A new chapter ahead for Clearwater's historic North Ward School
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jul 27, 2022

The city of Clearwater has set aside the historic North Ward School as an adaptive reuse project, which could “re-establish its prominence in the community,” according to a request for proposals.

According to the city website only one group, RSR Capital Advisors LLC, responded with a proposal. Bids closed July 26 at 10 a.m. RSR Capital Advisors, led by real estate developer Rodney Riley, is proposing building housing curated for local artists, workspaces, a showroom or gallery and a variety of other concepts that are "open-ended" based on priorities for the city and community.

"I'm very interested in Clearwater," Riley said. "I moved here from Scottsdale Arizona to take on a development project we're calling the Clearwater Marina District and the North Ward School is smack dab in the middle of it. We believe we've got a couple concepts that will enhance the overall development we're particularly interested in, enhance downtown Clearwater and really kick off the development that is associated with the new phase of what's going on in Clearwater and really bring some community space and some needed, hopefully artist focused, housing and workspace."

The school, located at 900 North Fort Harrison Ave., was built in 1915 and closed in 2009. The main building is considered historic; however, the other structures on the property — including the former car dealership, mechanical building and open pavilion — are non-historic, according to city documents. It is less than a mile from Imagine Clearwater and a five-minute walk to the Pinellas Trail.

The property is adjacent to downtown in the Old Bay Character District and is part of the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan. It is also in the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area, which is in the plan and development phase and is expected to be adopted by the end of the year. Riley said he is working very closely with the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition, which is helping organize the CRA.

The city is looking for “a qualified development team with a successful track record of historic preservation and mixed-use development for the acquisition — either purchase or lease — and adaptive reuse” of the approximately 1.99 acres. The city purchased the property in 2019 for $1.8 million, and the RFP shows the city would prefer a land lease but would consider a purchase agreement.

The historic building can be restored and adapted, and the other buildings can be either reused or replaced. One of the project goals in the RFP was to potentially intensify the site through “new low-rise construction in keeping with the site’s character and historic setting” and to activate the street level through uses and “potential gathering spaces.”

Riley said that he plans to preserve the main structures and then convert them to 20 to 25 workforce housing units that would be aimed to be leased to local artists.

"We want to expand on the growing arts community that's happening in Clearwater and take some of the overflow from St. Pete, as an example, where housing is getting expensive, and artists aren't able to find significant space in order to be creative and work in," Riley said. "Those two buildings will be focused in that direction, giving artists a place to live and a place to work and the community an opportunity to come in and see exhibitions by those artists or other people. We want the community to have access to those buildings as well."

He said he doesn't see retail being a component of the historic buildings, but said they have the opportunity to make that happen elsewhere on the property.

Another unique element of the proposal is that Riley owns a nearby property with a historic building on it. He said he intends to move the historic home to the North Ward School and then potentially relocate the Clearwater Garden Club from the city-owned parcel of land they are currently on to the North Ward property and "give them a much grander area to do what they do" as well as connect them closer to the community.

The team is also comprised of with Gensler, Kimley Horn, Stephanie Farrell, Lauren Campbell.

The RFP said the city will evaluate the proposals on the developer’s experience, financial capacity, development concept and ability to meet the project goals, public engagement and the proposed timeline for construction.

The RFP shows the city plans to review proposals by Aug. 9 and council will authorize the selection by Oct. 20.