'Defending Freedom' Arch Proposed for Broadway

The proposed aluminum arch for the entrance of downtown Broadway would feature the words "Defending Freedom."

A permanent arch may someday replace a banner honoring Dunedin's returning military heroes. The proposed aluminum arch for the entrance of downtown Broadway would feature the words "Defending Freedom" and provide room for the city to feature individual names as needed. Downtown merchant Patti Coleman is spearheading efforts to bring the arch to Broadway.  Coleman grew up an Air Force brat and has a view of the vinyl banner from where she works at The Candy Bar. It hangs between two permanent posts on either side of Broadway, and has a history of distracting drivers from traffic light changes at the Main Street intersection. The sign reads: Thanks for Defending Freedom, The City of Dunedin Welcomes You Home and frequently features the name …

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Evolving Dunedin

Downtown Art Community to Grow from Zone Changes

City leaders weigh in Thursday on proposed zone changes that would pave the way for artists to live and work in downtown Dunedin.

Artists wanting to live and work in their downtown Dunedin studio may soon get their chance. City leaders are expected to approve proposed zone changes Thursday that seek to shape downtown's future development. The changes set the area up for a future art overlay district, an enclave where artists could more easily work and live in the downtown business district.  Dozens of property owners along Douglas, Highland and Howard avenues, Skinner Boulevard and Highland Court volunteered to be a part of the city initiative that moves them into the "downtown core" zone, allowing them more freedom in how they can use their buildings. The volunteer property owners currently fall under downtown zoning designations that limit how their buildings can …

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Flanagan's Irish Pub Gets a Fresh Look

A new awning was installed just in time for the restaurant's annual St. Patrick's Day Street Festival.

Dunedin's only Irish pub's new look is fresh and bold. A bright white triangular awning with bold orange and green lettering now pops out over the entrance of Flanagan's Irish Pub in place of the classic forest green one with posts. The exterior also got a fresh paint job. The Cooney family, pub owners, dismantled the classic Flanagan's awning in December 2011 in an effort to get the restaurant up to code for adding outdoor dining. The new awning was installed just in time for the restaurant's annual St. Patrick's Day Street Festival on March 16 and 17. Sign up for the free Dunedin Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community. Related Coverage:

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Evolving Dunedin

Developers May Close Deal on Gateway Project Before September

Finalizing the plans on the six-years vacant Gateway Project lot in downtown Dunedin is in "the home stretch," according City Manager Rob DiSpirito during Thursday's commission meeting at City Hall.

City Manager Rob DiSpirito can envision it already: A pedestrian-focused block extending downtown to the hospital, with green space, apartments, retail shops and restaurants welcoming visitors at downtown Dunedin's easternmost gateway. It's been a long time coming, and would be such a boon for downtown, he said following Thursday's commission meeting at City Hall. And they're so close to setting the plans in motion. Developers of the vacant 4.1.-acre prime downtown parcel at Main Street and Milwaukee Avenue, across from Mease Dunedin Hospital, get six more months to close the deal, commissioners decided Thursday. But DiSpirito expects them to be ready much sooner than that.  Plans have been delayed for the better part of six years because …

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Evolving Dunedin

Final Deal Draws Closer for Downtown Gateway Project

With a looming deadline for developers to close on the second half of the six-years vacant Gateway Project lot in downtown Dunedin, city staff and Pizutti Builders are looking to firm up a final price. The negotiations may mean another 180-day extension.

The deadline for developers to finish buying the second half of a vacant downtown Dunedin lot across from the hospital is approaching fast. And six years after initially brokering a deal, they may get another 180-day extension on Thursday. Pizzuti Builders, part owners of a 4.1-acre prime downtown parcel at Main Street and Milwaukee Avenue, received an extension in August after revealing the initial plan to turn the site into a block mixed with apartments and retail space. Builders wanted a better deal on the final price tag, one that took into account the economic downturn. Commissioners will discuss the developer's looming deadline with the city, possible sale figures and updated plans for the site, which include fewer apartments and …

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Evolving Dunedin

City Retreat: Should Main Street Close Permanently?

