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Board approves $50,000 Outdoor Cafe Grant Program, $8,000 per business
Summary
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board approved a new Outdoor Cafe Grant Program to reimburse qualifying businesses up to $8,000 each, with total funding capped at $50,000; the program allows retroactive purchases and aims to improve outdoor dining in downtown Clearwater.
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board approved a new Outdoor Cafe Grant Program to reimburse qualifying downtown businesses up to $8,000 each for outdoor furniture and umbrellas, with total program funding not to exceed $50,000 for fiscal year 2025–26. Brian Ulbrich, CRA specialist, said the program is intended to "enhance the visual consistency and customer experience of outdoor dining in the Clearwater downtown core" and to support the board's placemaking and business-assistance priorities. Ulbrich said staff heard positive feedback from local operators, specifically naming Clear Sky on Cleveland, Chiang Mai Thai & Sushi Bar, and Alvin Thai, and that retroactive purchases would be eligible for reimbursement. Scott Souza of Clear Sky Restaurants, speaking during the public comment period, told the board, "This would be a big help for us" as he described expected costs for umbrellas and outdoor furnishings. The board moved, seconded and unanimously approved the program and authorized officials to execute the program. Staff said the funding request of $50,000 is available in fiscal year 2025–26. The board did not attach additional conditions at adoption; staff will administer the program under the eligibility and specification criteria described at the meeting.
