CRA approves multiple downtown property-improvement grants; increases Lincolnwood award to $90,000 contingent on parking improvements

The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency on Jan. 15 approved a set of property-improvement grants for downtown properties and a consent budget amendment reallocating city-directed funds for ongoing projects.

The board unanimously approved property improvement grants for: Hollywood 26 LLC at 2024–2026 Hollywood Boulevard (grant up to $75,000); 2028 Harrison Property LLC at 2028 Harrison Street (grant up to $75,000); Lincolnwood Towers Condominium Inc. at 2134 Lincoln Street (grant increased to $90,000 and made contingent on completion of a parking-lot improvement); Oxford Towers Inc. at 1501 S. Ocean Drive (continued to February at the association’s request); and Oasis Condominium Association at 1800 N. Ocean Drive (grant up to $39,025.60). The consent agenda, which included a separate budget amendment, also passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the CRA said these grants are meant to spur private investment in the district, improve storefronts and public-facing building infrastructure, and increase Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue. Staff and board members noted several projects are already prompting adjacent property owners to consider matching improvements.

Key project details and board discussion

- 2024 & 2026 Hollywood Boulevard (Hollywood 26 LLC): Project manager Chris Cristitto described façade work including new awnings, paint and stucco, impact windows and doors, storefront glazing, mechanical and limited repaving of a rear parking area. Private investment was presented at $168,000, with the CRA grant at $75,000 (about 45% of this project). The board voted to approve the grant unanimously.

- 2028 Harrison Street (2028 Harrison Property LLC): Cristitto said the mixed-use building (about 20,000 sq. ft.) would receive impact windows/doors, paint and stucco, waterproofing and awnings. Private investment was presented at roughly $160,000, with a $75,000 CRA grant (about 47%). The board approved the grant unanimously.

- Lincolnwood Towers, 2134 Lincoln Street (Lincolnwood Towers Condominium Inc.): Cristitto described impact windows and doors, paint and stucco, two new signs and prior investment in a new roof completed in 2022. The owner, Steve Lakind, told the board he has worked on parking-lot plans but has encountered permitting delays and code constraints. Board Member Hernandez moved to increase the grant by $15,000 — bringing the CRA contribution to $90,000 — with the condition that the grant scope include the parking-lot improvement; Board Member Calari seconded. Hernandez also asked staff and the utilities department to return within 30 days with a cost estimate for connecting the property from septic to city sewer and options for sharing that cost with adjacent properties. The board approved the $90,000 award, contingent on the parking-lot work, unanimously.

- Oxford Towers, 1501 S. Ocean Drive (Oxford Towers Condominium Association): The association requested continuation to February so its membership could vote on one of three color trim options. Staff supported continuation; the board agreed to carry the item to the February meeting at the association’s request.

- Oasis Condominium Association, 1800 N. Ocean Drive: The association presented bids for a new barrel-tile roof, paint and exterior lighting. Staff said the roof quotes ranged roughly from $63,600 to $85,000 and that the owners had placed deposits and filed permits. The board approved the grant (50% of the presented project cost) unanimously.

Consent budget amendment

At the start of the meeting the board approved consent items including a budget amendment. Executive Director George told the board the amendment directs an additional $3,000,000 of CRA funding to the Hollywood Beach golf-course clubhouse project. George also said the amendment incorporates a housekeeping carry-forward: $175,000 of $355,000 that the CRA has provided the city as part of the Art and Culture Center renovation will be accounted for now rather than in a later amendment. (The consent agenda was approved unanimously.)

Board and staff follow-up directions

- Staff was directed to pursue the Lincolnwood parking-lot permitting and to coordinate with the utilities department on a sewer-connection cost estimate and potential shared funding arrangements; the board requested that information return within 30 days.

- Staff and the CRA project manager were asked to continue outreach to adjacent property owners about potential façade improvements so private investment can be coordinated along the block.

Votes at a glance

- Consent items 5 & 6 (budget amendment; housekeeping carry-forward for Art & Culture Center) — motion carried unanimously. - Item 7: Hollywood 26 LLC, 2024–2026 Hollywood Boulevard — PIP grant up to $75,000 — approved unanimously. - Item 8: 2028 Harrison Property LLC, 2028 Harrison Street — PIP grant up to $75,000 — approved unanimously. - Item 9: Lincolnwood Towers Condominium Inc., 2134 Lincoln Street — PIP grant amended to $90,000 contingent on inclusion of parking-lot improvement — approved unanimously. (Hernandez moved; Calari seconded.) - Item 10: Oxford Towers Inc., 1501 S. Ocean Drive — continued to February at the association’s request (vote to continue; no award made). - Item 11: Oasis Condominium Association, 1800 N. Ocean Drive — PIP grant up to $39,025.60 (50% of the bid package presented) — approved unanimously.

What the board said

Chris Cristitto, Project Manager, Hollywood CRA: "The $168,000 improvement with the CRA $75,000 investment is approximately 45% of the total project cost." (presentation on Hollywood Boulevard property)

Board Member Hernandez (motion maker on Lincolnwood): "Brings it up to $90,000 contingent that the parking lot is done." (motion to increase the Lincolnwood award and require the parking-lot work as a condition)

What’s next

Staff will return with the requested sewer-connection cost estimate for the Lincolnwood site within 30 days and will continue to coordinate property-improvement outreach to nearby owners. The Oxford Towers request will return for vote in February after the association selects a color option. The board flagged coordination on permitting, drainage, and adjacent investment as ongoing priorities for the CRA.

Ending

The board closed the regular agenda after those votes and moved into closing comments from members and staff.