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Redevelopment staff highlights flood‑recovery resources, Dickerson Center monuments and CRA growth; board directs staff to research urban chamber membership
Summary
Redevelopment staff on Jan. 29 shared flood‑recovery resource flyers, announced an early‑action monuments project at Dickerson Center tied to a Choice Neighborhood Grant and reported an approximate 18% increase in Midtown tax increment revenues.
Redevelopment staff at the Midtown Redevelopment Board meeting on Jan. 29 distributed resources for residents and outlined early‑action initiatives linked to the Choice Neighborhood Grant and other community events.
Staff provided a flyer with information about Transform 386 (a county program) and Elevate Florida (a state program) as additional resources for homeowners still experiencing flooding and for residents whose homes might require rebuilding. Staff said the flyer included a web link but no phone number in the packet; income‑eligibility and program specifics were not known at the time.
Staff also described a $100,000 early‑action activity tied to the HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant: permanent monuments and sidewalk murals at the Dickerson Center to memorialize historic community icons and athletes connected to Palmetto Park, Caroline Village and Walnut Oak. The kickoff and a related Melanin 2 Rich Festival were scheduled for Feb. 22, and staff said they will provide details and a site plan for the monuments at a later date.
Redevelopment staff reported receipt of recent tax collector figures showing an approximately 18% increase in Midtown tax revenues (compared with other CRA areas) and said those funds should be obligated to projects such as sidewalks, lighting, acquisitions or other early actions rather than remain unspent.
Board members discussed partnering with the Urban Chamber of Commerce of Volusia and the concept of supporting minority and small businesses that may lack access to larger chamber resources. Attorney Russell noted that a formal membership would require a motion and potential legal review; the chair asked staff to research membership options and return with information after a presentation from the chamber’s leadership is scheduled.
Staff also flagged upcoming community engagement: the consultant working on roundabout and lighting concepts for a Doctor Badoon/Dr. King Boulevard/Lincoln corridor will require community input; staff said they will schedule a community meeting and invite the board or present at a future board meeting.
The board heard several community spotlight presentations the same night, including recognition of Tijuana Dozier and her work with Cameron Resources (a workforce and student‑employment program that runs a retail outlet staffed and mentored by local college students). Board members praised the entrepreneurship and student‑training focus of the enterprise.
No binding financial commitment was made at the meeting; the board directed staff to invite Dr. Kennedy Jacobs (Urban Chamber leadership) to present at a future meeting and to research membership and legal steps necessary to join or partner with the Urban Chamber. Attorney Russell asked that any membership proposal be returned as a formal motion after legal review.
