Residents Share New Ideas for U.S. 19

The U.S. 19 Innovative Places website was developed for residents and business owners to share their ideas for future land use and development along the commercial corridor. 

The study area is defined by Gulf to Bay Boulevard, Drew Street and North McMullen Booth Road and is divided into five segments including the Countryside Activity Center, the Gulf to Bay Activity Center, the Sunset Point and Coachman District, the Belleair District and the “in between areas.” 

The study sought recommendations dealing with land use, design, sustainability and economic development impacting property fronting U.S. 19 from Belleair to Curlew roads.

Planners will share ideas taken from the survey, which was open from March 5 to May 12, at the City Council meeting at 1 p.m. Monday. 

Another survey was created May 14 and is seeking ideas. The final study is expected to be finished after the summer for city leaders to vote on in September.

Some of the ideas include: 

Countryside Activity Area

• Adding a free cement skatepark: A free, 24 hour, cement skatepark should be added to attract tourism, Chris W5 said.
• Creating more left hand turns while heading north: There should be more left and U-turns along U.S. 19 north, Ben L2 said. 

Gulf to Bay Activity Center

• Entering and exiting the RaceTrac gas station: This idea includes adding a light between Bayside Bridge and Hampton Road, possibly near Thorn Road, to help with traffic control issues. 
• Improve traffic flow: The light near Clearwater Mall along Gulf to Bay is a nightmare, Ben L2 said in the survey. 

Sunset Point and Coachman District

• Encourage development of vacant buildings at Sunset Point Road and U.S. 19: Ben L2 suggested developing the outparcel property along the frontage road at Sunset Point Road and U.S. 19 or paving it and incorporating it as part of the service road traffic pattern.
• Uniform address appearance along U.S. 19: Large signs with an easy-to-read numbering system should be posted along U.S. 19 so drivers know if they are close to the business or street address they are looking for, Jim S6 said.