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Clearwater board continues review of unfinished Gulf-to-Bay construction project to July 29
Summary
The Municipal Code Enforcement Board continued a contested unsafe-construction case at 1700 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, where expired permits and construction defects led to enforcement action; the board set a three-month update for July 29 while inspectors monitor progress under a new active permit.
The Municipal Code Enforcement Board on May 21 continued a high-profile enforcement case over an unfinished commercial building at 1700 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, setting a three-month status hearing for July 29.
Inspector Larson told the board the site had been an abandoned construction project following expired permits last year and that the city received reports of debris, open trenches and fallen fencing. The city has an active permit and a recent plans amendment, but inspectors asked the board for a timeline to ensure the project does not lapse into renewed abandonment. "There were expired permits and an abandoned construction site," the inspector said, noting an active permit and recent site work were now visible.
Representatives for the fee owner (Matt Blackshere of Shutz and Bowen) and the tenant (James Wardell of Wake Up 727) said the project stalled after contractor defaults and bond claims; Blackshere asked the board to recognize the contractor-bond process and the costs already borne by the landlord. Wardell said the tenant has a strong commercial motive to finish the work and estimated an aggressive completion timeline of about 60 days, with 90–120 days as a conservative forecast.
Kevin Garrett, Clearwater building official, told the board the site had been in the same unfinished condition for about two years before recent activity and that the building department wants assurance work continues toward a certificate of occupancy. The city's enforcement recommendation included a six-month completion target and authority to impose fines or enter the property to correct violations if the project again becomes abandoned.
Board members weighed the evidence and unanimously voted to continue the matter for three months to get a progress update, with a follow-up docketed for July 29. The continuation preserves the city's authority to enforce the code and, if necessary, to revisit fines or corrective entry later.
The case will return on July 29 for an updated status report from staff; the board asked the owner and tenant to provide clear milestones and permit/inspection evidence ahead of that date.
