The Clearwater Downtown Development Board met on May 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers. The board approved two agenda items related to event changes due to the Country Thunder music festival, received an informational report on the 2026 Ukulele Festival, and reviewed the Director's Report covering recent and upcoming events.
I took her to the airport this morning at 3 30. So she's coming around. No. Oh, okay. She really doesn't like it. This time we'll call to order the May 4, 2026 meeting of the City of Clearwater Downtown Development Board. This time we'll move to item two point one on the agenda. Approve a date to uh date change to June 6, 2026 for the Florida Orchestra Symphony by the C concert. Good afternoon. Brian Albricks, CRA coordinator for the record, Chair, members of the board. This item is to approve a date change to June 6th for the previously awarded high impact grant awarded to the Florida Orchestra for a symphony by the sea. Uh Baker Sound. The event was originally scheduled for May 8th, but due to a scheduling conflict with Country Thunder Florida, there's been a request to change. The new date remains within the current fiscal year and complies with current grant requirements. Correction. Okay. If not, is there any more discussion? Councilmanino. Mayor, thank you. Just wanted to um thank the Florida Orchestra Symphony for their flexibility and any inconvenience on moving their date. It's uh it's appreciated, and uh look forward to June 6th. Thank you. Okay, any further board discussion? If not, is there a motion? Move to approve agenda 2.1. Second. All those in favor? Opposed nanos. Thank you. Good afternoon, board. Marilyn Brown CRA specialist. This item is a request to approve the location change for May 9th, 2026, Margaret Marie event. Per the DDB agreement, Market Marie was approved for a high impact special event grant to host its monthly market at Coachman Park. Any changes require board approval. Due to Country Thunder music festival taking place that weekend, special event staff has worked with Market Marie to relocate the May 9th event Cleveland Street to Cleveland Street from Fort Harrison Avenue to East Avenue. All other event details remain the same. The market continues to be free, open to the public, and consistent in scope. If not, it's through a motion. Second. All those in favor? Opposed, unanimous. The event took place on March 15th, 2026. This is an informational item, and the Atempo Ecologist Study staff is here to present. We're very proud to have been in a small but an early contributor to things that are happening in the downtown, and obviously we uh want to continue to do that. At the urging a couple of years ago of uh Chris Cook, uh he suggested we think about using the green in the park, which we did this year. So between having the early part of the day, 12 to 3 up on the 400 block, and then the uh the large tent in the park. We kind of were able to join both the the downtown with the with the park, two of the we think the most salient features. Uh we did a lot of uh of new things this year. Uh firsts, if you might one first I have to point out is when I talked to Vicky about two weeks ago, she said it's always good to hear your voice. I can assure you that's the first time in my 80 years that I've ever that I've ever heard that.