Opinion: Pinellas' economic future

Government forums on economic issues don't usually capture the public's imagination, but the meeting taking place this week in Pinellas County should be an exception. While the title is ponderous -- Redevelopment Opportunities Summit for the Pinellas Community -- the purpose is to the point: to begin planning for the county's economic future after buildout.

Pinellas County is a pioneer, of sorts. A small county surrounded on three sides by water, it is the first in the state to be nearly built out, meaning there is little open land left to develop. Why is that a problem? Soon, the county will have to find new ways to stimulate growth in jobs and quality housing while retaining its unique character.

Pinellas has been holding its own in a rapidly growing state, but that will be more of a challenge in the future. For example, if a major employer is looking to expand and space is not readily available, those jobs could end up outside the county. If that happens too often, it could lead to economic stagnation and all of its attendant problems: lower-paying jobs, growing industrial blight, dilapidated housing stock and a declining tax base.

It has happened elsewhere. Economic consultant William Fruth, who is helping county officials prepare for the summit, looked at two counties that were built out a couple of decades ago: Lucas County (Toledo), Ohio, and Denver County, Colo. Both are struggling economically, even Denver, which is the urban core of a booming area that has seen jobs move to the suburban counties.

"If we don't put into place the ability to redevelop in a sustainable way, we could find ourselves in a severe economic decline," said Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel, one of the summit's organizers.

Pinellas County will face its future with some unique assets, mainly its setting on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Waterfront property holds its value and helps prop up the tax base. But there are unique challenges here, as well: 25 local governments, each with its own development rules and goals for the future.

On Thursday hundreds of representatives of those local governments, private businesses and neighborhoods will converge in Clearwater to begin talking about the problems and opportunities ahead. They will grapple with some important questions. For example, how can Pinellas encourage builders to consider new projects on already developed property, when redeveloping a property typically is more expensive than building on vacant land? How can Pinellas safeguard its waterfront and open spaces while encouraging redevelopment? How will the public react if government decides to increase density or the allowed height of buildings to spur redevelopment?

The first step is the most important one: education. And that is the basic goal of the summit, which runs all day Thursday and Friday morning at the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater.

"I have found . . . that once a community is educated on the character of its economy, it typically takes action to improve or maintain the situation," said Fruth.

The time will come for an extensive public debate on the details of redevelopment. For now, the residents of Pinellas County should pay attention and resolve to cooperate in meeting a shared future.

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