[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6288906,"mediaKeyId","2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c","parentId",2534170,"title","CRA board appoints David Wilson IV to Florence Villa advisory committee","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",271000,"endMs",361000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c&start=271&end=361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c/thumbnail_271000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288906/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/CRA-board-appoints-David-Wilson-IV-to-Florence-Villa-advisory-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288906-bc46c0cbadd2265a13db5cd5d2c7291f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203189&Signature=WokAjcB8d4tI7YyGRZwLtltH5PH4d9lHgytBU~PxLRYQUqKzKXyzkGQyaNOIVsAU8B7jdSxUEV4kEZ2Q9C-gc3L1eFTGQIKIY5-qGlDPn8Rh2aO9iRLWarK1~S6RlnWdDfGyFoud~l~8AvQdM5cboq1JB0A5mt79vB0X6C1j4nUrvkDI7H5UH~I69IzogqTJsj-45sOdJIHhT-u7ybxojbn81OlzIVL4reO47xj1nhEl-ODEXzFcJEkaTERjCVNQTj-SRQWSGQuC77RMDSeoAcWsaeMWRKbmag4GFcSrZ1oi~H7YPyGFu6~px5I8NXstFj~iV1CHS9m8zzhWiKDnew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Winter Haven, FL","date","2025-03-11T09:52:09Z","article","The Winter Haven CRA board on March 10 appointed David Wilson IV to fill a vacancy on the Florence Villa CRA advisory committee.

Angie Hibbard, CRA manager, told the board the CRA received one application for the vacancy from David Wilson IV, an attorney with an office on First Street in Florence Villa and a lifelong Winter Haven resident. “Staff does recommend appointment of Mister David Wilson the fourth to the Florence Villa CRA advisory,” Hibbard said.

A board member asked whether the appointee could be sworn in immediately; staff said he would be available to serve at the next Florence Villa CRA advisory committee meeting. After a motion, no public comment and a voice vote, the motion carried.

Staff will coordinate onboarding and the advisory committee will welcome the new member at its next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board Meeting - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the appointment of attorney David Wilson IV to a vacancy on the Florence Villa CRA advisory committee; the appointee will be available to serve at the advisory committee's next meeting.","taxTitle","Winter Haven City, Polk County, Florida","taxId",12580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288911,"CRA board discusses Florence Villa bus shelters, upfront TIF rebates, CDFI and First Street redevelopment",926,1690000,2616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c&start=1690&end=2616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c/thumbnail_1690000.jpg","/articles/6288911/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/CRA-board-discusses-Florence-Villa-bus-shelters-upfront-TIF-rebates-CDFI-and-First-Street-redevelopment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288911-df8087b3794a4058584850f44a755919/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203189&Signature=Aak3AKj93qtjE9Igl-lNfca0dUmozVcbsXgIseFXMuGOj~6cHvYgNocYL6wQw8nmGrYZROtvnYMhtx~60l5VObA18unAFNFeRomgCJMDiNB4x0iYofFkmZ3oB0Mx5IWZ~mgommac17qygH9H-W1V41pF~S-XmOqsK9jYioPoBk-FHfdJnJbM5Q8RI9H6lycIVlZK9rvU8Z8OteMPpLxvRhGdtO4hcS06ExGCVsL4fLwd1G3Vlv-0NO1WN5ItCpeZ0DVvxYF0hGmOqDn3~1FkV2NuDczHdn~KZkGIcBea6BBZui-ISbxKW1FvouGFDOD1PTrijCTmf4AU3b-5fXhJRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the March 10 Winter Haven CRA meeting discussed a package of small-business and infrastructure initiatives for the Florence Villa and Downtown CRAs, including bus-shelter placement, a proposed upfront cash TIF reimbursement program, support for a Hartford Winter Haven-backed community development financial institution (CDFI), and a First Street corridor redevelopment effort.

Angie Hibbard, CRA manager, and other staff described ongoing coordination with Florida Citrus Connection to identify the highest-ridership bus stops and a continuing-contract engineering firm to design shelters and right-of-way improvements. Staff said only two of the system’s top stops initially identified fall within the CRAs and that funding has been set aside in both the Florence Villa and Downtown CRA budgets to construct bus stops in eligible locations. Staff added the city would manage bus-shelter construction as a city project rather than as a reimbursement to private parties.

