Clearwater Agency Will Pay $7.5M Settlement Over Cemetery
The proposed deal would settle a long-standing property dispute involving the FrankCrum campus.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Commercial
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Will the Clearwater community see the proposed $7.5 million cemetery settlement approved this coming Monday?
The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency is slated to pay $7.5 million to FrankCrum to resolve a lawsuit regarding an historic cemetery located under the company campus. The deal is expected to gain official approval on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Why it matters
The settlement follows a three-year legal battle over the financial responsibility for relocating graves discovered on the property at 100 S. Missouri Ave. The agreement aims to end litigation and settle claims regarding the burial site, which archaeologists estimate contains over 500 graves.
The proposed $7.5 million payment represents the culmination of a lawsuit filed three years ago. The site at 100 S. Missouri Ave. is estimated to house more than 500 graves.
The players
Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency
An organization governed by the Clearwater City Council that directs local tax revenue toward revitalization projects.
FrankCrum
A company operating its campus at 100 S. Missouri Ave. that has been involved in a three-year legal dispute over property development.
The details
The dispute centers on the St. Matthews Baptist Church Cemetery, which was discovered beneath the current business campus. The settlement, which does not constitute an admission of fault, is intended to resolve demands that the city cover the costs of moving the graves. If passed, the agreement concludes the lawsuit that initially named the city of Clearwater as a defendant.
Timeline
September 2026: The parties reached a settlement agreement.
October 12, 2026: The proposed settlement is expected to be approved.
Coming months: FrankCrum will develop a framework for next steps with community members.
The Home Front
This settlement highlights the complexities of land-use liability within the Downtown Clearwater Community Redevelopment Area. It serves as a reminder of how historic property conditions can impact local redevelopment and municipal budget allocations.
Local property owners should keep in mind that redevelopment agreements can significantly influence municipal budget priorities and local improvement schedules. If you live or own property near a historic site, remain informed on local redevelopment plans through the city's public meeting agendas.
The takeaway
This settlement provides a path forward for the site at 100 S. Missouri Ave. following three years of legal uncertainty. Residents should continue to monitor upcoming city council meetings for updates on the relocation framework for the St. Matthews Baptist Church Cemetery.
What happens next
The Clearwater City Council, serving as trustees for the agency, is scheduled to vote on the approval of the $7.5 million settlement agreement on October 12, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local business and development projects in the Clearwater Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Bay Times.
Live Poll
Will the Clearwater community see the proposed $7.5 million cemetery settlement approved this coming Monday?
