08/07/2026
We asked each City Council candidate two questions regarding the potential development of The Landings:
1) Would you vote in favor or against the public-private partnership deal to develop The Landings into a 77 acre Sports Entertainment Complex with Porter Developers?
2) What would you propose be done with the 77 acres currently being as The Landings Golf Course?
***These questions were asked and answered prior to last night's vote.***
Here are their responses unedited. This is in alphabetical order of candidates last names.
Mark Bunker:
I've gone on record as saying I will vote no to the project. I was on the council when the last proposal for the landings came before us. The people living there were passionate about not wanting to change the nature of their neighborhood. The public rejection of the referendum question made it clear that the green space was something to be protected. The city is not required to (and won’t) let the public vote this time but the folks living near the Landings already made their voices known and I will respect that and support their desire to to keep the green space and stop the disruption this project would bring.
The city should clean up the environmental issues, converting it over time into a neighborhood greenway that improves drainage, and provides a park and walking paths as a best use of the green space, similar to what has been achieved at the Cliff Stephens Park.
Bianca Latvala:
My vote at this time would be to open up and consider all project possibilities before taking a vote on an unsolicited proposal.
The Landings property is an important site, and any decision regarding its future should be made through a transparent and inclusive process.
Before moving forward with any specific development plan, I believe the City Council should open the process to give all interested parties an opportunity to submit their ideas for the property. An open process allows the City to evaluate a range of options, compare potential benefits and impacts, and make a decision based on what best serves Clearwater's long-term interests.
Regardless of where people stand on this particular project, I believe the community deserves confidence that all viable options have been considered before any final decisions are made.
Kevin RT Laughlin:
1) Would you vote in favor or against the public-private partnership deal to develop The Landings into a 77 acre Sports Entertainment Complex with Porter Developers?
Against. I have stated since I entered the race, this is the worst possible use of our green space. Over 1.1 million sq ft of artificial grass doesn’t belong anywhere in our city.
2) What would you propose be done with the 77 acres currently being as The Landings Golf Course?
The Huston family has consistently expressed their desire to continue the golf course and are due consideration. They have deferred maintenance and improvements until such time that the lease is renewed. As many patrons of the course told me, they just want to take away our last affordable golf option. Any project that does not preserve the 77 acres as green space is unacceptable.
Kevin R T Laughlin
Jared Leone:
1) Would you in vote in favor or against the public-private partnership deal to develop The Landings into a 77-acre Sports Entertainment Complex with Porter Developers?
I would decline the unsolicited proposal.
2) What would you propose be done with the 77-acres currently being as The Landings Golf Course?
I would initiate a public process including open house events seeking public comment on the best use of the Landings space. Residents deserve a seat at the table from the very beginning not after the deal is largely complete. The city should determine its future.
Sam Wilson:
1. Rather than committing to or rejecting a single deal right now, I believe the most important thing is ensuring we have an open and transparent process. It will be good to evaluate a range of options and proposals for this land. By keeping the process open, the community can come together, review all the possibilities, and ultimately help us pick the best option for the future of the property.
2. I propose we use this opportunity to look at a wide variety of ideas through a highly transparent, public-facing process. We need residents, neighborhood groups, and city leaders to come together to discuss what our city truly needs so we can collectively pick the best option that serves our community as a whole."
