Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CRA details downtown projects, upcoming property dispositions and launches Clearwater Sculpture Series
Summary
CRA staff updated trustees on downtown construction coordination, property disposition plans, demolition of Fire Station 45 for staging, public‑space improvements, and funded the Clearwater Sculpture Series — three new sculptures on Cleveland Street through Oct. 2026.
CRA staff briefed trustees on a series of downtown initiatives during the April 28 meeting and introduced a funded public art program named the Clearwater Sculpture Series.
CRA director's updates covered communications and stakeholder outreach about multiple overlapping downtown construction projects (City Hall, PSTA work, underground utilities on Myrtle), a property disposition initiative to vet and offer surplus parcels (including 10 residential parcels and an uneconomic remainder parcel), and the planned temporary demolition of Fire Station 45 to provide staging and parking during downtown construction. Staff said a request for letters of interest will follow for downtown parcels once internal vetting is complete.
Staff also discussed block‑level activation plans for Cleveland Street (400–500 block) including color‑adjustable lighting, potential coordinated umbrellas/parasails funded by CRA or the Downtown Development Board (DDB), bicycle racks, and pop‑up events. Staff said they will work with parks and rec, planning and public works on implementation and communications to merchants so disruptions are minimized.
Betsy Walsh of the Clearwater Arts Alliance presented the newly funded Clearwater Sculpture Series (renamed from Sculpture 360). The CRA funded a single rotation of public art; three sculptures were installed on Cleveland Street and will remain through October 2026. The pieces and locations are:
- "Nurture" by Clayton Schwartz — 400 block (mother heron and two chicks); studio in Pinellas Park, FL. - "Stainless Steed" by Don Giallinella — 500 block (salvage/welded aluminum work); Saint Petersburg, FL. - "Sea Dance" by Robin Morgan — 600 block (largest piece; includes a solar light); Sarasota, FL.
Walsh said a community celebration is tentatively planned for May 31 and that the series name allows future expansion beyond Cleveland Street. Trustees and staff discussed merchant outreach, lighting, and activation events including "Give a Pug a Hug" (May, Olivet Time at 530 Cleveland Street) and increased engagement by new downtown officers who are walking the district and meeting merchants.
Staff also announced a North Greenwood CAC meeting in June and a Reimagined Clearwater Main Library tour scheduled for May.
CRA staff said these downtown initiatives are being coordinated across departments and with stakeholders to minimize piecemeal changes and to preserve a consistent visual approach.
