ~ Interoffice Correspondence Sheet MEMORANDUM TO: Ralph Stone, Assistant City Manager FROM: Reginald Owens, Director Economic Development & Housing Department DATE: December 31, 2002 RE: Fiscal Year 2001/2002 Annual Report It is with pleasure that I forward the attached report for our department for the prior fiscal year. During the ensuing seven months since I assumed the position of director of this department, I have been continually pleased with not only the professionalism of the staff, but also their commitment to a strong work ethic. Having just started on many new value-added assignments, we envision the forthcoming year to be equally gratifYing to all of us, and very beneficial to the community at large, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT 2001/2002 FISCAL YEAR ANNUAL REPORT MISSION The mission of the department is to improve and expand the economic base of the City of Clearwater through the retention and expansion of existing businesses, the attraction of new businesses and real estate investments, and the attraction of a quality residential base, while providing opportunities for affordable housing, This is achieved annually by focusing on the rejuvenation of four value-added key areas of the community as identified by the City Commission - Core residential areas, Downtown, Beach, and the marketability of existing commercial corridors and business parks. OVERVIE\V The department is composed of two divisions, Housing and Economic Development, and is administered by a director, two assistant directors, eight professional staff members and two administrative support positions. The department reports directly to an Assistant City Manager. Operationally, the department is responsible for assuming the lead role in out-reach targeted marketing for the recruitment of value-added new residential, retail, office, industrial, mixed land use, cultural, and tourist based resort developments, and for the retention and expansion of existing businesses. The department is also responsible for administering the activities and incentives associated with the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), the Downtown Development Board (DDB), the Main Street Program, and the Brownfields programs, and the Enterprise Zone. The department also administers all of the affordable housing programs for very low to moderate-income residents, while administrating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Home Investment Partnership Grant (HOME) and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) grants. Department Formation In April 2002, the city achieved an objective by the merging of the housing and economic development responsibilities into a unified department, and the selection of a director and an assistant director for community redevelopment. Department Highlights During the year several program objectives were achieved which should be highlighted due to their importance to the department's mission: CRA Expansion Between May and July, the department prepared a Findings & Necessity Report for the proposed expansion of an existing Community Redevelopment Area. In August, the City Commission approved the findings of the report supporting the expansion, and the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners subsequently approved the expansion in October 2002. The department is currently underway with the preparation of a Redevelopment Plan for this expansion area, and will ultimately pursue an expansion of the existing Tax Increment Financing Area (TIF). 2 The effectiveness of encouraging growth within a CR.\, can be evidenced by the fact that since 1997, the TIF revenues have increased over 200.0 percent, from $251,152 in 1997 to $769,200 in 2001/2002 Harbor Oak Shopping Center The White Development Company developed the 44,000 square foot Harbor Oaks Shopping Center offofFt. Harrison Avenue and Turner Street. This project was the first in the state to receive a state brovmfield loan guarantee for 10.0 percent ($575,000), along with a $100,000 grant which was awarded under the City's Brownfields program for the removal of hydraulic lifts, site assessment and impact fee rebates. Publix Supermarket As the lead tenant in the Harbor Oak Shopping Center, Publix was the first project in the State of Florida to be approved for a Brownfields Bonus Tax Refund. Under the award, the City and County will each provide $20,000 (20.0 percent) of the $200,000 award for an estimated 80 new jobs created. Clearwater Automotive Long an impediment to future redevelopment around the Town Lake Park and the CGI Campus, this long-tenn automotive scrap junk storage facility was targeted by the department as a critical property for public acquisition. Fortunately, an opportunity arrived this year to effectuate a proposed land exchange with the Sembler Company for a redundant city owned fire station at the Clearwater Mall site. Negotiations were underway throughout the summer with the property owners, and in late Fall 2002 the principals reached agreement to accept a fair market value for their property. The land exchange process is now underway. Once this property is transferred to the city, we will utilize future Brownfield monies for ongoing site assessment and cleanup, while actively soliciting development