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Outdoor Seating Next Phase Of Dunedin Redevelopment

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: June 7, 2008

DUNEDIN - If Dunedin economic development experts have their way, there will be no lack of scenic places to sit and relax downtown.

Bob Ironsmith, economic development director, said there are "exciting plans in the works" to include clusters of quaint outdoor seating areas along Main Street.

Outdoor seating, like decorative signs, old-fashioned lighting, and bricked crosswalks, are part of creating a downtown ambiance that will attract visitors, he said.

One project that economic development is actively working on involves creating a landscaped, bricked, outdoor patio with a cluster of seats, highlighted by a small decorative fountain, at the eastern entrance to Main Street adjacent to Bellini's restaurant. Bellini's agreed to maintain the seating area, Ironsmith said. The city is looking for a corporate or individual sponsor willing to defray the cost of the fountain. Plans are to have the project completed by September.

When the Gateway retail office project is completed, a few blocks to the east at Main Street and S.R. 580, the patio and fountain feature will tie in nicely with the newly redeveloped area, he said. Tentative plans include construction 12 retail shops, with townhouse apartments above, on property leased by the city for downtown parking, Ironsmith said.

It is nice to see economic development projects proposed and moving forward in Dunedin, while the downtown in other cities are stagnating, he said. All projects that are still in the formative stages have to be approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency, Local Planning Agency and City Commission before coming to fruition.

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