Reimagine Clearwater Main Library: A Cultural Destination

In 1911, the Clearwater Library Association opened a subscription library on the second floor of Peoples Bank on Cleveland Street. During the next few years, its use and citizen support were enough to convince the Carnegie Foundation to approve a $10,000 grant for the construction of a permanent library building. The city of Clearwater had to provide a site and promise support and maintenance. The library, situated on the corner of Drew Street and Osceola Avenue, opened to the public on Sept. 14, 1916.

Over the next two decades, the staff, collection, services and circulation grew steadily. Space was at a premium, seating was inadequate, and catalog cards were stored in cardboard boxes. The City Council approved an addition to the library building in 1939, just in time for the library to offer assistance to service members and their families stationed in the area during World War II.

By the end of the 1950s, the original Carnegie building suffered from basement flooding as well as wall and ceiling damage and a lack of parking. It could also no longer comfortably accommodate a collection that had swelled to 75,000 items. The City Council agreed to renovate the building, which was rededicated on Dec. 1, 1961.

Spurred by the population growth, the City Council approved another addition to the Main Library, which was funded in part by a large donation from Mr. and Mrs. William Adler and a grant from the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). It was designed by architect Joseph L. Coggan and was dedicated on Oct. 19, 1980.

In July 2000, voters authorized the city to issue bonds for a new Main Library to be built on the approximate site of the original library. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, Dean of the Yale University School of Architecture. It was built to serve as a cultural attraction and northern anchor of the downtown area, with gallery exhibits, special programs, and a variety of community activities. The grand opening was held May 1, 2004.

The city of Clearwater (the “city”) invites museums, planetariums, or performing arts institutions to partner with the city in transforming any portion, including the majority of the Clearwater Main Library into a destination experience for Tampa Bay area residents and visitors. The Clearwater Main Library is a five-story, 92,332-square-foot venue located at 100 N. Osceola Ave.

Located in downtown Clearwater, the Main Library boasts waterfront views to the west and rests on the eastern border of Coachman Park, an $84 million venue completed in 2023. The 25-acre park boasts a variety of amenities including a 4,000-seat amphitheater operated by Ruth Eckerd Hall, large lawn area, splashpad and playground. Immediately to the south of the Main Library will be the Harborview Hotel, a Hilton Tapestry property that will seamlessly blend retail and environmental conscientiousness into Coachman Park. The Main Library offers street frontage to the north along Drew Street, and to the east along Osceola Avenue.

Responsive concepts will estimate the portion of the Main Library desired by the respondent. The city intends to enter into one or more ground leases with museums or other cultural partners interested in activating a minimum of 10,000 square feet within the existing building via exhibits, amenities, or dining.

Please note that while the city is receptive to interior redesign, including modifications to the interior floorplan and layout, the shell of the Main Library will remain intact.

The city of Clearwater is part of the Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, commonly known as Tampa Bay, which is the 17th-largest metropolitan area in the United States, with a population of 3.1 million. The Tampa Bay region is home to a plethora of cultural and recreational establishments, with more than 4.06 establishments for every 10,000 persons, and these cultural amenities continue to grow.

The city of Clearwater stretches from the tranquil waters of Tampa Bay to the pristine shores of the Gulf of Mexico, offering a unique blend of urban energy and coastal relaxation. Clearwater is renowned for its natural beauty, diverse housing options, abundance of recreational options, and exceptional business opportunities. It’s a semi-tropical paradise that provides a safe and welcoming environment for families, with excellent schools and a wide variety of activities for all ages. Whether you’re here on vacation or making Clearwater your home, it’s easy to see why so many visitors end up staying. Clearwater is a place where you can truly have it all.

Famous for its world-class, white sandy beaches, Clearwater consistently ranks among the best in America. Just steps away from the beach, visitors can enjoy the state-of-the-art Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to a variety of marine life and popular conservation efforts. Sports fans also flock to the city as the Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

For those who appreciate culture and the arts, Clearwater offers a wealth of entertainment options. Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, and The BayCare Sound at Coachman Park host a variety of concerts, theater performances, and events throughout the year from local and national talent. Downtown Clearwater is a charming, pedestrian-friendly area filled with delicious dining spots and unique boutiques, all just a short walk from Coachman Park. Set on the picturesque shores of the Clearwater Harbor Marina, the new Coachman Park features lush green spaces, a world-class music venue, and a range of exciting amenities perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re relaxing in the park or attending a live event, it’s clear that Clearwater offers an exceptional quality of life.

