Aquarium Referendum Comes to Council

The 75 words are in.

For the last couple months, the language that determines the future use of prime waterfront property downtown has been crafted.

City leaders will discuss at a Monday work session the referendum that, if passed by residents in a special election Nov. 5, would allow an up to 60-year lease on City Hall property in order to develop a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility.

It is in the best interests of the public to allow the lease, according to the ordinance that includes the referendum language that city leaders would have to approve before it is sent to the elections office.

The city charter, which requires resident approval of waterfront development on public land, does not allow a lease to extend more than 60 years.

The referendum reads:

Lease, Development and Use of Certain City-owned Real Property in the Downtown

6 Ordinance No. 8418-13

Shall the Clearwater City Charter be amended by adding Section 2.01(d)(8) to allow the City to negotiate and enter into a lease with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Inc. for the construction, operation and maintenance of an aquarium on City owned property, located west of Osceola Avenue, east of the unimproved Pierce Boulevard rightof- way, north of Pierce Street and south of Cleveland St., for a 60 year term all as described in Ordinance 8418-13?

Yes _____

No ____

Aquarium officials are hoping to move resident movie star Winter the dolphin to an expanded facility to fulfill visitor expectations of an anticipated two million people annually.

The three-story building would not be taller than the existing City Hall and would have learning centers, a 2D and 4D movie theater and gift shops, a 2.5 million-gallon main dolphin pool and stadium and a two-story coral reef.

If the project gets approval, aquarium officials expect to fundraise and bankroll about $100 million of the cost, leaving an estimated $60 million to come from government sources. That could be from the state, county and city.

If approved, aquarium officials plan to open in April 2017.

If you go:

What: Clearwater City Council work session meeting

When: 1 p.m. Monday, May 13

Where: City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave

Watch online: http://clearwater.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=25

Related coverage:

• City Hall Move for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Could Cost $7.5 Million
• Florida Aquarium Official Warns Clearwater: Look Closely at the Numbers
• Poll: Would You Support $160 Million Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan for City Hall?
• $160 Million Aquarium Plan Needs Clearwater Voter Support First
• Expanded Clearwater Marine Aquarium Could Bring Two Million People Downtown
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plans Could Bring Changes to Coachman Park
• What Clearwater’s Saying: Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s $160 Million Expansion
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Eyes City Hall for $160 Million Expansion
• Downtown Neighbors Track Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Visitor Impact

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