entities for new residential developments near the lake, and the long-term development of an urban business park adjacent to the CGI Campus. BluffParcel(s) and Super Block Parcel Redevelopment The department has taken the lead in coordinating the ongoing development interests shown by various entities for those redevelopment parcels owned by the city, the Calvary Baptist Church, and other private property owners, As envisioned by the department, at some point in fiscal year 200212003, a development entity might be identified for a major mixed land use (residential, retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues), for those parcels lying west of Osceola Avenue and east of the predetermined "28-foot contour line". ... -' In turn, it is conceivable that the Superblock parcels, as defined by ownership by AmSouth, Lee Arnold and the Calvary Baptist Church, could also be transfonned into a mixed-use project. In an effort to insure that these outstanding parcels are given the widest exposure within the national development marketplace, the department has prepared a national marketing brochure for distribution in January 2003. This marketing piece will be distributed to the leading national developers and investors, as well as chain retail establishments ranked within the top 100 chains in the United States. Downtown Residential Housing The primary strategy of the department for downtown revitalization is the attraction of quality new urban market rate housing. Nationally, the "new urbanism" movement denotes an economic development strategy wherein the attraction of young and established professionals into our downtowns, acts as a catalyst for increased retail, restaurants and entertainment venues. When one couples this market condition to our city's pristine time-distance relationship to our beaches, we have an environment to offer the home building industry that can be match by few communities. During the year, the department managed to successfully overcome multiple constraints associated with one such housing project, and Mediterranean Village, is actively underway with Stage I of a IOO-unit town home development. According to the developer, the project currently has 60 reservations within a price point of$145,000 to $250,000. Another town home project of significance is the re-commencement of the Laura Street Town Homes. The construction of this 18-unit project was initially halted due to a construction fire, but is now actively being completed with a price point near $200,000. A further town home development is actively being designed for a small site lying southeast of the Town Lake. This 19-unit project will be under construction in fiscal year 2002/2003, with a price point in the range of$155,000 to $175,000. Finally, during this fiscal year the department has been actively working with several other quality homebuilders who are currently acquiring or assembling downtown property for major town home and loft developments. If these projects are successfully assembled, then our downtown will enter into a new realm of quality urban homes, which should attract further interests from other national firms. 4 Beach Residential Noting the intrinsic need to re\~talize the older northern neighborhood of the North beach area, the department, when approached by an investor, strongly supported the proposed development of a new mid-rise condominium development. This project was successfully approved by the Community Development Board this fall, and will commence construction in fiscal year 2002/2003. This development joins other prior residential projects such as the Mandalay Beach Club and the Belle Harbor, and there is now a renewed interest in further developments. These collectively will enhance the revitalization of this area, by encouraging the development of new support retail and restaurants. Downtown Marina Funded in part with a grant from the Downtown Development Board, the department commissioned a Sea Grass Study of the downtown bay front, to analyze the feasibility for a future marina, and has taken the lead in working with the city's engineering, planning and marine and aviation departments. Based on the study results, which documented less constrained vegetation than first anticipated, the city has moved forward with this project, and is in the process of reviewing a consultant's proposal for assessing the cost for such a facility and to implement the formal application process. While it is anticipated that this could be a three to four year process, the inclusion of a marina in the downtown area is critical for its long-term viability as an urban residential core and destination entertainment node. North Greenwood Economic Development Strategy Commencing in fiscal year 2001/2002, this neighborhood assessment attempts to identifY the short and long term redevelopment potential for residential, retail and employment opportunities. Working with a citizen-based steering committee, the consultants have developed recommendations for the neighborhood and the re-use of the Jack RusseJl Sports Stadium. These findings are being presented to the community and city commission during the first quarter of 2003. 