CLEARWATER, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Pinellas County commissioners heard from the community last night about redevelopment of nearly 25 acres of county property.<\/p>\n
Seventeen properties in downtown Clearwater<\/a> are being consolidated into one near US 19 and Ulmerton Road.<\/p>\n The existing properties, the county said, are old and too large.\u00a0<\/p>\n By moving out of those buildings, Pinellas estimates that will save $150 million in maintenance costs over the next 50 years.<\/p>\n The town hall meeting was a packed house.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand a lot of the buildings are not attractive on the outside, but that\u2019s also part of their character,\u201d said Allison Dolan of the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board.<\/p>\n Dolan attended the meeting to make sure that the historic preservation board is part of the redevelopment process because the Pinellas County Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\n \u201cThe details you\u2019re not going to see in the new building. They can make them, but they are not going to be the real ones that were there,\u201d Dolan said.<\/p>\n Many other community members raised concerns that Scientology will expand the number of properties it owns in downtown Clearwater.<\/p>\n Pinellas County\u2019s government operations are moving out of Clearwater, leaving nearly 25 acres of prime real estate available. The county is consolidating what is currently 17 properties in Clearwater into one location at US-19 and Ulmerton Road. https:\/\/t.co\/6ZTOiFxkhZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LmWUvsBY6S<\/a><\/p>\n