High Springs CRA presents FY2024 annual report; directors warn state bill could halt future expansions

Amy, the CRA director, presented the High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency annual report for fiscal year 2024 at the CRA's March 13, 2025 meeting and reviewed grant awards, district beautification, farmers market support, a policing interlocal agreement and a proposed parking expansion.

The report is filed under Florida statute 163.371, Amy said: "Per Florida statute 163.371, we're required to file an annual report." She told board members the agency will publish the report on the CRA website and provide copies to the county once the board has reviewed it.

The nut of the report: staff described multiple completed and ongoing facade projects paid through a $10,000 commercial facade-match program, a residential facade program that opened in August 2024, a new CRA beautification crew, support for the High Springs Farmers Market and an interlocal agreement with the High Springs Police Department to provide enhanced policing in the district.

On façade grants, Amy said the commercial program uses a 50/50 match up to $10,000. Examples cited in the report include the High Springs Women's Club project (approved March 28, 2024; work completed Aug. 13, 2024) with a total project cost of $20,300 and a CRA contribution of $10,000; Merry Me Menomones (approved March 9, 2024), total cost $990.48, CRA contribution $495.24; and…