Clearwater takes second shot at library makeover

Clearwater takes second shot at library makeover

Mark Schantz, Beacon Media

Mon, January 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC

4 min read

The city of Clearwater has invited museums, planetariums or performing arts institutions to partner with the city in transforming any portion, including the majority of the Clearwater Main Library, into a destination experience for Tampa Bay area residents and visitors.

The Clearwater City Council, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, has approved a redesigned marketing strategy to transform the Clearwater Main Library into a cultural and arts hub.

The project, which failed to attract viable proposals in its first attempt last year, will receive a more targeted approach with professional marketing support, CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino told the council in December.

Staff estimates the marketing effort will cost $100,000 to $140,000, depending on needs: $25,000 to $35,000 for a marketing consultant, $40,000 to $50,000 for public relations, $30,000 to $40,000 for a brokerage firm to handle leasing, and $10,000 to $15,000 for community engagement.

Nino said costs could be lower “if we value-engineered the project as much as possible.”

The CRA launched its first call for development concepts in late 2024 to repurpose part of the main library. Library trustees have since told staff the building’s full 90,000 square feet near Coachman Park may be available for redevelopment.

During the first solicitation, staff reached 245 contacts and received six applications, but the council advanced none of them. Staff identified several shortcomings: marketing clarity, follow-up consistency, relationship tracking and engagement strategies.

The analysis found that cultural partners typically need up to nine months’ advance notice to consider a proposal and may need six months to 2½ years to plan and open an exhibit. Nino estimates proposals would be reviewed in late 2026.

The updated strategy will include clearer messaging, more consistent outreach, strategic engagement with targeted institutions, better connections with cultural organizations and improved lead tracking, Nino said.

“The Clearwater Main Library is underutilized and presents a significant opportunity for reimagining,” he said. “Repurposing it into a cultural hub presents a transformative opportunity to enhance downtown vibrancy, support local businesses and align with CRA redevelopment goals.”

Under the city charter, the library property may be leased but not sold. Permissible uses include art galleries, cafes, restaurants and compatible cultural purposes. Nonpermissible uses, such as a hotel, would require a voter-approved charter amendment.

Vice Mayor Lina Teixeira, the council liaison on the project, said monthly meetings keep her updated on progress. She emphasized the importance of “identifying the correct person for that institution and the best way to communicate with them,” rather than relying on general contact information.

Nino acknowledged that during the first attempt, the city lacked specific information about decision-makers at cultural institutions.

Council member Mike Mannino said he supports the “dream big, go big” approach but questioned the timing.

“If I had a hesitation, my only hesitation would be the timing of this,” he said. “We’re diving back in so quick, I just have a little hesitation that if this was just paused briefly, you might have an easier time selling it.”

Still, Mannino praised staff for analyzing the first attempt’s shortcomings.

Council member David Albritton said concerns from the first round have been addressed.

“There’s enough that’s going to be happening after the first of the year,” he said. “My only concern was giving them enough time to put something together to come to us, instead of rushing it. I think the timeline is good this time.”

Mayor Bruce Rector urged the community to “think big and think bigger than what we yielded from the last RFP (request for proposals) response.”

He expressed concerns about timing, noting that some potential applicants said they didn’t have enough time to respond during the first round.

“My only concern is that maybe in this case we need to kind of till the ground before we put it out again,” Rector said, adding that nothing prevents the city from marketing the project and cultivating interest before formally reissuing the call for proposals.

“What I really want to see us get is something here that you can’t find anywhere else in Tampa Bay,” the mayor said. “Something so unique that we are the draw. We owe it to our citizens to think really big and find something that’s really unique.”

Teixeira said she would support extending the deadline if needed. “If they understand there is plenty of time, there will be more interest,” she said.

Albritton agreed: “If we’re looking to get some really big plans here, let’s give them a chance to really come back with some really great plans, and not be rushed.”

Nino said marketing can begin on the reissued call for development concepts, with a proposal review planned for late 2026. The deadline will be adjusted and announced this year.

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