Pinellas County announced today that developers have until midnight to submit their visions for nearly 25 acres of county‑owned land in downtown Clearwater. The deadline marks the first step in a multi‑year process that could reshape the city’s core and bring new housing, retail, hospitality and civic spaces to the area.
How the process works
In June the county issued a Request for Negotiations (RFN) covering 17 properties, 34 parcels and about 24.5 acres. Unlike a traditional Request for Proposals, an RFN lets officials review initial concepts before locking in development terms, giving them flexibility to negotiate with the most qualified candidates and to consider the parcels as a cohesive district.
The county has hired commercial‑real‑estate firm CBRE Inc. to help structure and evaluate the submissions. County Administrator Barry Burton said the scale of the project required outside expertise to ensure the county can vet prospective developers and craft a deal that meets its goals.
What the county hopes to achieve
Officials are looking for a master developer capable of delivering a mixed‑use district that includes residential units, commercial space, retail, hospitality, civic facilities and public gathering areas. The county also identified marine, technology and creative industries as target sectors, aiming to diversify an economy long anchored by tourism.
The ultimate goal is to bring more residents, businesses and year‑round activity to downtown Clearwater, creating a vibrant, walkable community that connects the waterfront, the beach and existing commercial corridors.
Timeline and next steps
Submitted proposals will remain confidential while the county conducts an initial review in October. Qualified developers will then enter term‑sheet negotiations in November, a process expected to run through January 2027.
Commissioners plan to select a developer in April 2027. Negotiations on legal agreements would continue from roughly May through November, with final commission approval anticipated by December. After a developer is chosen, the county expects another 12 to 24 months of work for environmental assessments, title searches, infrastructure analysis, zoning, design, permitting and other public approvals.
Financial and fiscal impact
The redevelopment is tied to the county’s broader plan to relocate its downtown government complex to a new campus near Ulmerton Road and Icot Boulevard. The county purchased 21 acres at 13600 Icot Blvd. for $33 million in 2023 and expects the new government center to be completed in 2029, saving more than $150 million over 50 years compared with renovating the existing downtown facilities.
Proceeds from the downtown properties are expected to reduce borrowing needs for the new government complex, and moving the parcels from public to private ownership will place currently tax‑exempt land onto the city and county tax rolls.
Community context
The project builds on recent investments that have already begun reshaping downtown Clearwater, such as the revitalization of Coachman Park and streetscape improvements along Osceola Avenue. County and city leaders have emphasized pedestrian connections between downtown, the waterfront, Clearwater Beach and existing commercial corridors, reinforcing a vision of a more walkable, livable city center.
While the initial proposals will not be publicly released until the county’s confidential evaluation period ends, officials say the process is designed to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility and alignment with community goals.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