5 Business Outreach Program During the year the department has responded to several hundred inquiries and in-office informational meetings with local businesses seeking to expand or relocating businesses, and developers and investors. National Marketing Brochure Downtown Clearwater is c:early an under developed geographic entity, due in no small part to the lack of any prior effort at a concerted national economic development marketing outreach program. Conversely, however, this urban core offers a palate of development and investment opportunities which other communities can only dream off - available redevelopment parcels strategically located within a window to the ocean, a strong local and regional housing and employment market, a huge underlying tourism base, a substantial strata of wealthy permanent and seasonal homeowners, and one of the most beautiful under developed beaches in the United States. Identified as a key component of the department's development strategy, the production of a major marketing piece has been accomplished, and will be published in January 2003, for distribution to local, regional and national development and investment companies, as well as the top one hundred retail chains and restaurants. This four-color professional piece denotes the development parcels and areas that are prime for future residential, retail, office, hotel and entertainment venues, within the downtown core, along Gulf-To-Bay Boulevard, and within the beach neighborhoods. Main Street Newsletter An ancillary publication is the departments proposed quarterly Main Street Update. This is a two page informational newsletter that will include a calendar of upcoming events, while informing the downtown businesses and their customers of salient economic development topics. The first publication is scheduled for the January 2003. Department Web Site During the fiscal year, the department revised and updated the Economic Development and Housing Department's web page. The website now contains updated, user-fiiendly information. Clearwater Business Report on C- View The department is responsible for hosting a quarterly business report on the city's cable television channel. A highly successful local company, the Dayhoff Corporation who 6 manufactures specialty candies, will be spotlighted in the January 2003 show along with all the new businesses that have opened downtown and its vicinity in the last 6 months. Streetscape & Wayfinding Contract The department has assumed the lead in coordinating the completion of a major street beautification project, which envisions a unique pedestrian friendly downtown core environment, coupled with significant entrance and directional signage functioning as visual art. With the opening of the new Memorial Causeway Bridge in early 2004, it became apparent that the urban core of the city needed to be oriented as a "destination" downtown, serving the business needs of the area, while accommodating those retail uses which appeal to tourists and resident visitors. After careful analysis, the consultant has designed a palate that is uniquely Clearwater, and one if implemented in concert with the various current and potential downtown residential developments, would fulfill its mission of creating a sense of place that can be identified nationally by name. Brownfields The department has been consistently recognized by the state and federal authorities for its effective utilization of the brownfield programs. During the prior fiscal year, the department has administered the following: 1. Provided environmental assistance and permit fees for the revitalization of the North Greenwood Apartments, a $14 million dollar project with 192 units. 2. The Department of Environmental Protection determined the City of Clearwater eligible to receive tax credits, and has issued a Voluntary Tax Credit Certificate in the amount of $189,622.36 for site rehabilitation at the 901-927 Cleveland Street property. 3. The department provided grants for Phase I and Phase II site assessments for 11 properties located within brownfields. 4. The department received approval from federal and State Brownfield program, to expand the brownfield designation to match the Enterprise Zone boundaries. 5. The department received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency USTfields Pilot fund, an award in the amount of$100,000 for assessing and cleaning up petroleum contamination from underground storage tanks. 6. The department received a grant award of$200,000 from EPA, to continue the assessment of commercial properties within the Clearwater Brownfields area. This brings the total federal funds under this grant to $500,000. A cumulative total of approximately $2.6 million has been received from brownfield related funding. 7. Finally, an Incumbent Worker training grant was awarded to NexTrade Holdings, Inc., with offices at 301 S. Missouri Avenue, with 29 employees. 