Downtown Development Board
Business
Relocation and Expansion Grant Program
 Mission
The Downtown Development Board (DDB) is composed of seven elected
officials who act as an aid to the City, the Clearwater Redevelopment
Agency and Citizens to see that city services are properly planned for
the downtown area. The Board assists in preparing and maintaining
an analysis of the economic condition and changes; assists in formulating
short and long range plans for improving and developing Clearwater Downtown
and advises on policies and procedures which succeed in bringing business
and residents into the downtown district, improving its tax base and
overall economic condition.
Background
In July 1970 the Clearwater Downtown Development Board Act
was established by the State of Florida, allowing the city of Clearwater
to revitalize and preserve downtown property values, prevent deterioration
in its central business district; providing downtown property owners the
power to solve problems on the local level. The Act outlined the geographic
location of the downtown area, the powers created, the composition of
the board and the bylaws that govern.
In January 1971 the city adopted Ordinance No. 1304 providing for a special
referendum election for the purpose of permitting downtown property owners
to tax themselves, establishing a Special Taxing District.
In December 1993, the city adopted Ordinance No. 5510-93 amending the
code, establishing that the Community Redevelopment Agency of the city
shall have primary responsibility for planning downtown and redefining
the powers and function of the board, created by this division, as an
aid to the CRA.
Ordinance No. 5510-93 deleted the board’s responsibility to recommend
to the city actions deemed suitable for any downtown redevelopment plans;
the board shall not participate in the implementation or execution of
such plans; the board shall have no power or control over any city property
unless assigned by City Council. The ordinance removed the authorization
from the receipt of revenues from property and facilities and the issuance
of revenue certificates.
The 1993 ordinance encouraged the formation of public-private partnerships
between the CRA, the DDB, the Chamber of Commerce and others, to promote
business relocation and assistance, provide loans, hire the unemployed,
recruit business, seek energy credits and discounts and develop incentives.
The board shall recommend policies and procedures, which would lead to
tax revenue growth including zoning issues, variances, beautification
and building standards and assistance in obtaining state and federal funding.
The board shall identify needs for parking, signage, traffic flow, public
safety, office space and other aspects of business enterprise.
The board shall promote activities, sponsor community events, distribute
public information, cooperate with the Chamber of Commerce to promote
tourism, provide for art in the downtown district, market and provide
assistance to downtown businesses and support the CRA and Main Street
Programs.
Objectives
As a Special Taxing District of the City of Clearwater, the Downtown
Development Board (DDB), organized and operating pursuant to the ordinances
and laws of the city of Clearwater in a spirit of cooperation, is committed
to its downtown constituents and offers opportunity to efficiently utilize
collected public revenues. The Downtown Development Board (DDB) has a
special obligation to ensure prudent, wise and sound administration of
the programs and other initiatives they may support as following:
Downtown Events
- Annual Art Stroll
- Holiday Light-up of Cleveland
Street and Holiday Tree
- Main Street Merchant Events
- Farmer's Market and Special Events
- Downtown Meetings
Sponsorship
- Professional Association of Visual Arts
- Fun 'N Sun Festival
- Clearwater Celebrates America
- Festival of Trees
- Jazz Holiday
Festival
Health, Safety and Beautification
- Cleveland Street Landscaping and Maintenance
- Art Stroll Window Display Competition
- Holiday Lighting on Cleveland Street
- Mural Program
- Design Awards
Parking
Economic Development
- Main Street Retail Marketing
- Business Retention and Recruitment
The Downtown Development Board (DDB) will continue to serve the taxpayers
and assist the city and the CRA in formulating short and long range plans
for improving and developing downtown Clearwater into a world renowned
destination place and advise on policies and procedures, which succeed
in bringing business and residents into the downtown, improving is tax
base and overall economic condition.
Moving forward the Downtown Development Board (DDB) will build a coalition
with property owners, business and government to advocate development
that benefits all citizens and to create a unified identity and environment
in the downtown to preserve property values and prevent deterioration.
The Downtown Development Board (DDB) will focus on marketing downtown
and its businesses, funding the Main Street Program, events in Coachman
park and other downtown initiatives and publicly support future referendum
for the development of Coachman Park, the proposed marina and a new City
Hall location.
CRA/DDB Interlocal Agreement
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Downtown Development
Board (DDB) have entered into an Interlocal Agreement, in which the DDB
agrees to perform certain responsibilities and functions consistent with
and in furtherance of the redevelopment of downtown and provide financial
support for Clearwater’s Main Street program, in return for an
amount equal to the difference between the increment payment and a management
fee. The management of the DDB by CRA staff enables the CRA and
the DDB to utilize the public dollars more efficiently and provides additional
support to the Main Street Program.
The CRA Trustees executed the first Interlocal Agreement to provide
personnel, administrative and management responsibilities to the DDB
in F/Y 1999-00. Fiscal
year 2005-06 marks the seventh year of this agreement, which identifies
the responsibilities, scope and function of both.
Read the complete CRA/DDB
Interlocal Agreement
|
