02/26/1990 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
February 26, 1990
The City Commission, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, met in regular session at City Hall, Monday, February 26, 1990 at 9:02 A.M., with the following members present:
Rita Garvey Chairperson
Lee Regulski Member
Don Winner Member
William Nunamaker Member
Richard Fitzgerald Member
Mary Vaughn Ex Officio Member
Also Present were:
Ron H. Rabun Executive Director
Michael Wright Assistant City Manager
Jerry D. Sternstein Economic Development Director
Cynthia E. Goudeau Secretary
ITEM I. - Minutes:
Member Winner moved to approve the minutes of the March 23, 1989, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM II. - Minutes:
Member Winner moved to approve the minutes of the October 10, 1989, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM III. - Minutes:
Member Fitzgerald moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 1989, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM IV. - Minutes:
Member Winner moved to approve the minutes of the November 6, 1989, meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM V. - RFP for Market Assessment:
An up to date market assessment dealing with supply, demand and related problems is a key component in Clearwater's downtown revitalization effort. It can help define downtown development
potential and focus on other real or perceived problems such as parking, traffic circulation and policy restrictions which might impede the progress of revitalization.
The assessment will also serve as a policy framework to justify the input of City inducement necessary to foster development. The City can define the roll it is prepared to play in
pursuit of development while at the same time gain an understanding of what the development community expects or needs to make a project work. The interaction between the City and a
developer will take place within an ordered framework.
Jerry Sternstein, Economic Development Director, stated final approval of the RFP is needed from the Community Redevelopment Agency so it can go out for
bid. Concerns were expressed that the Bidders understand the "taboo areas" and it was indicated the study will not concern itself with the Bayfront. It will appraise the CRA of supply
and demand and likely development potentials. Mr. Sternstein indicated he is including, with the RFP, extensive newspaper clippings regarding the downtown area from the past year.
He stated there are components of the RFP which include, parking, development strategies, scope of service and access to and through the downtown area. The chosen company will have
access to all previous studies, as well as the recently completed studies from the Pinellas County Economic Development Council and the Strategic Transportation Plan.
In response to a question, it was indicated no estimated cost has been provided as that tends to be the cost at which bids are returned. Mr. Sternstein indicated the report will be
market driven. Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager, stated the report, upon which redevelopment plans will be based, has to be objective and factual.
Commissioner Regulski moved to approve the issuance of a request for proposal to conduct a Market Assessment for downtown Clearwater. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM VI. - Enterprise Zone Boundary Change Approval:
The City of Clearwater Commission, by Resolution 89-54, adopted on October 19, 1989, approved boundary changes for the existing enterprise zone in order to make the boundaries more
consistent with the CRA boundaries. After making the appropriate submissions and application revisions, the State granted final approval of the changes on February 5, 1990.
Jerry Sternstein, Economic Development Director, indicated the reason for this change was to more closely align the enterprise zone with the CRA district and stated this is an incentive
that can be used in redevelopment. He also indicated two individuals have requested information regarding the enterprise zone and staff is packaging the information for distribution.
A question was raised regarding the status of the development on the Bilgore property. Michael Wright, Assistant City Manager, reported Mr. Gallant has indicated he is finalizing plans
and hopes to go forward soon. It is anticipated they will renew their option in May and they are close to the required number of presales.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:21 A.M.