Clearwater CRA Proposes $7.5 Million Settlement Over Burial Ground Lawsuit
The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has agreed to a proposed $7.5 million settlement with FrankCrum to resolve a lawsuit concerning hundreds of graves from a former Black burial ground located under the company's property in downtown Clearwater.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 8, 2026 — The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has reached a proposed settlement agreement valued at $7.5 million with FrankCrum. This agreement aims to resolve a lawsuit related to the discovery of hundreds of graves at a former Black burial ground situated beneath the company’s property in downtown Clearwater.
The lawsuit stemmed from the presence of a historic cemetery, identified as a Black burial ground, located on land now occupied by FrankCrum’s facilities. Details regarding the specific timeline of the lawsuit’s filing and the exact number of graves have not been further elaborated in the provided summary. The proposed settlement amount signifies a significant financial resolution to the legal dispute.
FrankCrum, a company operating in downtown Clearwater, was involved in the legal proceedings concerning the burial ground. The Clearwater CRA is an agency focused on community redevelopment initiatives within the city. The agreement represents a key step towards addressing the historical and legal complexities surrounding the site.
The resolution is contingent upon the finalization of the proposed settlement. Further information regarding the next steps or specific terms of the agreement was not immediately available. The amount of the settlement, $7.5 million, is intended to address the issues raised in the lawsuit concerning the burial ground.
Story summarized from the original created by By Colbi Edmonds, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
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