12/15/2003COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 15, 2003
Present: Brian J. Aungst CRA Trustee/Chair
Whitney Gray CRA Trustee/Vice-Chair
Hoyt P. Hamilton CRA Trustee
William C. Jonson CRA Trustee
Frank Hibbard CRA Trustee
Bob Fernandez Ex-Officio Member
David Allbritton Ex-Officio Member
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Ralph Stone CRA Executive Director/Asst. City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cyndie Goudeau City Clerk
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes: November 17, 2003
Trustee Jonson requested that paragraph four on page 3 of the minutes of the regular meeting of November 17, 2003, read “In response to a question, City Attorney Pam Akin said the County’s
position is for a 30-year TIF with a 15-year review, and was not receptive to a 20-year TIF with bonding.”
Trustee Jonson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 17, 2003, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Authorize staff to: 1) issue a Request for Proposals for qualified development corporations and/or theatre operation corporations to design, build and operate a multiplex theatre
in the downtown core area, and 2) to provide incentives to encourage the development of a multiplex theatre in the downtown core area.
The City of Clearwater's downtown area has the opportunity to experience a major renaissance during the next few years that is predominantly driven by the national and regional strength
for urban residential housing.
The City's downtown area has the added advantage of being strategically located minutes away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, attracting a large volume of residents
and seasonal tourists, and itself is experiencing a phenomenal demand for new housing.
This consumer-driven market for urban and beach housing and visitors provide support for quality retail, nationally and locally recognized restaurants, and multiple entertainment
venues. A significant opportunity exists for the attraction of a major quality multiplex movie theatre to the downtown area. Based on industry data, such a theatre would entail a construction
cost of upwards of $5 - 8 million dollars and contain 12 - 14 screens.
In October of 2003, City staff documented, in a regional movie theatre analysis, that there currently exists a huge market "gap"
Economic Development Housing Director Reg Owens said staff is not asking the Commission to authorize specific incentives today. He gave a presentation and referred to a diagram showing
how the downtown theatre would relate to eight others in the County. He said a downtown theatre would serve both the tourist base and residents. He reviewed the estimated size for
a 12-screen theatre in the downtown with related characteristics, amenities, parking, possible incentive options, and estimated costs. He said the RFP would be issued in February.
Discussion ensued regarding parking and it was indicated the peak need for parking with a theatre is at night. It was suggested that a theatre be considered east of the downtown core.
There was discussion in regard to using the Atrium and Garden Street parking lots. It was believed the theater component would help to invigorate downtown.
Ex-Officio Dwight Metheny said the Downtown Development Board supported a multiplex theatre in the downtown. Ex-Officio David Allbritton said their number one focus is a movie theatre.
Trustee Hibbard moved approval of authorizing staff to: 1) issue a Request for Proposals for qualified development corporations and/or theatre operation corporations to design, build
and operate a multiplex theatre in the downtown core area, and 2) to provide incentives to encourage the development of a multiplex theatre in the downtown core area. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4. Executive Director (Assistant City Manager) Verbal Reports – None.
5 Other Business
It was remarked that some segments of Cleveland Street are dark. Staff will research the lighting situation.
6 Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:34 a.m.