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CLEARWATER ONE CITY. ONE FUTUREre. re CITY of CLEARWATER The Future is INTRODUCTION This blueprint for our future is titled "One City. One Future." This wonderful, inclusive description refers to the idea to unite Clearwater behind a strategy that will carry out the broader vision of the City Commission. This blueprint represents the beginning of a journey, not the end. These ideas are conceptual and will evolve through community dialogue. It is this dialogue that will produce a blueprint created not only for the citizens of Clearwater but by the citizens of Clearwater. Every step of the planning process has included civic, business, and community leaders. Clearwater will become a world class destination for tourists and will provide high quality residential neighborhoods and business locations. By providing entertainment and cultural resources, the City will be able to expand its tax base. Implementing this blueprint will improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. The goal is to take full advantage of Clearwater's many strengths and resources. Florida's successful west coast cities each offer a unique environment. To compete with St. Armands Circle, Maples and St. Petersburg, Clearwater must promote its sun, beach, and climate, but it must also offer its own unique experience. This blueprint can be divided into three different components: infrastructure, corridor enhancements, and districts. A strategy has been developed for each of these parts to ensure the most advantageous outcome. While each component can stand on its own, they are designed to fit together and happen simultaneously to revitalize our City. This blueprint is dedicated to our families, our foundation and our future. CHALLENGES As in life, city development requires that certain challenges must be faced and met. Often the ability to do this is the measure of success. Specific challenges of this vision include: To bring together members of different communities ensuring a cooperative Citywide effort. To rebuild and revitalize Cleveland Street. To create a sense of community for residents and visitors alike. To increase our share of regional tourist dollars. To bring business Downtown. To revitalize economically disadvantaged areas. To enhance the waterfront. To successfully connect the Beach and Downtown. OPPORTUNITIES As the 21 st Century appears on the horizon, Clearwater is compelled to act on coordinated and comprehensive development activities focused on vitalization. The vitalization will become a catalyst to the entire City. To form a City Center. To build an entertainment district around the Harborview Center. To build a multipurpose Sports- Entertainment facility where the Phillies can play and other outdoor events can be held. To use the new bridge as a regional connector to the City and use the old bridge as a local connector and extension of the Beach. To transform Cleveland Street into Clearwater's "Mainstreet." To redefine Gulf-to-Bay as a regional connector and as Clearwater's "Central Boulevard." To revitalize the North Greenwood area. To complement the natural beauty of Clearwater with opportunities for redevelopment. CITY of CLEARWATER The Future is CLEARWATER I INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS Gulfview / Mandalay Gulfview Boulevard and Mandalay Avenue serve as the primary north-south corridors along Clearwater Beach. Pier 60 Drive is Clearwater Beach's entryway, and should reflect that role. These corridors would be improved with lighting, landscaping, and pavement enhancements in keeping with the Beach experience. A first class pedestrian environment is essential for the Beach to prosper as a resort and residential community. Possible Streetscape Enhancements Possible Entryway Feature to Clearwater Beach Possible Interchange Configuration with Cleveland Street 0/01,0/ Qn rP@1 3 1 4 Existing Florida "Mainstreets," Park Avenue in Winterpark, Florida & Worth Ave in Palm Beach. Florida Cleveland "Mainstreet" The development of Cleveland Street as Clearwater's "Mainstreet" will be made possible by the construction of a new bridge and the maintenance of the existing bridge. The new "Mainstreet" will stretch from Highland Avenue to the Beach, linking key areas like the bayfront, Downtown core and the Mandalay Avenue business district. This development will allow the corridor to qualify for State and Federal "Mainstreet" grants. Also in Downtown, Osceola and Garden Streets will be realigned to improve traffic connections with the new bridge. An asymmetrical pairing of Myrtle and Ft. Harrison Avenues is being studied to improve Downtown traffic flow and to support the Cleveland Street "Mainstreet" concept. I t, E 15; Before Gulf to Bay "Central Boulevard" The Gulf-to-Bay corridor, including the new bridge, prc regional access to Downtown and the Beach. More 65,000 people travel on Gulf-to-Bay every day as toy commuters and residents. Their experience alon< key roadway shapes their impression of Clearwater. 1 an opportunity to make a good impression. Coi enhancements are being developed to insure that to-Bay-Clearwater's "Central Boulevard"- is attractive reflective of our City's high quality of life. CITY of CLEARWATER Possible Enhancements After to Gulf to Bay Boulevard The Future is C'I FARWATF.R I DISTRICTS This overall effort is designed to help Clearwater's districts thrive within the City and the region. The Beach, Downtown, Gulf-to-Bay corridor and North Greenwood neighborhood are each vital parts of Clearwater. The goal is for each to complement one another rather than compete against each other. Each district offers something unique and each is vitally important to the success of the City as a whole. 