CLEARWATER, Fla. — North Ward School in Clearwater has sat vacant for more than 15 years, fenced off and largely untouched since it closed in 2009.
For many residents, the long-empty building has become a symbol of missed opportunity. Now, city leaders say they’re ready to take a closer look at the historic property — and explore ways to bring it back to life.
Mention North Ward School to longtime locals, and the reaction is often the same: a shake of the head and a reminder of how long the site has remained unused.
But city officials say momentum is building to preserve the structure and redevelop it in a way that helps revitalize the surrounding area.
George Bleasdale, who has owned Clearwater Muffler and Brake for nearly 30 years, has watched downtown go through multiple cycles of growth and decline. He says North Ward School has been a topic of conversation for years and welcomes the city’s renewed interest.
“It was good, then it was bad, and now it’s back to being good again,” Bleasdale said. “You’ve got to bring some life back to Clearwater. That’s what needs to be done — you’ve got to bring the people.”
The school property sits within the Old Bay Character District of Clearwater’s downtown zoning area, a location city leaders describe as prime. It’s close to the Seminole Boat Ramp and just minutes from Clearwater Beach, placing it at a strategic crossroads for redevelopment.
Assistant City Manager Alfred G. Battle Jr. says the timing is right to consider how the site fits into Clearwater’s broader resurgence.
“We’re going to use this opportunity of really experiencing an urban renaissance to talk about how that property can fit into the overall equation,” Battle said.
The city is signaling openness to developers, particularly those with an interest in historic preservation.
“We’re open to the development community,” Battle said. “Those who are specifically interested in historic preservation are the groups we want to have conversations with. Preservation is a vital part of the redevelopment of this site.”
For Bleasdale and other business owners, action can’t come soon enough. While crime has dropped and some improvements have been made, he says too many empty lots remain — and downtown Clearwater still struggles to draw consistent foot traffic.
“Go to downtown Clearwater, it’s dead,” he said. “You go down to downtown Dunedin and you can’t even find a parking spot.”
What North Ward School ultimately becomes remains an open question. But after more than a decade of sitting idle, city leaders and residents alike agree on one thing: it’s time for the historic building to play a role in Clearwater’s future once again.
Jeff Van Sant
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