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Tarpon Quickly Molding Economic Development Plan
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Published: January 31, 2009
TARPON SPRINGS - The city is proceeding at a rapid pace with plans to foster economic redevelopment in its two main commercial centers, downtown and the Sponge Docks.
Unlike many other cities, Tarpon Springs has two commercial "main streets." The focus downtown is on arts and antiques. The Sponge Docks riverfront district features the city's Hellenic heritage.
Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris told the City Commission at its meeting Tuesday he and city's planners are committed to collaborating with the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce and business and property owners on the revitalization of both struggling commercial hubs.
"We Care, We Listen, We Help" has become the motto and rallying cry of the city as it seeks to work with local businesses, LeCouris said.
He plans to hire a general planning consultant to provide assistance and expertise on formulating the city's economic development plan, LeCouris said. The consultant will be asked to help draft land use regulation changes that will foster business development, he said.
As part of the consultant's selection process, each of the finalists will be asked to provide a test presentation on the long-term viability of the Sponge Docks as a tourist destination, LeCouris said.
The planning consultant the city retains will work on items such as special area plans for the downtown Community Redevelopment District and the Sponge Docks, according to LeCouris. In addition, the consultant could offer advice on how the north bank of the Anclote River, across from the Sponge Docks, could best be redeveloped.
Furthermore, the consultant would help the staff draft a unified sign plan that would encompass all the city's commercial areas and the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail.
Other facets of the redevelopment plan, LeCouris said, include:
•Amending the city's state-mandated comprehensive growth management plan to include a section outlining goals for promoting sustainable economic development and responsible growth.
•Giving planning staff a method to evaluate how formula-based business such as retail chain stores can best fit into the downtown.
•Changing the city's development plan to help local businesses compete with chain stores, provide ways to promote urban agriculture or community gardens and determine incentives to spark job growth.
•Continuing the city's beautification efforts, which are designed to make entrepreneurs choose Tarpon Springs.
The city has already formed a partnership with businesses at the Sponge Docks to promote the area's economic redevelopment, LeCouris noted. In addition, he has met with downtown business owners in an attempt to address their concerns.
LeCouris and business owners recently walked Tarpon Avenue to determine the best place to install 25 benches and 10 trash receptacles.
The city likely would only be able to consider allowing business owners to place roadside advertising banners along East Tarpon Avenue after it assumes jurisdiction over the road from the Florida Department of Transportation, LeCouris said.
Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.
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