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CRA director outlines downtown projects, master-plan update and parking-garage RFP
Summary
CRA director Bob briefed the commission on downtown projects: Skinner Boulevard landscaping and roundabouts, undergrounding, Grand Oak Park progress (pavers, pergola), and a proposed downtown master-plan update to begin Oct–Nov with Fort Pinellas. Staff said Midtown parking garage RFP work continues but large spending decisions will await November property-tax-relief results.
CRA Director Bob gave an extended report on downtown redevelopment progress and next steps at the July 23 meeting. He said the 2011–12 downtown master plan should be updated to guide the next decade of investment, proposed beginning public engagement in October or November with Fort Pinellas, and reviewed capital projects now under way.
"The master plan... we need to update it. Time has really gone by. We've accomplished probably 90% of what was in that master plan," Bob said, recounting completed streetscape projects and listing current work including Skinner Boulevard irrigation and landscaping, undergrounding of utilities, and a pocket park (Grand Oak Park) with pergola and brick pavers expected substantially complete by mid-September while the restroom is projected to follow in late February. He noted staff is working with traffic consultants and the district office about removing numerous one-way signs and replacing them with pavement markings to improve aesthetics.
On the Midtown parking garage, staff said an RFP process is moving forward to identify costs and contractors but cautioned that significant spending decisions may be delayed until after the November property-tax-relief referendum because outcomes could affect available funding. Commissioners asked follow-up questions about the Grand Oak Park restroom footing and sidewalk inspections downtown; staff committed to pursue outstanding contractor design-change questions and to report back.
The director closed with a history of earlier catalytic projects (Keller building redevelopment, Monroe park townhomes, facade grants) to show how CRA investments triggered private redevelopment downtown.
