Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Tampa Bay Young Republicans say Colorado’s loss could be the Bay’s gain. What do you think about it?
As the Wild West gets milder due to gun control laws a manufacturer that produces high-capacity gun magazines is looking to move out of Colorado. The Tampa Bay Young Republicans want that manufacturer, Magpul Industries, to roll out of Boulder and land somewhere in Hillsborough County, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The company makes gun magazines that hold up to 30 rounds and has about 200 people on its payroll, the Times reported. Magpul's motto is "Unfair Advantage," according to its website. The passage of a law in Colorado that bans gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds has made Boulder a rather unwelcoming place for the company. The Young Republicans want to capitalize on Colorado’s loss by turning it into what they see as a…
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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 …
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Clearwater Patch readers shared their thoughts about how recent city council opposition to a developer's hotel plans could bring changes to Beach by Design, the guidelines for Clearwater Beach development.
Clearwater Patch readers shared their thoughts about how recent city council opposition to a developer's hotel plans could bring changes to the guidelines for Clearwater Beach development. City council members opposed plans to develop a 150-foot-tall Hampton Inn and redevelop the Quality Inn, which would have meant using hotel rooms from a special density pool developed as part of Beach by Design. Here is what some readers had to say: Randy Watson: "This is exactly why it is so hard t have a business on Clearwater Beach. The City makes it impossible to get approved and change the rules all along the way. They say oh we aren't enforcing that right now and as soon as you do it they fine you and threaten to pull your license. No Signs except …
Monday, February 11, 2013
Nearly $500,000 in repairs to Clearwater Beach's Pier 60, including fixing portions of the concrete deck and pilings, replacing railings and installing a catwalk around the bait house starts Monday. The project is expected to last six months, which includ
Work on nearly $500,000 of repairs and upgrades to Clearwater Beach's Pier 60 starts Monday. Construction includes fixing portions of the concrete deck and pilings, replacing railings and installing a catwalk around the bait house. "While there is no structural damage to the pier, several areas appear to have been hit by lightning and have pieces of concrete missing," Gordon Wills, Operations Manager for the Marine and Aviation Department, said in a release. "The wood has been rotated to extend its life, but now it's time to be replaced." The wood railings on the 2,500-foot perimeter is about 20 years old. The work is expected to take about six months, which includes construction time during spring break. The pier is expected to remain …
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
A possible 300-unit, mixed-use development could come to downtown Clearwater as the Town Lake project near Prospect Lake Park was sent out to developers to bid on this week.
A single penthouse unit at Waters Edge is available. Station Square, a few blocks away on Cleveland Street, is filling up too. One of the fastest growing demands for housing in Clearwater is for young professionals in urban environments, and those are the types of projects getting funding, according to city officials. So, plans to build on the area near Prospect Lake Park, like the once scuttled Mediterranean Village in the Park that was only partially developed, are back on the table. And this time there is more land available for developers. City leaders are pushing to begin digging for the Town Lake project, a possible 300-unit, four story mixed-use development planned for downtown Clearwater, by June 2014. “We’re back because we think …
Saturday, December 15, 2012
The Clearwater Gateway Farmers Market is seeking vendors. It is expected to be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays starting Jan. 12.
Howard Warshauer found his latest job by accident. He has worked with some downtown groups in the past and now is primed to be president of a fledgling farmers market. Warshauer’s vision is big. He wants the Clearwater Gateway Farmers Market to be the largest, most diverse and eclectic in Pinellas County. He just needs some help. Vendors, artists, musicians and crafters are wanted as part of the East Gateway neighborhood market planned for the 1200 block of Cleveland Street Saturdays starting Jan. 12. “We’re not creating a farmer’s market,” Warshauer said. “We’re creating a new public space.” *** Warshauer wants the Clearwater Gateway Farmers Market to rival St. Petersburg’s Saturday Morning Market. He admits that might take a little time …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Officials approved spending $7,500 to bring in a downtown revitalization expert to conduct a luncheon on Island Estates and a workshop in January in an effort to spur development downtown.
Peter Kageyama, author of “For the Love of Cities,” has created a cottage industry touring the country talking about ways to revitalize downtowns through emotional bonds and “growing a core of committed people.” But it’s not cheap. Kageyama, of St. Petersburg, typically gets $7,500 plus expenses to conduct his events, which have happened in cities including Orlando, St. Louis and St. Petersburg. And he is bringing his downtown development show to Clearwater with a $1,500 luncheon, possibly at Island Way Grill, Jan. 23 and a workshop Jan. 30. Officials approved spending $7,500 to bring in the expert in downtown development for the two-part event, which includes awarding two $500 grants to help promote downtown. Kageyama will be paid $4,650…
Friday, December 7, 2012
Clearwater city leaders unanimously approved a plan Thursday that could change future development and other codes along parts of U.S. 19.
When Allan Stowell started buying up land along Gulf to Bay Boulevard in the early 1960s, the area was considered rural. Over the years, the road expanded, and businesses developed along the corridor. Similarly, U.S. 19, once called the Gulf Coast Highway, has changed through the years. “That used to be the place to have property, and now it’s not the place to have property,” Stowell said about the road, which is undergoing growing pains as it is expands to a limit-access highway. In an effort to spur development along the changing U.S. 19 corridor, city leaders unanimously approved plans to guide growth along the area at the city council meeting Thursday. The plan is based on resident and business input from meetings over the last year …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
City leaders are expected to approve a plan that could change future development and other codes along parts of U.S. 19 at Thursday's Clearwater City Council meeting at City Hall.
City leaders are expected to approve plans that could change future development and other codes along parts of U.S. 19 at the City Council meeting Thursday at City Hall. While it is still undergoing some growing pains as crews work on changing a 2.7-mile section from a stoplight-filled, median-separated road into a limit-access highway, for months officials asked for opinions in this survery that would shape future land use changes along the commercial corridor. In an effort to entice development around the revamped corridor, city leaders are looking to approve a resolution that could usher in code and other changes to the area. “This is a plan. It’s going to change because a lot of it is not within our control. But more importantly it’s …
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The three part survey is the last before a presentation of the redevelopment plan for the commercial corridor is given to city leaders Sept. 4.
What do you think about creating a transit route circulating between Clearwater and Countryside Malls? Or developing a branding and marketing strategy for the areas along US 19? How about completing gateway improvements for the corridor? These and other options and ideas for the future use and development along the US 19 commercial corridor are part of a series of surveys by the city. The online surveys are available at www.myUS19plan.com. The surveys: The input will be part of a presentation to the city leaders at their work session meeting Sept. 4. "We want to hear from residents directly about what they think will improve the US 19 corridor," said Michael Delk, director of planning and development, in a release. "We look forward to …
RD
2:03 pm on Monday, April 15, 2013
I suppose the question mark lets you off the hook but once again, you're making stuff up as you go. They have no plans of moving here but a small group (a little over 1,000 members of a 4+ million population) hopes they will. I bet you're happy you got everyone spewing the normal BS about gun control, though. You should be ashamed of yourself. You make Fox News look like they care. more ›