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Governor spares Dunedin Gateway Project
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Published: June 12, 2008
DUNEDIN – Dunedin economic development staff can breathe a sigh of relief now that Gov. Charlie Crist has signed the state budget for fiscal 2009 with a $1.3 million appropriation for the city's planned Gateway redevelopment project intact.
The funds will be used to extend streetscaping and make infrastructure improvements along Milwaukee Avenue, which will serve as a north-south connection through the proposed Gateway commercial center from Main Street to S.R. 580.
The money from Tallahassee will also be utilized to make additional infrastructure, street and parking improvements for the Gateway project.
The Gateway, a mix of retail and office space at the eastern entrance to downtown, is being developed by Ohio-based Pizzuti Solutions.
In a joint news release issued Thursday afternoon by state Rep. Tom Anderson, D-Dunedin, and state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, Anderson is quoted as saying the Gateway will provide a boost to the revitalization of downtown Dunedin.
Fasano, who with Anderson co-sponsored the Gateway appropriation legislation, said the $1.3 million will provide an important economic boost to the city. It will create jobs and serve to redevelop this area of downtown, Fasano predicted.
Having the Gateway appropriation survive the governor's budget review is "marvelous news," the city's economic development director, Bob Ironsmith, said. The project will create jobs and add to the economic redevelopment of a section of downtown that has been largely unchanged for 20 years, he said.
Pizzuti Solutions representatives recently told city officials the company will buy the land for the Gateway project and construct it in two phases.
Construction on the first phase will begin April 2009 and be completed in 2011. The second phase will get under way by no later than 2011.
The second phase start could come earlier, if economic conditions improve, Pizzuti has said.
Pizzuti is buying the Gateway land from the city.
Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com
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