Florida Aquarium Official Warns Clearwater: Look Closely at the Numbers

What did Doug Montgomery have to say to city leaders regarding the $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium plans for downtown?

Montgomery, chairman of the Florida Aquarium, was cut short by Mayor George N. Cretekos while giving a presentation that criticized Clearwater Marine Aquarium visitor and cost projections during a public hearing March 6 about the $160 million plan to redevelop the waterfront.

Montgomery said Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials' presentation is similar to one pitched to Tampa city leaders almost 20 years ago. In it, the Florida Aquarium was expected to bring in 1.8 million visitors. Its 150,000-square-foot facility would be built for about $50 million.

“All very economic but when reality hit, never got to a million, costs doubled, and the city was left with $84 million in bonds,” he said.

The presentation, and warning, was unwanted during the public comment section of the city council meeting after leaders listened to aquarium officials pitch the $160 million plan to lease and redevelop City Hall.

Supporters came up one by one voicing their enthusiasm for the plans. Then Montgomery came to the dais.

Cretekos stopped him shortly into his comments.

“I'm going to interrupt you for a second because as I explained earlier, our discussion tonight is not on the financing of the aquarium. Our discussion tonight is whether we should go forward with the referendum question. I explained that to our citizens and those in attendance before. And I asked them to stick to that subject. With all due respect, sir, I would ask you to stick to that same subject.”

Montgomery countered:

“Actually, Mr. Mayor, the information that I have really is talking about the numbers relative to the attendance projections, relative to the cost, relative to other aquariums like the Georgia aquariums, what they constructed.”

After asking city attorney Pam Akin her thoughts on allowing Montgomery to proceed with his presentation, which compared aquarium visitor numbers and costs for construction of facilities across the country:

“That's up to you. You are discussing the proposal of the things they have tasked you to do and they had I believe five items they've asked you to give direction on. All of these things will come back to you at another time. The memorandum, the question, they will all be back at least one public hearing for each of those.”

Cretekos outlined the topic for Montgomery to talk about regarding the plan.

“In all fairness, sir, I did ask that everybody keep their comments to the subject at hand. Subject at hand is whether or not we should go forward with the referendum.”

Montogomery replied: “One question. You're going to instruct the staff to review the economics and go into the details of the proposal?”

Later Montgomery said: “The situation in Tampa was, we have had a very similar experience and we felt it was important to express that and to talk about the feasibility of what's being presented. And that's why I'm here. If that would not be helpful to the council, then I will step away.”

Cretekos later continued:

“I'm not saying it's not valuable. I believe the aquarium has even said they're going to conduct the feasibility study from an independent source. It's just that before we started, and I didn't realize Mr. Montgomery was out here, because I did not get a call from the Florida Aquarium indicating that they wanted to speak. I announced that I wanted the conversations to stay on the subject. And so, that is why I interrupted him, because I did not sense from the handout that he had provided that he was talking about the information that I had requested our residents to speak on. Now, if he will — if he will address his comments as it might pertain to the memorandum of understanding, then he can go forth, but if he's going to claim it's going to cost the citizens of Clearwater $300 million when they told us they're not going to ask us for any general revenue funds, then I'm not sure what point he's trying to make.”

Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

Montgomery's presentation challenged Clearwater Marine Aquarium visitor projections and financing plans.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials say they have unparalleled awareness because of Winter the dolphin and the movie franchise which already has spawned multiple books. They said they can expect potentially two million visitors to downtown with an expanded facility.

Montgomery does not see the aquarium expansion as a bite into its share of the tourism pie.

“We compete every day with every attraction, and it is a nice challenge, and the staff takes it on very well,” he said. “In my business career it’s been competition all the time.”

Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials have said they would seek an estimated $35 to $60 million in financing from government sources, saying state, county and city tax revenue sources could help pay a chunk. They plan to raise $100 million through fundraising efforts.

Montgomery said he came to City Hall to help.

Montgomery said he went to the workshop meeting and heard the presentation March 5 during a work session meeting but felt the appropriate time to talk would be during the following night, when the public is given a chance to talk about council items.

He said he was surprised by Cretekos' response.

“This is the type of work I do during my day job,” Montgomery said, who also works at Mosaic. “It’s pretty natural for me to challenge numbers. It’s certainly not to enter into a conversation of right vs. wrong.”

As far as taking Cretekos' offer of another chance to give the presentation?

“Absolutely, that was the intent, and if there’s a better more appropriate forum we’ll be glad to do that.”

Related coverage:

• 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
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium Opens Downtown Attraction
• Experience A Hurricane at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• See Winter the Dolphin by Water Ferry
• Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure Looks to Grow
• Winter’s ‘Dolphin Tale’ Could Net $5 Billion for Clearwater Area
• Coachman Park Committee Cool With Aquarium Plan for Harborview Center
• Pickles Plus Deal Sours