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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 Assistant City Manager Al Battle with any questions.
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Construction Progress Moves Downtown Clearwater Forward
 Downtown Clearwater is undergoing a period of transformation, with many projects under construction or coming soon. Major projects include The Ballad Hotel, The Bluffs, the PSTA Clearwater Station, Osceola Parking Garage, City Hall and the Osceola Avenue roadway and infrastructure improvements.
Together, these projects will bring new hotel accommodations, apartments, public parking, transit improvements, roadway and sidewalk upgrades, city facilities and retail opportunities to downtown. The improvements are intended to create a more modern, connected and inviting downtown for residents, visitors, businesses and the community.
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Upcoming Events Downtown
The Market Marie
June 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Coachman Park
 Shop local at The Market Marie with more than 85 small business owners every second Saturday in Coachman Park. Enjoy live music, delicious food, art, clothing, jewelry, henna, handmade candles, soap, pet treats, home goods and more.
Hurricane Preparedness on the Roof
June 17, 5:30 p.m., Main Library Rooftop
Get ready for hurricane season at Hurricane Preparedness on the Roof, 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 17, on the Main Library’s rooftop terrace. Meet the Clearwater Emergency Management Team, learn important preparedness tips and enjoy an educational evening with refreshments and giveaways. Registration is required.
Clearwater Celebrates America
July 3 & 4, 5 p.m., Coachman Park
 Clearwater Celebrates America is a two-day festival that will feature a variety of events for all ages. Both nights will have an interactive children's zone, musical performances, buskers, local food vendors and more. July 3 will feature a thrilling laser light show, and July 4 will have a patriotic fireworks show concluding the Clearwater Celebrates 250 festivities. Activities start at 5 p.m. each night.
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News & Updates
Behind-the-Scenes Momentum
 Downtown Clearwater’s transformation is moving forward on many fronts, including the important coordination that supports each phase of progress. Alongside visible construction and development activity, project teams are working through planning, permitting, design coordination, utility reviews and infrastructure preparation to ensure downtown improvements are well connected and built for long-term success.
This behind-the-scenes work plays a key role in shaping a downtown that is more walkable, active, accessible and welcoming. From streetscape planning and infrastructure coordination to supporting future development, public spaces, local businesses and community activity, each step contributes to Clearwater’s broader vision for a stronger, more connected downtown.
CRA Community Outreach Meeting
June 30, 3 p.m., Main Library in Council Chambers
 Join Clearwater's Community Redevelopment Agency for its next community outreach meeting at 3 p.m. June 30, in the Main Library's Council Chambers.
The meeting will focus on The BayCare Sound anniversary and will feature guest speakers Bobby Rossi, executive vice president, and Dr. Sharon Reid-Kane, vice president and chief education and community engagement officer, both from Ruth Eckerd Hall.
A More Complete Waterfront Experience
 Downtown Clearwater’s waterfront is taking shape as a more complete destination, anchored by Coachman Park and The BayCare Sound and supported by new development along Osceola Avenue.
As these projects come together, the area will feel more active, connected and visitor-friendly, with green space, concerts, waterfront views, new places to stay, more downtown living, ground-floor retail and improved streetscapes all working together to create a stronger downtown experience.
The Ballad Hotel will add lodging, dining, meeting space and a rooftop destination overlooking Coachman Park and Clearwater Harbor, while The Bluffs apartment development will bring more residents and street-level activity to the waterfront district.
 The improvements along Osceola Avenue will also help tie the area together, making the corridor more walkable, attractive and comfortable for residents, visitors and eventgoers traveling between downtown, Coachman Park, The BayCare Sound and nearby businesses. Planned streetscape upgrades include smoother roads, safer sidewalks, landscaping, crosswalk improvements, on-street parking and loading zones.
 Just as important, the new Osceola Parking Garage will help make The BayCare Sound experience easier by adding a convenient public parking option near the downtown waterfront. With nearly 400 parking spaces, electric vehicle charging and ground-floor retail, the garage will support concertgoers, park visitors, local businesses and the growing number of people spending time downtown before and after events.
 A number of downtown restaurants are providing exclusive deals for construction workers on active downtown projects. These offers are reserved only for workers and are meant to recognize the crews shaping the future of downtown. If you have a discount you would like to provide, please reach out to the Community Redevelopment Agency staff to let us know.
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Traffic Alerts
 Fort Harrison Avenue & Pierce Street
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Drivers should expect traffic impacts at Fort Harrison Avenue and Pierce Street through June 12. While the northbound lane of Fort Harrison Avenue is closed, the southbound lane remains open.
Osceola Avenue
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Temporary traffic controls are in place along Osceola Avenue from south of Drew Street to Cleveland Street to support the Ballad Hotel construction activity. This construction is at the site of the former Harborview Center.
Pierce Street
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Beginning June 15, Pierce Street between Osceola and Fort Harrison avenues will be closed for approximately three months to support construction of the Osceola Parking Garage.
Parking
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use nearby parking options while the downtown construction projects are underway.
The former City Hall parking lot (112 S. Osceola Ave.) and the lot at 301 Pierce St. are closed for staging and construction.
Where to Park Downtown
Visiting downtown Clearwater for an event at The BayCare Sound, Coachman Park, or the Capitol Theatre but don’t know where to park? Take advantage of free parking at Station Square, Garden Avenue, and the Municipal Services parking garages on weekdays after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends.
Upcoming Meetings
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Meeting
June 15, 1 p.m., Main Library in Council Chambers
City Council Work Session
June 15, 1:30 p.m., Main Library in Council Chambers
City Council Meeting
June 18, 6 p.m., Main Library in Council Chambers
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Interactive Construction Map
Curious about what’s happening downtown? Our 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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Construction Hours and Noise Guidelines
Construction in Clearwater can occur seven days a week and any hour of the day if the noise ordinance is not violated. Construction is not limited by days of the week or hours of the day.
Construction is limited by if it violates the noise ordinance. The noise ordinance allows “raucous noise” between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday only, and it is not allowed any hours on Sunday. This ordinance is enforced by the Clearwater Police Department.
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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 getting 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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