Clearwater Downtown Partnership launches Momentum Awards with success

Clearwater, Fl, 30 May 2008 – Despite the economy, downtown Clearwater is on a rise. Wednesday night, the Clearwater Downtown Partnership celebrated the momentum of businesses contributing to the city’s expansion. The 100-plus in attendance at the evening event included members of the Clearwater City Council and State Representative Ed Hooper. The event was emceed by Nancy Howe, publisher of the Maddux Business Report and the Honorable Mayor Hibbard, as the keynote speaker, gave the State of Downtown Address.

The CDP Board, its Committee Chairs and Advisory Board members voted for each momentum award category and the winners from each were awarded at their evening event. The awards and winners were:

• Most Improved Property award went to The Telephone Exchange Building owned by Jon and Sylvia Heneghan.
• Best Individual Contribution award also went to Jon and Sylvia Heneghan.
• Business Sustainability award went to Pickles Plus, owned by Joe and Kim Benedettini.

The Telephone Exchange Building was originally built in 1914 and purchased by Jon and Sylvia Heneghan in 2005. They have spent in excess of $1,000,000 to purchase and renovate the historic property, over $500,000 of it from Jon’s winnings from the World Series of Poker. These efforts have led to leasing the ground floor to Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robins, another national name brand for downtown.

Additionally, the Heneghan’s partnered with Geri Aranjo to renovate the historic building on the corner of N. Ft. Harrison and Laura Streets. The property is now home to the Pangea International Caf. These historic renovations have set a stage for additional renovations of several more historic properties on Cleveland Street.

Pickles Plus’ expansion despite a complete reconstruction and closure of the main street that accessed the restaurant, in addition to the 25-story condominium being built directly across the street, was the reason for winning the Business Sustainability award. The owners, Joe and Kim Benedettini and their managers, Steve and Jen Tarbox, rolled up their sleeves and continued to serve great food and great service at a great value, said Howard Warshauer, the CDP’s Vice-Chair.

The event was sponsored by Opus South and Station Square. Jiffy Reprographics donated the program printing and the new downtown restaurant, Tangerine, provided the food.

In actuality – all the nominees are winners, said Dwight Matheny, CDP Chair. They are making downtown Clearwater Tampa Bay’s new destination.

About the CDP:
The Clearwater Downtown Partnership is an independent voice of citizens, business, and property owners who are interested in supporting the economic vitality of Downtown Clearwater. It brings stakeholders together to develop, advocate and implement policies that build an exciting, vibrant and diverse downtown, and plays an essential role in keeping the business and residential community educated, informed and involved in the continued success of the downtown. Membership donations will go directly towards projects that will create tangible result in downtown. For more information or to become a member, visit www.clwdp.org