Palatka CRA committee advances multiple exterior‑improvement projects; funding decisions set for Aug. 11

PALATKA — Committee members reviewing Palatka Community Redevelopment Agency exterior‑improvement grant applications on May 22 scored a slate of property‑rehabilitation projects and set an eligibility threshold for the CRA funding meeting on Aug. 11.

A CRA staff member said the program is a cost‑share grant intended to “support revitalizing blighted residential [and] commercial properties in the CRA districts by providing financial assistance for exterior improvements.” The staff member described the reimbursement structure as “50% reimbursement for projects under $50,000 and a maximum of $25,000 for projects $50,000 or more,” and listed eligibility requirements including that work be new (not retroactive), done by a licensed contractor or professional, on taxable property, with no prior‑year funding and a complete application.

Why it matters: The program targets visible exterior work intended to reduce blight and return properties to taxable, leasable use. Committee scoring will determine which applications move on for funding recommendations to the full CRA board and then, by ratification, to the City Commission.

Committee procedure and threshold: The staff member told the panel the “magic number” for advancing to the CRA meeting will be a score of 105. Applicants with totals of 105 or greater will be scheduled for the CRA meeting on Aug. 11, where the CRA board will score and rank applicants and recommend funding amounts to the City Commission for ratification; staff said that grant agreements can be signed after ratification and the program will operate on a once‑a‑year cycle to align with the fiscal year.

Presentations and damage described: Several property owners spoke briefly about needed exterior repairs. - Dave McClimont, owner of two connected storefronts at 101 and 111 South Tenth Street, said he and his wife bought the property about two years ago, have completed interior renovations and now want to “clean up the outside,” citing deteriorated railroad ties, a neglected flower bed and a parking‑lot resurfacing need. - Marcia Beacraft, owner of Elsie Bell’s building, described extensive exterior deterioration including damaged ceiling elements at the front lanai, multiple painted and damaged stained‑glass front doors she wants refurbished, termite damage and window‑frame decay; she said restoration of the stained glass could take months and require temporary protection in the meantime. - Jeannie Pierce, owner of 717 Saint John’s Avenue, described termite damage and said she planned facade replacement, new doors, awning replacement and windows to make the building leasable for retail or office use. - Gabrielle Gunn said a project at 801 Saint John’s Avenue aims to create an inviting environment and would add an estimated 35 to 40 jobs; she listed site work including irrigation, landscaping, fencing, pavers and exterior brick facade work. - Jeremy Alexander said he was representing Revitalized Palatka on behalf of Kathleen Nona for an application at 715 Reed; he said the building was vacant and had not yet had landscaping work completed. - Warren Berry (120 Kirkland) and Alan Henschel (616 Kirby) described ongoing full renovations and siding/paint work; Dennis Fern (212 Dodge) walked the committee through photos and explained a plan to match original novelty siding with Cypress and described extensive interior and foundation repairs already completed. - One applicant, for 622 Emmett, described a need to paint and said they had lived at the address for 25 years.

Scoring and results: Committee members went line by line through the application scorecards (urgency, redevelopment impact, alignment with program goals and a five‑point financial‑capacity score that staff said all applicants met). After tallying scores, staff read totals for the packet of applications: 101 & 111 South Tenth — 120 points; 111 North Fourth — 116 points; 717 Saint John’s — 109 points; 801 Saint John’s — 127 points; 715 Reed — 130 points; 120 Kirkland — 110 points; 616 Kirkland — 114 points; 622 Emmett — 98 points; 212 Dodge — 120 points. Staff said applicants scoring 105 or greater will advance to the CRA meeting for funding decisions.

Formal actions and next steps: Committee members approved the minutes for May 22 and Jan. 14 during the session; members voted in favor and the motion carried. The staff member said the CRA board will act on funding recommendations at the Aug. 11 CRA meeting and then the City Commission will ratify awards on its consent agenda, after which staff will execute grant agreements.

Other notes: Staff said the packet included a revised application and a new scoring rubric and asked committee members to use the updated scorecard. Ralph Brooks appeared as substitute counsel for an absent attorney. The staff member said packets would be better tabbed and that staff will circulate a summary of last year’s awards and the current year’s awards after funding decisions are made.

Taper: Applicants who advance will be notified of the Aug. 11 CRA agenda posting; funding recommendations from the CRA will then be forwarded to the City Commission for ratification.