05/12/2025 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 12, 2025
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Bruce Rector, Trustee Ryan Cotton, Trustee Michael
Mannino, Trustee David Allbritton, and Trustee Lina Teixeira
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Daniel Slaughter—Assistant City
Manager, David Margolis — City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City Clerk,
Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk, and Jesus Nino — CRA Executive
Director
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Chair Rector
The meeting was called to order at 1:17 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the April 28, 2025 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2025
CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda
Kelly Myer expressed concerns with the proposed vacation of Garden
Avenue, supported the proposal submitted by Reconnect Clearwater,
and requested the Reconnect Clearwater proposal be added to the May
15, 2025 council meeting agenda.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Present May Business Spotlight to Clear Sky on Cleveland.
Clear Sky on Cleveland as the fifth recipient of the Business Spotlight Program
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sector.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that
empower community pride and belonging.
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
CRA Specialist Tasha Hadley provided video presentation.
4.2 Approve a Downtown Clearwater Commercial Grant for Vital Life Fitness, LLC, located
at 1280 Court St, Clearwater, FL 33756 in amount not to exceed $101,297.66 and
authorize appropriate officials to execute same.
The Downtown Clearwater Commercial Grant Program is designed to support
commercial property and business owners within the Downtown Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Area (DTCRA) by providing financial assistance
for improvements that enhance the appearance, functionality, and economic
viability of properties. The program consolidates previous grant offerings into a
single, more accessible structure to better serve applicants and advance the
goals of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
On December 30, 2024, CRA staff received a grant application from Vital Life
Fitness, LLC for a series of building and site improvements. The proposed
work includes:
• Bathroom demolition and relocation of showers
• Tree removal and site preparation
• New entry driveway installation
• Parking lot and asphalt repairs
• Drywall and stucco work
• Plumbing and electrical upgrades
• New windows and doors
• Interior trim and painting
• Signage
• HVAC system improvements
The total estimated cost of the project is $184,177.57, and the applicant will
provide a 45% match, totaling $82,879.91.
This grant aligns with the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan and the
City's Strategic Plan. Staff recommends approval of the grant in an amount not
to exceed $101,297.66.
If approved, CRA staff will work with the applicant to execute a grant
agreement outlining the terms and conditions. Grant funds will be disbursed
upon submission and verification of all required documentation, including
permits, itemized budgets, and photographic evidence of work performed.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
Funds for this new grant are available in R2003- Economic Development-City
in an amount not to exceed $101,297.66.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan
Downtown will be a dynamic built environment of dense and livable patterns
and active and attractive streets through quality urban design and architecture.
(Urban Design Goals, page 48)
• Objective 4A: Encourage redevelopment that contains a variety of
building forms and style
• Objective 4D: Encourage renovation, restoration, and reuse of existing
historic structures to maintain the character of Downtown's
neighborhoods.
City's Strategic Plan
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local
investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job
growth.
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural
experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that
empower community pride and belonging.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve a Downtown Clearwater
Commercial Grant for Vital Life Fitness, LLC, located at 1280 Court
St, Clearwater, FL 33756 in amount not to exceed $101,297.66 and
authorize appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Authorize the City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Executive
Director to enter into negotiations with Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services to
acquire and rehabilitate the mixed-use property owned by the CRA located at 1105
Carlton Street.
October 2023 the CRA purchased property at the southeast corner of North
Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Calton Street, in the amount of$350,000
using American Rescue Plan Act fund (ARPA) related funding. Prior to
purchase there were two appraisals that were completed, James Millspaugh
and Associates, Inc. valued the property at $224,000 and Tobias Realty
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
Advisors, LLC valued the property at $297,000. After the second appraisal was
completed, staff conducted an appraisal using more recent sales data and
valued the property at $323,400. At the time of purchase, staff and leadership
understood that the acquisition price was over market value, according to the
appraisals received by the city, however the decision was made to acquire the
property in order to stimulate development on the MLK Corridor.
The CRA issued a request for Letters of Interest (LOI) for any interested party
to acquire and rehabilitate the mixed-use property located at 1105 Carlton
Street. The mixed-use structure is concrete block construction, approximately
2,440 SF and requires significant rehabilitation. The property has a total land
area of.08 acres and is zoned Commercial. Preference will be given to
proposals that include restoration of the present structure, income restricted
rental units, and a mixed-use component.
The CRA received one response to the LOI being the proposal from Tampa
Bay Neighborhood Housing Services (TBNHS). The LOI review committee
(Committee) read the proposal and evaluated the project budget, a financial
strategy, and a plan of redevelopment.
TBNHS is proposing to redevelop 1105 Carlton Street into a small mixed-use
project with one ground floor commercial rental space and one apartment
rental unit above the commercial space. The 3-bedroom apartment would be
approximately 900 square feet and be available to families earning below 80%
of the area median income. TBNHS intends to make the rental apartment
available to families that participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program
from Clearwater Housing Authority.
