02/08/2000 - 7:40 AM - Downtown Progress Update MeetingDOWNTOWN PROGRESS UPDATE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 8, 2000
A town meeting to discuss the latest downtown development plans was held at the Main Library at 7:40 a.m. on February 8, 2000.
City Manager Michael Roberto and Assistant City Manager Bob Keller conducted the meeting. The informational meeting gave residents and business owners the opportunity to interact with
City officials.
Mr. Keller reviewed plans for the town pond, the Balk Development Townhome project (former Dimmitt option property) around the town pond, streetscaping, status of negotiations with FDOT
(Florida Department of Transportation) for transfer of State Road 60, the new Memorial Causeway Bridge, and a market analysis to be prepared by the Main Street consultant. In response
to a question, Mr. Keller said no high-rise developments are planned in downtown.
Mr. Roberto said input from respondents to surveys includes a preference for a variety of restaurants, a need for higher-end coffee/dessert establishments or moderately priced sit-down
establishments, convenience to other businesses and services, more evening dining and entertainment establishments, a movie theater, live theater and live music, reasonably priced bookstores,
shoe, apparel and music/video stores, a supermarket, and health food store. Antique stores, art galleries, children’s clothing stores, and women’s specialty designer clothes received
the least interest. He said while the town pond may be an uninteresting project for some, it lays the foundation for overall development of other projects to occur. Each of the redevelopment
pieces will come together to provide for the downtown. Property values and activity will increase in downtown with redevelopment.
It was suggested the City start referring to this project as “downtown” development instead of “bluff” development. It was remarked that change is difficult for some residents to accept.
Support for the Commission and staff was expressed and they were encouraged to move forward with the project. Concern was expressed that the FDOT will not make improvements on Ft.
Harrison Avenue and it is becoming extremely deteriorated. Mr. Roberto said the City is working with the FDOT but expects they will not consider any improvements until 2002. He said
the Calvary Baptist Church and the Church of Scientology are cooperating with the City on redevelopment plans. He feels traffic flow, not widening roads, is the solution to traffic
congestion. It was suggested the City provide citizens with more communication such as updates on the web site, as many people don’t keep up with current events as they should. In
response to a question, Mr. Roberto said consideration is being given to publishing the Clearwater Magazine if advertisements by vendors can be incorporated into the publication to provide
a revenue stream and offset costs.
Everyone was encouraged to attend future town meetings scheduled throughout the City.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48 a.m.