Ocala CRA board rejects West Ocala grant for new medical office; advisory committee had recommended approval

The City of Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Agency Board on May 20 voted against awarding a new‑construction incentive grant for a proposed 10,000‑square‑foot medical office proposed for the West Ocala CRA subarea.

Economic Development Manager Roberto Ellis told the board the applicant, identified in the record as Kerry Wilson Robinson on behalf of the applicant business, proposed a new medical facility adjacent to an existing clinic. Ellis said the project is estimated at $4,500,000 and would add at least 10 new employees. He said the CRA’s scoring rules require a minimum score of 80 out of 100; the West Ocala CRA advisory committee gave the application an average score of 85.6 and recommended approval with a CRA match equal to 5.5% of project costs up to a maximum of $211,918. Ellis said staff recommended denial because the application did not align with the West Ocala CRA plan’s priority areas and…