7 8. Clearwater Brownfields Clean-Up revolving Loan fund program: · Development of Loan Documentation Approved by the Federal Department of Environmental Protection - Serve as model for others in Region Four · Regional and Federal Quarterly Reports · Research and Development of Revised Administrative Program Guidelines · First Loan in Region IV: o Celery 801, Inc. $166,000 for non-petroleum based contaminants @1429 South Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater Enterprise Zone The department administers the State of Florida Enterprise Zone program, and during the fiscal year ten applications were filed and approved for a total credit of $36,863.22, To date the department has administered nearly $81,000 in state credits under this program: . Y ockenfloster of Clearwater. Inc. 235 North Garden Avenue Building materials sales tax refund: $3,767.40 Before rehab value: $60,000 After rehab value: $221,830 . Dr. Louis Paolillo. P.A. 10 I 0 Jeffords Street Building material sales tax refund: $5,199.31 (based on sales tax receipts not on value as with Yackenfloster) 5 new employees - not from the EZ . \Valgreen's Drug Store S 14 Cleveland Street Property tax credit - $21,580.32 . Fraternal Order of Eagles. Inc. 1485 Gulf-to-Bay Building material sales tax refund: $882.85 . Publi.~ Supermarket 619 South Fort Harrison Avenue Business equipment sales tax refund Five separate applications totaling: $25,903,64 . Albertson's Jobs ta:< credits: $6,553.28 23 New jobs created from the Enterprise Zone 8 Construction Signs Recognizing the daily frustrations of the typical driver as they traverse the downtown and beach area during our multiple construction projects, the department took the lead in coordinating the design, review, and construction of a temporary "Pardon Our Dust" sign located on Cleveland Street and at the entrance to Clearwater Beach. The signs send a "be patient while we create a better community" message, as they summarize the City's construction projects in the immediate vicinity, the cost of each project, and completion date. Downtown Development Board The department provides professional staff assistance to the Downtown Development Board (DDB), which is an elected board, comprised of7 board members, and two ex- officio members, who administer an approximate $234,299 annual budget that is raised by virtue of a self-imposed one-mill property assessment on downtown properties. During the prior year, the board held eleven regular monthly meetings, as well as nine special public meetings, and staff was responsible for preparing monthly financial reports, and an annual audit compliance report for the State of Florida, the State of Florida Tax Increment Millage Compliance report, the Florida Department of State Information Services Records Disposition Compliance report, and Florida Department of Community Affairs Special District Information Program report, the Florida Department of Insurance Public Depositor Annual report, and the Florida Commission on Ethics - Financial Disclosure reports The DDB actively supports downtown events and programs, and has generously contributed funds towards such programs as the Sea Grass Marina study and the national marketing brochure that is schedule for printing in January 2003. In additional, it has supported the following: . Festival of Trees . Fanner's Market . Downtown Events - Concerts . Jazz Holiday . Travel host Magazine - 12 centerfold ads . Design Awards - Six Chiang Mai Restaurant Creative Contractors Help-V-Sell Realty Pinellas County Court House City of Clearwater Fire Administration Building Popeye's Restaurant . Holiday Light-up . Advertising - Chamber Relocation Guide 9 The department's responsibility under this program also includes administrating the Main Street Business Relocation & Expansion Applications, of which two were processed during the year: o Nature's Rose Florist $7,000 o Deolinda's Tailoring $3,000 In addition, the DDB gave $3,750 to Rio Enterprise for the preparation of a major mural at Cleveland Street and Garden Avenue. Homeless Task Group Recognizing the need to balance the well being of our homeless within the downtown, and the health and safety issues of our downtown residents, businesses, visitors and consumers, the department took on the responsibility of implementing small steps which might address the requirements of both groups. The department is also actively working with the CleaIWater Homeless IntelVention Project (CHIP), assisting them with their efforts at creating a centralized campus for their emergency facility and for a limited number of transitional housing units. Early on it was clearly identified to the department, that the main downtown pedestrian plaza, Station Square, was being inappropriately used by a segment of the homeless population, as a daily and nightly gathering spot for public bathing, sleeping and aggressive begging. In an effort to eliminate these uses, the department analyzed various "park" rules utilized by other jurisdictions, and recently installed signs that outlined the new rules and a regulation that, along with increased enforcement, has started to eliminate this problem. Concurrently, the department is reaching out into the business community, and aggressively soliciting affidavits from private property owners, which will allow our police to better enforce trespassing laws on private property. At the same time, the department is commencing an outreach program to educate the downtown businesses on how to identii)' those homeless in need of emergency shelter and care, and providing them with appropriate agency contacts and their telephone numbers. Corporate Relocations and Expansions During our fiscal year, several significant corporate relocations occurred within our community, including: 1. Windows By Ziegler, purchased property at 1170 Gould Street, investing $315,000 with eight employees. 