Community Corner

Leaders Agree to Aquarium Deal for Downtown

A memorandum of understanding outlining a potential deal with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to develop a $160 million facility on the downtown waterfront was unanimously approved by city leaders Wednesday.

Now, the plan is in the hands of Clearwater voters.

The terms outlining a deal with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to redevelop a prime piece of the city’s downtown waterfront was unanimously approved by city leaders Wednesday.

The memorandum of understanding between the city and aquarium outlines the $160 million plan to build a new home for Winter the dolphin where City Hall.

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Residents still have to vote on any deal that includes development on the waterfront. This agreement just outlines what is expected if voters approve the plan in the Nov. 5 special election. 

The deal could be worth a possible $18.75 million over the course of the 60-year lease after some terms of the agreement were changed after council member comments Monday.

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The .50 cent ticket surcharge to finance a $7.5 million replacement City Hall stays the same but it is expected to be paid sooner and with interest. After the City Hall payment is met, the aquarium would pay a $250,000 annual rent.

Other terms of the agreement would allow the property to revert to its original use if the aquarium does not meet financial obligations.

The money to pay for the 200,000-square-foot, three-story facility is expected to come from government sources, donations and financing. All money needed to build the project must be in place by Aug. 1, 2016. 

The city would have no obligation or liability if the aquarium defaults on its loans. And, the land would not be able to be taken by creditors, said Pam Akin, city attorney.

“We will not be able to allow any other ownership interest in this property,” Akin said.

Part of the agreement also confers costs of the special election to the aquarium, those are estimated at $100,000.

However, educational voter information about the referendum will be sent out to the city’s 7,700 super voters and be paid for by the city. That cost is $4,000, said Mayor George N. Cretekos.

The agreement also allows the aquarium to use space at the Harborview Center until April 2016 whether or not the referendum is approved.

If voters support the plan, the lease would be extended until 60 days after the opening of the aquarium, which could be in 2018.

If approved by voters in November, the aquarium then would start fundraising to build the facility.

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