On small-business incentives, CRA staff said they are drafting an upfront cash TIF rebate program for Florence Villa modeled on the previously approved “missing middle” program. Staff described a potential reimbursement tied to a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion (for commercial projects), suggesting an example parameter of 10% reimbursement up to a program cap. Staff said a resolution outlining the program parameters could be presented at the board's next meeting.

City Manager Michael Stavish and CRA staff also discussed Hartford Winter Haven’s effort to form a CDFI — which would be the first such institution in Polk County — to provide lending and technical assistance to small businesses. Stavish and staff said a CDFI could be seeded with public or private funds, but any CRA funding would need to be limited to projects within the district and consistent with CRA plans. Cedric Cox, assistant director for economic development and community investment, and others said the proposed CDFI would serve Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties and target borrowers at or below 80% of area median income, minority-owned businesses and underserved borrowers; 60% of loans issued by the CDFI would need to hit the defined target market, staff said. Staff said the CDFI could provide loans that help businesses reach bank-readiness, and it may provide consumer services such as credit rehabilitation and financial counseling.

On property assembly and corridor planning, staff said the city has engaged Florida Acquisition (Joe Blair) to identify parcels in the First Street corridor and that the team is mapping roughly 50 parcels from an initial list (staff said the consultant had identified more but the list was limited). The city has budgeted a First Street Corridor redevelopment plan in its planning budget and expects a kickoff meeting for that planning project in the next month or two. Staff described potential voluntary acquisitions to assemble parcels for redevelopment.

Board members also flagged proposed state legislation — Senate Bill 1242 and House Bill 991 — that would, if passed as written, limit creation of new CRAs and would terminate existing CRAs by 2045. Chairman Yates urged board members and community members to contact the Polk County legislative delegation to express support for CRAs.

Board members asked staff to prepare parameters and a resolution for the upfront cash TIF rebate and to continue discussions with Hartford Winter Haven and other partners about possible CRA seed funding for the CDFI while ensuring program rules and district consistency.","Board members reviewed plans to add bus shelters in CRA districts, develop an upfront cash TIF rebate for small projects, explore seeding a local CDFI, and proceed with a First Street corridor planning and property-assembly effort.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288916,"CRA board overturns advisory committee and approves Haven Place façade grant appeal",456,767000,1223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c&start=767&end=1223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6288916/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/CRA-board-overturns-advisory-committee-and-approves-Haven-Place-façade-grant-appeal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288916-6b25ba0771f7f785b962cc35ad90ec78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203189&Signature=i7HKHON1VtAwSMKvlwYulapnoTvCjgCFQFPG5wPrEZ987U~LsciQG8W63QCgiJvo83Kbbebn4K55nsyPlYFQhOBmN-YY257LcMJi4Nbc1hp8~DYc0sXpkkAewXJLCSE2cSQkhYriphOUdD17gkmW43vakE37MrIeZyyN33-t1YUfGGDFHrGpzezSeMYvoTrfIFfnxzYSvINuzmBasbPoiJVJigSEyb0Q-AD80oyC672Zmvfo6o8QJ3hCIGYwvSFEhsTHaEtomu3kcz6KUIu~2uBQNPESlzo~ePvU~HMOpreoUoZwvkRK0JeoxcoQrOfyt7b2rmbWwRL1bM9wbdTvrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winter Haven CRA board on March 10 approved an appeal by the Haven Place homeowners association for a commercial façade grant to cover common-area improvements.

Smeasly, CRA coordinator, presented the application on behalf of Melinda Calogridis, who applied for the grant for landscaping, signage, stucco and exterior repainting of common property. The estimates for the proposed work ranged in the application packet from $10,400 to $19,568, and the applicant requested reimbursement equal to 75% of the final cost up to the grant maximum of $10,000.

Smeasly told the board the downtown CRA advisory committee, at its Feb. 3 meeting, had voted against the commercial façade grant, prompting the application to be advanced to the board on appeal. Board members asked staff why the advisory committee had voted against the application. Smeasly and other staff explained the committee debated whether commercial façade incentives or individual residential façade grants were the appropriate program because the property is a condominium with both common areas and individually owned units. Staff said the current application covers only common-area elements and that individual unit owners could separately apply for residential façade grants for exterior items they own in fee simple if those items meet program criteria.

After discussion and no public comment, the board voted to approve the appeal. A staff member noted on the record that Florida Statute 112.3143(3)(b) allows individual CRA board members to vote on this matter and that no conflict of interest was present for voting purposes.

