Clearwater, FL, 28 July 2006 – Last Wednesday night the Clearwater Downtown Partnership (CDP) held their first Retail Planning Session along with a reception for their members and newly formed Advisory Board at Water’s Edge Sales Office in Downtown Clearwater.
The retail discussion was led by developer and retail consultant, John Simon, formerly of the Taubman Company, who while at Taubman created the retail mix for International Plaza and Mall of the Millennia. Among the 25+ attendees were the Mayor of Clearwater, the City Manager and the Director Assistant City Manager for Economic Development along with Sarasota Commissioner Mary Anne Servian.
The Advisory Board is the CDP’s latest effort to bring together community leaders to address downtown issues, specially a strategy for downtown retail. The invitation to a position on the CDP’s Advisory Board has been accepted by leaders in the Clearwater business and professional community, and local government. The role of the Advisory Board will be to offer their professional expertise and guidance to the Partnership and assist the Partnership in achieving its mission.
The Advisory Board members are: Dave Allbritton, DDB Chair; Michelle Bain, Bank of America; Joe Burdette, Consus Group; Thomas Coates, Triangle Architect; Beth Coleman, Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce; Stanton Englander, In-Site Real Estate; Mayor Frank Hibbard; Assistant City Manager Economic Development Rod Irwin; Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala; David Little, ReMax; Jennifer Olson, Business Development Manager Pinellas County Economic Development; Attorney Peter Rivellini; Dan Sefair, Mize & Sefair Developments; Don Shea, President & CEO St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership; Laura St. Claire, Colliers Arnold; Bill West, Opus South; and Craig West, Signature Bank.
“The Clearwater Downtown Partnership is all about paving the way by educating those that care about the future of Downtown Clearwater and providing the persons and groups most qualified to help us and give us the best guidance along the way,” said CDP Chair Dwight Matheny, “and we intend to see that Clearwater becomes Tampa Bay’s New Destination.”
The event was sponsored by Water’s Edge and the Clearwater Downtown Partnership. The reception following the event was catered by a local business owner, Tracy Barrett of Fish Lips.
About the CDP:
The Clearwater Downtown Partnership is an independent voice of citizens, business, and property owners who are interested in supporting the economic vitality of Downtown Clearwater. It brings stakeholders together to develop, advocate and implement policies that build an exciting, vibrant and diverse downtown, and plays an essential role in keeping the business and residential community educated, informed and involved in the continued success of the downtown. Membership donations will go directly towards projects that will create tangible result in downtown. For more information or to become a member, visit www.clwdp.org