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01/13/1997 - Downtown Partnership MeetingDOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP BOARD CLEARWATER CITY HALL January 13, 1997 Present: Rita Garvey Mayor Karen Seel City Commissioner/Chair, Downtown Partnership Ed Hooper City Commissioner Ron Stuart Downtown Partnership Board Member Judi Hackett Downtown Development Board Director David Stone Downtown Development Board Member Vicki Crouch Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Bob Keller Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Brenda Moses Board Reporter Also Present: Mary Story Citizen, Church of Scientology 1. Call to Order Commissioner Seel called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. in the Adler Room at the Main Library, Clearwater. In order to provide continuity for research, the items listed were not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes of November 19, 1996 Commissioner Seel requested that the minutes of November 19, 1996 be changed to reflect her title as City Commissioner/Chair, Downtown Partnership. Mayor Garvey moved to accept the minutes of November 19, 1996 as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Downtown Partnership Board Goals A list of goals of this Board was requested at the last meeting. Chair Karen Seel distributed copies of the goals of the Downtown Partnership Board to members. 4. Report on DDB (Downtown Development Board) Mr. David Stone gave a brief overview on DDB activities. He noted at the last meeting new officers were elected. Mr. Roger Woodruff is the new Chair, and Mr. Stone has agreed to remain as Vice-Chair. He said the City’s proposed P4S Memorial Bridge alignment was discussed for the bulk of the DDB meeting. The next DDB meeting is a special meeting scheduled for January 29, 1997 at 5:30 p.m. It was noted that the downtown model must be moved to a new location by Wednesday of this week. It currently resides in the Barnett Bank lobby and another exhibit is expected there on Wednesday. It was suggested temporarily placing the model in the Main Library or the County Courthouse until another location can be found. Mr. Keller will look into an acceptable temporary location for the model in a City facility. 5. Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Report Mr. Ron Stuart gave an update on the Chamber of Commerce activities. He said the Chamber has moved to its new location. The annual installation of officers meeting is scheduled for January 23, 1997. The Chamber is co-sponsoring a “Meet Your Legislator” event in conjunction with other local area chambers at the Stouffer Vinoy. A teacher’s appreciation breakfast scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the Long Center on January 17, 1997. On January 28, 1997 there will be a Penny for Pinellas Forum at 7:00 p.m. at the County Commission Building. 6. Economic Development Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Bob Keller discussed some of the issues that will be discussed at the February 3, 1997 City Commission Worksession. He stated many of the issues on the agenda are “downtown-related”. A. Water Retention Facility Mr. Keller noted the City Commission endorsed the idea of performing an economic analysis to determine whether the dollar expenditure is worthwhile. The study results should be available shortly. B. Memorial Causeway Bridge Proposal This project is a City priority item for the Penny for Pinellas tax. An extensive public input process has been completed. Mr. Keller stated that both the DDB and the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce have endorsed the P4S alignment. Considerations are costs, environmental issues, and how to make the most of the property on the bluff. The City Engineering Department is refining alternatives, including the possibility of an easy access from Cleveland Street to the proposed bridge. C. Proposed New Library Discussions continue regarding a new library. Mr. Keller requested some feedback from this Board regarding the 17 contiguous acres on the east end. That property is strategic to the downtown concept. In response to a question, Mr. Keller remarked that there are 4 viable options for the east end property: 1) a mixed-use retail complex; 2) housing/ mixed-used developments; 3) a job-producing site such as a technology-driven, research and development park; and 4) an interactive entertainment area. 7. CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Chair Seel met with the American Stage and is talking with them in hopes of bringing “Shakespeare in the Park” to Coachman Park. 8. Other Business Mr. Stone is on the fund raising task force for Penny for Pinellas. Please inform Mr. Stone if anyone has any suggestions for fund raising, or other avenues to promote Penny for Pinellas. 9. 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano, Japan Mayor Garvey updated members on the City’s plans in Nagano, Japan for the 1998 Winter Olympics. The City will have 3,000 square feet of space in the major department store located 1 1/2 blocks from the train station, and next to their Olympic Merchandise Center. The cost for this project is estimated at $750,000 to $1,000,000. Please inform Mayor Garvey of any sponsors or connections that can help with this project. Contributors will receive advertising for their donations. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.