The city is also home to a flourishing arts scene adding to its cultural fabric. Clearwater’s arts community continues to grow, offering creative opportunities for artists and audiences alike. Bringing your institution to this inspiring city is an opportunity to connect with a dynamic and ever-expanding audience, while becoming an integral part of a community that celebrates artistic expression and culture.

From its stunning beaches to its lively downtown, Clearwater is a city that shines with endless possibilities, making it the perfect place to visit, live, and thrive from bay to beach.

The Clearwater Main Library is in the heart of downtown, adjacent to the city’s downtown marina and the waterfront park. It is one of five library locations in the Clearwater Public Library System. The Main Library is zoned “Downtown” which allows a wide range of uses. The city wishes to utilize the Main Library for museums, performing arts, cultural uses, a planetarium, or similar amenities, all of which are allowed. While restaurants and cafes are also permissible, the city would only consider these as secondary uses.

The city is not entertaining offers currently to use the site for residential development, another hotel, or office space.

Gross Floor Area

• Includes all enclosed spaces measured to the exterior wall dimensions.
• Total over 4 floors: 89,391 sq. ft.
• Roof terrace: 2,941 sq. ft.
• Total over 4 floors plus roof terrace: 92,332 sq. ft.

Net Floor Area (Usable Space)

• Excludes non-usable spaces such as wall thickness, interior walls, stairwells, elevators, and mechanical areas.
• Determines allowable occupancy and functional use of the building.
• Breakdown per plan set as measured by city staff:
  • First Floor: 16,144 sq. ft.
  • Second Floor: 15,409 sq. ft.
  • Third Floor: 17,717 sq. ft.
  • Fourth Floor: 3,524 sq. ft.
  • Roof Terrace: 2,941 sq. ft.
  • Total Usable Space: 55,735 sq. ft.

The city will provide detailed as-built plans of the library building upon request.

Tours of the building can be scheduled by contacting city of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency staff.

By utilizing the existing Main Library, respondents will enjoy substantially reduced design and construction costs. In addition, the successful respondent(s) will have no responsibility for ad valorem taxes during the term of the lease.

The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) or its Downtown Development Board (“DDB”) may consider limited grant funding to partially offset certain costs associated with renovating or modifying the Main Library to fulfill its full potential.

Visit St. Pete – Clearwater is Pinellas County’s tourism development arm. To the extent that the project enhances visitors’ experience in Pinellas County, and attracts additional visitors to the area, the project may be eligible for tourism development funds. Please note that the city does not control these funds; therefore, the viability of the respondent’s pro forma should not depend on funding from this source.

The Hilton Tapestry hotel, with an expected completion date in the end of 2027, will include a 169-space, all-valet parking garage. Parking will generally be available at market rate. Additional opportunities may exist to partner with The DeNunzio Group, which recently paid market rate for the parcel on which the hotel will be located. The city also has the 255-space Garden Avenue Parking Garage located two blocks east of the Main Library.

In addition, the city is finalizing the design of a 380-space public parking garage on Osceola Avenue, two blocks south of the Main Library. Completion of the garage is anticipated in 2026. Currently, there are more than 2,000 parking spaces available within walking distance of the Clearwater Main Library.

The Main Library is located one block east of the Clearwater Harbor Marina, a primary launch point for the Clearwater Ferry. The Clearwater Ferry offers regular service to and from Clearwater Beach, allowing visitors to the Main Library to easily visit the beach and vice versa. The Clearwater Harbor Marina is home to 126 boat slips, with 12 slips available for transient boaters.

Finally, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (“PSTA”) is finalizing its design of a new intermodal center to be located at 710 Court St., less than one mile east of the Main Library. The city can partner with PSTA and the successful respondent(s) to create a transit schedule that accommodates passenger demand to and from the Main Library.