Midtown board highlights flood-relief resources, Choice Neighborhood early-action monuments and spotlights local entrepreneur Tijuana Dozier

City staff updated the Midtown Redevelopment Board on resident resources, forthcoming early-action monuments tied to the Choice Neighborhood project at Dickerson Center, upcoming community events and a spotlight presentation on a local entrepreneur; the board also discussed possible membership in the Urban Chamber of Commerce and use of CRA funds for infrastructure and safety projects.

Staff distributed a flyer describing Transform 386 (county program) and Elevate Florida (state program) as additional resources for homeowners still experiencing flooding; the staff speaker said she had only a flyer and a link, and that eligibility details such as income rules were not available at the time of the presentation.

Staff also described a Choice Neighborhood early-action activity tied to Dickerson Center: the project includes two permanent monuments to memorialize recognized historic icons who are already displayed on banners along International Speedway Boulevard and permanent sidewalk murals for athletes. The presenter said $100,000 must be used as an early-action activity to demonstrate progress to HUD under the Choice Neighborhood Grant requirements and that the monuments would be part of that early action work. Staff said a kickoff for public information about the monuments and related sidewalk murals is scheduled for February 22 at the Dickerson Center; separate events (Melanin 2 Rich Festival at Daisy Stockton Park and the Fresh Book Festival at the Cherry Center) also were noted for the same date.

Spotlight: entrepreneur Tijuana (Tia) Dozier described her business Cameron’s Gear, which sells collegiate apparel and trains and employs Bethune–Cookman University students. Dozier said her operation emphasizes workforce development and student accountability: she requires students working at the store to submit grade reports and encourages internships. “My goal is to make them positive contributors to society,” Dozier told the board. Board members and other presenters praised Dozier’s long-term mentorship of students and her role in Midtown small-business activity.

Board discussion and next steps: board members raised potential partnerships with the Urban Chamber of Commerce to connect minority and small businesses with training and capital. Staff said they would invite Dr. Kennedy Jacobs (Urban Chamber) to present to the board and that legal staff would advise on membership mechanics. A staff member reported tax-collector numbers showing roughly an 18% increase in Midtown receipts (the presenter said Midtown ranked second among five CRAs for increase), and board members discussed possible uses for CRA funds including acquisition, sidewalks, improved street lighting, cameras and community-requested infrastructure. The board directed staff to research chamber membership and to invite the chamber’s representative for a future presentation; attorney staff said board action would be required later (a motion and vote) after the chamber presents.

The board also asked about forthcoming design work for roundabout proposals at Doctor Badoon Boulevard / Dr. King Boulevard / Lincoln; staff said consultants are preparing designs and that community input meetings will be scheduled.

Ending: staff committed to follow up with Dr. Jacobs and legal on the chamber membership question, to provide materials electronically, and to schedule community input for the roundabout design. Dozier’s spotlight closed with board members thanking her for her role in training local students; no formal board vote was recorded on any of the redevelopment handouts or the chamber-membership research directive.