10 2. Metal Screw products, Inc., purchased property at 1500 N. Belcher Road, with an investment of over $2.25 million, and with over 100 employees. 3. Sensor Technologies purchased property at 1600 Sunshine Drive, with a capital investment of over $2.5 million and with over 100 employees. 4. Great Companies, LLC. leased 6,500 square feet at 636 Court Street, investing over $50,000 in tenant improvements, with 18 employees. 5. The department is currently working with an established Clearwater furniture company, Days Furniture, as they attempt to expand their operation their current location on 1277 Highland Avenue. 6. The department is currently working with an established Clearwater manufacturing company; as they proceed with plans to build a small corporate headquarter building within the downtown core. This would be the first such office structure attracted to the core in decades, and reflects a new awareness of the opportunities of the area for small corporate firms. Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance Recognizing the city's objective of promulgating a pedestrian friendly environment within the downtown and on the beaches, the department was given the responsibility to address how we might encourage and incorporate outdoor seating within the public right of way (i.e., sidewalk cafes). Research included developing a matrix comparing the various components from neighboring cities and interviews with these cities to determine which components have worked well. The proposed sidewalk cafe ordinance covers Downtown and Clearwater Beach CD and T zoning districts) and outlines application requirements, standards and criteria, and conditions of the permit. The ordinance was developed in conjunction with comments and discussion from various departments including Planning, Development Services, Legal, Risk Management, and Engineering. The proposed ordinance will go before the Community Development Board and the City Commission in January 2003, and we expect to receive applications for sidewalk cafe permits beginning in February 2003. Beach Parking Assessment The department, with input from other departments, prepared a report detailing the intrinsic need for additional parking within the North and South Beach areas. The department provides ongoing ancillary due diligence to the legal department and the City Manager's office as they proceed with various negotiated options for nlture parking structures. 11 Citizen's Academy The department successfully participated in the city's first Citizen's Academy session, taking the citizen participants through a detailed real estate development process, using the Harbor Oaks Shopping Center as a case study. Cultural Plan and Arts In the City Recognizing the importance of art within developments, the department has taken a lead role in working with private and quasi-public groups who are fostering the growth of the arts and culture within the community. The department is a liaison with the City-sponsored Cultural Plan, and attended all Steering Committee meetings and was a member of the Economic Development Task Force that made recommendations for goals, objectives, and strategies for the implementation of the Cultural Plan. In addition, the department is working closely with a group of private investors and artists who envision the development of an initial "arts district" within the confines of Fort Harrison, Garden, Nicholson and Cedar. This district would, as conceived, house artists in a work-live-sell environment, sharing common parking areas, and other infrastructure. The department is coordinating closely with other operational departments as this projects moves forward. Downtown New Ret~il Businesses During the fiscal year the department was in touch with 13 new businesses with 44 employees to the downtown area, while the area lost just three businesses with five employees. It is the department's strategy to continue to attract small retail establishments to the Cleveland Street corridor, until such time the new residential based and the "bluff' redevelopment activity matures to a level which would entice nationally recognized retailers and restaurants and entertainment venues: 1. The French Croissjmt - a bakery specializing in croissants, pastries, cookies, and breads at 519 Clevc\and Street. 2 employees. (fhis business closed Summer 2002.) 2. Clearwater Cookie Company - a bakery specializing in cookies with catering and delivery available and located in the eastern space of Fiore's Gourmet Deli, 811 Cleveland Street. 2 employees. (l'his business closed Summer 2002.) 3. Chiang Mai - a Thai Restaurant with an opulent interior opened at 415 Cleveland Street - 7 employees. Assisted this business with sign, parking, and trash 12 remoyal issues. Chiang ~b.i was awarded a Design Award for their Restaurant Interior by the DDB. 4. Greenbacks Entertainment Cafe - a nightclub, sports bar, restaurant at 528 Cleveland Street. Assisted this business with sign, permitting, code, trash removal issues. 10 employees 5. Clearwater Custom Floors, upscale flooring store opened at 628 Cleveland Street, 4 employees and 15 subcontractors. 