A referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot for Clearwater residents could help determine the direction of development in the area's downtown for years to come, according to Clearwater's mayor.

  • City's charter very strict about development downtown
  • A winning "yes" vote would grant city authority to build, improve waterfront areas
  • A "no" vote would prohibit consideration of improvement projects

“Our charter is very strict, and we cannot do certain things in the downtown area, in Coachman Park unless we get permission, and that’s what this is all about,” said Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos.

"If you vote 'yes', the items that are listed on the question, the City Council and the City of Clearwater could then put in Coachman park and the downtown bluff area,” Cretekos explained. “If you vote 'no', then the city can do none of those things."

Things like giving the City authority to build and improve certain parts of the waterfront, including: playgrounds, artwork, a boathouse, restrooms, parking, picnic tables and benches.

"We can tear down the old Harborview Center, but unless we say that 'you can build a plaza there' we can’t build a plaza there, and that’s what this referendum will help us explain,” said Cretekos. “Walkways, sidewalks, a bike trails, all these things in the park we can't do unless the referendum passes."

Area business owners like Connie Lehmer are in favor of giving downtown a boost. She has been running the Bob & Daughter Market in downtown Clearwater for six years, but business isn’t as busy as she’d like.

“All of the businesses down here struggle, and smaller businesses more than the bigger ones, obviously," said Lehmer. “But the foot traffic [revitalization] would bring in would be awesome."

To Cretekos, that revitalization could provide a boost similar to what other Bay area waterfront cities have enjoyed in recent years.

"We may not be where St. Petersburg or Tampa is now, but you know, ten years ago they were in the same position we are," said Cretekos.

To learn more about the referendum and the "Imagine Clearwater" action plan that includes the downtown improvement projects, visit myclearwater.com.