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CRA approves phased small-business grants, park signage and tree program; staff issues demand letter to downtown tenant
Summary
The CRA approved changes to a $20,000 matching grant program (allowing phased disbursements), approved Hercules Park entrance signage (estimated $80,000) and a CRA tree-planting program; staff also reported sending a demand letter to Tina and Joe's Cafe for lease noncompliance.
City CRA staff presented several downtown economic and placemaking items and secured council approval on multiple measures.
Matching grant program: CRA staff recommended a flexible approach to a $20,000 matching grant intended to help new and existing downtown businesses participate. Staff proposed allowing phased disbursements (for example, $10,000 now and $10,000 later or two-phase releases) so smaller businesses can meet matching requirements. Council supported phasing and approved the program with staff tasked to track deadlines and implement a calendar-based reminder system.
Hercules Park signage: Staff displayed design documents for a new entrance sign system for Hercules Park with Florida fieldstone, blue/green mosaic tiles and a 14-foot column with a backlit “Z” logo. The large monument sign will be installed at the 301 entrance near Culver’s; staff estimated the sign/column cost at about $80,000 and said funding is in the park/CRA budget. Council approved the design; staff said the construction documents in the packet show exact details.
CRA tree program: The CRA presented a tree program to plant street trees inside the CRA district (CRA to pay for trees within the district) and to require utilities approval of planting locations. Council asked to add magnolias to the species list; staff said the list was reviewed by IFAS and that a landscape contractor would handle installation and homeowner coordination. Council approved the program.
Tina & Joe’s lease: CRA staff reported repeated attempts to obtain required sales-audit reports and payments from Tina and Joe’s Cafe under its lease; staff hand-delivered earlier notices and mailed a demand letter this week. According to staff, there has been no substantive response and CRA staff said they will continue with lease-termination/eviction steps if the tenant does not cure within the statutory cure period.
Quotes and context: CRA staff emphasized the program changes are intended to broaden participation: "We are doing this to get people to participate," staff said when explaining phased grant options. On the tenant issue staff said they had attempted multiple outreach efforts and that the demand letter was issued after earlier communications failed to produce the required documents.
What’s next: CRA staff will implement tracking and reminders for grant deadlines, proceed with procurement for signage and tree plantings per the approved plan, and continue the compliance process for the tenant lease matter.
