Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plans Could Bring Changes to Coachman Park

Clearwater Marine Aquarium's $160-million plan to move resident movie star Winter the dolphin to an expanded facility at a redeveloped City Hall could also bring changes to Coachman Park.

Renderings of the 203,000-square-foot facilty also show what an expanded Coachman Park could look like. However, the aquarium plans do not include redeveloping the park, that would be left up to the city.

CMA officials Frank Dame, David Yates and former mayor Frank Hibbard talked about the plans and answered questions regarding its impact to downtown and redeveloping Coachman Park to the City Council on Tuesday.

The images show enhanced and expanded green space that include areas formally used for parking as well as the Harborview Center site. The facility was slated for demolition before aquarium officials worked out a deal to establish Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure downtown attraction in 2011.

The aquarium would want to extend the lease at the Harborview Center until the new facility is complete. It could take about two years to build.

“As soon as we cut the ribbon for new facility, Harborview would be ready for demolition,” Hibbard said.

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The city would then be able to go forward with its plan for the public space.

Mayor George N. Cretekos said the renderings brought a lot of excitement for redevelopment of Coachman Park. If the referendum is approved, the city would have to come up with a plan and funding to redevelop the park.

"I assume the aquarium isn't coming up with any money," Cretekos said.

“We thought it was important to show a visual of what Coachman could be,” Hibbard said. Noting that the renderings took into account ideas residents have expressed in a redeveloped Coachman Park, including an expanded bandshell area and using the landscape to create a natural grassy amphitheatre.

"If you are going to eat an elephant you do it one bite at a time,” Hibbard said.

Related coverage:

• What Clearwater’s Saying: Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s $160 Million Expansion
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Eyes City Hall for $160 Million Expansion
• Downtown Neighbors Track Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Visitor Impact
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Opens Downtown Attraction
• Experience A Hurricane at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• See Winter the Dolphin by Water Ferry
• Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure Looks to Grow
• Winter’s ‘Dolphin Tale’ Could Net $5 Billion for Clearwater Area
• Coachman Park Committee Cool With Aquarium Plan for Harborview Center
• Pickles Plus Deal Sours