 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
New official aims to boost business
By CHRISTINA HEADRICK, Times Staff Writer CLEARWATER -- Assistant City Manager Ralph Stone, who is in charge of overseeing economic development, housing, neighborhood services and code enforcement, has called in reinforcements. Reginald "Reg" Owens began his new job this week as the city's economic development and housing director. Owens, 58, will be responsible for business retention and recruitment, administration of several development incentive programs and oversight of the the city's federal and state-funded housing programs. "Clearwater is not maximizing the potential it has," Owens said Friday, sitting in his new office at City Hall with bare white walls. "But they have identified programs and are ready to take the steps to make them happen." Besides putting a few pictures on his office walls, Owens said his initial goals are to read old economic plans and studies and meet people in the city's business community. Owens said he wants to improve the marketing of Clearwater to businesses and developers. He plans to look at opportunities to create manufacturing and office campuses in Clearwater as well as investigate the possibilities for a movie theater and shopping complex downtown. Owens said his department should do some of the legwork and research for such projects -- such as contacting landowners in an area to see if they would be willing to sell their property or become partners in such a venture. Then, Owens said, his department could market possible "development packages" to the business community. Owens said Clearwater has great geographic assets such as the harbor front and beaches, as well as the kind of pleasant climate he loves. But if he has a lingering question, it's why areas such as downtown haven't completely blossomed -- even though there is a good market of middle- and upper-income homes nearby. "It may have to do with the fact that developers go to areas where it's easier for them to do their development," Owens said. "It's our job to create an environment that development finds attractive." Stone said he was impressed with Owens' range of public and private sector experience and his positive references. With more than 25 years of experience, Owens comes to Clearwater from Phoenix, where he had his own redevelopment and land planning consulting firm since 1992. Before that, Owens was a principal at a larger architectural and planning firm. He also served as executive director of the Arizona State University Research Park in its early years, from 1983 to 1987, coordinating the design, development and marketing of the 320-acre park. Owens has experience working for city redevelopment efforts as an executive director of a development agency in Amherst, N.Y., for five years. He has a bachelor's degree in urban planning from Michigan State University. It's a twist of fate that Owens is here. He and his wife had moved to the Tampa Bay area last fall to be closer to his sailing hobby. Owens' intention was to reopen his consulting firm -- until he found out Clearwater was looking for a new economic development director. At the same time that Owens has been brought on board, the city is hiring an assistant director of community redevelopment who will work for Owens and focus on redevelopment plans for the beach and downtown. The new hires should reinforce the city's economic development team, which had two people leave last year for other job opportunities, Stone said.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times North Pinellas desks |
