1.
Community
Redevelopment Areas
and Public Infrastructure
APWA Florida Chapter
2014 Public Works Expo

2.
Quick Background
 Authorization for CRA’s was passed in
the Redevelopment Act of 1969 -
Chapter 163 Part III of the Florida
Statutes
 State is not involved in the creation of
CRA’s
 CRA’s are one of the tools local
governments use for Economic
Development & Infrastructure
 Almost 200 CRA’s across the State

3.
 If within a Home-Rule Chartered
County, power is conferred on the
County but may be delegated to a
municipality. Sarasota County is a
charter county.
 Many cities began with community
vision and economic development
strategy, and engage county in
process.
 Lesson: Cooperation/partnership with
County is important.
Authority to Create a CRA

4.
CRA Steps
•CRA FINDING OF
NECESSITY
City Review
•CRA AUTHORITY
DELEGATION*
County
Review *
•CRA BOARD
CREATION
City
•CRA PLAN
PREPARATION
City CRA
•TAX INCREMENT
FUND
CREATION
City
6 – 12 months
* = If within Charter County

5.
Some Things To Remember
 Setting Clear Priorities
 TIF Funding (its not a new tax)
 Additional Funds are Locally
Reinvested
 Time Limited
 Funds can only be spent within the
CRA; ONLY on Projects in the Plan

6.
Possible Plan and Program
Components
 Catalyst Projects
 Varies (Public-Private Partnership,
site improvements, building
conversions)
 Sidewalk & Mobility Projects
 Sidewalk construction &
improvements
 Transit facilities
 Streetscape Improvements
 Roadways
 Pedestrian Features
 Lighting
 Parking Facilities and Structures

7.
Possible Plan and Program
Components
 Wayfinding
 Signage
 Marketing & Special Events
 Branding and Marketing of CRA
 Stormwater Management
 Drainage facilities, Community facilities
 Low Impact Development
 Historic Restoration and Preservation

8.
Funding
How do we pay for these improvements?
 Ad Valorem Taxes
 Community Redevelopment Area
• Statutory Process
• Community Redevelopment Plan
• Community Redevelopment Agency
 Special Tax Districts
• Tax Increment Districts
• Municipal Service Districts
 Leverage Municipal Revenues
• Enterprise Zone
• Brownfield Redevelopment Area
• Ad Valorem Tax Incentives
• Public Private Partnerships

9.
Why Use This Tool?
Key Elements to Consider:
• Economic Development,
• Land Use/ Recreation/ Open Space
• Quality of Life/Housing,
• Infrastructure,
• Realistic Goals,
• Understanding of Community Resources,
• Understanding of the Community’s
Position Relative to Other Places.

10.
Economic Analysis
• Increased range of Land Use
• Increased density and/or intensity (increased user base)
• General per acre property value increases
• Regional Stormwater Options
• Improved Parking Standards/Options
• Master Planning done by the Community in advance
– Reduces planning and development review timeframes
• Employment Opportunities
• Intangible benefits
Benefits to Property Owners (and the Community)

11.
Economic Analysis
1. To provide information to assist in establishing priorities for
infrastructure improvements to the Lehigh Area Community.
2. To provide information to describe the financial benefits to
the property (value) of opting to develop consistent with the
Regulating Plan.
3. Compare Revenue to Cost
4. Look at Intangible Benefits
Economic Analysis Objectives
Investments
(Costs)
Benefits
(Revenues)

12.
Benefits
• To develop/redevelop places that will serve area
residents.
• Can create urban development pattern
• Satisfy Economic Objectives
• Create a walkable connected environment
• Create streetscape to beautify
• Spur economic development
• Engage the community.

13.
Questions Asked
• What components of the
redevelopment area does the
community most like?
• What areas would benefit from
cost-effective improvements?
• What are some of the
strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats
facing the City?
• Is the community supportive of
a comprehensive approach to
plan the future development
and form of the
redevelopment area or is a sub-
area approach preferred?

14.
In General
• Recommend you begin with a Community
Vision or EAR Based Amendments to the
Comprehensive Plan
• Define expectations and goals based on
community priorities for Economic
Development
• For a CRA - must adopt a Finding of Necessity
• Basis for creating a CRA is broader
than common expectation;
slum/blight are legal terms.
• It all starts with a PLAN!

15.
Ask Yourself…
• Where are we now?
• Where are we going?
• Where do we want to be?
• How do we get there?

16.
• Remove Slum & Blight
• Create Clean and Safe Places
• Prevent Crime
• Encourage Economic Development Activities
• Build or Enhance Affordable Housing
• Fund Streetscape and other Capital Improvements
• Preserve Historic Buildings/Resources
• Retain and Recruit Business
• Enhance Parks and Recreation
• Increase the Tax Base of the CRA District
Courtesy: Florida Redevelopment Association
Redevelopment as an Economic
Development Tool

17.
Case Study
City of Wauchula
Established a CRA in 1997
First update to the Master
Plan – 2010
Developed a CIP with short-, mid-, long
range projects
TIF Revenues: $440,000 (FY 12/13); $487,000 (FY 11/12)
Adopted Ten Key Strategies for Implementation
Key Strategies:
• Catalyst Site Projects
• Parking Lot Rehabilitation
• Targeted sidewalk enhancements

