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Poll: Sell City Hall; don't build towers

A survey of 400 Clearwater voters may present a hurdle to a developer that wants to put two 25-story residential towers on property now occupied by City Hall.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published April 14, 2005

CLEARWATER - Residents would sell off City Hall for the right deal, but not for one that calls for soaring towers to be built on the site, a city survey of 400 voters has found.

Close to 60 percent of respondents oppose buildings over 150 feet in the city's downtown. Some 65 percent would not support condos 25 stories high, according to the survey.

The results of the poll, which was taken late last month and has a 5-point margin of error, could be the first signs of trouble for Opus South, a private developer hoping to add two 25-story residential high-rises at the City Hall site on the bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor.

The news comes almost seven months before a possible referendum to sell City Hall to the company in Tampa.

A representative downplayed the results when reached Wednesday.

"If you ask somebody in a survey, "Is height an issue?,' the natural response tends to be yes," said Bill West, Opus' real estate manager. "If you ask in a survey, "Would you consider or approve a 25-story building to maintain more open space, to include trees, a park and views of the water?,' I bet you'd get a more positive response."

Height worries were expected in City Hall, where officials for years have heard residents' concerns. They think there's an opportunity to allay the public's fears. In fact, most officials said they were buoyed by the survey results, which also found:

26 percent of respondents said they never go downtown; 11 percent go less than once a month. Most said they don't go because there is nothing to do. Traffic and parking were also large concerns.

54 percent said a downtown movie theater was important; 58 percent asked for more dining options; many wanted more parking. All three ideas are part of the city's downtown revitalization strategy.

"In looking at the numbers, I thought the glass was more than half full," City Council member John Doran said. "I was happy to see all the stuff people wanted in their downtown."

The telephone poll, which was conducted March 29-31 by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, was a first step in gauging public support for selling City Hall.

Opus officials say they can't budge much on building height.

"We need to educate (voters)," West said. "Taller buildings are actually more beneficial and less obnoxious than shorter, big, squatty buildings that block views. That's exactly how we feel. It's a much more sensible position to go vertical."

The company already has a $15-million contract to buy Calvary Baptist Church's downtown properties, which are on each side of City Hall. Opus South can redevelop those properties without voter participation.

But the company also wants to build on the City Hall property.

According to the City Charter, that sale must be approved by referendum. And twice before, voters rejected proposals that needed popular consent. In 2000, they rejected a $200-million plan that would transform the downtown waterfront. In March 2004, a less ambitious proposal was turned down.

This $250-million plan calls for two residential towers, with some space for retail shops. A third tower, 15 to 20 stories tall, might be for office or residential use.

A public promenade, 120 feet wide with parking, would stand between the residential towers while providing an unfettered view of Clearwater Harbor.

Opus officials have said they will pay fair market value for the city land, about 1.5 acres. Opus would also give the city some of the former church property so it could build a public parking garage. The city could also rebuild City Hall on its original property, but closer to Osceola Avenue.

In the survey, voters were split on where a new City Hall would go; 46 percent said it should stay in the same general area; 33 percent said it should move to a different part of the city.

Opus and city officials plan to talk Thursday about the prospects for a new City Hall.

"Everything has not been nailed down yet," City Manager Bill Horne said.

Mayor Frank Hibbard said city officials need to start taking the plan to the public soon. Though a vote may be seven months away, Opus officials are expected to submit a site plan to the city later this month. Council members will make a decision about a referendum Sept. 1.

"The people of Clearwater are smart," Hibbard said. "And I think when we explain the situation, the mathematics, that they'll understand that it is better for us to have a master-planned project with City Hall and Calvary than just to have Calvary as a standalone project, which can happen without voter approval.

"We're better off partnering."

- Aaron Sharockman can be reached at 727 445-4160 or asharockman@sptimes.com

CALVARY CHURCH SITE

25-story residential tower

Four-story residential/retail building

City Hall site

Public promenade to bluff with 40-50 parking spaces

New 60,000-square-foot City Hall

25-story residential tower

CALVARY SCHOOL SITE

Public parking garage

15- to 20-story tower, either office or residential

Though a possible referendum is still about seven months away, work on selling City Hall to a private developer is under way. Here are some key dates between now and the November vote. All dates, which were provided by the city, can change:

April 28 - Opus submits site plan for City Hall/Calvary Baptist properties

May 31 - City Council, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, selects City Hall redeveloper

July 18 - Community Redevelopment Agency considers development agreement

July 19 - Community Development Board considers site plan

Sept. 1 - Referendum ballot language considered by City Council

Nov. 8 - Election

[Last modified April 14, 2005, 11:35:41]