Here's How Clearwater Plans To Spend Its $22.4M In American Relief Act Funds

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater will hold a series of community meetings to discuss the city's strategic direction plan and how the city is proposing to spend the approximately $22.48 million received as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act to recover from the pandemic.

The meetings will be held at the following locations:

Monday, May 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Morningside Recreation Center
2400 Harn Blvd.

Tuesday, May 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
North Greenwood Recreation Center
900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Tuesday, May 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Clearwater Beach Recreation Center
69 Bay Esplanade

Wednesday, June 1, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Countryside Library
2642 Sabal Springs Drive

The money is intended to respond to the pandemic or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality.

It can also be used for premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work during the pandemic, provide government services that have reduced revenue due to the pandemic and make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.

The $22,483,893 ARPA allocation must be committed or contractually encumbered to projects and programs by the end of 2024. All money must be spent by 2026. Any money not spent must be refunded to the federal government.

The following projects meet the criteria and are being recommended by Clearwater staff:

Startup Funding for North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Agency - $5 million

These funds will help the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Agency start its redevelopment efforts. Because the Community Redevelopment Agency's future funding is predicated on increasing the taxable value of the properties within the area, staff believes an initial investment in the neighborhood is appropriate to jumpstart these efforts.

A centerpiece of the area is the North Ward School, which the city has acquired and is ready to redevelop.

Many other efforts are currently being planned in this area, which is generally defined as a roughly 1.31-square-mile area to the north and northeast of downtown.

Fiber Upgrades and Broadband Connectivity - $3.5 million

These funds will be used to upgrade the city's traffic management infrastructure which will allow for better traffic management by using an Intelligent Traffic System that can be integrated with regional partner's systems.

This will allow for better flow of traffic which will have positive benefits in the areas of local job creation, travel time to and from work, and sustainability.

Additionally, the infrastructure upgrades create a more secure network infrastructure for the city to protect city assets and enhance provided services.

Affordable Housing - $3.3 million

Housing projects will include down payment assistance, rehabilitation and new construction of single-family and multi-family homes, and energy efficiency improvements such as installation of cool roofs and solar panels.

These funds will be used to assist households with incomes between 80 and 120 percent of the Area Median Income. While this income bracket will be the primary target, worthwhile projects assisting households below 80 percent of the Area Mean Income will also be considered.

Street and Sidewalk Improvements - $2 million

These funds will be used for roadway, curb and sidewalk improvements in low-income communities.

Approximately $1.8 million will be spent on milling/resurfacing roadways and approximately $320,000 will be spent on sidewalk and curb improvements.

This $2 million will be in addition to the $5.2 to $5.7 million that is budgeted annually for street and sidewalk improvements.

Solar Panels for City Facilities - $2 million

These funds would be used to kick off the city's solar installation program on city buildings. These investments will help reduce the costs related to energy use, allowing for operational funds to be reallocated or tax rates reduced.

Pinellas Community Foundation - $1 million

The Pinellas Community Foundation will solicit, evaluate and award up to $1 million to a nonprofit organization that offers an innovative and impactful concept for affordable and attainable housing in the city of Clearwater. The awardee must be able to complete the project by Sept. 30, 2026.

Nonprofit Cultural Affairs Funding - $1 million

These funds are proposed as a grant-based program for nonprofit organizations in Clearwater that provide cultural affairs services.

These could include area markets, concert or theater events, or other community social opportunities that are trying to be become financially feasible or who need financial assistance getting back to pre-pandemic levels.

Education - Grants or Partnerships - $1 million

These funds will be used to provide a grant or partnership opportunity with a nonprofit or government entity for programs that focus on educational opportunities targeting students who have fallen behind academically due to the pandemic.

State Street Park Improvements - $700,000

This project is for the development of State Street Park located on the southwest corner of State Street and North Betty Lane.

This property was purchased more than 30 years ago for a neighborhood park. The homeowners association has been active in promoting this park and making additional park improvements.

Development of the park would preserve the tree canopy and allow the park to remain in as much of its natural state as possible. Development could include improved open field play areas and the addition of a playground, nature walking trails, fencing, a water fountain, parking, signage and other park amenities. Invasive plant species would also be removed from the park.

Clearwater Main Library Info Hub - $625,000

This project would transform the first floor of the Main Library into a one-stop destination that supports and enhances use of the new Coachman Park and downtown by relocating the library's most-used resources and services.

To support this one-stop model, part of the reference and circulation staff would join to create an "information hub" on the first floor where patrons could get any technical or library support or information about activities in Coachman Park.

Reimburse the City for COVID-19 Expenses - $2,358,893

The city spent $1,379,498 from the general fund operating budget on the Clearwater Back to Business Grant and Professional Services Program during 2020 and 2021.

Additionally, the city spent $1,741,242 citywide on premium pay and vacation accruals for essential employees during the pandemic through the city's emergency deployment and compensation policy.

These two expenditures total $3,120,700 and staff is recommending $2,358,893 for reimbursement.