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Council holds informational downtown strategy discussion; members urge public timelines and tenant-focused outcomes for Church-led renovations
Summary
Council members on April 14 held an informational discussion about downtown strategy, urging clearer public timelines from private developers for downtown restorations and emphasizing that renovated buildings should produce active, public-facing ground-floor uses.
Council members on April 14 held an informational discussion about downtown strategy and recent activity, telling staff and private property owners they want clearer public timelines and evidence that renovated buildings will host businesses and services that are open and inviting to the public.
Council Member Menino opened the session noting the discussion was for information only and not a request for action. Staff and CRA leaders summarized several development and activation items: the Gateway affordable-housing co-development, an RFP process for a library redevelopment site (submissions due June 20), a developer-proposed project by MacDixon (staff has scheduled follow-up meetings), and private restoration work underway on historic downtown properties.
Several council members expressed appreciation for increased activation—Ruth Eckerd Hall's expanded programming at Coachmen Park, recent festivals and markets, and weekend crowds—but also urged private developers and property owners who are renovating downtown structures to provide specific, public-facing plans for first-floor uses. Multiple members said they have heard community concern that renovated buildings must host public-friendly retail, restaurants or other attractions rather than remain closed or institutional.
Council members and staff also discussed downtown vacant and ready-to-occupy storefronts on the 400 block of Cleveland Street and asked staff to report permit statuses and outreach efforts for immediate leasing opportunities. Lauren Matzke (Planning and Development) said the downtown zoning district requires active ground-floor uses at key corners and that several properties predate the 2018 zoning rules; she agreed to provide a list of active permits on Cleveland Street.
Staff reiterated the need for proactive communications with merchants and residents to explain upcoming construction (City Hall parcel, Gateway project, Coachmen Park/parking changes) and highlighted the CRA's efforts to activate Cleveland Street with markets, chalk walk and micro pop-ups.
The council also asked the Church of Scientology to provide a public update or a short video describing its plans and timelines for renovated downtown properties; staff said they had relayed that request and that the church had indicated plans to provide materials but had not yet supplied a timeline. The session produced no votes—council members said they would continue the public dialogue and expect more detailed information at future meetings.
Ending
Council members said they welcomed private investment and praised staff for increased activation work, but pressed for clearer public timelines and tenant-focused commitments from property owners and developers to ensure renovated downtown buildings deliver activity on the street level.
