Lauderhill CRA lays out infill housing, Wingate Plaza security upgrades and plans for 1883 NW 38th Ave

The Lauderhill Community Redevelopment Agency on Nov. 24 outlined a slate of housing and commercial projects intended to eliminate blight and advance the CRA plan, while clarifying what uses are allowable under Florida law.

Executive Director Sean Henderson told the CRA and city commission that state law (Florida Statutes chapter 163, part III) narrowly limits CRA spending to activities that eliminate blight and implement the adopted plan. "CRA funds may only be spent on activities that directly eliminate blight and advance the projects identified in the adopted CRA plan," Henderson said as he reviewed eligible categories including planning, acquisition, demolition, public infrastructure and affordable‑housing initiatives.

Why it matters: Lauderhill’s CRA is proposing projects that shift its focus from events to long‑term infrastructure and housing — changes Henderson said reflect recent state guidance. The proposals could affect neighborhoods where the CRA owns or acquires property and will drive near‑term contracting and construction work.

What the agency presented: Henderson summarized Central Lauderhill statistics for tax year 2025, saying the district contains 3,649 residential units (about 751 single‑family homes and 2,457 condominium units) and reported a residential taxable value of $736,586,606 (a 10.33% year‑over‑year increase). On the commercial side he reported 19 properties totaling $30,879,820 in taxable value (a 5.34% YOY change).

Henderson described a set of infill housing projects. Two single‑family homes in the Renaissance Point area are complete and expected to be sold by year‑end; a second small group of homes has been bid and contractors are preparing to build the remaining units. At Renaissance Plaza staff estimated water and sewer site work at $67,823 to support nine single‑family homes ranging about 1,800–2,400 square feet.

The CRA also discussed a Habitat for Humanity development on a 3.133‑acre site behind Tree Gardens. Henderson said the site’s RM‑18 zoning allows up to 18 units per acre but the planned buildout is smaller by design — "26 fee simple townhomes and eight single‑family homes" — to preserve yard space, with 52 owner parking spaces and 34 guest spaces.

Wingate Plaza and police substation: The commission approved a $96,500 change order for Platinum General Contracting to add security upgrades — including a rear bulletproof door, added front‑wall reinforcement and concrete block demising walls — into an already‑awarded storefront renovation contract. Henderson said using a change order avoids the delay of a new bid because the contractor is already mobilized on site; staff estimated completion of the expanded scope in about six to eight months.

1883 Northwest 38th Avenue: The CRA acquired an under‑25,000‑sq‑ft warehouse at 1883 NW 38th Ave and is evaluating adaptive reuse options. Henderson said the CRA intends to keep an existing church tenant and will consider a mix of civic and economic uses including a tech incubator, a technical skills training center, an employee clinic to reduce employer health costs, and site improvements to add green space and organized parking. He said staff will return with a business plan and a third‑party cost‑per‑square‑foot analysis.

Questions and next steps: Commissioners pressed staff on homeownership versus rental balance, irrigation and beautification funding, maintenance and code enforcement, and plans if CRAs are eliminated under future county or state action. Henderson and the city manager said Lauderhill’s CRA is largely city‑funded and that positive CRA fund balances would be absorbed by the city if the statutory CRA structure sunsets. The commission did not take additional binding action on the plan at the presentation; staff said more detailed project plans and procurement steps will return for further approvals.

The CRA presentation ran through staff slides and questions; commissioners and staff said they would continue follow‑up conversations and return with additional specifics for upcoming agenda items.