"How can we take Laura Street and stretch it out through the whole community?" he asked.
After the meeting, Harris said activating the storefronts and vacant land along Laura Street would create a "rippling effect" to "create more movement, more excitement."
He did not say any of the $9 million currently set aside for Downtown economic development would or should be allocated for Laura Street, declining to identify "any type of project" for the funds.
Harris said there were several projects pending and the funds could help "close some of the gaps to make those deals successful."
Ted Carter, City Office of Economic Development executive director, on Tuesday told the Finance Committee the Laura Street Trio project â€" consisting of the Florida National Bank, Florida Life and Bisbee-Baldwin buildings at Forsyth and Laura streets â€" has a bid placed on it and was under discussion.
Harris after his presentation repeated that he thought Laura Street was Downtown's core, but also said he wanted to see some "big building projects" throughout the district, not just around Laura Street.
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