New Port Richey is updating its plan for redeveloping portions of the city, but not everything is a theoretical exercise of choosing the correct inspirational messages to bring the century-old city into an enticing, modern urban center.
As City Council members parsed redevelopment themes for the community’s future late last month, they were also making some concrete decisions about buildings and neighborhoods already transitioning from something historic to something new.
One spot where that transformation is well underway is at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Missouri Avenue where real estate developer Frank Starkey has transformed 6220 Grand Boulevard into a two-story, mixed-use project. At the urging of staff, the redevelopment board voted to award Starkey a redevelopment grant up to $213,240 for work done on that building, purchased in 2019 by a limited liability corporation called Missouri Grand in which he is listed as the sole officer and agent.
The redevelopment board also approved a $150,000 change order attached to another project that included the city’s new welcome sign at Main Street and U.S. 19. The change order adds a new feature on the southeast corner of the intersection, which will include seating and landscaping at the north end of the Keiser University property.
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