Clearwater has identified priority corridors, crossings and sidewalk gaps in a new citywide plan that will guide future work on walking, biking and access to transit.
The document, called “Connecting Clearwater,” outlines how the city will decide which projects move forward as funding becomes available. It does not approve or fund construction but establishes a framework for ranking and advancing projects over time.
City staff reviewed streets and crossings citywide and ranked them based on safety, comfort, connectivity, ease of implementation and surrounding demographics. The result is a prioritized list the city can use to target sidewalks, crossings and shared-use paths.
The plan identifies specific high-ranking projects, including proposed urban trail corridors along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Sunset Point Road, as well as crossing upgrades, such as a high-visibility crosswalk at Drew Street and the Pinellas Trail.
It also suggests updates to city rules that guide new development, including potential changes to sidewalk requirements, bicycle infrastructure standards and site design. Some improvements could be delivered through private development, not just city-funded work.
The new plan replaces one adopted in 2006 and reflects growth, safety concerns and changes in how people move through the city. It places greater focus on closing sidewalk gaps, improving access to transit stops and making high-traffic crossings safer.
The effort included coordination with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, Pinellas County and other agencies, along with public outreach through meetings, surveys and community events.
Clearwater City Council is scheduled to vote April 23 on adopting the plan. If approved, it will serve as a long-term framework for prioritizing projects and pursuing funding, with individual improvements subject to separate approval and dependent on available funding and coordination with partner agencies.
This story will be updated following the meeting.
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