CLEARWATER, Fla. – The city of Clearwater invites the public to attend or view online four upcoming meetings during which the new North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan will be presented.
The 155-page plan outlining the creation of the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Agency can also be viewed at ngreenwoodcra.com.
The effort to create the Northwood Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area began as a grassroots community-driven effort led by the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition to address needs in the North Greenwood area. In 2019, the organization made a proposal to the city to establish a Community Redevelopment Area.
In 2020, the city of Clearwater prepared a Finding of Necessity study that determined conditions in the North Greenwood neighborhood and nearby neighborhoods warranted the creation of a Community Redevelopment Area.
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The study obtained approval in 2021 from the Clearwater City Council and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, paving the way for the creation of the plan. Planning efforts were then led by a steering committee made up of residents, businesses, and other North Greenwood community members, to help the city guide the process.
In launching the process of gathering community input, the city also created the website, ngreenwoodcra.com, which is dedicated to providing information to and gathering input from the public on the plan.
The city will first be presenting the plan to the Clearwater Community Development Board, followed by two presentations to the Clearwater City Council, and a third meeting where a City Council reading of a resolution will take place seeking implementation of the plan from the Pinellas County Commission.
The public is encouraged to attend the following meetings in-person or view them online at myclearwater.com/CityCouncilMeetings:
– Community Development Board – Dec. 20, at 1 p.m. (public comment will be heard).
– Community Redevelopment Agency – Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. (public comment will be heard).
– City Council Work Session – Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. (no public comment will be heard).
– City Council Reading of Resolution – Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. (public comment will be heard).
Also, on Dec. 20, the city invites the public to attend a community meeting at
6 p.m. to discuss the demolition of the Springtime Elks Lodge, at 1011 Engman St., in North Greenwood.
The building was built in 1955 and has been an important part of the community for more than 60 years. The city is seeking input on ideas to commemorate its historic impact on the community. The demolition is proposed as the building is dated and in need of significant repairs.
Redevelopment of the site will allow for economic opportunities along this key corridor in North Greenwood, an effort that is consistent with the community-driven North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan. The meeting will be held in accordance with federal Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requirements.
The meeting will be at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, at 900 N. MLK Jr. Ave., from 6 to 7 p.m. Those who are unable to attend the meeting, can submit questions or comments at ngreenwoodcra.com.