04 Clearwater ? Sound a C 1 Clearwater M? Beach 9 Ora/CaG ? I ? ? Clearwater Harbor Sunset Point Road ' ?, - •,? 1 04 l ? i North i Greenwood c WARWAT94 D ArM ? "Mainstreet" Cleveland Street ; owntown Gull to Bav Blvd "Central Boulevard" Map of Local Districts b Clearwater Beach As a dynamic area on Florida's Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach boasts both commercial and residential areas that continue to increase in value, resulting in the possibility of reinvestment in existing properties and new development. A connection between Clearwater Beach and Downtown will maximize the success of both areas. The Beach brings people to Clearwater. Downtown keeps them here. The Downtown must support Beach residents and businesses through a focus on larger scale retail, restaurant and entertainment activities. Key areas of improvement proposed for Clearwater Beach include: A transition area separating residential areas on the north end of the Beach from commercial areas south of the Rockaway parking lot. A dramatic gateway at the Beach entrance from Memorial Causeway. Targeted private sector investment and redevelopment. Beach/Gulfview Area Map to Clearwater Sound b Clearwater ?q Beach 1 -a, c I ? 4:? I Clearwater 14 Harbor Enhancement of the natural beauty of the Beach. Better connections between the Beach and Downtown. A pedestrian-friendly enviro- nment on the Beach through street and sidewalk design. 4 Proposed Enhancements to Clearwater Beach __ r CITY of CLEARWATER The Future is ?11W_VA IOR Downtown A successful Downtown will have a positive impact on the Beach and on North Greenwood. What Downtown offers will differ from what people will find elsewhere in the City or the region. The Cleveland Street corridor will serve many purposes. These include: a multipurpose facility for the Phillies games and other local events; new retail and entertainment facilities along the bayfront; a district for City government services to include a new library and possibly City Hall; and places for high tech industries and residential uses. City Center The City Center would be the heart of the City, located at the intersection of Cleveland and Myrtle Avenue. It would include the Main Library, City Hall, Post Office, Municipal Services Building, and Police Headquarters Retail / Office An eclectic mix of retail stores would be encouraged to locate in the Downtown area, offering a unique shopping experience. Current market conditions provide a window of opportunity to attract tenants that are looking for a Downtown atmosphere at suburban rental rates. Financial incentive programs could be developed to reward businesses willing to sign long term leases. Entertainment The Harborview Entertainment District would be located at the bayfront. It would include retail and entertainment facilities, the - ?The City Center pa J.r Cleveland Street \ r I Harborview Center, Coachman Park and Coachman Plaza, and a potential multipurpose facility. The goal is to expand Coachman Park's green space across the bayfront and revitalize the area through new, active uses. Easily accessible and ample parking would serve theater-goers, diners, mariners and shoppers. Pinellas County Complex The County would be encouraged to focus its activities north of Chestnut Street in and around the existing County government complex. This would provide a self-contained district for County government and enhance the structure and stability of Downtown. Institutional Calvary Baptist Church, the Church of Scientology, and Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church would be encouraged to center their individual activities in this area. This will allow City services to be effectively and efficiently provided to these institutional uses. Service / Recreational A regional stormwater retention pond could be located in this area to serve new development and provide a nice recreational opportunity in the Downtown core. Uses that could complement this concept include: tennis courts, a community center, ball fields (possibly a Phillies stadium relocation), an inline skating park, and a swimming pool/aquatic center. Service uses, such as grocery, hardware and drug stores, might be encouraged in this area to support Downtown businesses and residents. Define the Spine Constructing a new bridge, while maintaining the existing bridge for local use, will allow Cleveland Street (from Highland Avenue to the Beach) to be developed into Clearwater's "Mainstreet." This designation will allow the corridor to qualify for State and Federal "Mainstreet" Grants. The Gulf-to-Bay corridor, including the new bridge, would provide regional access to Clearwater and the Beach. Downtown Area Map (right) Conceptual Master Plan for the City Center Area District - (center) Conceptual Master Plan for Activation of the Harborview Entertainment District - (left) H PLAZA CEWFA NO r s.tu,a?sFO me nrErts ? fri (7 i'v II Former Annex Site The former City Hall Annex site at Cleveland and Missouri could be used to attract high-tech and commercial industry, residential development, and/or retail uses. A combination of location, economic variables