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City may plan events in new mall
By DAVE SHELTON
| Article published on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 |
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LARGO – An agreement between the city and developers of the proposed new Towne Center Mall would require the city to provide an event planner to produce monthly events in the mall’s open air plaza.
The projected cost to the city is up to $40,000 a year, a figure which Assistant City Manager Mike Staffopoulos said is more than covered by the anticipated annual property tax revenue the city will realize – $365,000.
The City Commission introduced a 20-year development agreement with the developers, Boulder Venture South LLC and Weingarten Realty Investors during the commission’s March 4 meeting. A public hearing was scheduled for March 18.
The mall is planned to replace the former Crossroads Mall at U.S. 19 and East Bay Drive. The former mall has already been razed and construction on the new mall is expected this year with a grand opening in 2010.
The project, which Commissioner Harriet Crozier said she preferred to refer to as a “town center” rather than a “mall,” would include 258 homes, stores, offices and restaurants. Representatives of the developers at the meeting said they were confident in building that many new homes in the stressed housing market.
No decision has been made yet, however, she said, as to whether the homes would be rental or privately owned units.
Commissioners voiced most concern during discussion of the project over the city’s commitment to planning events in the proposed town square and concert venue in the mall.
Commissioner Mary Gray Black said she was concerned about the city planning events for the mall retailers. She noted that the city already has facilities for monthly events.
Mayor Pat Gerard said she, too, was concerned, but was pleased to have a location on the eastern end of the city for public events. She said there is no such facility now in that area.
Staffopoulos explained that the mall management would schedule events involving the retailers while the monthly event would be for all Largo residents, not just shoppers or residents of the project.
Weingarten’s Web site, offering retail space for rent, says, “Largo Towne Center in Pinellas County Florida will truly be a town center for the City of Largo.”
“Urban design elements, including a parking garage, two-level discount retailers and 250-plus residential units, make Largo Towne Center a homerun for retailers, restaurants and service office tenants.
“Main Street will be the focus of monthly events sponsored by the City of Largo and will ensure the success of our selected tenants.”
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Article published on Wednesday, March 5, 2008
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