06/02/2025 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 2, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 2, 2025
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 2, 2025
Roll Call
Present 4 - Vice Chair Lina Teixeira, Trustee Ryan Cotton, Trustee Michael
Mannino and Trustee David Allbritton
Absent 1 - Chair Bruce Rector
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Daniel Slaughter—Assistant City
Manager, Alfred Battle —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— Vice Chair Teixeira
The meeting was called to order at 1:46 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the May 12, 2025 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve the minutes of the May 12, 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 — None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 June Business Spotlight - Clearwater Closet.
Clearwater Closet as the fifth recipient of the Business Spotlight Program
Clearwater Closet has become a standout addition to the Downtown
Clearwater Redevelopment area, founded on a simple spark of inspiration
after discovering a unique storefront. Since opening in 2024, the shop has
embraced the spirit of the neighborhood's revitalization by partnering with
over 15 local vendors and preparing to collaborate with a student program
at Clearwater High School.
The store is more than a boutique-it's a creative space where community
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 2, 2025
connections thrive. A recent highlight includes two young Clearwater locals
who connected through the shop: one an aspiring photographer, the other a
clothing designer reignited by seeing his work proudly worn in the store.
Their collaboration is a testament to Clearwater Closet's role as a platform
for emerging talent.
Known for its approachable vibe and flexible shopping experience,
Clearwater Closet continues to grow as a hub for local expression. With its
commitment to supporting artists, students, and small makers, the business
is helping shape a vibrant, inclusive future for Downtown Clearwater.
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.
CRA Specialist Tasha Hadley provided video presentation.
4.2 Schedule special Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings on Monday, July
7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 5:15 p.m., and Wednesday,
September 17, 2025 at 5:15 p.m.
Staff requests holding a CRA meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025. Staff also
request meeting dates for CRA budget hearings on Wednesday, September 3,
2025 and Wednesday, September 17, 2025. These are the same date as the
City's budget hearings and do not conflict with the County's budget hearings.
If approved, the CRA meeting scheduled for September 15, 2025 is cancelled.
Trustee Mannino moved to schedule a special Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting for Monday, July 7, 2025, at
1:00 p.m. and a special CRA meeting for Wednesday, September 3,
2025, at 5:15 p.m. and Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5:15 p.m.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Downtown Revitalization
A monthly opportunity for CRA Trustees to exchange ideas and address
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 2, 2025
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 a question, Mr. Nino said twelve individuals toured the
facility, some of which were from the same organization.
5. Director's Report
5.1 Progress Report on general CRA activities, projects and initiatives.
Downtown Property Disposal/Disposition
In March 2025, city staff presented a property disposition and disposal strategy
for 70 city and CRA owned properties across the city of Clearwater. Of those
70 parcels, 10 of them were determined to be undevelopable, but if offered/sold
to the adjacent property owner would reduce City liability and maintenance
obligations. Twenty of the seventy parcels are in the North Greenwood CRA.
All undevelopable properties have been offered to abutting property owners. The
public notice period ends June 13, 2025.
Residential Parcels in North Greenwood CRA consist of a total of 6 parcels, 4 of
which are being offered as a single site for redevelopment. The initial
advertisement for disposal was done incorrectly, so the public notice period
was amended and offers will be due on June 27, 2025.
Next steps include creating Technical Review Committee to review all offers of
purchase. The next group of properties offered will be advertised and posted on
7/23. Properties targeted for multi-family development will be advertised for
disposal on 8/27.
North Ward School
Acquired in 2019 from Pinellas County Schools, the North Ward School has
been through a couple of stages of development, design and cost estimating
over the past few years. Capital improvement funding of$200,000 is allocated
for initial stabilization work. The total estimated cost to complete all
improvements recommended by Rowe Architects is approximately $3.4 million.
The estimate includes high-priority items like roofing, but some elements-such
as windows-could be deferred. If the project remains a city project, Rowe
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes June 2, 2025
Architects noted that cost reductions are possible through phased
implementation and the pursuit of grant funding, particularly for historic
preservation-related items.
Staff recommend placing the project on a City Council Work Session agenda to
hear a presentation by Rowe Architects on their work product and discuss the
next steps in the development of the North Ward School property.
Reimagine Clearwater Main Library - Call for Development Concepts
The 30-day submission period for "Reimagine Clearwater Main Library: A
Cultural Destination" opens today, May 21, and runs through June 20. Proposals
are being accepted online at myclearwater.com/reimagine.
The initiative invites cultural institutions to repurpose at least 10,000 square feet
of the 92,332-square-foot library into a dynamic cultural venue (e.g., immersive
exhibits, performing arts, or other public-facing uses).
To promote the call, the CRA:
Distributed outreach to cultural networks via email and letter,
Partnered with the American Alliance of Museums for a paid
campaign,
Launched targeted Linkedln marketing.
Two public tours were hosted (April 11 and May 9)with 12 participants. A
seven-member Review Committee will begin evaluating submissions in July.
Finalists will present to City Council.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
The Director's Report is provided to update Trustees and community on
activities that advance implementation of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan
and North Greenwood Redevelopment Plan.
In response to questions, Mr. Nino said the undevelopable properties are
likely too small to be developed. Assistant City Manager Battle said staff
is prepared to discuss options for potential uses at a future work session.
He said the City is prepared to spend$200,000 to stabilize the former North
Ward School building and make it usable. Planning and Development
Interim Director Lauren Matzke said the concept scenarios for North Ward
site can be reviewed and discussed at the work session. She said the
building has been designated as historical by Council and has been added
to the national register.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency
6. Adjourn
Meeting Minutes June 2, 2025
There was council consensus to schedule a work session to discuss the
former North Ward School site.
The meeting adjourned at 2:09 p.m.
ktd Chair
Attest Community Redevelopment Agency
City Clerk
City of Clearwater
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