08/15/2011 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCYMEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August
Present: Chair/Trustee Frank Hibbard, Trustee John Doran, Trustee George N.
Cretekos, Trustee Paul Gibson, and Trustee Bill Jonson.
Also Present: Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City Manager, Rod Irwin - CRA Executive
Director/Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City Attorney,
Rosemarie Call - City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague — Official Records and
Legislative Services Coordinator.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Chair/Trustee Frank Hibbard
The meeting was called to order at 2:03 p.m. at City Hall.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the July 18, 2011 CRA Meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Bill Jonson moved to Approve the minutes of the July 18, 2011 CRA Meeting as
submitted in written summation by the City Clerk. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3. CRA Items
3.1 Redevelopment Progress Analysis Update (2004-2011)
This review of the CRA redevelopment program strategy, program and financial
performance status has been prepared pursuant to discussion and questions
raised by several Board members at the May 31 CRA meeting. At that time, it was
determined between the Board and staff that a discussion and review of the
Downtown, Retail/Restaurant Strategy and East Gateway CRA progress and
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performance would be helpful in clarifying exactly where the CRA is on
redevelopment efforts and provide the Board with an opportunity to redirect policy
and/or strategy if desired.
CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin said Clearwater's downtown, as is the case with
many traditional downtowns, has become functionally obsolete because of economic
and societal changes that fundamentally altered the way the City and nation live, work
and shop. The traditional model of the central business district (CBD) with high-density
residential areas close by and utilizing the CBD for most/all of basic shopping and
service needs is no longer viable and cannot be effectively reconstructed.
What has emerged is a re-conceptualization of what role traditional downtown areas
can play in local economies. Downtowns must reflect the seminal, economic changes
and forces, which led to the CBD's demise at mid-century. It acknowledges that
downtown areas must distinguish themselves by establishing a sufficient critical mass of
retail, restaurant, housing and entertainment to provide an urban experience sufficiently
differentiated from other areas to attract population. Unique, destination restaurants;
high quality cultural and entertainment opportunities; specialty retail; and, increasingly,
quality housing attractive to the boomer generation.
From a taxable value standpoint, the increase in the Downtown CRA has totaled 35.5%
since 2004, compared to a 2.0 % increase citywide. Taxable value has increased by
$63,357,917 in the Downtown CRA during the period. The East Gateway CRA shows a
loss of taxable value (-7.7%) consistent with the early stage of the CRA intervention
(2007), and a modest private—to-public investment ratio of$1.83 to 1. The results
indicate both a movement in the right direction with respect to leveraging private
investment, and, at the same time, clearly indicating the downside risk and inevitable
result of a failure to engage in redevelopment areas in a sustained, robust manner.
Continued attention and funding will be necessary to assure program and financial
results. From the ratio of private-to-public investment, the CRA/City has realized
$195,030,823 in new private investment since 2004, based upon a CRA/City investment
of$36747,341 (including $13,482,392 for the Boat Slips) during the same period. This
results in a favorable $5.1 to 1 return on investment (ROI).
There have been significant, delineated accomplishments in achieving CRA/City policy
goals since 2004, despite weathering the worst economic downturn since the Great
Depression. Obviously a major part of the effort is increased housing, which has been
particularly affected by the recession. However, the Downtown is/has put into place the
foundation for a strong wave of private investment as the economy recovers overall. In
the meantime, staff is emphasizing the ability of the Capital Theatre, Blast Friday and
the other public events to attract visitors and residents to Downtown and support the
existing merchants who are affected by the same recession that has paralyzed the
housing sector.
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Mr. Irwin said economically healthy, vibrant cities require the existence of vibrant and
healthy commercial cores that facilitate the entertainment, social and residential choices
sought by increasing numbers of residents making choices between communities in
which to live, invest and spend discretionary income on lifestyle choices. Two
unresolved issues of importance include transit and homelessness. The availability of
rapid transit in the Downtown CRA would be of immeasurable import to achievement of
the redevelopment strategy. The critical mass of housing facilitative of the strategy
requires easy and timely in-and-out access to employment centers. Pursuit of light rail
and/or enhanced bus systems need to be pursued. The Downtown continues to be
impacted by a homeless population to a significant degree related to the East Gateway
Soup Kitchen and the various feeding stations in Downtown. A successful resolution of
these phenomena will materially affect the ability to maximize realization of the
redevelopment strategy.
