A Times Editorial

Revive downtown Clearwater

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 5, 2000

On July 11, Clearwater voters will decide the fate of one of the most ambitious downtown redevelopment plans in the Tampa Bay area. And if ever a city needed dramatic intervention downtown, it is Clearwater.

Deserted by residents and merchants over the past 30 years, downtown Clearwater is now mostly known for the dubious distinction of being home to the Church of Scientology. Over the years, redevelopment plans gathered dust. Why? The vacant storefronts plastered with negating "Vote Yes" and "Vote No" signs tell the story of deep political divisions that have paralyzed the city.

Into this torpor stepped two experienced developers with a bold concept to rebuild 39 acres centered around the unique bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor. George de Guardiola and David Frisbie propose more than 320,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurants, a 250-room hotel, a multi-screen movie theater, three parking garages and, in recognition of the principles of "new urbanism," the creation of a downtown community of 1,200 new apartments and condominiums. The most controversial part gives the developers a 99-year lease on seven pieces of public land -- including the current convention center and City Hall properties -- for $1 a year.

While the scope is sweeping, that is not what sets this proposal apart. The city government has a lot of needs but not much cash on hand. So the developers also will build public improvements, including a signature building to house a new library and city government offices; streetscaping; botanical gardens; a city pier with boat slips; and a major expansion of green space on the mostly paved-over waterfront.

Those public projects would cost $25-million to $40-million, yet the city has only $15-million set aside for the library and $2-million for the waterfront park. So the developers will borrow the rest and be reimbursed from rising downtown tax collections.

Before any contracts can be signed, however, Clearwater voters have to vote "yes" on three referendum questions: the 99-year lease, borrowing for the library and a land swap that is indirectly related to the project.

The hottest debate centers on whether the city would be giving away its waterfront by leasing city property for 99 years. But that concern overlooks an important point: The leased property already has buildings or pavement on it, and public parkland will be greatly enlarged.

Unlike St. Petersburg, which preserved most of its downtown waterfront as open space, Clearwater long ago allowed that property to be covered with ugly surface parking lots, buildings and even a small sewer plant. The redevelopment plan on the table would turn more of the waterfront over to pedestrians while providing a chance to kick-start a retail and residential revival downtown.

Clearwater residents are fortunate to have an alternative to further decline in the city's center. They should not let this chance pass them by.

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