18.
Parking Lots/Pedestrian Connections:
Case Study
The project categories are defined as follows:
Short-term: projects that are understood and/or anticipated
to be undertaken and completed within 1-5 years and those
that funds are available or committed;
Mid-term: projects that are expected to be completed in
years 5-10 with funding sources identified and all or
portions of the funds are available or will be available within
the time frame;
Long-range: projects that may be completed in years 10-15,
will require additional, long-term funding solutions.
City of Wauchula

19.
Capital Improvements Plan (per 2010 Master Plan Update)
Case Study
Short-Term:
• Coker Fuel Building Rear Building Demolition & Interior renovation - $355,000
• Coker Fuel Building/Heritage Park Parking Lot - $205,000
• Farmer’s Market/ Civic/Event Space & Parking Lot Construction - $126,000
• Streetscape Design (Professional Services) 4th Avenue/7th Avenue/8th Avenue - $100,000
• Gateway Enhancements (CRA & City) - $10,000 per entry feature (1a), $15,000 per entry
feature (1), $5,000 per entry sign (CRA and City)
• Grants/Property Assistance (Residential and Commercial Grants Program) - Annual $75,000
Developer Incentives - $30,000 Annual
• Proactive and increased Code Enforcement/Property Maintenance Code - $0
• Wayfinding Signage Program - $20,000/$70,000 (Construction)
• Civic Auditorium Renovation (Multi-Media Improvements)
• $N/A; subject to negotiations with a private vendor
through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
• Vacant Storefront Advertising, Banners, Advertising - $26,000
• Festivals/Community-wide events, Sponsorships - $25,000 (A)
• Various Sidewalk Improvements - $100,000
• Various Street Light Improvements - $100,000
City of Wauchula

20.
Capital Improvements Plan (per 2012/13 – 16/17 CIP)
Case Study
Short-Term:
• Town Center Parking - $428,808
• Highway 17 & Main Street Parking - $154,280
• Wayfinding Signs - $90,000
• Sidewalks and Streets Lights - $40,000
• City Parking S 7-8th Avenue – $244,404
• Gateway Enhancements - $40,000 (per FY)
• Main Street Paving Project - $130,000
City of Wauchula

21.
Case Study

22.
Town Center & Depot
Case Study

23.
Town Center & Depot
Case Study
Engineering & Construction Information:
• Total Costs: $486,000
• Time Frame: 7 months
• Improved/Provided 78 Parking Spaces
• Improved Stormwater/Drainage
• Palmetto Street Improvements

24.
U.S. 17 & Main Street
Case Study

25.
U.S. 17 & Main Street
Case Study
Engineering & Construction Information:
• Total Costs: $155,000
• Time Frame: 1.5 months
• Improved/Provided 27 Parking Spaces

26.
Wayfinding
Case Study
Concerns Raised:
• Lack of Parking Infrastructure
and Lack of Signage
Planning & Design:
• Total Costs: $20,000

27.
Wayfinding
Case Study

28.
Case Study
City of New Smyrna Beach

29.
City of New Smyrna Beach
Case Study
Location and Size: approximately 2,170 properties totaling 2,002
acres, or approximately 3.13 square miles (excluding rights-of-way)
or approximately 3.8 square miles (including rights-of-way).
All properties are located within the City of New Smyrna Beach
Percentage of City: 8 percent +
Current Land Use: Commercial, Industrial, Office, residential,
civic/parks (public/semi-public), vacant
Future land use: Commercial, Industrial, Office, residential,
civic/parks (public/semi-public), vacant
Taxing authorities: City of New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County
Duration: 40 years

30.
City of New Smyrna Beach
Case Study
Projected Contributions (based on 40-year projections): City = $27.8 mil;
County $23.2 mil
Capital Projects:
Pedestrian safety improvements, including sidewalks, bike lanes
Opportunity sites – economic incubators
Streetscape
Roadway improvements/ intersection
Utility improvements
Historic Preservation
Wayfinding signage
Neighborhood/ Parks and recreation facility improvements
Transit/ multi-modal facility

31.
City of New Smyrna Beach
Case Study

32.
• Balance Redevelopment and General Fund Impacts to the
City and/or County
• Focus and Define Local Priorities
• Understand Local Resources
• Identify Community Champions
• It Can Be a Marathon, Not a Sprint
• Understand Impacts to Adjacent Areas
• Build in Flexibility
• Lessons Learned:
– CRAs are a Tool but not the only Tool. Identify other tools
available (Brownfield, Land Development Codes,
Comprehensive Plan, etc.)
– Combine and Leverage Available Resources where possible
– Identify Key Components in Your Local Plans
(Comprehensive Plan, CRA Master Plan, Visioning)
Final Thoughts…

33.
“Plan The Work –
Work The Plan!”
Gail Hamilton
Final Thoughts…

34.
Kelley Klepper, AICP Kimley-Horn
Robert “Bo” Conerly, P.E. Kimley-Horn
Jessica Newman, City of Wauchula CRA
Director/Main Street Coordinator
QUESTIONS?