CLEARWATER, Fla. – Former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard is scheduled to formally announce his re-election bid for mayor of Clearwater Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Island Way Grill in Clearwater after a nearly eight year hiatus due to term limits.

Hibbard, who successfully completed two terms as mayor of Clearwater from 2005 until 2012 and previously served as a city councilman, oversaw major infrastructure development during his time as mayor. Some of the projects included the Aging Well Center for seniors, completion of Clearwater’s Memorial Causeway Bridge, Clearwater’s Beach Walk and the beautification of Downtown Clearwater with upgrades along Cleveland Street and the development of Downtown Clearwater Marina Harbor.

Additionally, Hibbard spearheaded monthly citizen engagement meetings, Clearwater’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration, and Clearwater’s Greenprint program, which partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to improve the efficiency of city-owned buildings and converted many city vehicles to running on natural gas, saving money and natural resources.

Also during his terms as mayor, Hibbard worked to improve Clearwater’s traffic conditions, including calming traffic in neighborhoods, and led a reform in employee pension plans to improve long-term funding, saving the city an estimated $400 million over 30 years, while also ensuring the pension plan would remain financially secure for city employees.

“While I am proud of the accomplishments we were able to achieve during my first two terms as mayor, I am even more optimistic about the future potential for Clearwater,” said Hibbard. “I am excited to announce my run for mayor, and I truly hope that the citizens of Clearwater will vote for me when Election Day comes.”

Hibbard’s new goals include focusing on improving the city’s aging housing stock, renewing partnerships between schools and the business community, strengthening the city’s financial position, working to improve the business climate and attracting new high-wage jobs. Additionally, he plans to establish a new long-term strategic plan to guide Clearwater’s spending, oversee a national search for city manager and city attorney, and plans to revamp the city’s aging 20-year-old zoning codes.

During his time as a city councilman and mayor, Hibbard had 10 years of perfect attendance at council meetings and city work sessions.

Hibbard is a member of Calvary Church in Clearwater with his wife Teresa. They are avid dog lovers and have two children, Whitney and Spencer. Hibbard is also a strong supporter of the military and worked with U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base to institute a program, which provided free nights on Clearwater Beach for service members and invited service members to city events.