and incentive programs could attract these businesses to the district. Private sector interest in this property is being determined. Use of the site for public purposes, such a new main library, remains a possibility. Residential Residential uses are critical to the success of Downtown Clearwater. Downtown residents would use the City Center, Former Annex Site, Institutional District, and County Complex for services and work, while using the Harborview Entertainment Complex and Beach for entertainment and recreational purposes. -_ JJr POM94 GARAGE p -- L wEwAV,;:? r„ + PARKING MORW CITY of CLEARWATER The Future is North Greenwood Over the past year, the City has worked very closely with North Greenwood community leaders to develop an action plan that will implement projects ranging from entryway streetscaping to job development. The potential relocation of Jack Russell Stadium offers the opportunity to expand on many of the ideas in this action plan, including the possible creation of a village square at Palmetto Street and North Greenwood Avenue. This village square concept could include a new recreation complex and creative reuse of the Stadium site. The City and the community will work together to develop alternative growth strategies focused on jobs and creation of a village square. A revitalized community with a quality workforce is our goal for North Greenwood. Changes to Zoning and Development Regulations. Physical and Aesthetic Improvements to the Commercial District. Defining a Series of Alternative Growth Strategies focused on Job Creation and Activation of a Village Square. Local Commercial Anchor Greenwood Area Map 9 to PARKING / CIRCULATION Adequate parking is critical to the success of Downtown. The City will work with businesses to develop a parking plan. A proposed parking study will assist in that partnership. The aesthetics of parking facilities will also be a focus, with our goal being attractive parking lots and garages that meet strict design standards and promote a pedestrian- friendly environment. Perform a Comprehensive Parking Study, Focus on Aesthetic Expectations of Parking Structures (Garages) and the Activation of the 1 st floor. Work in Partnership with other Stakeholders for Joint Development of Facilities. CITY of CLEARWATER Parking Assessment Study The Future is LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE A critical component in the success of these revitalization efforts involves changes to the City development regulations. Our codes must be redesigned for a community that is developed, providing flexibility to fit a variety of individual circumstances, while maintaining critical code protections. Our codes must serve as a catalyst for redevelopment, enhance landscaping and community character, and focus on civic design and performance standards. While we have retained an outstanding Florida law and land planning firm to assist us in this project, public involvement will also be critical to our success. Re-Designed for a Developed Community. Built-In Flexibility. Focus on Civic Design and Performance Standards. Protective in Nature. Focus on High Quality Development. Serve as a Catalyst for Redevelopment. Enhanced Landscaping and Community Character. 12 POTENTIAL FUNDING STRATEGIES Nothing can get done without money. The City of Clearwater Partnership for Parking. is fortunate to have several options that we can explore to find funding for this blueprint. Possibilities include grants, Penny for Pinellas. partnerships, impact fees and Penny for Pinellas funds. Other sources are service charges, the General Fund, incentives, Impact Fees. Community Redevelopment Agency (CPA) funds, private Grants. investment, the Downtown Alliance, and public/private partnerships. Service Charges. ?• 1. i - _ 11 • ?????.,, ?, . ? <. ? -- ?ll,?? l Sir kj, { The General Fund. Incentives. CRA Funds. Private Investment. Downtown Alliance. Public/Private Partnerships. CITY of CLEARWATER The Future is CLEARWATER IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS Authorization of market studies for the Beach and Downtown. Evaluation of the Phillies' economic impact. Preparation of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for developers to submit ideas for the bayfront, including Coachman Park expansion. Selection of site for the new Main Library. Application for "Mainstreet" program. Completion of necessary parking studies. Acceleration of community-based initiative in the North Greenwood area. Implementation of regional stormwater retention project in Downtown. Creation of an incentive program for retail and commercial occupancy along Cleveland Street. Evaluation of maintaining the existing Memorial Causeway Bridge as a local traffic connection between the Beach and Downtown. Redesign of the Land Development Code. Corridor enhancement along Cleveland Street, Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, Mandalay Avenue and Gulfview Boulevard. 13 14 Make no small plans: They have no magic to stir men's blood, and probably themselves will not be realized Make big plans; Aim high in hope, and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once located will not die DANIEL H.BURNHAM CITY of CLEARWATER CLEARWATER MEANS BUSINESS! City of Clearwater / City Manager's Office 112 S. Osceola Avenue P.O. Box 4748 Clearwater, Florida 33758-4748 Tel (813) 562-4040 Fax (813) 562-4052 Prepared by - Carr Smith Corradino Print Date Dec. 30, 1997