City leaders brainstorming in a retreat focused on Dunedin's future discussed the possibility of closing off downtown Main Street between Highland and Douglas avenues. What's your take?

City of Dunedin staff may start exploring the possibility of permanently closing a part of downtown Main Street to traffic. It was an idea Commissioner Ron Barnette tossed out during a Feb. 28 commission retreat focused on planning Dunedin's future. Barnette asked if anyone had ever considered permanently blockading the area of Main Street between Douglas and Highland avenues, "in light of encouraging outdoor activity."  All the commissioners liked the idea of creating more open space and walkability in downtown Dunedin. "There's plenty of communities making a commercial area into a pedestrian area," Commissioner Julie Scales said. "I think it’s worth looking at (creating) a section of downtown where we replace cars with people."  But some…

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Hair Salon Returns to Downtown Main Street

Gregory Brady, property owner of 351 Main Street in downtown Dunedin, is re-opening the longtime hair salon under a new name at the end of March.

Gregory Brady is bringing a beauty back to downtown Dunedin. And he's bringing Broadway's Awaken Organic Skincare & Boutique with him. Brady, who owns the bright green and orange corner building at 351 Main Street, intends to open "Salon GW" at the end of March.  Brady said he's working to resurrect the location as a six- to-seven-day-a-week hair, skin and beauty destination by March 25.  "It's kind of the logical thing right now," he said.  Brady said he wants to keep the salon simple. One side of the building will be equipped with five stations that he'll contract to local stylists. "They'll be on their own," Brady said. "They'll have the freedom to do what they want with color, product, or whatever their vision is." The opposite side …

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Main Street Hair Closes in Downtown Dunedin

Owners closed Main Street Hair in downtown Dunedin. What would you like to see in it's place?

Main Street Hair closed its doors at the end of January. The bright orange and green corner building that borders the Pinellas Trail and Main Street in downtown Dunedin has been a hair salon for about 22 years, the past two as Main Street Hair. It was formerly Gregory's Salon for 20 years. What type of business would you like to see come to downtown Dunedin? Tell us in the comments! Get more local news delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

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Evolving Dunedin

Major Downtown Improvements Coming Soon

City officials approved $261,400 in beautification projects to expand west side parking and unite the marina waterfront with Main Street at a meeting Thursday.

Downtown's entrances will see major improvements this winter. City Commissioners approved two big beautification projects, with a combined $261,400 price tag, during a meeting at City Hall on Thursday. One project will expand parking areas at the eastern entrance of downtown. The other will add palm tree landscaping and a pedestrian promenade that visually unites the Municipal Marina with Main Street. Downtown Parking Lots To See Improvements The city is doling out $81,999 for improvements to two parking areas and an alley near Highland Avenue and Wood Street. Joan Rice, city transportation and traffic engineer, said the project includes: The existing asphalt parking lot will be milled and resurfaced with pervious concrete, and also …

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Happy Hour Search Ends: What Bar Has Best Prices, Ambience, Service?

Chef John Lewis explored all the bars searching for the best happy hour in downtown Dunedin. What do you think of his analysis?

After an “exhaustive” survey of almost 20 bars in the downtown area of Dunedin, we found that there are differences in price, amenities and food or snack offerings as well as different hours for Happy Hour depending upon the business. Most of us frequent a particular bar for one or more of the following reasons: the bartender, ambience, friendly atmosphere and it's where our friends hang out. People usually describe a great bartender as having an infectious personality, remembers what we like to drink and attentive to our needs (like when we need refills!). Ambience covers such things as decor, cleanliness, comfortable seating and views. Friendly atmosphere covers whether or not the place has a “happy vibe.” We also like to go where our …

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John Lewis

2:21 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thanks, Chris those are awesome prices. I hope to see you soon.   more ›