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Fort Lauderdale CRA advisory board approves $350,000 in façade and PBIP incentives for Art of Tea after debate
Summary
The Fort Lauderdale CRA advisory board recommended $225,000 from the Property Business Improvement Program and $125,000 for a commercial façade improvement — a total of $350,000 — to Art of Tea for renovations at 900 Northeast 13th Street after public comment and discussion about retail access, truck traffic and grant limits.
The Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency advisory board voted to recommend targeted incentive funding of $225,000 under the Property Business Improvement Program (PBIP) and $125,000 for a commercial façade improvement — a total of $350,000 — to support renovations at 900 Northeast 13th Street for Art of Tea.
The recommendation came after a presentation by Steve Schwartz, who said the company plans to convert a vacant warehouse into production space with a tasting bar and limited retail pickup. "What we're asking for is $550,000," Schwartz told the board, describing interior and exterior renovations, design and permit costs and a hopeful operational target of early 2026. He said the expansion would create "a minimum of 7" new permanent jobs.
Board members and neighbors pressed Schwartz on how much of the space would be…
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