Clearwater Downtown Development Board Meeting - May 4, 2026
Clearwater Downtown Development Board Meeting - May 4, 2026
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.
New Business Items
- Date Change for Florida Orchestra Symphony by the Sea Concert (ID#26-05152): The board unanimously approved moving the concert from May 8, 2026 to June 6, 2026 at the BayCare Sound. The change was requested due to a scheduling conflict with Country Thunder Florida. Mayor Richler thanked the Florida Orchestra for their flexibility.
- Location Change for Market Marie (ID#26-05202): The board unanimously approved relocating the May 9, 2026 Market Marie from Coachman Park to Cleveland Street between Fort Harrison Avenue and East Avenue. The change was necessitated by the Country Thunder festival taking place that weekend. All other event details remain unchanged.
Informational Reports
- Ukulele Festival in the District 2026 Event Report (ID#26-05212): The Atempo Ecologist Study staff presented on the March 15, 2026 Ukulele Festival. The event featured daytime activities on the 400 block and a tented concert in Coachman Park. Attendance was approximately 325, with placer AI data showing 295 attendees from 12-4 PM and 257 from 4-6 PM. Many attendees were from outside Pinellas County and visiting downtown for the first time. Presenters noted positive feedback and plans for future improvements, including moving the tent closer to stairs for accessibility and adding a morning brunch event. The board acknowledged the success and discussed the placer data methodology.
Director's Report
- CRA Executive Director Susan Nino provided the May 2026 Director's Report. She announced a special DDB meeting on May 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM to hear deliverables from the branding consultant (RBOA). A brief event recap included:
- Taste of Clearwater (April 18, 2026) at Station Square and 600 block of Cleveland Street, presented by Rotary Club of Clearwater.
- Cinco de Mayo / Taco Fest (May 3, 2026) presented by UNIMAX, which saw growing crowds.
- Upcoming events include Sharka Palooza (May 16), Symphony by the Sea (June 6), and Market Marie location change. Staff reminded the public about Country Thunder (May 8-10) and shared flyers for new businesses: Tacos El Carnal (1310 Cleveland Street) and Glazed Donuts (411 S. Myrtle Avenue, plus Drew Street location).
- Board members discussed parking plans for Country Thunder, with staff confirming coordination with city departments and free parking in garages. Expected attendance was approximately 8,000 per day, similar to the largest BayCare Sound shows.
Board Members to be Heard
- No formal comments were made under this agenda item. The board noted that meeting minutes from prior sessions would be presented at the May 18 special meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Motions Passed Unanimously: Both the date change for the Florida Orchestra concert and the location change for Market Marie were approved without opposition.
- Special Meeting Scheduled: A special DDB meeting will be held on May 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM to review branding concepts from RBOA.
- Ukulele Festival Feedback: The board received the report with appreciation and encouraged continued improvements for accessibility and community engagement.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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