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Letter to the editor

BeachWalk sets designs in stone

By MIKE DONILA
Published June 12, 2007

CLEARWATER BEACH - Three months after construction began on the city's $30.4-million BeachWalk, crews are beginning to lay the pair of limestone promenades that are the project's signature feature.

Construction crews are also giving back some of the public parking they had commandeered for the effort. The Pier 60 parking lot has reopened with 152 spaces.

But, don't expect traffic - or parking - on the beach to be much smoother yet.

The city last week permanently closed the 103-space north parking lot on S Gulfview Boulevard to make way for the half-mile-long promenades. As a result, there are just about 50 more public parking spaces than a week ago.

Designed to make the beach a more attractive destination, the project will also feature a game table area, decorative showers, greenery and seating areas to watch the sunset. Completion is still two years away.

"As wonderful as the pictures (of it) were, it's nice to actually see the tangible completion of a portion of BeachWalk, " Mayor Frank Hibbard said. "I think it gives everyone a flavor of what the finished product will be."

[Last modified June 11, 2007, 23:20:37]