Clearwater's Downtown Area Is Getting Major Facelift; Meeting Feb. 8 To Discuss Plans

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater invites the public to an informational meeting Feb. 8 to discuss progress on Cleveland Streetscape Phase III construction, which is bringing major improvements to the Cleveland Street/Gulf to Bay Boulevard corridor.

The city of Clearwater is making improvements to roadways on Cleveland Street from Missouri Avenue east to San Remo Avenue and on Gulf to Bay Boulevard from Cleveland Street southeast to Court Street/Highland Avenue, to beautify and create a safer and more pedestrian-friendly downtown corridor.

Since the project kicked off July 26, the city's contractor, Gibbs & Register, has been making improvements to water, sewer and stormwater systems, including installing a 101,000-pound, nearly 13-foot-tall, 17.5-foot-long and 9.5-foot-wide stormwater baffle box. The box is designed to filter sediment and debris beneath Cleveland Street, preventing it from seeping into the water system.

The installation of new curbs has begun as well.

The project is slated for completion in the spring of 2023, with improvements including: Replacement of underground utilities (water, stormwater, reclaimed water and sewer).

• New sidewalks, bike lanes, safer intersections and turn lanes. Pedestrian improvements will include separate designated bicycle and pedestrian paths on both sides of Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. In many areas, these paths will be separated from the street and each other with plantings for maximum safety.
• Enhanced stormwater treatment planting areas and extensive landscaping. Included in the project are the planting of 132 trees, 128 palms, and almost 18,000 shrubs and ground covers.
• Reconfiguration of on-street parking.
• Development of flexible public festival plaza space at Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

As part of the city of Clearwater’s ongoing safety and beautification construction project on Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard, reclaimed water connections will soon be offered in the corridor.

Properties benefitting from the improvements will be assessed for the cost of the reclaimed water system, an effort that will protect the city’s drinking water and provide funding for the maintenance of the new streetscape improvements.

The first properties to receive access to the new reclaimed system will do so in early 2022, with the new reclaimed water fee appearing on monthly utility bills. The service will be expanded to additional properties throughout construction.

Connecting to the reclaimed water system is voluntary. If customers choose not to tap into the system, a monthly $17.19 availability fee will be assessed on their utility bills. To connect to the system, there will be a $38 deposit and a tap fee depending on the meter size.

All businesses in the corridor will remain open during the four phases of construction and access is being maintained as much as possible.

The Feb. 8 meeting will be at 6 p.m., at the Hacienda Corralejo Mexican Kitchen, 1238 Cleveland St., Clearwater.