3.2 Presentation of the East Gateway District Two-Year Progress Report.
The East Gateway District Five-Year Action Program was approved by the
Community Redevelopment Agency on May 13, 2008. The Action Program calls
for periodic monitoring and evaluation of progress in the East Gateway to ensure
that the neighborhood vision is continually strived for and neighborhood assets
are protected and enhanced. Staff presented the first annual progress report in
April of 2009. Given staffing changes, staff did not complete a report in 2010.
However, this progress report includes accomplishments over the last two fiscal
years.
The East Gateway Task Force is the responsible entity for implementing the Five-
Year Action Program. The Task Force is comprised of staff from the following city
departments: Economic Development and Housing; Engineering; Parks and
Recreation; Planning and Development; Police; Public Communications; and
Solid Waste/General Services. East Gateway Task Force collaboration on
neighborhood issues and opportunities continued throughout the reporting cycle.
The East Gateway District Two-Year Progress Report, August 2011, provides an
overview of the past two years' progress and accomplishments such as:
Approval for the acquisition of the Economy Inn and related parcels for
redevelopment
Acquisition and demolition of the CarPro property for environmental remediation
Federal funding from the CDBG and CDBG-Recovery Act to implement two
projects:
Community Redevelopment Agency 2011-08-15 3
1) Installation of new sidewalks on Grove St., Franklin St., Pierce St., Laura
St., Jefferson Ave., and San Juan Ct.
2) Implementation of the East Gateway Fagade and Building Lot Improvement
Program: committed $105,000 to three projects (1390 Gulf to Bay Blvd., 1454 Gulf
to Bay Blvd., and 1225 Cleveland Street)
Continued community policing unit that is improving safety and security in the
neighborhood and building public trust
Monthly meetings of the East Gateway Stakeholder Advisory Group and monthly
attendance at the East Gateway Business and Neighbors Association meetings
Planning and orchestration of multiple community celebrations: Sunday Ciclovia
(April 2009); Ice cream Social (September 2009); and Talento 2010 (March, May,
and September 2010)
Creation of the East Gateway Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Plan
and approval from HUD
Outlining of steps needed to implement an East Gateway District Vision Plan
process
Creation of the East Gateway Shopping and Dining Guide
Funding of renovation improvements to 1447 and 1451 Gulf to Bay Boulevard
(Covert Apartments)
Loan modification to extend loan terms for Country Club Townhomes and
negotiation of construction loan terms (Developer received site plan approval for
the project)
Expansion of Ultimate Medical Academy and relocation of Consumer Energy
Solutions to 1255 Cleveland Street, interior remodeling of Nature's Food Patch,
opening of Greektown Grille, commencement of construction of 1310 Cleveland
Street (SeaZar's).
While the report outlines declining neighborhood indicators such as property
values, the homeownership rate remained steady the last fiscal year. A positive
improvement is the significant increase in building permits issued and value of
improvements in the last fiscal year. The Report also highlights implementation
activities for the coming year.
Community Redevelopment Agency 2011-08-15 4
Economic Development Coordinator Ekaterini Gerakios provided a PowerPoint
presentation.
In response to questions, Ms. Gerakios said staff is working with the Florida Department
of Transportation to address the lack of sidewalks on Drew Street. Economic
Development and Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said the Cleveland Street
streetscape experienced some delays during the first phase due to Progress Energy.
Staff anticipates to make up some of the time during the second phase and remain on
target for a February 2012 completion date. The third phase is ranked currently a low
priority on the Penny for Pinellas 3 project list.
Ms. Campos Lopez said staff continues to work on the downtown vision plan and have
scheduled two focus group meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday (6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m.) at Greektown Grille to seek public input. Interested parties were encouraged to
attend.
4. Other Business
Ms. Campos Lopez said the Country Club Townhomes, which is part of the
Neighborhood Stabilization Program II funds, closed on their construction financing and
is expected to undergo construction soon. Staff will provide a project schedule once
received from the developer.
5. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 3:13 p.m.
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