Clearwater to discuss North Greenwood Community Redevelopments Area Plan
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Dec 30, 2022

The city of Clearwater has begun a series of meetings to discuss the new North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area Plan.

This process is years in the making. A grassroots community effort led by the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition was created to address the needs in the North Greenwood area. In 2019, the group proposed that the city establish a CRA.

North Greenwood is a neighborhood north of downtown Clearwater. Originally it was known as “The Grove” due to its citrus orchards. The neighborhood has a mix of residential, commercial and some light industrial. Part of the Pinellas Trail also goes through the community.

A study was done to analyze the area and was approved by city council and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners in 2021. A steering committee that was comprised of residents, businesses and other North Greenwood community members took over planning efforts to “help the city guide the process,” according to a release.

Once created, a CRA acts as a district created by local governments to focus redevelopment on reducing or eliminating blight, “improve an area's economic health, and encourage public and private investment,” according to the city. The plan would address the unique needs of the neighborhood and would identify broad goals.

The plan will go before the Community Redevelopment Agency and be presented at a city council work session on Jan. 9, 2023 and go before city council on Jan. 12, 2023.