SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Provide updated information related to roof repairs and property appraisal at North Ward Elementary School, including a proposed pre-marketing and disposition strategy. (WSO)
Body
SUMMARY:
The historic North Ward Elementary School was one of the first public schools constructed in the newly formed Pinellas County, with the original structure built in 1915 and expanded with a second structure in 1926. Initially, North Ward was a segregated facility but became integrated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The school was closed in 2009. Despite its closure, North Ward remains a place of significance within the community, holding a deep historical and cultural value for generations of students.
In 2019, the City of Clearwater acquired the North Ward School from the Pinellas County School Board for $1.8 million. Since acquiring the property, the City has commissioned several professionals to provide opinions of value, architectural design review/concepts and development concept plans for adaptive reuse. In each instance, there was a recognition of the value of preserving the two main historic structures and modern approaches to the northernmost portion of the site.
On February 15, 2024, the City Council approved an agreement with Rowe Architects, LLC, to conduct a building conditions assessment for the school.
On September 15, 2025, Rowe Architects presented a Building Assessment and Repair Recommendations Study to Council. The work product included five tasks:
• Historic building research and identification of potential grants to fund improvements.
• Building documentation.
• Existing conditions assessment.
• Recommendations for pre-development improvements and use analysis.
• Development of cost estimates for identified improvements.
The Rowe Architects work product also included several potential development scenarios for the property including a Community Wellness Center, Mixed-Use Residential Development and Professional Office Space. As part of the presentation, city staff provided cost estimates to address short-term actions such as weatherproofing the roof to preserve the building’s structural integrity. Following the presentation, Council affirmed its interest in preserving the site’s historically designated buildings and pursuing a mixed-use redevelopment concept. Furthermore, Council directed staff to obtain cost estimates for roof repairs and to secure property appraisals.
Repair Estimate Information:
Mentioned during the city staff presentation in September, Capital Improvement Project C2503 - North Ward Renovations currently contains $200,000. Roof replacement for the North Ward School is estimated at $278,634 for the three historically significant buildings; or $372,674 to replace roofing for all buildings. To apply a "shrink wrap" covering to temporarily cover the structures is estimated to cost $83,000 for all buildings.
Appraisals:
In November 2025, two independent property appraisals were completed, establishing values of $2,700,000 and $1,600,000 respectively.
Property Marketing and Property Disposition Approach:
For a property as unique as this one, a prescribed pre-marketing process is recommended prior to inviting qualified applicants to submit proposals. Staff recommends between 120-150 days of pre-marketing prior to accepting proposals. Staff also envision an approach to solicitation that is described in summary below:
• City Council declares the property surplus to City operational needs and authorizes staff to proceed with disposition under this policy.
• Define potential reuse parameters and public goals that establish a transparent, equitable, and preservation-minded process for the disposition and redevelopment of the Historic North Ward School property.
• Issue an RFQ to prequalify developers or organizations with proven historic or adaptive reuse experience.
• Invite qualified respondents to submit full proposals including:
o Conceptual reuse plan and proposed uses.
o Preservation and rehabilitation approach.
o Financial capacity and project pro forma.
o Development schedule and community benefits.
• Proposals shall be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee with a preferred proposal sent to the City Council for consideration.
• If a proposal is selected by the City Council, city staff would be directed to negotiate a Development Agreement with terms and conditions outlining sales price, preservation details, performance milestones, project schedule, financial commitments and other provisions normally included in this type of contract.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This item advances the following priority areas of the City’s Strategic Plan:
• 1.2 Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
• 2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, development and retain diversified business sectors.
• 3.2 Preserve community liability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization
