The Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency on Oct. 23 approved a series of staff-recommended grants and funding actions across CRA districts. The items were presented and approved by voice vote; the transcript does not record roll-call tallies.

Klayman Plaza entrance improvements (item 6.01)
The board approved an additional $115,000 to complete entrance improvements at Klayman Plaza after bids returned higher than the original $185,000 budget. Staff said the work includes repainting, lighting and landscaping around the plaza entry. Board member Porter said he supported the item and urged continued coordination with the Downtown Improvement Authority (DIA). The motion to proceed with option 1 (staff recommendation) was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Lake Bradford façade and tenant-improvement grants (items 7.01 and 7.02)
Two property owners on Lake Bradford Road received CRA assistance for exterior and interior improvements to accommodate local businesses.
- 1330 Lake Bradford Road: Staff recommended and the board approved a $33,714 grant to replace windows and doors, do exterior repairs, painting and flooring to ready the building for tenant Big D's Barbecue. The Greater Frenchtown Southside CAC had recommended approval.
- 1338 Lake Bradford Road: The board approved a $194,280 grant for a complete façade renovation and interior improvements for the site currently occupied by a laundromat; the owner plans to enclose walkway space, add exterior lighting and bring a Bookshare library amenity. The CAC recommended approval; staff found the request consistent with the redevelopment plan.

JPV Lofts mixed-use new-construction assistance (item 7.03)
The board approved a $450,000 new-construction assistance program (NCAP) grant for a proposed mixed-use development at 506 Alston Street (applicant JPV Lofts LLC). Staff said the estimated project cost is about $1.9 million and the funding would support site work and construction of five loft apartments and about 660 square feet of retail/community space. The applicant has secured financing and a letter of intent from a retail occupant, Argonaut Coffee. The CAC and staff recommended approval and the board approved the motion.

Wall Street affordable housing (item 7.04)
The board approved a CRA contribution of $186,652.48 to a 17-unit affordable homeownership project developed by TLC (community land trust model) to address an infrastructure gap. Staff said Leon County committed $530,000 to the infrastructure budget and the city’s resilience/housing division had committed roughly $30,000; the CRA share requested was 25% of the total $746,609.90 infrastructure budget. The board moved and approved staff’s recommendation.

Votes
All items above were approved by voice vote. The meeting transcript records "aye" votes and unanimous voice approval on these consent and staff items but does not provide a numerical roll-call tally.

Next steps: staff will proceed with contracting and design tasks as appropriate for each project; several board members asked staff to continue coordinating with partner agencies (DIA, Blueprint, county housing) and neighborhood advisory committees.