The board approved reimbursement of up to 75% of the final eligible cost for common-area improvements, capped at $10,000, as described in the applicant packet and staff presentation.","The CRA board approved a commercial façade grant appeal from the Haven Place homeowners association to reimburse up to 75% of common-area exterior improvements, up to $10,000, after staff clarified eligibility and conflict-of-interest rules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":46,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288921,"CRA board approves developers agreement for 81-unit downtown apartment project",397,758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c&start=361&end=758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2534170-eb46ca073d221ebf9cf2829eb6ffda6c/thumbnail_361000.jpg","/articles/6288921/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/CRA-board-approves-developers-agreement-for-81-unit-downtown-apartment-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288921-ff5708cf6e1dbbc592ac37ed83fc564c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203189&Signature=oIgMGz7AnJ~eTHNBv02uERUEwla-amlTuEvg-YAwDNmvuISYHIlRoCzO-bLyy12SXfpJ6o8UPcGkUeT94kpz~Ow6JVHvoHtcp3WBWG-vYINKV~ElkQ1tCl8qB44sQcZJxocXsy2Dd2iXDR5HhFen2Bq-juRoxZvhPbGqHG4krIZCaCxcD--l6sKHQue2t-XVB~gmvm0nLCxsdsyZbLDboWG23DMisE1a9N6iLpRc9PJWSIMkcVeeyyl1PkeBphf5gBiqXH~GLK5GwmUhK0qyzHH-5vkpRRzdnmAfASMOcrvNZToRNU5QyAo8E-iulYh7nbxYQvGcTDddqZ9wcVEgJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winter Haven Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board on March 10 approved a developers agreement with The Karl Winter Haven LLC to support an 81-unit apartment project in downtown Winter Haven.

Eric Labbe, staff member, told the board the project — referred to as The Karl — is a proposed eight-story, 81-unit “flat iron” apartment building to be sited on the grassed parcel in front of the former BB&T building downtown. “This is a developer's agreement for the Karl, which is a proposed 81 unit apartment complex,” Labbe said during the presentation. He said amenities will include a clubhouse, pool, patios, courtyard, fitness center, elevators and a business center and that the applicant provided renderings and a site plan.

The agreement includes a tax-increment financing (TIF) rebate on ad valorem revenue generated by the project. Labbe described the rebate schedule as providing 90% of the project-generated TIF for the first 10 years, with a reduced rebate in later years as presented to the board. He also said the applicant requested reimbursement of projected water and wastewater connection fees payable to the developer over four years (one-fourth per year). “The TIF rebate is paid annually from the tax increment generated from the project for a defined period of time,” Labbe said.

Labbe presented the project's financing and fiscal projections, reporting a total project cost of $26,740,000 financed approximately 65% by construction loans and 35% by private equity. He told the board staff projects the city would receive about $571,000 in ad valorem revenue over the first 20 years if the project is built and that TIF rebates to the developer over that period would total roughly the amount shown in the staff presentation. Labbe said the advisory committee heard the proposal on Feb. 3 and “unanimously recommended approval of the developers agreement.”

Board members asked whether parking would be on-site (Labbe: yes) and whether the development would include workforce housing (Labbe: it is market-rate apartments). Board members also discussed public parking on the lot south of the proposed building; Labbe said that lot is private but is currently made available to the public and “to my knowledge, that would still be available.”

After a motion and no public comment, the board voted in favor. Chairman Yates called for those in favor to say “aye,” and the motion carried.

The board approved the developers agreement and directed staff to proceed under the terms presented. The applicant was in the audience and available for questions, Labbe said.

Details presented in the board packet and staff presentation — including the exact TIF step-down percentages beyond year 10 and unit-size ranges — contained wording that was unclear on the audio record; the board vote approved the agreement as presented by staff.","The Winter Haven CRA board approved a developers agreement with The Karl Winter Haven LLC that offers a tax-increment financing rebate and reimbursement of utility connection fees for an 81-unit, eight-story apartment project proposed on a downtown lot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CRA board appoints David Wilson IV to Florence Villa advisory committee

CRA board discusses Florence Villa bus shelters, upfront TIF rebates, CDFI and First Street redevelopment

CRA board overturns advisory committee and approves Haven Place façade grant appeal

CRA board approves developers agreement for 81-unit downtown apartment project