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CRA approves up to $140,000 for Modern Cleaners building improvements on West Cervantes
Summary
The CRA approved a Commercial Property Improvement Program award not to exceed $140,000 to Shah (Mike) Shaw, owner of Modern Cleaners at 2500 West Cervantes Street. The vote was unanimous; the owner characterized the project as building “hardening” and façade improvements for the 1946 building.
The Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency approved a Commercial Property Improvement Program (CPIP) award of up to $140,000 to Shah Imrugan (who goes by Mike Shaw), owner of Modern Cleaners at 2500 West Cervantes Street, to support building improvements intended to harden and improve the property's usability and appearance.
The award matters because it funds private-property improvements designed to stabilize a long‑standing business, support neighborhood economic activity and contribute to the CRA’s commercial revitalization goals.
CRA staff described the application as eligible under the CPIP and said the funding is intended to “harden the building and making it more usable for, the business that occupies it.” The owner, who introduced himself to the board as Murugang Shaw and said he goes by Mike Shaw, told the board the building dates to 1946 and houses a roughly 5,000‑square‑foot dry‑cleaning plant and a retail storefront.
Board members asked program‑management questions. Staff said the CPIP program is funded at about $300,000 per year now (previously about $150,000) for each district and that funds generally carry forward year to year. Staff said there was no current wait list and one other active applicant being processed.
Public comment supported the award. James Gulley told the board he supported the project and asked to speak with the owner after the meeting. Owner Shaw said the project aims to improve the building’s appearance to benefit the Brownsville area and possibly attract more businesses.
The motion to approve the CPIP funding award was moved by Board Member Wiggins and seconded by Board Member Breyer. The CRA chair called the question; the motion passed 6–0.
Staff noted the building had been identified as culturally or historically significant in a review by the UWF Historic Trust; the CRA package did not attach special historic‑preservation conditions beyond that notation. The owner and staff acknowledged further project details would be handled through program documents and standard CRA project approvals.
Votes at a glance: approve commercial property improvement award — passed 6–0.
The CRA chair authorized the administrative steps necessary to complete the project under program rules.
