Ocala CRA approves multiple residential and commercial grants, denies hotel repaint request

The Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency on an August meeting approved multiple property improvement grants for East Ocala homeowners and commercial property owners while recommending denial of a repaint/restriping grant for a recently built hotel seeking franchise upgrades.

Roberto Ellis, economic development manager, reviewed nine grant applications and recommended approval for eight of them, saying the projects improve energy efficiency, weatherization and curb appeal in the East Ocala CRA. Charnita Whitehead, economic development project coordinator, presented one residential application from TC Opportunity 4 LLC and recommended approval.

The agency approved grants for the following residential projects after staff presentations and site visits: Barrington Kirkham, 206 Northeast 12th Avenue, qualified for a $8,516 award based on staff’s calculation; Tracy and Randy Alderson received recommended support for a grant calculated at $8,175 to replace window units with a new HVAC system; Jody Talmadge qualified for the program maximum award of $20,000 to repair exterior walls, repaint, install a fence and improve landscaping; Patrick and Nathaniel Hadley were approved for reroofing grants for two adjacent properties (staff cited lowest quotes of $13,735 and $14,526 with a 50% match resulting in awarded amounts consistent with a 50% program match); and the application filed as CRA25-0036 for TC Opportunity 4 LLC / Robert Greene was approved for window replacement, insulation and fencing with an eligible award of $15,200 under the 75% residential match rules.

On commercial grants, the CRA approved a rehabilitation grant for a long‑vacant commercial building along State Road 40 (application CRA25-0012). Staff reported the low quotes for eligible work — including parking improvements, striping and bollards — totaled about $121,000.62; the project was eligible for the program cap of $50,000 under the 60% commercial match and the board approved the staff recommendation.

The board considered a repainting and parking lot restriping request from a four‑year‑old 40‑room hotel that is pursuing Wyndham franchise changes. Roberto Ellis and other staff noted the building is only about four years old and some board members expressed concern that repainting so soon could set an unfavorable precedent for the CRA’s limited funds. A motion to deny the hotel’s application carried on a voice vote.

The CRA also approved the first mural grant under a newly added mural component to the commercial grant program (application CRA25-0035). Staff reported a total project cost of $22,650, with a $13,590 match eligible from the CRA; the mural artist Justin Alsadeck is on the municipal art roster and the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission reviewed the proposal. Several board members discussed durability, warranty and potential perception that the mural might function as advertising for one tenant occupying part of the building; the board approved the staff recommendation.

Motions were taken by voice vote; most grant approvals were moved and seconded during the meeting and recorded in minutes as “motion passes” or “that motion passes.” Where applicants had active code cases, staff confirmed the cases were closed before recommending awards (for example, the Hadley property code case was resolved). Rachel Perez declared a conflict of interest and recused herself on at least two items where she said she works for the applicant’s family.

The decisions will be forwarded with the CRA board’s recommendations and, in the case of the denied hotel repaint/restriping application, staff noted the applicant may reapply or pursue the matter before the CRA board despite the advisory recommendation.

Votes at a glance: CRA applications decided in the meeting • Barrington Kirkham (206 NE 12th Ave) — grant recommended by staff; motion to approve carried; award: $8,516 (staff-calculated, 75% match referenced in materials). • Tracy and Randy Alderson — grant recommended; motion to approve carried; award: $8,175 (75% match referenced in materials). • Jody Talmadge — grant recommended; motion to approve carried; award: $20,000 (maximum residential grant). • Patrick and Nathaniel Hadley — two adjacent reroof projects recommended and approved; low quotes cited at $13,735 and $14,526 with a 50% match applied (staff said a prior form error displayed 75% but the award reflects a 50% match). • CRA25-0036 (TC Opportunity 4 LLC / Robert Greene) — windows, insulation, fence; staff recommended approval; motion carried; eligible award: $15,200 (75% match as presented). • CRA25-0012 (vacant building on State Road 40 corridor) — commercial rehabilitation; staff recommended approval; motion carried; eligible award: $50,000 (60% match cap). • Hotel repaint/parking restriping (Wyndham franchise) — staff recommended support but multiple board members opposed awarding CRA funds for repainting a four‑year‑old building; motion to deny carried (board recommended denial to CRA board). • CRA25-0035 (mural on North Eighth Avenue) — staff recommended approval; motion carried; total cost $22,650 with CRA match $13,590; OMAC reviewed and recommended.

Staff confirmed program rules during presentations: residential residential property improvement grants generally used a 75% match formula for some projects, but the board applied a 50% match for certain reroof projects consistent with a recent CRE board change; commercial grants use a 60% match and have a $50,000 cap. Staff also indicated that projects with active code enforcement cases are not processed until the code cases are closed.

Ending: The CRA’s approvals will be forwarded to the CRA board for final processing where required; several applicants are expected to proceed to contractor scheduling and building permits. The hotel applicant can reapply or pursue the matter with the CRA board despite the advisory recommendation to deny.