Not Enough Parking for Gateway Project, Neighbors Say

Parking for the future residents of nearly 124 apartments planned for the city's east gateway is the biggest concern to neighbors of the incoming development.

Construction of the Dunedin Gateway Project, a mixed-use development planned for the corner of Main Street and Milwaukee Avenue, is expected to start next year. A developer met to talk about the updated plans with about 10 residents and hospital and city officials Monday evening in an office across the street at Mease Dunedin.

Chris Wrenn, of Pizzuti Company, developers for the 4.1-acre parcel, listened to neighbors' concerns before the project is voted on by Dunedin's Local Planning Agency on Wednesday evening. If it is approved, it goes before the city commission in July.

The pedestrian-focused block would connect downtown to the hospital. A passive park is planned on the Jernigan tract, along the west side of Milwaukee Boulevard; two, three-story apartment buildings will face Skinner Boulevard; and most of the 24,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space fronts downtown Main Street with some boutiques facing Milwaukee Avenue. A large parking lot would be at the center of the property.

Although the conceptual plan meets the city's minimum parking space requirement, it does not allot enough parking space for future residents of the 124 high-end units, residents said. They also are fearful the apartments would attract a younger demographic to Main Street and turn downtown Dunedin into a wild drinking destination like "Ybor City."

Parking Spaces A Problem for Residents

Popular Palm Harbor restaurant Lucky Dill Deli is interested in adding a location within the development, fueling residents' apprehension about possible parking problems.

The limited number of parking spaces planned behind the Main Street storefronts would cause overflow into the hospital lot, and thus, shortages for hospital patients, officials with Mease Dunedin Hospital said.

Neighboring residents were also concerned of Pizzuti's plans not to issue assigned parking spaces for the future residents would become a problem during major downtown events.

Wrenn said Pizzuti may be open to assigned spaces, but building a parking structure inside the development would be cost prohibitive. 

Dunedin Not in Danger of Becoming Ybor, Officials Say

City officials calmed fears that the Gateway Project would establish Dunedin as a wild, drinking destination.

Greg Rice, city planning and development director, said an ordinance requires that "pure bars," establishments serving only alcohol, be separated by 300 feet. 

Wrenn also confirmed that no bars are proposed for the development.

Once final purchase of land is complete, he anticipates getting construction crews on the land as early as spring 2014. The project would take about 12 months and pre-leasing would likely begin in late 2014 or early 2015, Wrenn said. Apartment leases will likely in the $880- to $1,200-a-month range. 

Get more local headlines delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with the free Dunedin Patch newsletter.

Pizzuti promised to purchase the vacant land in two phases for an agreed total price of $2.1 million in 2007. To date, the company has paid for one part for $1.2 million. The builders have pointed to the recent economic plight for its slow progress.

City Manager Rob DiSpirito maintains that the company "has remained a steadfast partner" to Dunedin, explaining in city documents that Pizzuti has shelled out $3.3 million in infrastructure improvements and land since its 2007 purchase.

The city's most recent land appraisal put the fair market price of the remaining parcel under $1 million, at $746,000, in April 2012. A second appraisal for a part of the parcel known as the Jernigan tract, totaled $252,000 in fall 2011.

Related Coverage:

• Developers May Close Deal on Gateway Project Before September
• Final Deal Draws Closer for Downtown Gateway Project
• Lucky Dill Interested in Dunedin Gateway Location
• Vacant Gateway Lot Gets More Time