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West Ocala CRA committee advances commercial-grant revision, reviews housing funds and project updates
Summary
The West Ocala CRA Advisory Committee voted to forward proposed revisions to the commercial building improvement grant to the CRA board and received updates on Brownfield work, surplus lots, Tucker Hill, affordable housing commitments and a downtown parking garage public meeting.
Committee staff presented multiple program and project updates and the committee voted to advance proposed revisions to the commercial building improvement grant for final consideration by the CRA board.
Roberto Ellis (presenting as the economic development manager) summarized the proposed edit: the commercial building improvement grant’s current maximum of $15,000 covers a limited list of eligible costs (e.g., renovations for reuse, ADA upgrades, demolitions, parking resurfacing, exterior window/door replacement, signage). Staff recommended raising the maximum and updating program language to allow reimbursement for more comprehensive projects on vacant parcels, and to better align with recent increases to construction costs. Ellis said the proposed changes would be considered by the CRA board at its Feb. 18 meeting and, if approved, the updated program and application materials would be posted to the city website.
Charlita Whitehead, economic development and cultural arts projects coordinator, updated the committee on several projects: the master plan for a Brownfield site is being finalized by consultants and community meetings will be scheduled to present the final plan; groundwater remediation work on a lot east of Mary Sue Ridge is underway to allow additional redevelopment options; surplus city lots under a quarter acre are listed on the procurement site; and the Tucker Hill plat and infrastructure are complete with invitations to negotiate expected around August.
On affordable housing, staff said the CRA collaborated with the community services department and had budgeted $150,000 for the current fiscal year; staff said those funds have been committed to ongoing or completed projects and that, given demand, staff expects to seek a budget amendment to allocate additional funds. Ellis said approximately $402,943 will become due for payment for projects this fiscal year and the CRA balance is roughly $699,000; some projects are paid over three years and staff may ask council for additional funds if needed.
Staff also announced two public meetings about the downtown parking garage on Jan. 30 (noon and 5:30 p.m.) at the Cultural Arts Center, 23 SW Broadway. Members were asked to confirm upcoming term renewals: five terms expire at the end of February; three members had indicated they would continue and two remained to be confirmed. The meeting closed with standard administrative motions and adjournment.
Next steps: staff will present the commercial grant revisions to the CRA board on Feb. 18, continue outreach on the master plan and Brownfield work, and bring any necessary budget amendments forward to city council.
