SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Progress Report on general CRA activities, projects and initiatives.
Body
SUMMARY:
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 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 LinkedIn 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.
