Downtown Clearwater Set for Major Redevelopment Wave

Downtown Clearwater Set for Major Redevelopment Wave

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Downtown Clearwater is bracing for its most ambitious wave of development in decades, with new construction projects set to reshape the city’s urban core — bringing new housing, transportation upgrades and modern amenities alongside the revitalized Coachman Park.

A city announcement confirms construction will begin on multiple major developments, including:

• A 10-story hotel with retail and parking
• A 28-story apartment tower with waterfront views
• Two new public parking garages
• A complete overhaul of Osceola Avenue
• Continued civic campus improvements and a new transit hub

City officials say the investments are timed to support the surging visitor activity that followed Coachman Park’s $84 million transformation.

Since reopening in 2023, the venue has hosted over 100 concerts and welcomed 336,500 attendees to BayCare Sound — a spike that has energized local businesses and driven demand for lodging, parking and transit.

City Hall Redevelopment Underway

The new Clearwater City Hall at 200 S. Myrtle Avenue is part of a $31.6 million civic campus update. The two-story, 40,000-square-foot building began construction in 2024 and is designed to improve operational efficiency and public access, with phased move-ins happening August–September 2026.

A New Downtown Transit Gateway

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s Clearwater Station broke ground in August. Replacing the outdated Park Street Terminal, the new multimodal hub will support regional ridership growth with features such as:

• Electric vehicle charging ports
• Secure bike racks
• Enhanced safety and accessibility

Opening is expected in early 2027.

Harborview Hotel: New Hospitality Energy

Located near the iconic waterfront, the 158-room Harborview Hotel will feature:

• Ground-floor retail
• A dedicated parking garage
• A rooftop bar overlooking the marina and park

Construction is set to begin shortly and will take 21 months to complete — adding badly needed lodging capacity for event visitors.

Major Parking Expansion

A 397-space garage will soon rise at Pierce Street and Osceola Avenue, another key piece of the redevelopment strategy. It will include EV charging and is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

Bluff Apartment Development: New Skyline Landmark

Slated to begin construction in January 2026, this 28-story mixed-use tower will stand at the former City Hall site:

• 400 rental units
• 10,000 sq. ft. of retail
• Underground parking
• Direct access to waterfront amenities

Completion is planned for April 2028, marking a major residential milestone for the urban core.

Streetscape Transformation on Osceola Avenue

A major infrastructure overhaul will start early 2026 from Court Street to Drew Street, featuring:

UpgradeResultNew stormwater system & pipesBetter flood control10-ft sidewalks & crosswalksImproved walkability/safetyNew lighting & landscapingA more inviting streetscapeOn-street parkingAdded accessibility for local businesses

The improved corridor is expected to open in early 2027.

Drivers Take Note

Traffic patterns are already shifting. Southbound lanes on North Osceola Avenue have been rerouted to share the northbound lane south of Drew Street as preparation work begins.

A Downtown Revived

City leaders describe the effort as a turning point — turning the energy from Coachman Park into long-term urban vibrancy.

Together, these projects are expected to:

• Draw new residents and visitors
• Boost local retail and hospitality revenue
• Support long-term transit and mobility needs
• Modernize civic and public spaces

With cranes rising and roadwork underway, downtown Clearwater is officially entering a new era of growth.

Originally reported by Alaina Papazian in WFLA.