The CRA board received a consolidated update Sept. 3 on downtown and Hollywood Beach capital improvement projects and asked staff to refine budget obligations ahead of the upcoming budget hearing. Deputy Director Susan Goldberg and project managers summarized project status, budgets and grant sources for multiple projects.

Key downtown items
Staff outlined the Harrison Street Streetscape (construction starting late 2025), ongoing work on Hollywood Boulevard, neighborhood lighting upgrades (FP&L coordination), Tyler Street demonstration work and a North Alleyway drainage/permeable pavement project. Goldberg said the CRA was tracking a potential $1.7 million in unobligated downtown funds but cautioned that final fiscal figures will be presented at the budget hearing; the board discussed whether to reallocate placeholder funds held for a Tyler Street MPO project that is not expected to be constructed until 2028.

Board Member Lehi and others asked staff to develop options for using available dollars sooner, including possible Parkside neighborhood circulation changes (one‑way conversion and angled parking) to increase on‑street capacity; Board Member Hernandez requested that the fire chief be consulted on apparatus clearance needs for any reconfiguration and that staff deliver net‑parking estimates and cost ranges ahead of the budget hearing.

Key beach items
Goldberg outlined Phase 4 of beach improvements, undergrounding of utilities along A1A (FPL schedule), dune restoration, Keating Park renovations (substantial completion expected in October), nearshore reef completion pending FDEP signoff, and signage and turtle‑lighting work. Several grants were noted: a Coastal Resiliency award, BRIC funds and others totaling roughly $17 million that will offset CRA capital spending.

Signage procurement concern and legal review
The board raised a discrete procurement issue: the firm contracted to fabricate cityway signage and monument signs had been acquired by another company. City project counsel and staff said the corporate transition surfaced within the previous week; Legal advised the board it would review whether the purchase affected the contract assignment and whether the city’s agreement required written approval. City legal counsel said they would analyze the acquisition documents, determine whether work product belongs to the city, and provide a memo on options and next steps. Staff committed to providing an updated schedule for shop drawings, fabrication and installation and to supplying historical procurement background to the board.

Budgeting and next steps
The board asked staff to provide an updated CIP obligation schedule and a short memo listing options for any remaining downtown CRA funds ahead of the Sept. 20 budget hearing. For the signage procurement, board members asked for a written status and copies of the procurement record and any communications about the vendor buyout. Staff said they would provide those items and return with more detailed cost and scheduling information.