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10/29/1998 - Main Street Organizational MeetingMAIN STREET ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 29, 1998 Present: Ed Hooper City Commissioner Karen Seel City Commissioner Bob Clark City Commissioner Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Neil Fritz Main Street Coordinator/City of Miami Diane Smith Main Street Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The meeting began at 5:38 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items discussed were not necessarily discussed in the order listed. Neil Fritz, Main Street Coordinator for the City of Miami, reviewed recommendations for the organization of a Clearwater Main Street Committee. Mr. Fritz and other consultants will hold a Main Street seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on November 12 and 13, 1998, at the Harborview Center. He reviewed the background of the Main Street program, stating 1,500 Main Street communities, created across the country, have produced many dollars and jobs in downtown areas. The program, which requires community involvement, was expanded to include urban centers. This year, Clearwater applied for the Main Street program and will be eligible for a $10,000 grant. From public meetings throughout the City, Mr. Fritz felt the top concern was a need for increased retail uses downtown. Next, the public is concerned about accessibility of downtown and a solution to Cleveland Street. The community also cited the need for: 1) more pedestrian traffic; 2) a retail/business mix that encourages increased activity; 3) a positive ambiance or aesthetically pleasing streetscaping; and 4) a residential/mixed use. Community input has identified areas for committee consideration: 1) adopt a brick program; 2) maintain a coordinated calendar of events for downtown; 3) attract a fishing supply store; 4) attract a grocery store; 5) attract an ice cream shop; 6) construct an interactive fountain for kids; 7) attract jazz clubs; and 8) attract movies/theaters. He recommended needed improvements to the downtown district: 1) non-retail/entertainment use of retail space on ground floors; 2) address the impact of new bridge and closure of Cleveland Street; 3) how to attract more pedestrians and customers; and 4) consideration of physical improvements/parking management. Mr. Fritz suggested developing organization strategies, stating organizations will be effective if they coordinate community activities and are nonredundant. Mr. Fritz reviewed key organizations that should be involved in the Main Street Program: 1) City/CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency); 2) Downtown Development Board; 3) Main Street Committee; and 4) contributing partner organizations. Special events and effective marketing must be developed. The Main Street Promotion Committee should evolve from existing merchants’ associations. A Main Street Design Committee should be formed. Later in the process the DDB could act as the Design Committee. A Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee is necessary to focus on downtown/retail entertainment. He suggested incorporating “cooperative,” “partnership,” or “joint venture” into the Main Street committee’s name. In response to a question, Mr. Fritz said at first, the City/CRA and the DDB will direct the Main Street committees. The Main Street committees will become a joint effort of the community. The City/CRA and the DDB will determine how to fund projects and activities. He stated Miami is funded mostly by its Downtown Development Authority. When additional funds are needed, the program raises more money. He suggested the Main Street Committee meet monthly. Agendas should include: 1) organization of issues; 2) promotion committee updates/requests; 3) economic restructuring updates/requests; 4) design issues updates; and 5) the program manager’s report. Since this will be a community-driven organization, it will be important to identify existing sources of funding and involve the City/CRA, the DDB, and the private sector. The private sector can sponsor promotional events and services. It is essential to maximize existing resources, focus on new efforts, involve new people in promotion, restructure economic and design efforts, and ensure everyone works together. He suggested when Clearwater receives the grant money in Spring 1999, use it as “seed” money, spending it on visible items. In Miami, the funds are used toward seeding the private sector sponsorship of an event. In response to a question, Mr. Fritz believed there is a movement to privatize the program. He said the project is exciting, and now is the time to involve the private sector. Assistant City Manager Bob Keller said the City has hired a team of consultants. At Monday’s Work Session, a presentation to the Commission will recommend a one block area between Osceola and Myrtle on Cleveland Street be used as a downtown demonstration project. Property owner and tenant participation will be requested in streetscaping. Suggested plans are to hang signs, and awnings, line streets with tall palms, and introduce added color. All plans will conform to design guidelines. He reviewed preliminary drawings of proposed main street improvements, noting Commission approval is required. It was remarked getting absentee landlords to make improvements has been a problem. Mr. Keller said the new LDC (Land Development Code) includes more stringent requirements regarding landscaping and improvements that will require a partnership approach. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.