Opa-locka CRA weighs demolition, redevelopment and short-term activations for downtown properties

The City of Opa-locka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) spent a workshop on options for six downtown properties it now controls, focusing on whether to repair and retain existing buildings, demolish and redevelop with mixed-use housing, or pursue short-term activations such as food trucks and event rentals.

The CRA director, Jason (director), told board members the agency paid $1,675,000 for the corner property at 391 Opelika Boulevard and about $650,000 for the former Chinese restaurant at 14401 Northwest 20 Seventh Avenue. He said contractors estimated more than $500,000 to build out a single bay inside 391, and that bringing the whole building up to market standards would likely exceed $1 million. "That property was $1,675,000," Jason said, and for the corner bay he added, "the estimate ... was over $500,000."

Why it matters: Board members framed the choices around two goals the vice chair set at the start: deciding future uses for acquired parcels and making fiscally sound, community-conscious decisions. Members repeatedly emphasized that redeveloping downtown ought to increase the local tax base and create foot traffic that supports businesses, and they pressed staff for concrete cost and revenue estimates before committing to a path.

Discussion and options: Staff reviewed each parcel in turn and laid out near- and long-term options. - 391 Opelika Boulevard: six commercial bays, three occupied on month-to-month terms and three vacant; currently collecting about $500 in rent from some occupants.…