Politics & Government
Does Aquarium Project Belong at City Hall Property? Readers React
Should City Hall property be the future home of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium? Residents will decide in a special election Nov. 5.
A citywide vote on granting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium a 60-year lease on City Hall property is prompting an emotional response from many residents.
It will be up to residents to vote on a referendum scheduled for a special election Nov. 5, 2013 that would allow city and aquarium officials to enter into a deal to redevelop a portion of the downtown waterfront.
The $160 million aquarium facility would be able to accommodate an expected two million potential visitors to see Winter the Dolphin yearly.
What do you think of the plan?
City boosters see the mega-success of the aquarium and its star resident as an economic engine for Clearwater. But not everyone agrees that the long-term lease on the downtown property is a good idea.
When Clearwater Patch reader Joseph Corvino protested the plan in a Clearwater Patch post, many readers responded.
"The city is going to great lengths to provide special exceptions to the laws protecting this property. To do so for the exclusive benefit of a private enterprise is extremely Risky Business and all the citizens of Clearwater will suffer the consequences," opined Corvino.
But Daniel Swanson took an opposite position:
"I totally disagree. This is the same kind of reactionary attitude which has attempted to keep our downtown a wasteland for decades."
Cindy agreed:
"Look at St Petersburg and look at the eyesore of Downtown Clearwater. If it takes the presence of CMA to bring people to downtown CW I support it. CMA gets international attention that generated tourist dollars and other money for the Clearwater area outside of Downtown."
R. Michael Donovan argued that the city is not being forthright about the plans:
"Joseph Corvino clearly understands the facts and many others don't know the WHOLE story of what is going on. One fact that needs to be understood is that the citizens don't know what they are voting for, because the Mayor and City Council are pulling a "fast one" on the people of Clearwater. I dare the City Council or the Mayor to ask me to explain what I am saying. Please ask."
What do you think? Do you support the plans for the downtown waterfront? Let us know in the comments below.
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