11/21/1972
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The Chairman called upon Mr. Levison, who together with several of the young men
in many architects offices in Clearwater, have conducted a "Charette" or a series
of brain storm sessions to do the second phase of the AIA study of downtown, COll1-
pleted some time ago. Mr. Levison introduced Mr. Steve Fowler and Mr. Art Brown,
two of several men who took their own time to create an approach to the downtown
needs, and which was presented.
Mr. Fowler stated, "After hours of study and consultation, the really important
considerations were to get people back downtown, and to do something with the
prime deterrent, i.e. 'cars present' vehicular barrier to downtown."
Mr. Fowler and Mr. Brown presented by drawings and then by slides a pictorial of
how things are now and then how they might be. He emphasized that \rJhat must be
done is to "redesign downtown for the pedestrian. tI He pointed out that we no'W
have a surplus of parking spaces by an estimated 1,000 spaces, but the problem
is that many are not located where people will use them.
Needed facilities not now provided include a pedestrian mall on several blocks of
Cleveland Street; a convention facilit)' in the northwest portion of the area; a
conrnunity center facility, a marina facility adjacent to the foot of. the Memorial
Causeway; the creation of super-blocka with the elimination of many short streets;
with the design of a suitable vehicular circulation system so that people may
easily find a "close inn place to park, with several multi-level parking garages
to replace saveral acres of present day ground level parking lots~ a shopping
center, with store access through their back doors to the parking spaces behind
the stores; with use of Smith's Finger to create a water oriented people
at1:raction.
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Hr. Taylor spoke about his efforts to interest private copital to rebuild a com-
plete block in the area, the 500 block south on Cleveland Street. He stated,
there 1s plenty of money available, adding that the investors are concerned with
plans for the adjacent, as well as this block. He added that it is IDOst important
that an over-all redevelopment plan for the area be developed. Hr. Taylor stated,
there 1s interest, and it is still alive. He added, that some relief in the way
of parking facilities will greatly encourage developers.
The Chairman asked Hr. Cooper, partner of H. H. Baskin, Jr., for his cOIIII1ents.
Hr. Cooper speaking for Mr. Baskin, who was called out of town, outlined the
plans for a five floor office building fr~t\ting on So. Fort Harrison Avenue and
Park Street. "The problem is, '\De stated,ncne ci adequate parking as required by
the city ordinance. There will be forty--e1ght parking spaces provided underneath
the building, but additional spaces will be reql1ired if all five floors are
occupied.n He added, "That witooLlt parking spaces being made available, they
will be able to build only two "floors. n
Hr. Cooper summed up the situation at this time stating, unless some contractural
arrangement can be worked out to provide adequate parking spaces, they will not
go ahead with the building.
The discussion that followed indicated a deep interest on the part of city offi-
c 1ala and members to 'Work out whatever will be required in order to allow Hr.
Baskin to proceed with his plans, with an invitation by the Mayor to Hr.
Cooper to come to City Hall and start such discussions to work toward this end.
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