6. Pedro's Hair Salon, a full service hair & nail salon opened at 639 Cleveland Street, 3 employees. Assisted this business with marketing information 7. Sybil's - The ~hrket Place, 700 Court Street - expanded from a ladies upscale consignment shop & antique furniture store to an eclectic store broken into 8 unique areas - each managed by a woman entrepreneur. 1 employee, 7 subcontractors. Assisted this business with marketing & fac;ade inquiries. 8. Help-U-Sell Real Estate moved from the Gateway, where they artfully renovated an older structure, to a building at 213 Myrtle Avenue and gave the comer a whole new look, this business has 1 employee and 10 subcontractors. 9. Fast Trak, a gas station opened up at 1310 Cleveland. This business received a fac;ade grant from the CR.A for landscaping. 2 employees. 10. B'Aggies, Chicago Style Pizza rest,lUrant at 530 Cleveland Street. Assisted tllis business with a myriad of planning, code, and pennitting issues. Attended BPRC with owners, met with owners to discuss fac;ade grant. 5 employees. 11. Aqua Chiara, a day spa also selling body & skin cafe products, opened at 368 N. Ft. Harrison. 1 employee (This business has closed as of 11/30/02.) 12. Shannon Pub, a new eatery at 45 N. Ft. Harrison. Assisted business with fac;ade inquiries, general business concerns and marketing suggestions. This business has 3 employees. 13. Roc's New Age Hair Salon, Men's hair salon at 40 N. Ft. Harrison, 3 cmployee 14. Scott Mortgage, 700 Cleveland - this business has received information regarding the fac;ade improvement grant program. Two employces. In addition, tlle following new business~s ;u1t1Ol1nc~ their intention to commence an operation I the downtown area in 2003: 1. \,'hite Buffalo, a gallery w / a coffee bar and jewelry sales will open Spring 2003 at 34 N. Ft. Harrison. 13 2. Nutrina purchased the Pat Lokey building and will move their business from the 500 block of Cleyeland Street to two locations, the formcr Pat Lokey building will house their cosmetic line and their yitamin linc wiIJ move to 24 N. Ft. Harrison. 3. t\ J-lair Salon will opcn at 649 Cleveland Strect in January 2003. Downtown Beautification and Maintenance The department has assumed.m ongoing interest in monitoring the downtown environment, by coordinating with Public Services on brick paver remo,'al and replacement, steam cleaning/sealing of pavers, upkeep of sidewalks and landscaping concerns, trash remoyal, Coordinated with various departments to have inoperable speaker system removed from Cleveland Street and Station Square Park. The department also took a lead role in coordinating with Parks and Recreation for a seasonal street flower-planting program. Fa<;ade Grant Applications The department coordinated the award of four fa<;ade grants this fiscal year as sponsored by the CR..-\.. The recipients were: Fiore's Gourmet Deli, Ray Cassano; f.'l<;ade improvements to 2 buildings and Fast Trak for a total of $13,662.50. Main Street: The department administers the city's Main Street Program through four standing committees - the Joint Venture Committee, the Promotional Committee, the Design Committee, and the Economic Development Committee. These committees were involved in a host of activities during the prior year, including: . Lightacular - The official Lighting of the downtown holiday lights followed by a musical concert at the historic Royalty Theatre. . A Holiday Bazaar was held on December 1, 2001 with items from churches, crafters & artists being sold. Family Activities such as pony rides, hay rides, carnival games, inflatable games took place along Cleveland Street from Myrtle Avenue to Ft. Harrison A,-enue. Many visitors & residents attended the event and participated in the event. . Celebration of Downtown - Groundbreaking for the Town Pond and Memorial Causeway Bridge took place January 15,2002 with a reception followed by a concert by Jake & Elwood and the Blues Brothers Revue. . Elvis Rocks Downtown took place on April 24, 2002. A VIP party with donations from area restaurants, a car show and a Best Elvis Look-alike contest were part of the festi,;ties. Coordinated promotional material, advertising, distribution of event, 14 volunteers for YIP event, volunteers for beverage salcs and contacted restaur.mts for donations . Brown Bag Lunch Concerts - Two concerts in Station Square Park took place for 3 hours for two \veeks during April 2002. Assisted \vith necessary special event pern1itting. . The first Downtown Clearwater Arts Stroll was held on Saturday, November 9, and included art in all its fonns. Twenty different shops, restaurants and offices presentcd some of the best performing and visual art by more than 30 local artists. A jazz trio, strolling storytellers, hip-hop dancers, an acoustic guitarist, a flamenco dancer and others entertained strollers. Over 250 people visited 8 different venues and were then eligible to enter a drawing for a gift basket filled with items from area businesses. Edith Ryan of Oldsmar was the lucky winner of the gift basket. The Main Street Program, Downtown Development Board 3J1d City of Clearwater Parks & Recreation Department phm on holding another art stroll in the spring. . Fall & Spring Downtown Clean-ups: 120 volunteers collected 15.79 tons of trash during two c1e3J1-ups. . Reviewed