Merchants Hopeful for Stalled Causeway Apartment Plan

Manny Kusturiss has owned the  for more than 30 years, and he has seen a lot of changes in the community over that time.

But despite all the development that has taken place in the downtown district, he is surprised there haven’t been many attempts to revitalize the Dunedin Causeway area — at least none that have been successful. 

That’s why the veteran businessman was excited about the , a 26-unit luxury apartment complex at 265 Causeway Blvd., across the street from his business in Island Plaza. Gus Dames, the owner of the property at 265 Causeway Blvd., recently withdrew his project from city consideration because, under state law, it is too dense an area for 26 units.

The density restrictions raised concerns for city leaders during a March 1 meeting. Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski noticed that density restrictions were tighter in the area of Honeymoon Island than for other coastal areas in Pinellas County, and wanted to know why.

Dames, however, is retooling the plan for 16 units instead, according to a city memo. It is not clear if Dames intends to make them apartments or condominiums. 

“I think it’s a good thing. It’s going to bring more traffic to the area,” Kusturiss said. 

Merchants along the causeway almost unanimously agreed that more residents should equal more business. But they also had differing ideas of what they would like to see done with the property. 

“I think we’re ready. We need more people down here,” said Brenda Hutton, owner of  coffee shop. “But I’d like to see more beautification (of the existing buildings) once they do it. They have to take care of everything, keep it up to date.”

Kyle Everett, owner of the Good Karma Bad Mojo shop next door, is in favor of the development, as long as it doesn't come at a price.

"I'm all for it as long as they don't encroach on the bridge," he said. "Keep the development away from the road a bit.

"Anything that creates traffic and gets people to stop should be good for us ... as long as they keep the causeway as it is."

But Joe Londot, proprietor of , believes there is enough residential property in the area already; he prefered that retail and entertainment options be added to the causeway.

“I think the causeway could use more venues with entertainment value, like bars, restaurants, shops,” the man known as Captain Joe said. “They need some more life out here. This place has been dead for 30 years.”

Asked if the addition of more year-round residents would increase his business, especially in the offseason, Londot was realistic.

“We don’t need more people living down here," he said. "We need more people visiting down here.”

But one person who does live in the area — adjacent to the proposed apartment complex, actually — is fine with the addition of more residents, even if it makes getting into his home more difficult.

“It’s going to increase traffic next to our world,” said Kevin Karcher, who moved from South Tampa two years ago just to live on the causeway. “But more year-round residents will increase the revenues of the businesses.

“Overall, I think it’s a good thing.”