TARPON SPRINGS — The city's fledgling Downtown Main Street organization has hired a seasoned executive director and laid out an aggressive 90-day plan to build the program from the ground up, drawing unanimous praise from city commissioners.
Dawn Hyatt, who spent four years leading Historic Plant City Main Street, started in the role about two weeks ago, Vice President Casey Smith told commissioners during the March 24 City Commission meeting. Commissioners were seated as the Community Redevelopment Agency.
"For our first quarter, our big win was we hired an executive director," Smith said. "She comes from Plant City, and she was there for four years."
Hyatt's track record in Plant City was substantial. She grew that organization's annual budget from $80,000 to $300,000 through diversified revenue streams, expanded its vendor and food truck network from 42 to more than 540 participants, and earned eight Florida Secretary of State awards between 2023 and 2025. She also created signature events drawing 2,000 to 12,000 attendees, grew social media following from 6,000 to more than 20,000 and maintained both state and national Main Street accreditation throughout her tenure.
Board Chairwoman Christy Howard said Hyatt "brings extensive Main Street experience and a proven record of building high-performing downtown organizations from the ground up."
Hyatt's first 30 days will focus on establishing an operational foundation and building relationships, Howard said. In months two and three, the organization plans to develop a sponsorship and partnership outreach strategy, audit its social media and marketing presence, and begin identifying potential signature events for downtown.
By days 61 through 90, organizers expect to present a draft annual work plan and event calendar to the board, launch merchant engagement programs such as sign grants and vendor networks, and deliver a progress report to commissioners.
Howard said Historic Plant City Main Street is donating office furniture and other items to help the Tarpon Springs district get on its feet, calling it a reflection of "the collaborative spirit of the statewide Main Street network."
Smith said five board members recently attended training with Southwest Florida Regional Main Street during a conference in New Port Richey. The organization is still working to fill remaining board seats, including representatives from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, property owners, residents, merchants and the chamber of commerce. City Manager Charles Rudd is serving as the city liaison.
Commissioners offered effusive praise for the organization's early progress.
Commissioner David Banther thanked Smith and the board, noting most of the work is volunteer. He cited The Registry — a planned boutique hotel and mixed-use development on the vacant Forbes lot on Tarpon Avenue — as an example of the momentum downtown.
Commissioner Frank DiDonato encouraged Smith's team to let commissioners know how they can help. "You've really helped our community, and I'm sure you're going to continue to do so," he said.
Commissioner Panagiotis Koulias praised the board and downtown business owners for their work with the CRA. "The amount of people you bring here is just amazing," he said.
Mayor John Koulianos thanked Smith and Rudd "for bringing this Main Street idea to Tarpon Springs. It's really bearing fruit, our community coming together."
The mayor said he recently attended a St. Nicholas Parish Council meeting to brief members on the Main Street program, and the church plans to place a representative on the board. He also urged organizers to develop a master calendar to coordinate events and avoid scheduling conflicts downtown.
"So we don't have events at the same time and cannibalize each other," Koulianos said. "Everybody is helping each other to prosper and succeed."