various building renovations that took place in the downtown during the year. Nominated businesses to receive design awards to recognize those owners that have made a signific3J1t investment in the downtown. . Coordinated review of applications and proposed the DDB fund two relocation grants for Nature's Rose and Deolinda's Tailoring. Reviewcd 1 application that did not meet the criteria. . Provided assistance with coordinating the painting of a mural funded by the Downtown Development Board, Citizens for a Better Clearwater, Main Street and the Clearwater Gas Services. A French tapestry scenc was painted on the building at the southwest corncr of Cle\-c1and Street & Garden Avenue. In the latter part of the fiscal year, it was recognized by the department that the Main Street program needed to be more "project" oriented, so that its voluntary participants could develop a sense of accomplishment annually, by contributing something of significance back to the community. To that end, the department identified the fayade renovation of the historic Royalty Theatre 3J1d the revitalization of the historic post office as two priority items for ncxt year. Farmer's Market The 2001-2002 season of the Farmer's Market was the 7th year of the market. The Executive Board of the Market decided to try a new date and new location moving the market from Saturdays at Station Square Park parking lot to Wednesdays at the grass lot on East Avenue between Pierce Street & Franklin Avenue. The department assisted the market with operational issues at the new venue. Promoted the market and its special 15 events bye-mail messages to city staff and downtown business owners and Main Street volunteers. Tourism: Contract review of nvo contracts for tourism servlces with the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce (services provided include the preparation and distribution of visitor guides, marketing, advertising, telephone semce, and the operation of the tourism web site.) Clcanvater Beach Chamber of Commerce (Visitor information services at the Visitor Information Center at the Clearwater Marina). Assisted in the set up and managing contract for new Visitor's Information Center. City funds and a grant from the Convention and Visitor's Burcau resulted in the creation of a free standing Visitor's Information Center on the eastern side of Pier 60 Park. .-\0 RFP was let for tourism sen;ces at the new center. There was only one respondent to the RFP that resulted in the cancellation of the contract with the Beach Chamber of Commerce :md the initiation of a new contract with the Cleanvater Regional Chamber of Commerce. Affordable Housing TIle department has been extremely active during the past year as it administered approximately $4.7 million dollars in state and federal grants, program income and reprogrammed dollars for the various housing and community development programs that we are responsible for. During last the fiscal year (FY2001-2002) the City received from the federal government an allocation of $1,029,000 under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and $514,000 under the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) program. Both of these programs are administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG Program has been around since 1974 and the HOME program has been around since 1990. From the State of Florida the City received an annual allocation of $9j2,987 under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. The SHIP Program has been in existence since 1992, and Florida leads the nation in its commitment to providing a dedicated source of state of revenue for affordable housing (In 2002, over $162 million dollars was funded by the state to local jurisdictions through the SHIP Program). Using these grant funds, the department funded a wide variety of housing and economic development programs. The City allocated approximately one third of its CDBG funds to public service org.mizarions and to public facility projects. Some of the community organizations that were funded include: Partners in Self-Sufficiency, The Mustard Seed - Turning Point, Community Sen,ice Foundation, Pinellas Habitat for Humanity, Pinellas Opportunity Council, Community Pride Child Care and Family Resources, just to name a fcw. The remainder of the funds wcre divided among: Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance, Public Facilities and Improvements, Economic Development, Acquisition, Single and Multifamily Rch:lbilitarion, Relocation, Demolition, and Home Ownership 16 Education/Counseling. A total of approximately 8,000 people were assisted during the last fiscal year through programs that the Housing Division funded. In terms of affordable housing the department completed the following: 35 single-family rehabilitations, 43 down payment assistance loans, one replacement house, and 7 single- family bond assistance loans. The department was also responsible for conducting over 752 home inspections for sub- recipients and non-profits, and for monitoring the Davis-Bacon Regulations (federal grant requirement), filing semi-.U1nual reports to HUD, preparing for SHIP and CDGB audit reviews, continued the analysis of the t8t-Fund (CDBG), and administer all funds and sub recipient agreements. 17