{"id":251153,"date":"2026-04-29T15:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/251153\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T15:00:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:00:10","slug":"pinellas-county-govt-plans-to-vacate-downtown-clearwater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/251153\/","title":{"rendered":"Pinellas County Gov’t plans to vacate downtown Clearwater"},"content":{"rendered":"

CLEARWATER, Fla. \u2014 Pinellas County\u2019s government operations are officially moving out of Clearwater, leaving nearly 25 acres of prime real estate available.<\/p>\n

The county is consolidating what is currently 17 properties<\/a> in Clearwater into one location at US-19 and Ulmerton Road.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Pinellas County says due to aging buildings and inefficiencies, they want to create a new government center in a more central location. In all, they believe it will save $150 million in what would be upkeep to the older buildings over the next 50 years.<\/p>\n

The move leaves all 17 properties that will soon be vacated up for grabs.\u00a0Properties include the current courthouse, and the multiple county buildings that line Court Street.<\/p>\n

Pinellas County’s government operations are moving out of Clearwater.<\/p>\n

What’s going to happen to the 17 properties (25 acres) they operate around downtown? They hope to sell or lease. They want input from residents first – town hall is tonight from 6-8 at 333 Chestnut St @BN9<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Kpp1vdtI7e<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Angie Angers (@angie_angers) April 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

County Commissioner Chris Latavala said he\u2019s already heard of a few major developers who have expressed interest in what would be largest redevelopment project that Clearwater has ever seen.<\/p>\n

He said it\u2019s possible if the right developer comes along, the City of Clearwater could sell some of their properties as well as part of a bigger deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could do a long-term lease where we maintain the property and lease it for 99 years, or we can sell it to a large developer. There\u2019s already been some of the largest developers in the world that have reached out to the company we\u2019re working with to express their interest,\u201d Latvala said.<\/p>\n

Before anything happens, the county is holding a town hall on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at 333 Chestnut Street<\/a> for anyone who wants to speak with commissioners and county staff about their hopes for the land.<\/p>\n

Resident Brooks Gibbs says he plans to speak on Wednesday night and wants the county to hold on to the property through a lease versus making a sale.<\/p>\n

\u201cA quick sale is easy. They don\u2019t want to be in the business of landlording,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you have to think about your constituents here. This is our last, once in a generation opportunity for a new downtown that\u2019s not governed and controlled by David Miscavage at Scientology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Latvala said soon after discussions first began about a potential sale of the county property, he heard from a representative at the Church of Scientology.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur first public meeting about moving a couple of years ago\u2026 right after that meeting someone from the church contacted me,\u201d Latvala said. \u201cSince then, I have not talked to them about that. I told our county administrator at that time – that they contacted me – but that\u2019s not a focus of mine. I think the people we\u2019re going to be dealing with are some of the largest developers in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The county plans to issue a request for negotiations with developers in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

The final decision about the future of the properties will take more than a year and will involve public input on the options, the county stated.<\/p>\n