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Dunedin Gateway Project
Charrette Summary
April 2007

On April 12, 2007 the Pizzuti Companies facilitated a public charrette on the Gateway Project in the City of Dunedin. Pizzuti was selected by the City of Dunedin to develop the Gateway Tract on February 15, 2007 after a thorough public request for proposals process.

The charrette was held at the Hale Center in Dunedin, Florida. The city assisted in distributing notice of the meeting. Representatives from the Pizzuti Companies along with the architectural firm Glaven Feher, landscape architectural firm Bellomo-Herbert, and the City’s architectural design standards consultant Coopers Johnson participated in the process.

Approximately 35 members of the community attended the charrette and participated in the presentations and group discussions. A project update was provided and information regarding design standards was shared with the group. Break out sessions allowed for small group discussion and input on three key elements of the project. The elements were:

  1. Site circulation and Connectivity
  2. Use and Mix
  3. Architecture

After the group sessions, spokespersons from each group presented their input and recommendations to all of the attendees. The information presented was captured by the facilitators and written comments provided by the small groups were turned in at the end of the charrette. All of the information was then compiles and grouped together under the three key elements focused on during the meeting. There was a lot of interaction and positive and constructive feedback provided by al groups. A summary of the input is attached.

Next Steps. The City Commission has a public workshop with the Pizzuti Companies on May 10, 2007 to discuss the project status, provide an update on the public charrette, and take input from the Mayor and Commissioners on the design components of the project. Information from the charrette, the workshop, and other public input will be considered as the development plan is refined.

Site Circulation and Connectivity
  1. Don’t loose interconnectivity between downtown and the gateway.
  2. Trolley to transport from end to end.
  3. Extend walkways.
  4. Slow down vehicular traffic at Skinner and Main.
  5. Walkable 12 months a year.
  6. Meese Senior Housing and the hospital is a major population factor, estimated at + 4,000 people.
  7. The Pinellas Trail will generate many bikers and they will need bike racks.
  8. Crosswalks at multiple locations.
  9. Improve Main Street pedestrian corridor north of Firehouse Gallery.
  10. Allow for special events.
  11. Brick paving of pedestrian walks is preferred.
  12. Vehicular flow on/off Skinner and Milwaukee needs addressed.
  13. Bus stop.
  14. Pavers with color variation.
  15. Wider sidewalks with room for trees, benches, and tables.
  16. More trees.
  17. Maintain canopy of trees.
  18. Pedestrian lighting and twinkle lights in the trees need to be incorporated into this project.
Use and Mix
  1. Encourage franchises of nationally recognized retailers.
  2. Tenant mix should compliment downtown not dominate!
  3. Work force housing in lieu of condos.
  4. Hotel?
  5. Possible Retail/Shops:
    • Small Movie Theater
    • Shoe Store
    • Pharmacy
    • Drive-In
    • Ice Cream
    • Outdoor Cafés
    • Bakery (Panera)
    • Coffee Shop
    • Internet Café
  6. No fast food.
  7. Small park with Children’s play area.
  8. Pottery café.
  9. Urgent care facilities.
  10. More restaurants.
  11. Roof-top dining.
  12. Special outdoor events
  13. Dry cleaners
  14. Housing – affordable condos and apartments.
  15. Don’t need mom and pop stores.
  16. Need stores to compliment the existing mix.
  17. Stores who will invest in advertising.
  18. Tenants who can attract more traffic 12 months of the year.
  19. Real estate office.
  20. Organic market with salad bar, deli, and bakery.
Architecture
  1. Provide variations.
  2. Seagate is well received and liked by most citizens.
  3. No tower needed at the market.
  4. Storefronts – mix of the designs, don’t rely on signs – breakup façades to create interest.
  5. Treat different uses and tenants differently.
  6. Limit use of “golden” color.
  7. Current office building proposed looks like an old hotel.
  8. Little too massive and square.
  9. Likes stucco – muted colors, earth tones. Some brick.
  10. Consider adding a second floor over the proposed market building. This would allow for a step up in scale or mass to the proposed office building.
  11. Covered access to all shops.
  12. Tile roofs.
  13. No car ports.
  14. Staggered roof lines.
  15. Incorporate a variety of shades and colors.
  16. Arched windows.
  17. Awnings and wrought iron metal details should be utilized.