Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting - January 22, 2026
Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting - January 22, 2026
The Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a regular meeting on January 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM at City Hall. Chair Maureen "Moe" Freaney presided, with members Tom Dugard, Jeff Gow, and Steven Sandbergen present; Robert Walker was excused. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, a report from the CRA Advisory Committee Chair, and a comprehensive Director's Report on downtown projects. No citizen input was offered.
Public Comments & Testimony
No members of the public spoke during the citizen input period for non-agenda items.
Discussion Items
Advisory Committee Chair Report CRA Advisory Committee Chair Alan McHale reported that the Committee had met twice since November 2025. He noted excitement about several downtown projects, including the Main Street Exchange and the associated parking garage, which is expected to help solve parking issues and create jobs. An ongoing concern across communities is the growth of e-bike usage; McHale expressed hope for clearer legislation within 12 months. He also introduced the new owners of Tiki Rides, who plan to nurture and grow the business. No negative developments were reported.
Community Redevelopment Agency Director's Report Director Bob Ironsmith provided a detailed update on multiple projects:
- Skinner Boulevard: The road is open with a roundabout functioning well, slowing traffic. Dunedin achieved the first golf cart crossing on a roundabout in Florida (pending signage). Easements for underground utilities are being obtained from property owners; most have agreed, but one holdout could result in two wooden poles remaining. Duke Energy is installing conduit, expected completion by April/May. Landscaping is planned for summer completion by end of year, with a maintenance agreement with FDOT. Two decorative bus shelters are planned with PSTA contributing half. Skinner now carries about 11,800 to 12,000 trips per day with only one accident reported.
- Mid-Term Review: The CRA successfully obtained Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approval for a mid-term performance review. Because the CRA took on debt for property purchase, the County cannot reduce the TIF schedule to 2033.
- Downtown Parking Garage: Plans require an amendment to the interlocal agreement with the County to allow the CRA to take on approximately $6.8 million in additional debt (current available balance ~$2.48 million). Ironsmith emphasized the City is not seeking more money, time, or guarantees—only a "co-signature" to borrow more.
- Old City Hall: The City Commission will consider restrooms and park naming later that evening.
- Main Street Exchange: Approved by the Local Planning Agency, coming to City Commission in February. The developer's ~$40 million investment includes an 89-room boutique hotel, food hall, culinary kiosks, and retail.
- First United Methodist Church: Still exploring an outparcel; no new updates. The site is 0.83 acres but may be smaller if the church retains two buildings.
- Trailside At Main (behind Casa Tina): Staff is working with the owner on a restaurant and other aspects.
- Other properties: The former Mike's Automotive site remains a concern; two potential buyers could not acquire it. The Gateway property owner (Mr. Kokolakis) is waiting to see Main Street Exchange progress. The Rock House project changed design and faces parking requirements on city right-of-way, which cannot be allowed. Norton's brewery expansion is on hold with no confirmed reason.
Board members asked questions about traffic enforcement, roundabout safety, undergrounding easements, and the vision for Skinner's north side. Ironsmith advocated for mixed-use, three-story maximum development there. Commissioner Gow noted the golf cart crossing at Douglas may be east of the main activity area and asked about a crossing at Highland, but FDOT only approved crossings at Douglas and Bass.
Recognition Director Ironsmith recognized Economic Development Specialist Carolyn Homer for earning the Florida Redevelopment Association Redevelopment Professional certificate, noting the City's investment in staff development. She will be formally recognized at the FRA Annual Conference on October 22, 2026, in Charlotte Harbor.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to excuse Member Walker's absence – Motion by Sandbergen, second by Gow; carried 4-0.
- Approval of November 20, 2025 CRA minutes – Motion by Dugard, second by Gow; carried 4-0.
- The Advisory Committee Report and Director's Report were received and discussed; no formal votes were taken on these items.
- The meeting adjourned at 5:14 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Seeing no one, I will close uh citizen input. Um I was gonna say seeing no one, period, but yeah, just about. Uh okay. So next one is draft minutes from the twenty uh November twentieth, twenty twenty-five, community redevelopment agencies. First of all, are there any changes? Okay, no changes, hearing none. Uh if I could have a motion to approve the minutes. So moved. Second. Okay. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Okay. Community redevelopment agency advisory committee chair report. Um and this will be given by none other than the chair, Alan McHale. Um it's your mic. It is. There we go. Good afternoon, Mayor, Commissioners, City staff. Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I hope you're all escaping the sicknesses that are going around today. Um CRA Advisory Committee uh have had two meetings, I think, since our last uh get together here. That was in November and in January. And on both occasions we heard uh on multiple projects that are going on in the downtown area. Um for the most part the committee is extremely excited at the progress being made uh in the downtown area with no major concerns. A lot of excitement around the main street exchange project, including the new parking garage, which will solve some of the platform issues, but also create more jobs in the downtown area. So a lot of excitement around that. Um age old problem keeps coming up at each of our meetings, like many other people were still concerned about the growth of e-bike usage in and around the downtown area. But listening to the sheriff on Friday at the DCO meeting, it's clear that many other communities are sharing our concern. So hopefully his desire to have um better and more cle clear legislation in the next twelve months will help him and everyone else get a handle on the issue. Um at our last meeting, we were introduced to the new owners of the Tiki Rides business, Shannon and Jonathan, and they gave us assurances that the business that they've taken over will be nurtured and they'll help it grow, and they're very keen to to keep it going in the downtown, so that's good as well. Both meetings were over relatively quickly with no dissension. Um there's nothing negative to report from our perspective as a committee. Cool. Um anybody have any questions for the chair? Uh starting over here, uh Commissioner Gow. Uh no, I'm good. Commissioner Dugar? Commissioner Samberg. Um I don't have anything either, but a great report. I guess it was so thorough, we just don't have anything. So all good. But thank you. Thanks for all you do. I'll take it as a compliment, but thank you very much, and good luck to each of you. And continue that good work at Scottish American, too.
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