17-13RESOLUTION NO. 17 -13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
AFFIRMING THE APPROVAL OF IMAGINE CLEARWATER A
COMMUNITY VISION FOR THE DOWNTOWN CLEARWATER
WATERFRONT AND DIRECTING CITY STAFF TO
INCORPORATE THE PLAN INTO THE CLEARWATER
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROCEED WITH
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, Clearwater's downtown waterfront is a beloved civic asset; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a master plan for the downtown waterfront area was
identified as a priority project by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel
during their study of Downtown Clearwater in June, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City issued RFP #04 -16 for consulting services to prepare a
master plan for the Downtown waterfront/bluff area; and
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2016 the Clearwater City Council awarded a contract
for professional services pursuant to RFP #04 -16 to hire HR & A Advisor, Inc. for the
Downtown waterfront master plan; and
WHEREAS, over the course of six months, the City engaged hundreds of
Clearwater residents, business owners and other stakeholders who shared their broad
visions and specific design and programming ideas for their future waterfront; and
WHEREAS, the City's consultant team conducted over 40 interviews with local
stakeholders, including developers, real estate brokers, small business owners, and
Downtown property owners; and
WHEREAS, the City hosted seven interactive community workshops in various
Clearwater neighborhoods to share progress on Imagine Clearwater and allow
members of the community to engage directly with the planning and design team on
specific elements of the plan including: a vision for the waterfront and bluff; the
character of various places throughout the study area; the role of waterfront recreation,
parks and open space, and economic development opportunity within the overall vision;
and
WHEREAS, the City convened a group of 18 Clearwater residents active in
resident affairs, the local business community, local institutions and community
organizations to play a supporting role in the City's robust outreach process; and
WHEREAS, materials related to Imagine Clearwaterwere posted on a dedicated
website and the City's Facebook page; and
Resolution No. 17 -13
WHEREAS, community members were invited to call and email the City to
provide direct verbal feedback and engage with elements of the plan as it was formed;
and
WHEREAS, the goal of the plan is to draw residents and visitors to the
Downtown waterfront, catalyze greater Downtown activity and attract investment, and
better connect the waterfront to the rest of Clearwater; and
WHEREAS, four key strategies underpin the recommendation of Imagine
Clearwater the waterfront must be anchored by a dynamic new open space; Coachman
Park needs an active edge; an improved Osceola should complement Cleveland Street;
and access to the site should incorporate all modes; and
WHEREAS, in order to realize the community's vision for Imagine Clearwater, an
Action Plan provides a series of strategic implementation recommendations to serve as
a starting point for the City and its partners to refine and advance; and
WHEREAS, City Council held a special meeting on February 21, 2017 to discuss
Imagine Clearwater, and
WHEREAS, City Council received significant public support for the adoption and
implementation of Imagine Clearwater at the February 21, 2017 special meeting; and
WHEREAS, Clearwater has a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop a
transformative vision for its downtown waterfront;
WHEREAS, City Council unanimously voted to adopt Imagine Clearwater at the
February 21, 2017 special meeting;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The City Council affirms its approval of Imagine ClearwaterA
Community Vision for the Downtown Clearwater Waterfront and directs the City
Manager to proceed with plan implementation and integrate the required plan elements
into the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1 6 day of March , 2017.
— cteotv f\ cr t\tto;
George N. Cretekos
Mayor
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Resolution No. 17 -13
A
roved as to f
Cam
Assistant City Attorney
Attest:
Laxa 0
Rosemarie CaII
City Clerk
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Resolution No. 17 -13