SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Accept the Comprehensive Boating Plan. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
Moffatt and Nichol, a leading global infrastructure advisor, has prepared a Comprehensive Boating Plan designed to activate Clearwater’s downtown waterfront by making Clearwater the premier boating destination in the region. This project was commissioned by the City of Clearwater in response to objectives identified by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel.
By analyzing the existing boating market, gathering input from the boating public and identifying Clearwater’s needs, Moffatt and Nichol has concluded that Clearwater is a desirable boating area with the infrastructure to be a boating destination and have outlined their recommendations in the Comprehensive Boating Plan.
Community input was gathered through the following public outreach activities:
Public Survey: Starting at the Clearwater Super Boat Race event over the weekend of September 25-27, 2015, members of the public were surveyed to identify interest in visiting Clearwater by boat and to identify barriers to visiting by boat.
Stakeholder One-on-One Meeting: The team interviewed members of the local commercial boating businesses. The meeting included 3 members of the commercial boating community representing the charter boats and the Clearwater Ferry water taxi service.
Public Meetings: Public meetings were held on November 16 and December 16. The first public meeting was attended by approximately 30 people. The team presented the market analysis as well as the analysis of other boating destination cities. The public was invited to provide feedback on what was desirable and not desirable for Clearwater. In addition, a Visual Preference Survey was conducted to gather feedback from the attendees on the types of attractions that might be suitable for Clearwater. The second public meeting hosted approximately 40 people and presented the recommendations for the Harbor Marina, Beach Marina and Seminole Street Boat Ramp.
With community input along with their market analysis, Moffat and Nichol has made recommendations for the Clearwater Harbor Marina, Clearwater Beach Marina and Seminole Boat Launch that focus on:
Improving the boater experience
Improving non-boater access to waterfront areas
Maintaining a connection between land and water
Improving pedestrian access to the waterfront
Maintaining and enhancing boater access
The market analysis shows that Clearwater has the potential to be a boating destination. The existing infrastructure is sufficient to support a boating destination and there are many boaters in the area that could be visitors to Clearwater. By implementing the recommendations outlined in the Comprehensive Boating Plan, the ultimate goal of activating Clearwater’s downtown waterfront can be achieved.
Staff recommends that Council accept the Comprehensive Boating Plan.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
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