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Home Media SEVERAL DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER AREA Several major development and redevelopment projects are planned for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. Here is a brief roundup. For visitor inquiries, call toll-free 1-877-FL-BEACH (352-3224). 1. Brooker Creek To Feature Environmental Education Center: Brooker Creek Preserve, an 8,000-acre site near Tarpon Springs, is becoming one of Florida’s leading natural attractions. Included in the $40 million project are a series of nature trails and boardwalks enabling visitors to enjoy the wildlife, and native and migratory birds while protecting the fragile ecosystem. Also included will be a $6 million environmental education center to be completed by October 2002. 727-943-4000 2. Native American Cultural Center Planned: Weedon Island, a 1,500-acre nature preserve near St. Petersburg, will be home to a Native American Cultural Center set to open in 2000. Working with the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of the American Indian (Washington, DC), Pinellas County will build a multi-million dollar center focusing on the Native American communities who inhabited this site from 10,000 BC to 1200 AD. 727-217-7208 3. Museum of Art To Open; Botanical Gardens On The Way: The Gulf Coast Museum of Art opens this September in Largo. It will contain permanent and traveling collections as well as studios enabling visitors to work with artists in various media. A second phase doubling the size of the 22,000 sq. ft. facility will open in spring 2000 along with the opening of the first phase of the Florida Botanical Gardens. The total 150-acre project called Pinewood Cultural Park will combine a cultural, historic and botanical experience at a single destination. The Museum features five galleries, six studios, a 100-seat teaching auditorium and classroom buildings for painting, photography, metalsmithing and ceramics. The 18 distinct gardens will be Florida’s largest and will include a botanical learning center. The Museum and Gardens will be adjacent to Heritage Village, the area’s doorway to the past with 22 historic structures. All attractions will be free. 727-582-2100 4. Clearwater Plans $85 Million In Renovations: The City of Clearwater has $85 million in renovation and redevelopments planned for public areas throughout the beach community. Projects include a new entrance to Clearwater Beach featuring an elaborate roundabout, new four-story parking garages at the heart of the beach area and a new causeway connecting the beach with the mainland. Construction has already begun and will continue through 2002. 727-462-6596. 5. BayWalk Complex To Open: Adding momentum to a revitalization of downtown St. Petersburg, the city has unveiled a $40-million project to build an entertainment complex called “BayWalk.” The complex will be surrounded by dozens of retail shops. A 150,000 sq. ft. open-air, Mediterranean Revival themed plaza in downtown St. Petersburg, BayWalk will be anchored by a 4,200-seat, 20-screen Muvico Theater complex featuring stadium seating in all theaters. Opening in fall 2000, BayWalk will feature Gap, Gap Kids, Brainfood, Johnny Rockets and other retail outlets. 727-384-6000. 6. Town Center Will Recreate Old Barcelona: The $140 million Carillon Town Center will feature fine dining, exclusive shops, a 20-screen movie megaplex and four-star hotel. This upscale mixed-use development will recreate the beauty and romance in the plazas of old Barcelona allowing people to live, work and play in the same vicinity. The 1 million sq. ft. complex will offer entertainment venues, offices and apartments in an existing corporate park located in the Gateway area of north St. Petersburg. 7. Recreational Trail To Open: The “Old” Gandy Bridge spanning Tampa Bay north of St. Petersburg is undergoing a $7 million transformation into a recreational park called the Friendship TrailBridge. Debuting Dec. 11, the 13,770.5-foot (2.6-mile) trail will be the longest over-the-water recreation trail in the United States. The Friendship Trail will be an operational trail for all types of non-motorized activities including biking, walking, running, roller-blading and fishing. 813-289-4400 8. John’s Pass Village Adds Improvements: A $3.6 million project will begin in November to widen sidewalks, create new crosswalks and parking spaces in the quaint shopping district which overlooks “fish famous” John’s Pass. The Village is home to a large commercial and charter fishing fleet as well as art galleries, restaurants, boutiques. The rustic boardwalk provides a scenic view of the waterfront. Plans call for the project to be completed by January 2000. 727-595-4575 ACCOMMODATION PROJECTS The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area offers more than 30,000 rooms priced to fit any budget, and new Marriott Extended Stays, Candlewoods and Fairfields are on the way.
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
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