Safety Harbor to review downtown advocate job

The city is expected to discuss whether to keep, drop or expand the role of a part-time downtown economic development officer.

By DEBORAH O'NEIL

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 30, 2000

SAFETY HARBOR -- In the six months since Linda Marshall became the city's first downtown economic development officer, a comprehensive data base of downtown property has been created, a few businesses have opened and a new art event was launched.

Marshall believes she is making progress when it comes to renewing the vitality of downtown.

"It's been more little steps toward a big end result," Marshall said. "We haven't had any big slams here, no huge development proposals, obviously. But I'm doing a lot of little things that I think are making a contribution, especially helping business owners."

Her performance soon will come under City Commission scrutiny when the group considers whether to fund the position for another year or, possibly, to expand the job to full-time.

Marshall's job was created in October after months of dispute with business leaders who wanted the city to hire a full-time economic development manager. City commissioners questioned the need and instead agreed to give the Chamber of Commerce $18,000 for a part-time economic development officer. The position is paid for with property tax dollars generated in the city's downtown district.

Even though Marshall has only been on the job since Dec. 1, the question of whether to keep the position or even expand it likely will arise during the City Commission's upcoming budget sessions when the Chamber of Commerce approaches the city.

"I anticipate asking for some type of continued joint effort," said chamber president Donna Nettestad. "I think there's a need and which direction we're taking from here, I'm not ready to even say."

Marshall's position has several limitations and is a far cry from what business leaders wanted. For one, it is a 20-hour-per-week position. Also, even though Marshall's salary comes from the city, she works for the Chamber of Commerce and therefore has no authority when it comes to helping businesses with city-related issues, such as permits or zoning.

Still, downtown business owner Donna Savastana said Marshall has been a big help as Savastana plans the expansion of her business, Body and Sole Day Spa.

"She's helped with a business plan for expansion of my business," Savastana said. "Another thing is, any time I have a concern, she seems like she's already doing something about it. As a business owner, I believe in what she's doing."

Marshall, who has an extensive background in urban planning, has completed a data base that lists all of downtown's property along with information like the owner, size and current use. She said it will serve as a useful tool for prospective business owners looking at Safety Harbor.

She worked with the Safety Harbor Public Art Committee to stage the Artists About Town event May 6. And, Marshall said, she has spent a lot of time talking with business people inquiring about Safety Harbor and talking with downtown property owners about renovations and finding new tenants.

"It's not something we're going to be able to make huge changes overnight," Marshall said. "I have to be patient. Many of the businesses in Safety Harbor are not used to doing things quickly or seeing changes happen quickly."

Starting this month, Marshall is planning a series of public economic development forums. The first will be June 12 at Safety Harbor City Hall on the future of Safety Harbor's restaurant business. The forum begins at 5:30 p.m.

City Commissioner Neil Brickfield, who pushed for a full-time economic development position before being elected, said that, based on her job description, Marshall is doing well.

"People seem to think she's doing a good job," Brickfield said. "Whether or not it's the right job description to fit the needs of downtown is the bigger question."

Commissioner Rollin Yanchar, who owns a business on Main Street, said he has no idea what Marshall has been doing, something he said concerns him. Yanchar said he wants to see that she has a specific set of objectives before he agrees to fund the job again.

"If she hasn't come before me, that tells me she hasn't accomplished what she's supposed to have accomplished," Yanchar said. "I'm keeping an open mind. I just want to see something tangible that's come out of this six months."

Nettestad said Marshall has been busy but she needs to do a better job of making her activities known.

"She's doing what can be done, but she's not real vocal about it," Nettestad said. "You have to basically toot your own horn, and I did want her to be doing more proactive advertising of what she's done."

Mayor Pam Corbino said if Marshall has made strides, the Chamber of Commerce needs to tell the commission.

"They need to tell us whether she's done what she was supposed to do," Corbino said. "We thought it was important for us to take that first step because they felt it was important. They're going to have to let us know if there's a need for it or if there's a need to change direction."

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