Ask The Right Questions | #NewDowntown

At a recent Pinellas County Commission meeting, Brooks Gibbs challenged leaders to slow down and make sure they’re asking the right questions before making a decision that will shape downtown Clearwater for generations. Drawing from a story often attributed to Albert Einstein, he makes a simple but powerful point. If you spend all your time answering the wrong question, you can still end up with the wrong outcome. Right now, the county seems focused on how to generate enough money from these properties to pay down debt. But many citizens are asking something deeper. How do we make sure this land stays active, accessible, and in the hands of the public long term? That’s where the conversation shifts. Residents are not pushing for a sale of public land. They’re advocating for a long-term ground lease. The difference matters. Selling creates a one-time payout and gives up control. A ground lease can still generate upfront money, but it also creates ongoing revenue and allows the county to maintain ownership and set the terms for how the land is used. One path relies on hope that things turn out well. The other builds in guarantees. In this speech, Brooks walks through the legal realities behind deed restrictions and reversion clauses, explains why those tools are not as permanent as they sound, and challenges the idea that selling land is the safest or simplest option. He reframes the decision in a way that’s hard to ignore. Would you rather take millions today or build something that produces value for decades? Would you rather hope for the best or guarantee it? At its core, this isn’t just about real estate. It’s about who controls the future of downtown Clearwater and whether that future is decided once or shaped over time. Message the County Commissioners using our easy form at www.NewDowntown.org. Encourage them to choose a lease over a sale and preserve our downtown. #newdowntown #LeaseTheLand