The estimated total development costs for the project are $1,345,200. This
includes a $144,000 developer fee. The proposed financing structure includes
a conventional 1st mortgage from one of TBNHS' commercial lending partners.
TBNHS proposes that the CRA provide a cash flow loan for $350,000. Based
on the proposed operating proforma, TBNHS would make annual payments of
$8,279. The balance of funds required for the development of this project
($633,000) would be secured by a Land Use Restriction Agreement.
Certain points to be discussed with TBNHS during the negotiations include:
• Terms for the property will be a donation or sale
• Terms for closing conditions
• Terms for the $350,000 in increment funds that TBNHS is requesting
• The CRA's participation in vetting the business for commercial space
on the first floor
This item was presented to the North Greenwood Citizens Advisory
Committee. They approved moving forward with bringing this item before the
CRA Trustees for approval to negotiate, but asked they there be a term for
TBNHS to partner and work with Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition on
their project which is at the adjacent parcel.
Meets North Greenwood CRA Goal for Area Wide Recommended and Use
Change and Redevelopment Opportunities by partnering with an
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
organization(s) to redevelopment lots in single family neighborhoods as
affordable units.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-provide intitatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversifed busiess sectors.
3.2 Preserce community livablty through responsible development standards,
proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
In response to a concern, CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino said the
proposal calls for activation on the first floor, which is commercial space,
and a residential unit on the second floor that caters to 8% AMI (Area
Median Income) or below. He said the North Greenwood Citizen
Advisory Committee recommended the organization partner with the
Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition on the abutting container
project.
Trustee Mannino moved to authorize the City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Executive Director to
enter into negotiations with Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing
Services to acquire and rehabilitate the mixed-use property owned
by the CRA located at 1105 Carlton Street. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4.4 Approve a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposal from Biltmore Construction
Co., Inc of Belleair, Florida, in the amount of$272,437 for the demolition of the former
Fire Station 45, pursuant to the continuing contract awarded in Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) 51-24, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) acquired the property, located
at 610 Franklin Street, in 2019 for the purposes of redevelopment in
accordance with the Downtown Clearwater Redevelopment Plan. The vacant
Fire Station 45 consists of two unoccupied structures built in 1975, located on
the property. The CRA is requesting funding to demolish these structures. The
scope of demolition includes asbestos abatement, removal of both buildings,
and site grading. This site will be used temporarily as either parking or staging
during construction downtown that is set to begin Fall 2025. Existing asphalt
parking will remain, and all State-mandated asbestos monitoring and reporting
will be provided by the contractor. After the construction downtown is
completed the CRA will dispose of the property for redevelopment.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
The buildings on the property are vacant and not suitable for alternative uses.
This demolition supports the plan by preparing the site for future
redevelopment use.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds for this demolition are available in R2004- Economic
Development-County
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards,
proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
Trustee Cotton moved to approve a Guaranteed Maximum Price
(GMP) proposal from Biltmore Construction Co., Inc of Belleair,
Florida, in the amount of $272,437 for the demolition of the former
Fire Station 45, pursuant to the continuing contract awarded in
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 51-24, and authorize the
appropriate officials to execute same. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4.5 Downtown Revitalization.
A monthly opportunity for CRA Trustees to exchange ideas and address
downtown-related topics and priorities.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural
experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
In response to questions, Interim Planning and Development Director
Lauren Matzke said DeNunzio was set to mobilize in the next week or
so. She said she will contact them about scheduling a ground
breaking. Regarding the affordable housing project in the East Gateway
area, she said construction is progressing very well and the developer
has been utilizing private providers for the inspections. The City Attorney
said the Gotham portion of the project is on the old city hall site, closing
must be completed by March 1, 2026 at the latest if they wish to get the
early closing incentive. The City has already closed on the Harborview
parcel with DeNunzio. DeNunzio has received their building permits for
the proposed hotel and retail project.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency
5. Director's Report
6. Adjourn
Attest
Meeting Minutes May 12, 2025
Mr. Nino said staff continues to work with Public Works, Parks and
Recreation, and Planning and Development to schedule a few
community meetings in Downtown during June to discuss the upcoming
development projects. He said staff is also working with other city
departments to move the lighting in the 400 and 500 -block of Cleveland
Street to implement the decorative lighting. He said staff has
completed the work needed, such as evaluation criteria, to accept and
review proposals for the Main Library. Staff has received calls regarding
the Main Library RFP from entities all over Florida and other parts of the
country.
The meeting adjourned at 1:41 p.m.
Chair
Community'ferev_ opment Agency
City of Clearwater
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