My Clearwater
Clearwater Brewing Co. Comes to Town
Clearwater Brewing Co. made a big splash
when it opened in May. Hundreds of
people showed up to taste the brews and
oohed and aahed at the new brew pub
along North Fort Harrison Avenue.
The renovations were amazing to a building that has
had numerous lives since it was built in 1958. It started as
a garage and over the years became a carpet store, detailing
business and stucco shop. Now it has been revitalized again
to a beautiful establishment drawing neighbors and people
from all over Tampa Bay.
The hard work and determination of Clearwater Brewing
Co. contributed to the beautiful renovation, and also
was enhanced by the city of Clearwater's Community
Development Block Grant Façade Improvement Program.
Clearwater Brewing Co. was awarded $35,000 for
improvements to the façade of its building. The Façade
Improvement Program is a loan-to-grant program
administered through the city's Housing Division.
"It was just what we needed to make the difference in
opening as soon as we did," said F. Bowling, one of the
owners of Clearwater Brewing. "It increased our budget for
our exterior. It was instrumental for us to open on time."
The city's Housing Division administers the program to
help businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods
and works directly with all applicants, including Clearwater
Brewing.
04 MyClearwater
Once a business qualifies for a façade enhancement through
the city, the program has a ripple effect in communities,
said Chuck Lane, the city's Economic Development and
Housing Department assistant director. It enhances a
building and then nearby homeowners and business owners
are motivated to improve their property. Three homes
located near Clearwater Brewing Co. have been recently
rehabilitated, Lane said.
"People are investing
in their homes,"
Lane said. "People
see that investment.
They see that the
neighborhood is
getting better and feel
that they have to do
their part to continue
to enhance the area."
The Façade Improvement Program's objective is to attract
investment in private property that helps to revitalize
neighborhoods, specifically low-to-moderate income areas.
Funding is through a zero-interest loan that converts to a
grant over the five-year loan term. The maximum amount
for a façade loan is $35,000.
"You want the public investment to be catalytic," Lane
said. "Private investment will typically follow the public
investment. It encourages people, and it creates a level of
excitement."
"And I think that is what the Clearwater Brewing Company
investment has done in this community," Lane said.
The North Marina Area, which is just north of Downtown
Clearwater and in the vicinity of Clearwater Brewing, has
recently been gaining interest and a buzz. The city has
directly invested or partnered with investors to help the area
thrive.
To learn more about programs administered by the
city's Housing Division, contact Lane at charles.lane@
myclearwater.com or at 562-4023.
City's Facade Improvement
Program Makes a Difference