Would Aquarium Plan Promote Public Access to Waterfront?

Will a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility downtown help promote public access to the waterfront?

In a way, an ordinance shaping the future use of a prime downtown property implies that City Hall and its nearby property really shouldn’t be the site of an aquarium, councilmember Bill Jonson said.

“It does encourage water dependent, water-related facilities...It didn’t promote public access to the city’s waterfront," Jonson said. 

He was referencing the following paragraph in the proposed ordinance that would allow the issue of a $160 million aquarium facility on the downtown waterfront to be voted on in a special election Nov. 5:

“WHEREAS, the City of Clearwater has incorporated within its comprehensive plan, a future land use element requiring that redevelopment activities be sensitive to the City’s waterfront and promote public access to the City’s waterfront resources, and a coastal management element encouraging the preservation of recreational and commercial working waterfronts, marinas, and other water-dependent facilities”

City leaders discussed public access, setting a time frame for a property lease, the title, and other wording changes to the ordinance and referendum, which, if passed, would allow the downtown plan during a work session meeting Monday. 

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The question of "public access to the waterfront" became a philosophical topic.

While Jonson brought up removing the reference, Pam Akin, city attorney, said the paragraph is not new to the ordinance.

Some council members said the beautification and enhancements to the property would help promote public access to the waterfront area.

“The aquarium would lend itself to accomplish these goals,” Polglaze said. “It’s all about water access.”

However, Mayor George N. Cretekos countered:

“When you’re saying you are promoting public access by giving property away for a specific use, it, in effect, limits public access.”

“But the public will have access to the property,” Bill Horne, city manager said.

Cretekos replied: “For a fee.”

“It can be interpreted two different ways, which way do we want to interpret it?” Cretekos said.

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The title is changed but most of the 73 words on the ballot are the same.

Jonson, who wanted more time to read the referendum and ordinance, offered a few more changes to the ordinance after the title was changed. 

He had asked for the title change of the referendum, which now reads: “Lease of City Hall Property and Abutting City property to Clearwater Marine Aquarium.”

Jonson wanted to make sure the ordinance reflects the aquarium plan is for the benefit for all of Clearwater, not just to "facilitate downtown redevelopment."

Other leaders agreed that the section should change to more accurately reflect that the plan is to help "promote tourism and redevelopment."

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The ordinance, which contains the referendum, must be approved by the City Council by Aug. 27 to meet the Supervisor of Elections deadline for the ballot. The city charter requires resident approval of waterfront development on public land.

Aquarium officials would have to enter into a lease agreement for the land by June 2015, or the charter would revert, and the property use would stay the same.

City leaders are expected to discuss the final wording at the City Council meeting Thursday.

Related coverage:

• Aquarium Referendum Comes to Council
• Special Election for Clearwater Marine Aquarium Plan Could Cost $100K
• 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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