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Building Clearwater’s Future
Welcome to the city of Clearwater's newsletter on downtown construction. This newsletter is designed to introduce you to current downtown projects and keep you updated on timelines, road closures, and impacts to public parking. Please read on, click the links for more information, and reach out to Al with any questions.
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Featured Project
Construction is fully underway on Clearwater’s new City Hall, a $31.6 million project led by Ajax Building Company and designed by Wannemacher Jensen Architects. The two-story, 40,000‑square‑foot facility will house City Council Chambers, a public meeting room, and key administrative offices in an energy-efficient, community-focused campus.
Groundbreaking took place in Fall 2024, and completion is scheduled for mid‑2026, with a phased move-in planned for late August through early September of that year.
This new center brings service enhancements and a more efficient layout—aligning with Clearwater’s strategic plan to improve public infrastructure and promote civic engagement.
Stay tuned as we watch this community-first development rise downtown by mid‑2026.
About the Project
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Project Cost: $31.6 million (including $6.3M from Penny for Pinellas funding)
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Location: 200 S. Myrtle Ave., adjacent to the Municipal Services Building
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Timeline:
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Features: LEED Silver, sustainable systems, EV charging, and improved stormwater infrastructure
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News and Updates
 The city of Clearwater has partnered with Sunrise Affordable Housing Group to preserve all 208 units at The Indigo Apartments as affordable housing. This agreement secures the units for at least 50 years and will support households earning 30, 60, and 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
Key highlights include:
- 100 percent of units are reserved for low-to-moderate income residents.
- Average rents are reduced by 51 percent below market rate.
- Property is placed in a land trust with a 99-year lease.
- Three million dollars in city and CRA loans support the project.
Originally developed as senior housing, Indigo was converted to market rate in 2015. This new initiative restores long-term affordability for hundreds of residents. The city is also moving forward with additional affordable housing projects in Clearwater Gardens, North Greenwood, and Lake Bellevue.
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Clearwater Gardens: Affordable Housing on the Horizon
 Clearwater Gardens is a transformative new development bringing high-quality, affordable housing to downtown Clearwater. This four-story midrise apartment building will offer 81 modern units designed for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Unit layouts will include:
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52 one-bedroom/one-bath units
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8 two-bedroom/one-bath units
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21 two-bedroom/two-bath units
Ranging in size from 605 to 929 square feet, these apartments will be built to National Green Building Standard certification, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency.
Construction is actively underway and is on track for completion in Fall 2025. Pre-leasing is expected to begin in late 2025, with move-ins anticipated shortly after. Clearwater Gardens marks a major step toward expanding equitable housing opportunities in our city.
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Aug. 1 - Reimagine Clearwater Library Review Meeting
The city of Clearwater will host the first Review Committee meeting for the Reimagine Clearwater Main Library initiative on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Clearwater Main Library (100 N. Osceola Ave.). During this meeting, committee members will review six proposals submitted in response to the city’s Call for Development Concepts to repurpose the 90,000-square-foot downtown library into a vibrant cultural destination.
This marks a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to transform the Main Library into a hub for arts, culture, and community engagement. Following the review, selected applicants will be invited to advance to the next stage of the process.
Key Upcoming Dates:
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Aug. 1 at 1:30 p.m. – Review Committee Meeting to select the top 3 proposals.
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Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. – Public Presentations by finalists.
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Sept. 18 – City Council Meeting – The Review Committee will present its final recommendation. All six submitting teams will be invited to present their concepts directly to the Council during this session.
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and follow the progress as Clearwater reimagines a cornerstone of its downtown landscape.
Aug. 26 - CRA Downtown Community Outreach Meeting
 The CRA will begin hosting monthly Community Outreach Meetings to share updates on CRA initiatives, resources, and revitalization efforts impacting downtown. These meetings are open to all residents, businesses, and community partners. During this meeting, city staff will give a special presentation on the multiple upcoming construction projects that will soon impact downtown. We invite you to join us for our first meeting:
CRA Community Outreach Meeting
Tuesday, August 26
3 – 4 p.m.
Clearwater Main Library – 1st Floor Council Chambers
100 N Osceola Ave, Clearwater, FL
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the exciting changes coming and how to stay connected. Thank you for being an engaged member of our community.
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Additional Downtown News
 The Clearwater Downtown Development Board (DDB) is accepting vendor applications for a new monthly event: Friday Lunchtime Market, launching this fall in Downtown Clearwater.
About the Market
• When: First Friday of each month | 10 AM–2 PM
• Where: 400 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater
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Curious about what’s happening downtown? Our new interactive construction map makes it easy to stay informed on all ongoing and upcoming infrastructure and development projects in the heart of Clearwater.
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As part of Clearwater’s downtown improvement projects, some roads and intersections will be temporarily closed or detoured. We’re working hard to minimize disruption, and to keep you informed every step of the way. There are currently no downtown road closures due to these construction projects.
Osceola Avenue
Traffic on N. Osceola Avenue will be reduced to one lane just south of Drew Street for construction of a new hotel and rental building. The start date for the lane shift is to be determined.
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As downtown Clearwater undergoes improvements, some parking areas will be temporarily closed or relocated. There has not been any parking lot closures due to construction.
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Assistant City Manager Alfred G. Battle Jr. brings nearly 30 years of local government experience, including leadership roles in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale — and now, in Clearwater.
Al is eager to get to know Clearwater residents and businesses personally, ensuring your questions and concerns are heard and addressed throughout the downtown transformation.
“Ask Al” is your direct connection to the leadership behind these exciting projects. Whether you’re curious about timelines, traffic impacts, or design changes, Al is here to listen and keep you informed every step of the way.
Have a question? Submit it to askal@myclearwater.com.
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Stay connected with the latest news and developments across Clearwater. Click here to subscribe to city updates and never miss an important announcement.
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