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DDB approves $15,000 pilot for First Friday lunchtime market on Cleveland Street
Summary
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board approved up to $15,000 to fund a five‑month pilot lunchtime market aimed at increasing weekday foot traffic and supporting local merchants.
The Clearwater Downtown Development Board unanimously approved a pilot First Friday lunchtime market on Aug. 4, authorizing up to $15,000 to support the program. Shire, CRE division manager, presented the proposal and said staff recommends approval “of a new event, the DDB First Friday lunchtime market, scheduled for the first Friday of each month from October 2025 from February 2026” with a request “not to exceed 15,000 to cover city fees, venue rentals, marketing, a contingency fund for adjustments as needed due to downtown construction.”
Shire said the market will run on the 400 block of Cleveland Street with room to expand to the 500 block and will include 10 to 12 rotating retail vendors alongside lunchtime promotions by local businesses. Councilman McCotty, who led several board comments in support, called the $15,000 series “a responsible use of the funds” and praised the inclusion of performance metrics: “including the foot traffic, merchant sales data, monthly reporting on the engagement of attendance, we'll actually have real numbers to evaluate the progress and success of this,” he said. Several other board members, including Vice President Menino and Councilmember Holborn, expressed support, noting merchant engagement and the need to boost weekday activity downtown.
Staff said marketing will leverage local concierge groups and stakeholder organizations and includes a $4,500 contingency for construction impacts. The board voted unanimously to approve the pilot at the amount recommended by staff.
