Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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 …
Friday, March 1, 2013
A homeowners group studied visitor numbers at Winter's Dolphin Tale Adventure at the Harborview Center and determined only a small percent of people venture from the exhibit to downtown Clearwater.
To Jack Mortimer the numbers just did not add up. He is president and founder of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and lives in Water’s Edge, on the side facing the Harborview Center. He has a first row seat to the foot traffic coming and going from the nearly 300,000 people visiting Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure. But that is not what he noticed. Cleveland Street and Osceola Avenue, the intersection outside of the Harborview Center, teem with visitors walking to the attraction from the marina or standing outside waiting for the Jolley Trolley. But the restaurants, just a few hundred feet away, do not see an influx from the steady stream of people, Mortimer said. They are empty, or doing the same business as they ever did. If so many …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Peter Kageyama hosts "For the Love of Clearwater," a $1,500 luncheon to discuss ideas to spur downtown development Wednesday at Island Way Grill.
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…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Construction on the expanded and renovated structure officially begins with a groundbreaking ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Clearwater.
After planning and re-planning, construction is set to break ground on an expanded and renovated Capitol Theatre on Tuesday. In recent months, Clearwater city leaders rescinded the historic designation on the building and the two adjacent ones planned as part of the construction project. Leaders also vacated the alley behind the building. This will effectively close off the alley that connects Osceola and Fort Harrison Avenues. It also increases the footprint of the land available for development. The Lokey Building, which was most recently the office for the Chamber of Commerce building and one time space of the Clearwater Sun, will be destroyed as part of the construction of the renovated Capitol Theatre. Plans initially included …
Monday, November 19, 2012
Work to resurface the boat ramps and catwalks at the Seminole Boat Launch starts Monday and is expected to last through December.
Work to resurface the boat ramps and catwalks at the Seminole Boat Launch starts Monday and is expected to last through December. Three out of four ramps at the facility, 198 Seminole St., will remain open and available for use as renovations take place. The bait house located near the ramps, which is not run by the city, will not be affected. Call 727-462-6954.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The latest outdoor Sculpture 360: Season V exhibit is coming to Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater at the end of October.
A couple Clearwater artists are included as part of the latest incarnation of the outdoor Sculpture 360 exhibit coming to Cleveland Street at the end of October. "Tulip," by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva, of Clearwater, is a colorful, sinewy sculpture that is part of Sculpture 360: Season V. “It’s good to see some locals on there,” said Chris Hubbard, the city's public affairs director. The tour is an annual, year long outdoor exhibition running Oct. 29 through Sept. 27, 2013. A national call to artists resulted in approximately 36 sculptures, Hubbard said during the City Council work session meeting Monday. City leaders are expected to approve the latest tour at their meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave. The Public Art …
27.96447
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City of Clearwater - City Hall
112 S Osceola Ave, Clearwater, FL
/articles/sculpture-360-season-v
930274
/locations/8018078
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The response to a sign put up by Travis Wilkinson, owner of Berry Beautiful Salon, incited him to form a business coalition providing similar signs to members.
Travis Wilkinson's first sign is just a warm up. Wilkinson, a Southern Baptist, said it's "hurtful" that people think he's a Scientologist and that customers often think his business is associated with the church simply because it's located downtown. He is the owner of Berry Beautiful Salon and Spa, and he placed a sign in front of his business stating “Notice: this is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist" in September. Because of the support he has seen from the community since putting the sign up he is creating the Clearwater Small Business Coalition, which will offer members similar signs to place in front of their businesses. He doesn’t see anything wrong with the signs that read: “Notice: This …
Monday, September 17, 2012
Travis Wilkinson, owner of Berry Beautiful Salon and Spa, is putting a sign up in front of his business to let the public know he is not a member of the Church of Scientology.
CLEARWATER, FL -- A local business owner wants to make clear first he is a devoted Southern Baptist. Too many people come into Travis Wilkinson's business, Berry Beautiful Salon and Spa, assuming he is a member of the Church of Scientology because of the shop's proximity to downtown Clearwater. “And as a devoted Southern Baptist, for people to think I’m a Scientologist is very hurtful to me personally,” Wilkinson said. He wants people to know not every business downtown is owned by the church or one of its members, so he is getting the finishing touches made on a directional sign to place out front of his salon saying just that. “Notice: this is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist” is emblazoned in red …
Friday, September 14, 2012
Honor the day with a "Shout of Independence" party at Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue Saturday, Sept. 15, afternoon.
Celebrate Mexican independence with a shout. "El Grito," the shout, is in commemoration of when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, shouted a message of freedom and revolt against Spain's rule from his church balcony in the Mexican state of Guanajuato Sept. 15, 1810. The incident sparked the start of the uprising leading to Mexico's independence. To honor the day the Mexican Council of Tampa Bay and the city of Clearwater invite residents to join in the "Shout of Independence" street party titled "El Grito" from 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the corner of Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue. The East Gateway District is home to a large percentage of the city's Hispanic residents. The free event includes live entertainment including …
Jo-Ann Leake
4:08 pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2013
I wonder what would compel someone or something - a company, town planners, etc - to consent to covering this up in the first place? I agree with previous commentary that it is essential to carefully address historic buildings BEFORE razing them in the name of progress. more ›