11/17/2025 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 17, 2025
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 17, 2025
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 17, 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, 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— Chair Rector
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the September 15, 2025 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the September
15, 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 requested consideration to add town hall meetings to the
proposed council meeting schedule and asked the City to consider how
the proposed changes to the development code will impact the S. Garden
Avenue situation.
Erika Escamilla requested consideration to implement a microgrant
program for activities in the Mercado to assist vendors with their stands
during market events at the Mercado and to provide branded chairs and
tables for market events.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Approve, in an amount not to exceed $122,438.25, for the Downtown Commercial
Grant to 45 Sports Bar and Lounge, LLC, located at 1409 Cleveland Street,
Clearwater, FL 33756, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute the same.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 17, 2025
45 Sports Bar and Lounge, LLC, a locally owned business operating since
2023, is requesting Downtown Commercial Grant funding to expand and
enhance their existing location. Proposed improvements include extending the
bar area, repairing floors, completing kitchen renovations, upgrading lighting
and duct work, interior painting, replacing storefront glass windows, and
renovating restrooms. The total project cost is $222,615.00, with the applicant
providing a 45% match of$100,176.75. Proof of matching funds has been
submitted to CRA staff. The applicant was previously awarded a Business
Renovation Grant in 2023 for $19,450.00.
The proposed improvements will enhance the functionality, provide additional
capacity, and improve the overall appeal of the property along Cleveland
Street.
The Downtown Commercial Grant Program is designed to help Downtown
Clearwater thrive as the urban core and heart of the City, serving as the center
of business and government, and as an attractive place to live, work, shop, and
play (Ch. 3, Vision, pg. 44). It also aligns with the City's Strategic Objective to
strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain diversified
business sectors.
Total Project Cost: $222,615.00
• CRA Grant (not to exceed): $122,438.25
• Applicant Match: $100,176.75 (45% of total project cost, verified by
staff)
The applicant agrees that all improvements funded through this Program will
be maintained in accordance with City policies, codes, and any other
applicable requirements identified by the City, CRA, or other regulatory
agencies for a period of not less than three (3) years, unless otherwise
approved in writing by the CRA Director. The applicant shall also comply with
all applicable City rules and regulations, including the City of Clearwater Ethics
Code. Each applicant acknowledges and understands that the Ethics Code
prohibits City employees from receiving any direct or indirect benefit from any
contract or obligation entered into with the City.
Applicants must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion
within three hundred sixty-five (365) calendar days from the date of the
executed grant agreement, unless otherwise approved in writing by the CRA
Director.
CRA staff recommends approval as the grant will support business expansion,
enhance the downtown environment, and strengthen the economic vitality of
Cleveland Street.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes November 17, 2025
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds for this new grant are available in R2003- Economic Development-City
in an amount not to exceed $122,438.25
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
Trustee Allbritton moved to approve, in an amount not to exceed
$122,438.25, for the Downtown Commercial Grant to 45 Sports Bar
and Lounge, LLC, located at 1409 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, FL
33756, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute the same.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.2 Downtown Revitalization.
A monthly opportunity for CRA Trustees to exchange ideas and address
downtown related topics and priorities.
Discussion ensued with comments made that messaging regarding
activities and restaurants needs to continue and that many of the Market
Marie retail vendors continue to express an interest in participating in city
initiatives, such as mobile street vendors.
5. Director's Report
5.1 CRA October Director's Report
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino provided a PowerPoint presentation.
In response to comments regarding adding the North Ward property to
the county list, the City Manager said staff has provided the county's
consultant, CBRE, a list of properties for potential assemblage. She said
it was her understanding that those properties would not be advertised.
CBRE is working on the proposed solicitation, which will be shared with
Council.
There was consensus to make the County aware that the North Ward
property site is available, if they are interested.
In response to a question, Mr. Nino said the Cleveland Street Market
restaurant relied heavily on the tenants, who did not support the business as
originally expected, and was located in an area that lacked foot and
vehicular traffic. CRA Assistant Director Anne Lopez said staff has reached
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency
6. Adjourn
Attest
v+ .L&
City Clerk
City of Clearwater
Meeting Minutes November 17, 2025
out to the owner of the new restaurant in Downtown, Flipside Burger, and
hopes to have an update on the expected opening soon.
The meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m.
Chair
Communi evelopment Agency
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