A citizens’ group in Clearwater is actively working to place a referendum on the upcoming ballot that would require voter approval before any public street in the city can be privatized. This initiative, known as the “Save the Garden” campaign, aims to shift the decision-making power from city officials to the residents regarding the privatization of public streets.
The group has successfully gathered over 8,000 petition signatures, surpassing the threshold of 10% of registered voters needed to move the initiative forward. If approved, the measure would mandate that any proposal to privatize a public street must be presented to the voters for approval, rather than being decided solely by the City Council.
This movement was sparked by a recent proposal involving the Church of Scientology’s interest in acquiring a segment of South Garden Avenue near their Flag Building. The proposal has raised concerns among residents about transparency and the potential impact on public access.
City Council member David Allbritton independently sought clarification from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier regarding the ownership of the roadway in question. This action, taken without prior discussion with the rest of the council, has led to debates about transparency and the proper channels for such inquiries.
As the situation develops, Clearwater residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in upcoming discussions and votes that will shape the future of public spaces in the city.