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Council moves to fast‑track downtown CRA study after state bill sets July 1 deadline
Summary
Facing legislation that would bar new community redevelopment agencies after July 1, 2025, Fort Myers Beach council members directed staff March 13 to pursue a study and consider a resolution to start the CRA process for the downtown/Town Square area; staff will contact consultants and peer cities and return with options.
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council on March 13 instructed staff to pursue a fast‑track study to evaluate creating a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for the downtown/Town Square area after staff warned that pending state legislation would effectively bar the creation of new CRAs after July 1, 2025.
Staff noted the statutory deadline is firm and that the CRA creation process requires a statutory study that can take months. One consultant, Corradino, said they could start immediately and may be able to finish in time but warned the timeline would be very tight. The mayor reported he had discussed the topic with Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, who offered assistance from Fort Myers’ CRA director.
Councilmembers discussed alternatives and outreach to peer cities, including Bonita Springs, to understand hybrid approaches used there. Staff suggested working with the town’s lobbyist to request a legislative clarification or extension that would allow jurisdictions that have started the process to finish even if final steps occur after July 1.
Council gave direction to staff to contact consultants, reach out to Fort Myers and Bonita Springs for examples, and return with a proposed resolution or action plan so the council can decide whether to formally begin the CRA process in time to meet any legislative deadline.
