🌱 Updated Main Street Project + School Board Limits Comments

Happy Tuesday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 84 Low: 72.

Attention, financial planners and advisors — we're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building their client base in Dunedin. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Dunedin:

1. The Main Street Gateway project faces more delays after remaining stagnant for about 15 months. The project focuses on building 90 apartment units, a boutique hotel, a food court, restaurants, and retail shops on the 4.3 acres of vacant space that the city bought in 2004 for $2.1 million. Developer Joseph Kokolakis said the pandemic delayed the start of the project and now the city’s Land Development Code regulations that require a new set of hearings for even small changes are delaying things further. The development agreement between the city and developer expires in just three months, but Commissioners unanimously approved the city manager’s request to negotiate a revised site plan agreement. The mayor told staff this is a top priority. (TBN Weekly)
2. Jan Heylen, a Dunedin resident and race car driver who won the 24 Hours of Daytona last month, seems to have found the perfect location for his bike shop. Opened six years ago, Kafe Racer is right along the Pinellas Trail in downtown Dunedin. "I was looking for something else to do outside of my racing career,” Heylen said. "At that time, I was a cycling fanatic." Heylen also mentioned that the country where he was born, Belgium, was a bicycling hotbed, but he never considered owning a bike shop. He eventually spoke to the owner of The Dunedin Cyclery and purchased the store from them. The Kafe Racer offers bicycle sales, rentals, repairs, and tune-ups. Read the full article to learn about the store's history. (TBN Weekly)
3. The Pinellas School Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday at 10:00 AM to vote on putting more limitations on comments at public meetings. Discussions began amid concerns that lengthy and often heated speeches about issues such as masks and classroom lessons interfere with regular district business. The recommendations would grant the board chairperson greater authority to cut off speakers making “harassing” comments or interrupting the “expeditious or orderly process” of the meeting. It also would stress that speakers may not use their time at the lectern to advertise goods, services, political candidates, or political parties. Read the full article to learn more about these changes. (Tampa Bay Times)

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Today in Dunedin:

• NY Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark (1:00 PM)
• Leadership Pinellas Recruitment Event at Bon Appetit (5:30 PM)
• Live Music with Matt Plaisted at The Smokehouse (6:00 PM)
• Friends of the Hammock Annual Meeting in Hammock Park (6:30 PM)
• Dunedin Toastmasters meeting at Unity Community Church (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off the season with a win on Sunday. Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski threw out the first pitch, and Katie Ducharme sang both anthems. (Facebook)
• Have you met Nina yet? She's the co-owner of Mangos and Marley: A Coastal Cafe, along with her husband serving delicious key-west-inspired food. Nina shared her story of resilience and how the restaurant came to be in an episode of Made in Dunedin. Click the links to watch the video now. (Facebook | Youtube)
• The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Public Records Processing Unit is searching for individuals with great prioritization and time management skills to join their team. If you have experience dealing with public records law or a related field and have an AA degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or a similar area, consider applying now. (Facebook | PCSO Careers)
• Reminder: The City of Dunedin's free monthly support group meetings are open to those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers, family members, and loved ones. Meetings are held on the third Monday of every month at 1:00 PM in the Hale Senior Activity Center. Take the opportunity to socialize with others in a non-judgmental and encouraging atmosphere, and learn useful physical, occupational, and speech exercises. For more information call (727) 298-3299. (Facebook | Dunedin Gov)
• The City of Dunedin continues to spotlight local women in honor of Women's History Month. Meet JoAnne Fell, the executive director for Dunedin Cares, Inc. Dunedin Cares is a Client-Choice Pantry where guests can choose their food, creating an atmosphere of respect, building trust between clients, staff, and volunteers. Read more about Fell's experience volunteering for Dunedin Cares and why she loves our city online. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!