World War I ‘Wall of Honor’ Discovered Under Capitol Theatre Plaster

As crews work to renovate the Capitol Theatre they discovered a nearly 20-foot-tall, painted “Wall of Honor” listing names most likely compiled from Clearwater servicemen during World War I.

The names appear clearly enough through the nearly 100-year-old paint. Rudolph Petree. Newlan C. Plumb. Grover and Aubrey McMullen. John B. Stetson. The powerful and pioneering family names appeared as the plaster was removed inside the Capitol Theatre this week, revealing a "Wall of Honor" listing names of residents who served in various military branches during World War I, according to Clearwater historians. “This was completely unexpected,” said Katie Pedretty, spokeswoman at Ruth Eckerd Hall, who is undertaking the renovation project of the more than 90-year-old theater in partnership with the city. The discovery Tuesday has planners scrambling to figure out a way to preserve and incorporate the nearly 20-foot-tall wall into …

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Future Blast Friday to Close Fort Harrison Avenue

The Blast Friday event is expected to expand with a move to Garden Street in April and closing Fort Harrison Avenue in May. Pure Prairie League is scheduled to perform Friday near the 400 block of Cleveland Street.

Blast Friday needs more flow. City council member Jay Polglaze has seen the event grow since its start a few years ago and watched recently as thousands of visitors crammed Cleveland Street for the street festival on the fourth Friday each month. “There’s no movement,” he said. “They’re so successful, they’re jammed up.” The event has grown since Ruth Eckerd Hall took over management of the event, moving it from the 600 block to the 400 block and upgrading the performances, city officials have said. Now is the time to try to expand it further along Cleveland Street, Polglaze said. However, to do that, it calls for the closing of Fort Harrison Avenue at Cleveland Street and power upgrades at the intersection. The City Council, acting as the…

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City Hall Move for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Could Cost $7.5 Million

If a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium expansion plan is approved what happens to City Hall? Leaders will hear plans for four possible sites including a new $7.5 million facility near the Municipal Services Building during their work session meeting

If voters decide to allow Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials to move forward with a $160 million expansion to redevelop City Hall, where would city leaders meet? Already council members have said they want to know possible costs to build or renovate and where options for a new City Hall would be before the outcome of the Nov. 5 special election regarding leasing and building on the city's waterfront. City officials have intended to replace the nearly 50-year-old city hall structure for years. Possible funding could come from Penny for Pinellas in 2017. “We have always been focused on moving out of this building at some point,” said Bill Horne, city manager. “We are approaching the point where are are going to have to make a decision on a…

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Florida Aquarium Official Warns Clearwater: Look Closely at the Numbers

Doug Montgomery, chairman of the Florida Aquarium, was cut short by the mayor while giving a presentation that criticized Clearwater Marine Aquarium visitor projections during a public hearing about the $160 million plan to redevelop the waterfront.

What did Doug Montgomery have to say to city leaders regarding the $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium plans for downtown? Montgomery, chairman of the Florida Aquarium, was cut short by Mayor George N. Cretekos while giving a presentation that criticized Clearwater Marine Aquarium visitor and cost projections during a public hearing March 6 about the $160 million plan to redevelop the waterfront. Montgomery said Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials' presentation is similar to one pitched to Tampa city leaders almost 20 years ago. In it, the Florida Aquarium was expected to bring in 1.8 million visitors. Its 150,000-square-foot facility would be built for about $50 million. “All very economic but when reality hit, never got to a million…

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Vote: Would You Support $160 Million Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan?

A $160 million plan by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to lease and redevelop the city waterfront would need to be approved by Clearwater voters during a special election Nov. 5, 2013. What do you think about the project?

Special Election for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Could Cost $100K

The cost to ramp up a special election for a referendum for residents to decide Clearwater Marine Aquarium's $160 million plan for City Hall could cost more than $100,000, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

When the 75 words are chosen and residents decide on Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s $160 million plan for City Hall, the tab could cost at least $100,000, according to Pinellas County elections officials. Costs include training and putting poll workers at Clearwater’s 16 precincts, printing and sending ballots for more than 75,000 registered voters and activating modem lines to send election information to the Supervisor's office, according to a 2013 election cost estimate for a Clearwater election not held in conjunction with a countywide vote by the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office. The estimate was created March 22, 2012. There is no scheduled countywide election this year. "The number of questions or contests on the ballot …

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InsiderMyself

12:49 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013

My my, another article to scare the voters, anger them over the price of democracy. This is a normal process, not new to review costs, and it's to insure the citizens have a say, in a boondoggle that will cost millions and millions and millions of dollars for one stop tourists! Gee, the last time you did this, you wrote that the mayors race would cost taxpayers 10K, and how it was just uncalled …   more ›

Poll: Would You Support $160 Million Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan for City Hall?

A $160 million plan by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to lease and redevelop the city waterfront would need to be approved by Clearwater voters. Would you approve the project?

A $160 million plan by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to lease and redevelop the city waterfront would need to be approved by Clearwater voters. What do you think about the project? Would you approve the plan to redevelop part of the waterfront and lease land where City Hall sits for the creation of a 203,000 square foot aquarium? City leaders unanimously approved scheduling the special election at its meeting Wednesday, March 6. A referendum would need to be crafted in 75 words, and then, be approved by Clearwater residents in the election Nov. 5. Related coverage: Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

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$160 Million Aquarium Plan Needs Clearwater Voter Support First

Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials presented a $160 million plan to create a facility at City Hall. The plan to lease and redevelop the city waterfront would need to be approved by Clearwater voters.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium needs help. Officials there have a $160 million plan to move resident movie star Winter the dolphin to an expanded facility at a redeveloped City Hall in order to fulfill visitor expectations of an anticipated two million people annually. Just one thing first: The project needs Clearwater voter approval. The plan to redevelop part of the waterfront and lease land where City Hall sits would need to be crafted in 75 words, and then, be approved by Clearwater residents in the November 2013 election. CMA officials Frank Dame, David Yates and former mayor Frank Hibbard talked about the plans and answered questions regarding its impact to downtown, possible risks and redeveloping Coachman Park to the City Council …

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