Mayor Hibbard then introduced the Clearwater Downtown Manager Courtney Orr who is responsible for retail recruitment and marketing. She is working with Michelle Bowen of the Washington D.C. firm Economics Research Associates (ERA) to develop a strategic retail plan based on local demographics and economic surveys The purpose is to bring to the Cleveland Street District unique and compatible restaurants and retail stores creating downtown as a unique destination with a loyal following.

Mayor Hibbard thanked everyone for their contributions to the revitalization of downtown and asked for continued help to reach the group’s remaining established goals.

Clearwater Downtown Partnership Chairman Dwight Matheny and Mayor Hibbard then presented the 2008 Momentum Awards. The nominees for “Most Improved Property” were:
Clearwater Town  Square, Ft Harrison Ave. and Turner St.
Gioffre Italian Clothing, 433 Cleveland St (South of Starbucks)
Jamba Juice building, Ft. Harrison Ave and Cleveland St.
Pangea International Café, Ft. Harrison Ave. 1 block north of Cleveland St.
Regions Bank, S. Ft. Harrison Ave and Druid Rd.
Telephone Building, Cleveland St and Garden Ave.
The winner was The Telephone Building owned and renovated by Jon and Sylvia Heneghan.

The nominees for “Individual Contribution” award were:
Geri Aranjo, Pangea Café and Downtown Development Board
Jon and Sylvia Heneghan, historic preservation of the Telephone building and Pangea Building
Josee Goudrault, Chic Realty, Just for Fun Boutique, and Downtown Development Board
Pat Luefan, Mgr. of Jim Warren Studios, Deputy Chair of Artists in Action
Stanton Englander, Insite Real Estate
Tony Starova, Tony’s Pizzeria and Restaurant

The winners were Jon and Sylvia Heneghan for the historic preservation of the Telephone Building and Pangea Building. They spent in excess of $1,000,000 to purchase and renovate the historic Telephone Building. The nominees for the “Business Sustainability” award were:
Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant, Louvon family, 415 Cleveland St
Botanica Day Spa, Gen Cournoyer, 123 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
La Bella Hair Studio, Nicole Festa, 121 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Lonni’s Sandwiches, Lonni Whitchurch, 601 Cleveland St.
One Stoppe Shoppe, Paris Morfopoulos, 411 Cleveland St.
Pickles Plus Too deli, manager Steve and Jenn Tarbox and owner Joe Benedettini, 320 Cleveland St.
Tony’s Pizzeria And Restaurant, Tony Starova, 530 Cleveland St.

The winner was Pickles Plus Too deli, manager Steve and Jenn Tarbox and owner Joe Benedettini (they persisted through street closings and construction projects).

Thanks to the contributions of many individuals, business owners, groups and city officials the future is very bright for downtown Clearwater. The Clearwater Downtown Partnership welcomes your input and help and invites you to contribute to the creation of a new downtown  Clearwater.

Would you like to be informed of and contribute to the revitalization of downtown Clearwater? You can easily do this simply by joining the Clearwater Downtown Partnership (www.clwdp.org ), a strong group of concerned citizens, businesses and property owners engaged in developing an exciting, vibrant and diverse downtown. The Clearwater Downtown Partnership is the link between the private sector and the City of
Clearwater in the revitalization of downtown. The official name of the city project area is the Downtown Plan Area that has within it the Cleveland Street District Program Area. The map of these areas can be viewed at www.myclearwater.com (search for Cleveland Street
District). By joining the CDP local citizens can multiply their strength and ensure their concerns and desires are known and addressed throughout this exciting stage of downtown development.

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